Dr. Emily King is a Child Psychologist and former School Psychologist who has worked with neurodivergent children and teens for over 20 years. She received her Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she worked on various research projects at Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute and completed a clinical training at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities. She spent the first five years of her career as a School Psychologist in public elementary, middle, and high schools in Houston, Texas where she specialized in providing school-based mental health services for preschoolers through adolescents. Dr. Emily returned home to North Carolina in 2010 where she has since worked in private practice providing therapy, evaluation, and consultation services for autistic children as well as those diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, depression, giftedness, learning difficulties, and/or twice-exceptionality. She is well-versed in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, DIR/Floortime, Conscious Discipline, and Social Thinking methodologies.

Dr. Emily is also the founder of Learn with Dr. Emily where she provides monthly workshops online for parents and in-person professional development for K-12 educators. She has been featured on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, quoted in The New York Times and The Washington Post, and has written for Parents.com. Dr. Emily is passionate about empowering parents and teachers to take care of themselves so they can grow into the adult that every neurodivergent child needs in their life. She and her husband enjoy spending time with their two boys, ages 10 and 16 years old. You can learn more with Dr. Emily by reading her blog on Substack or listening to her podcast. Her new book, THE NEURODIVERGENT LEARNER, will be available for presale in early 2026.

2027 Featured Presenters

Dr. Brian Housand

A perennial favorite of participants at NCAGT, Dr. Brian Housand is the Coordinator of the Academically or Intellectually Gifted Program at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. A highly sought-after educational consultant, with a focus on integration of technology and creativity into the learning environment, Brian has presented at scores of regional, state, national, and international conferences and workshops. His presentations are always novel, engaging, and focus on cutting edge, current issues in gifted and general education.

Brian earned his master’s and Ph.D. degrees in gifted education from the University of Connecticut, where he was also a graduate research assistant for the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented at UCONN. He taught for ten years at East Carolina University prior to moving into his current role at UNC-W. Brian also teaches courses in gifted education for Rutgers University and Bridges Graduate Schools. He is the author of Fighting Fake News! Teaching Critical Thinking and Media Literacy in a Digital Age. Brian has served two terms on the National Association for Gifted Children Board of Directors. We are pleased to once again
welcome him to the NCAGT Annual Conference as a keynote speaker.

Dr. Matthew Zakreski

Dr. Matthew Zakreski (affectionately known as “Dr. Matt”) is a seasoned clinical psychologist and professional speaker renowned for his expertise in serving neurodivergent individuals (people with

different brains such as gifted, ADHD, Autism, and dyslexia). Dr. Matt thrives in supporting young people

in understanding, developing, and celebrating their unique brains while developing strengths-based ways

of operating in their world. He is best known for his work with gifted individuals as an advocate for using accessible understanding of neurodivergent needs to implement high-level supports. Having delivered over 500 talks all over the world, Dr. Matt has cultivated a reputation as a dynamic keynote speaker, captivating audiences with his insightful presentations and empowering messages.

Ready to Book Your Room for 2027?

Attendees can use the link above to book hotel rooms at a discounted rate until February 9, 2027. The discounted group rate of $204.00 includes: ✓ Free made-to-order breakfast, ✓ Complimentary evening reception, ✓ Non-smoking rooms, ✓ On-site restaurant, ✓ Indoor pool, ✓ Fitness center, ✓ Pet-friendly rooms, ✓ Business center, ✓ Complimentary wireless high internet access, and ✓ Complimentary parking.

If you will be calling in your reservation, you must identify yourself as being with North Carolina Association for Gifted and Talented to receive the room block discount.

Please note: If you receive a message that there are no rooms available, try visiting www.embassysuitesconcord.com, enter the dates, and use the code 96U.