Marcy Dann, Ed.D.
For over 39 years, I helped families uncover the gifts hidden beyond labels and limitations.
I was a board-certified educational therapist helping gifted and twice-exceptional learners see themselves clearly — gifts first, always gifts first. What I didn't see, for most of that time, was myself.
I write about the gifts we dismiss because they come too easily, the inner critic we mistake for the truth, and what becomes possible when we finally turn the same generous attention inward that we've been giving everyone else.
My book is forthcoming this fall.Stay with me. There is more to come.
Projects and News
speaking Events
UPCOMING Workshops and Panels
2026
20th European Council for High Ability (ECHA)
August
When Assessments Overlook Giftedness: 2e Learners Hiding in Plain Sight, Workshop Presenter
Description: This study explores the complex needs of twice exceptional (2e) students by interviewing 12 parent participants whose children received assessment results and recommendations. Using a qualitative case study method, the stories of parent participants were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews. This study highlights a shift toward a strength-based, talent-focused model following the assessment process of 2e children, moving away from today’s prevalent deficit-based model of education. These findings suggest that parents of 2e children often observe gifts and talents at home but are concerned about their children’s learning challenges in school. Yet professionals still struggle to recognize 2e characteristics. Comprehensive assessments, intended to guide interventions, too often fall short and emphasize deficits. The findings suggest that it is essential to look beyond the assessment scores to address a strength-based, talent focused approach to meet the complex needs of 2e students who are hiding in plain sight.
Beyond Deficit-Based Models: Nurturing Ability and Growth", Panelist
Moderator: Dr. Susan BaumCo-panelists included Dr. C. Matthew Fugate, Dr. Marcy Dann, and Dr. Kim Vargas
Dublin, Ireland
Asia Pacific Gifted Conference
February
When Assessments Overlook Giftedness: 2e Learners Hiding in Plain Sight, Workshop Presenter
Beyond Deficit-Based Models: Nurturing Ability and Growth", Symposium Panelist
Moderator: Dr. Susan Baum
Co-panelists included Dr. C. Matthew Fugate, Dr. Marcy Dann, and Dr. Kim Vargas
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
William and Mary February
Online
California Association of the Gifted
Santa Barbara, CA
PAST PRESENTATIONS
National Association of Gifted Children
Pittsburgh, PA
November 13 - 16, 2025
26th World Conference for Gifted and Talented Children
Braga, Portugal
July 29 - Aug 2, 2025
2e Learner Breakthrough Stories:Removing Hurdles in Day to Day Learning
opresente: Dr. Marcy Dann, Dr. Kelley Monterusso, and Dr. Kim Vargas
The How and Why of Talent Development Programs for Twice Exceptional Students
Panel: Dr. Susan Baum, Dr. Marcy Dann, Dr. Stacey Hilborn, and Mark Long
Stories of Success: Strength-Based, Talent-Focused Teaching and Learning for Twice Exceptional Students Works!
Copresenter: Dr. Susan Baum and Dr. Marcy Dann
2e at William & Mary: Twice Exceptional Online Conference (2e25)Co-presenter Breakout Session: 2e Learner Breakthrough Stories: Removing Hurdles in Day to Day LearningDr. Marcy Dann and Dr. Kelley Monterusso
Description: Twice exceptional students with 504s or IEPs may still encounter barriers that result in being stuck, resistant, avoidant, and anxious. Through a positive psychology lens, the speakers emphasize how little adjustments can be a powerful companion to build self-determination skills when complex and nuanced issues interfere with learning. Each of us, including parents, counselors, and specialists are empowered and positioned to support 2e students as they shift from survival mode to self-actualization.
19th ECHA Conference EXPANDING HORIZONS
28-31.08 Thessaloniki, Greece
Co-presenter: Talent Development: The key to motivation for twice exceptional students
Dr. Susan Baum and Dr. Marcy Dann
Panelist: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Using film to address social and emotional needs of gifted and twice exceptional students
Dr. Susan Baum, Dr. Kristen Berman, Rose R. Blucher, M.ED, Dr. Marcy Dann, Dr. Kimberly Vargas
Stanford Neurodiverity Summit 2024
Panel: How to Work Strengths Into the Curriculum (UDL)
2e at William & Mary: Twice Exceptional Online Conference (2e24)
Co-presenter Breakout Session: Their Stories: How Little Adjustments Led to Unexpected 2e Learner Breakthroughs
Dr. Marcy Dann and Dr. Kelley Monterusso
Description: Discover how little actions may immediately change the trajectory for twice-exceptional (2e) students who are stuck, resistant, avoidant, and anxious. While the needs of these students often remain unmet in schools (Baum et al., 2017; Reis et. al, 2014), their stories reveal how seemingly insignificant adjustments opened unexpected doors to self-actualization. Join us to learn about the powerful impact of small-scale changes that led to big breakthroughs and strength-based, talent-focused opportunities.
National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC) 2023
Co-presenter Workshop: Strength-based Planning: A parent's role
Dr. Susan Baum, Dr. Marcy Dann, and Kim Vargas
Description: While the law is clear that IEPs and 504 plans need to be build around students' strengths and interests, school personnel often have insufficient information about Twice-exceptional (2e) students' abilities. In this session, learn how to provide appropriate information about our child and how to create opportunities for your child to perfrom at his or her personal best.
Bridges Academy and Bridges Academy Online 2023
Workshop: Executive Functioning Skills Towards Autonomy
2e at William & Mary: Twice Exceptional Online Conference (2E23)
Create a 2e Profile: Under What Conditions does your Child Thrive?
2e at William & Mary: Twice Exceptional Online Conference (2E23)
Co-presenter Session: From Survival Mode to Self-Actualization: Preserving the Dignity of 2e Students
California Association of the Gifted (CAG) 2023
Create 2e Profiles with Ease Using a Strength-based Lens
Sycamore School Gifted Summit 2023 Reaching New Heights
Strength-based, Talent-focused Lens: 2e Students Thrive!
AAGT Tap in Talent! 49th Annual Conference (2023)
Create a 2e Learner Profile with Expertise
CHADD Bergen County 2022
Processing Speed and Working Memory Skills
REEL2e.org 2022
Processing Speed Skills
CAG 2022
Online Panelist: Creating friendly environments for neurodiverse learners
2e at William & Mary: Twice Exceptional Online Conference (2E22)Online Breakout Session Title: Non-negotiables in the Learning Environment for Twice-exceptional LearnersEducators who create learning environments must consider the intellectual, social, creative, emotional, and physical non-negotiable needs in the classroom that support the joyful learning experiences of twice-exceptional learners. For educators and parents.
2e at William & Mary: Twice Exceptional Online Conference (2E22)
Online Breakout Session Title: What Do Parents Do With Their Children's Assessment Results? Description: Parents may receive the results of their twice-exceptional child’s psycho-educational evaluation but have varying responses. To what extent might parents understand the results? Do parents desire further clarification of the results and support to follow the list of recommendations? Continued parent education regarding the assessment results goes a long way to guide parents who are invested in supporting their child both at school and at home especially when using a strength-based, talent focused lens. For parents.