Minnesota Council for the Gifted & Talented

CHAT Night: Gifted 101

with mary wandrei, phd, lp

Thursday, Sept 24
7:00 – 8:30pm CDT 

Via Zoom

FREE and OPEN to ALL!
No registration required.

Join MCGT for an informal and informative conversation about giftedness with MCGT Board President and owner of Cottonwood Center, Mary Wandrei.

What is a CHAT Night? CHAT (Connect. Help. Advocate. Talk.) Nights are dedicated to informally connecting parents of gifted children, helping them find other parents in similar situations with an ear to listen, experiences to share, and solutions to offer. Each CHAT Night starts with a brief (10-15 minutes) presentation by a facilitator on a designated topic of interest followed by small group discussion.

The format of CHAT Nights is intended to be casual, rather than structured. Due to the nature of CHAT nights, they are not recorded.

Join Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81629779877?pwd=s16UlbmB4ZcIwqMftbtTv6pk8BOtwi.1

Speaker: Resiliency, Technology, Giftedness and the Self Driven Child with Ned Johnson

tuesday, october 20, 2026
7:00 – 8:30pm cdt

$10 for MCGT Members
$25 for Non-Members

REGISTER NOW!

The relentless stream of advice, the constant comparisons, and the pressure to raise children who excel in every area: it’s no wonder that so many parents—and the kids they raise—feel overwhelmed. For gifted children especially, their focus on academic and extracurricular outcomes can hinder self-drive and lead to anxiety and burnout.

As an expert who has spent decades helping children and families develop resilience and confidence, Ned Johnson will speak to us about how to impart in kids a healthy sense of control over their own lives and nurture intrinsic motivation and well-being.  

In addition, the national conversation about kids and technology has particular significance for gifted children. Offering recent research and real-life examples, Ned will advise families on how to promote the healthy use of technology (and mitigate the negative impacts of constant digital exposure) while still maintaining family harmony and connection. 

MCGT Members who are registered to attend the event will have access to the video recording for four months after the event.

  

Join MCGT’s Gifted Adult Community Group!

FREE* and Open to All
BUT registration is required

All are welcome! 

*Participants will be responsible for the cost of their own food, drink, and activities at event venues.

Saint Paul Fall Gangster Walkabout

Sunday, Oct 25, 2026
1:00pm – 4:00pm CT

MORE DETAILS AND REGISTRATION

Curious about Saint Paul’s colorful history? Join together for a fall walk through downtown Saint Paul with stops that bring to life the stories of some of Saint Paul’s nefarious characters from the 1920’s.

Lace up your walking shoes and come along to enjoy the stories, the autumn air and connecting with friends new and old!

After the tour we will convene at a local watering hold to raise a glass to colorful historical characters, crisp autumn air and gifted comrades!