Lamar University professor Dr. Debbie Troxclair elected President of AGTS-Louisiana

Lamar University’s Dr. Debbie Troxclair has been elected as the President of the Association for Gifted & Talented Students (AGTS-Louisiana).  

Dr. Troxclair's experience with AGTS-Louisiana began in the late 1980s when she taught a pull-out class for gifted learners in St. Tammany Parish Public Schools. At that time, the organization provided crucial professional and personal support to educators and parents of gifted and talented children.  

“I am very excited and honored to be the newly elected president of AGTS-Louisiana for the 2024-2025 term,” Dr. Troxclair said. “This organization provided me with so much support as a new teacher and parent of a gifted and artistically talented son in Louisiana from the 1980s to 2000.” 

Although she relocated to Texas in 2001 and became involved in various organizations at the state, national, and international levels, Dr. Troxclair rediscovered AGTS in late 2021. The organization was undergoing a revival and planning its first conference in years, prompting Dr. Troxclair to re-engage. 

"I completed the membership registration, volunteered to create the conference brochure, and submitted a proposal to present at the conference,"Dr. Troxclair said. "At the conference, a colleague suggested to the then-president, Lisa De Jean, that she consider me as a possible person to lead the organization into its next stage of renewal as its next president. And the rest, as they say, is history." 

Dr. Troxclair brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role. She holds a Ph.D. in Special Education with an emphasis in Gifted Education from The University of Southern Mississippi. Her doctoral dissertation, titled "Self-perception, Temperament Type, Achievement, Grade Level, and Gender in Intellectually Gifted Youth," reflects her commitment to understanding and supporting the needs of gifted students. 
 
“I saw this position as a way of giving back, and it is always good to go ‘home’”, Dr. Troxclair said. “It is my goal to keep up the momentum and resurgence of this group of gifted educators moving forward in their efforts of supporting gifted education in Louisiana, as leaders in their field of passion, as advocates for gifted learners and their education, and in helping the association in networking with other educational organizations in Louisiana.” 

In addition to her leadership role in AGTS-Louisiana, Dr. Troxclair recently published two articles in "De Gids 2.0 Over Begaafdheid in het " ondersjs”(The Guide 2.0 Giftedness in Education), edited by E. Van Gerven. 

One of her chapters, titled "Possible Barriers to Identity Development for Twice Exceptional Students," delves into the challenges faced by individuals who are both highly gifted and have additional identified exceptionalities, such as specific learning disabilities, ADHD, Autism spectrum disorders, and emotional and behavioral challenges. Dr. Troxclair identifies and discusses barriers these students encounter during their identity development process, providing valuable insights and suggestions for overcoming these challenges. 

Another chapter, "The ABCs of Connective Literacy: An Approach to Psychoeducating Twice-Exceptional Learners," explores connective literacy as an instructional strategy to support gifted and twice-exceptional learners in developing their identities. This approach combines elements of bibliotherapy, collaborative storytelling, and avatar usage to enhance students' responses to literature and foster a positive self-concept. 

“We are hoping that readers of these two chapters acquire additional knowledge of the nature and cognitive, affective, and academic needs of twice exceptional learners and offer instructional strategies to provide classroom teachers with classroom support this population of learners,” Dr. Troxclair said. 

Dr. Troxclair's election as President of AGTS-Louisiana is a testament to her dedication to the field of gifted education and her commitment to advocating for the unique needs of gifted learners. Her leadership is expected to contribute significantly to the organization's continued renewal and support for gifted students and educators in Louisiana.