Laurie Croft

Current Positions

• Clinical Professor - Talented and Gifted

College of Education Affiliations

• Belin-Blank Center
• Department of Teaching and Learning
• Elementary Education

Education

• PhD in Educational Leadership, University of Tulsa, 1994
• MA in History, University of Oklahoma, 1984
• BA in History (Honors), Oklahoma State University, 1978

Selected Awards & Honors

• Distinguished Service Award, National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). 2019
• Outstanding Honors Teacher, University of Iowa Honors Program. 2009
• State of Iowa Board of Regents Staff Excellence Award, University of Iowa/Board of Regents. 2008
• Audrey Qualls Commitment to Diversity Award, University of Iowa College of Education Diversity Committee. 2005

Professional Memberships

• Iowa Talented and Gifted Association
• National Association for Gifted Children
• World Council for Gifted and Talented Children

Selected Publications

• Croft, L. J., Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2019). Empowering Educators to Implement Acceleration: Professional Learning Is Essential. In A. Novak , C. L. Weber (Eds.) Best Practices in Professional Learning and Teacher Preparation: Special Topics for Gifted Professional Development. pp. 159-184. Waco, TX: Prufrock Press / National Association for Gifted Learners.
• Croft, L. J. (2018). Professional Learning in Gifted Education: Challenges for the Sole Practitioner. In A. Novak , C. Weber (Eds.) Best Practices in Professional Learning & Teacher Preparation: Methods & Strategies for Gifted Professionals. pp. 137 - 150. Waco, TX: Prufrock Press / National Association for Gifted Children.
• Szymanski, A., Croft, L. J. & Godor, B. P. (2017). Determining Attitudes Toward Ability (DATA): A New Tool for New Understanding. Journal of Advanced Academics / SAGE, 29(1), 29 - 55. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1932202X17738989.
• Croft, L. J. (2016). Creating a Climate of Inventiveness, Innovation, and Creativity. In D. Dailey , A. Cotabish (Eds.) Designing Innovative Engineering Instruction for High Ability Learners in K-8 Classrooms. pp. 57-70. Waco, TX: Prufrock Press & National Association for Gifted Children.
• Croft, L. J., Wood, S. M. (2015). Professional Development for Teachers and School Counselors: Empowering a Change in Perception and Practice of Acceleration. In S. G. Assouline , N. Colangelo , J. VanTassel-Baska , A. Lupkowski Shoplik (Eds.) A Nation Empowered: Evidence Trumps the Excuses That Hold Back America’s Brightest Students, Vol II. pp. 87-98. Iowa City, IA: Belin-Blank Center.
• Croft, L. J. (2015). Rural teachers of the gifted: The importance of professional learning. In T. Stambaugh , S. M. Wood (Eds.) Serving Gifted Students in Rural Settings. pp. 341-362. Waco, TX: Prufrock.
• Croft, L. J. (2014). NAGC Convention Themes: 21st Century Conference Presentations. [NAGC] Conceptual Foundations Network Newsletter, Spring, 20-25. (Vols. Spring). pp. 20-25. Washington, DC: National Association for Gifted Children.
• Croft, L. J. (2009). Professional Development. In B. A. Kerr (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent. pp. 710-712. Los Angeles, CA: Sage.
• Croft, L. (2003). Teachers of the Gifted: Gifted Teachers. In N. N. Colangelo , G. A. Davis (Eds.) Handbook of Gifted Education. (3rd), pp. 558 - 571. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
• Colangelo, N., Assouline, S. G., Croft, L., Baldus, C. & Ihrig, D. (2003). Young Inventors. In L. V. Shavinina (Eds.) International Handbook of Innovation. pp. 281-292. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. DOI: 10.1016/B978-008044198-6/50019-X

