George Betts

NAGC is saddened by the death of George Betts on Saturday, August 3, 2019.

Dr. George Betts is Professor Emeritus at the University of Northern Colorado. He is the founder and former director of the Center for the Education and Study of the Gifted, Talented, and Creative, as well as the founder and former director of the Summer Enrichment Program (SEP). Dr. Betts is an internationally acclaimed speaker and consultant who specializes in assisting schools, districts, states, and national organizations to implement and refine programs for gifted and talented learners. He developed the Autonomous Learner Model (ALM) for the facilitation of lifelong learners. The ALM is implemented throughout the world.

Dr. Betts served on the board of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) for 21 years and received the 1990-1991 Distinguished Service Award from NAGC. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented (CAGT) in 1996.

In 2003, NAGC selected Dr. Betts as one of the 50 Most Influential Leaders in the history of Gifted Education (Profiles of Influence in Gifted Education). In 2006 he received the prestigious M. Lucile Harrison Award for Professional Excellence at the University of Northern Colorado. Dr. Betts considers this to be the capstone award of his career, since it was conferred by his professional peers. He is currently serving as President of NAGC.

Dr. Betts retired after 35 years at the University of Northern Colorado. He believes UNC gave him the opportunity to become who he is today.

Speaker Topics:

• Autonomous Learner Model
• Whole Gifted Child
• Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Children