Selected Presentations

• Croft, L. J. (2021, October) Focus on Teacher-Student Relationships that Impact Gifted Learners. Conference Presentation presented at Shining a Light on Giftedness, Iowa Talented and Gifted (ITAG) Association, Des Moines, Iowa.
• Croft, L. J., Lange, R. (2021, September) Introduction to Gifted and Talented Education. Workshop, Baker Teacher Leader Center, Virtual (live and recorded).
• Godor, B. P., Szymanski, A., Croft, L. J. & Hoogeveen, L. (2021, August) Identifying the Essential Tensions in Teaching Gifted Students. Panel presented at Developing the Future of Gifted Education, World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, Virtual Live and Recorded.
• Croft, L. J., Payne, A. (2021, July) Teacher-Student Relationships that Inspire Gifted Student Engagement. Conference Presentation presented at Developing the Future of Gifted Education, World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, Virtual On Demand.
• Croft, L. J., Payne, A. (2021, July) Gifted and Talented International: A Resource for Professional Development. Conference Presentation presented at Developing the Future of Gifted Education, World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, Virtual On Demand.
• Assouline, S., Ann, L., Hoogeveen, L. & Croft, L. (2019, July) Acceleration: An Effective Option for the Development of Talents. Symposium presented at A World of Possibilities: Gifts, Talents, & Potential, World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, Nashville, Tennessee.
• Payne, A., Croft, L. (2019, July) Teachers Who Make a Difference: What Gifted Students Say. Conference Presentation presented at A World of Possibilities: Gifts, Talents, & Potential, World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, Nashville, Tennessee.
• Kay, S., Subotnik, R. & Croft, L. (2019, July) Human Potential: Nurturing Talents, Cultivating Expertise. Symposium presented at A World of Possibilities: Gifts, Talents, & Potential, World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, Nashville, Tennessee.
• Croft, L. J. (2019, July) Seeing the World of Possibilities: Creative Problem Solving. Conference Presentation presented at A World of Possibilities: Gifts, Talents, & Potential, World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, Nashville, Tennessee.
• Croft, L. J. (2018, December) Student Reflections on Influential Teachers. Conference Presentation presented at IAG: Gifted Cornerstones, Indiana Association for the Gifted, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Selected Grants & Contracts

• Croft, Laurie J (Investigator) Grant Equipment. nVivo (qualitative platform) Updated Full License. Sponsored by College of Education Student Computing Fees. Funded. November 6, 2017 - March 28, 2018.
• Croft, Laurie J Conference. World Council for Gifted and Talented Children Conference, Odense, Denmark. Sponsored by International Programs. Funded. June 25, 2015 - August 31, 2015.
• Croft, Laurie J (Principal Investigator), Shema, LaraGrant Undergraduate Scholarship or Fellowship. NAGC Convention Themes: Concurrent Presentations Across Networks. Sponsored by Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates. Funded. March 27, 2015 - May 31, 2016.
• Croft, Laurie J (Principal Investigator), Seales, KellieGrant Undergraduate Scholarship or Fellowship. Gifted Students Perceptions of Effective Teachers. Sponsored by Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates. Funded. March 1, 2013 - July 31, 2013.
• Croft, Laurie J Grant Equipment. nVivo (qualitative platform) Full License. Sponsored by College of Education Student Computing Fees. Funded. January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2014.
• Croft, Laurie J , Colangelo, Nicholas (Co-Investigator), Mills, Margaret (Senior Personnel) Contract Continuing Education. NUST MISiS Professional Development Academic Leadership Program. Sponsored by National University of Science and Technology (Moscow, Russia). Funded. October 1, 2012 - October 31, 2012.
• Croft, Laurie J , Colangelo, Nicholas (Co-Investigator), Mills, Margaret (Senior Personnel) Contract Continuing Education. NUST MISiS Professional Development Academic Leadership Program. Sponsored by National University of Science and Technology (Moscow, Russia). Funded. April 1, 2012 - April 30, 2012.
• Croft, Laurie J Grant Equipment. Miss Representation. Sponsored by College of Education Student Computing Fees. Funded. January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012.