Board of Directors
Executive Board
Region Representatives
NW Region 1
Director*: Luanne Lee
Assistant Director: SohyunYang
NC Region 2
Director*: Leigh Gritton
Assistant Director:
Kim Belanger
NE Region 3
Director*: Sarah Mahoney
Assistant Directors:
Carie Barber, Kim Curtis, Melissa Valenza
SW Region 4
Director*: Sharon Stockton
Assistant Director:
SC Region 5
Director*: Stephanie Rogerson
Assistant Director: OPEN
SE Region 6
Director*: Brad Johnson
Assistant Director: David Wolff
Committee Chairs
Professional Learning
Chair*: Carie Barber
2022 Convention Chairs: Lindsay Black
Mentorship: Nancy Thomas
Survey: Jessica Lofquist
Curriculum: Amanda Keller
SEL: Paulette Howard
Connections
Chair*: Laura Linstra
KLFA: Laura Linstra
KASP: Jess Wells
NAGC: Jessa Lucky-Goudelock
KSDE: Josie McClendon
Governance
Chair*: Amanda Keller
Historian & Great Plains Gifted Liaison: Connie Phelps
Advocacy: Sheri Stewart
ID: Melissa Valenza & Jasmine Puderbaugh
Rural ID: Daniel Wilson
Parent Information
Chairs*: Amy Gallentine & Jennifer Long
Jessa Lucky-Goudelock
Jess Wells
Lidiya Gettya
Jenny Long
2024 Legislative Shadow: Jasmine Puderbaugh
2025 Board Nominees
Vice President: Robyn Aeschliman
Robyn Aeschliman has served as the Shawnee Heights High School gifted facilitator for 19 years. She teaches two AP classes and sponsors the Model United Nations program. Robyn earned two master’s degrees - one in Gifted Education and the second in Curriculum and Instruction, and holds National Board Certification. Over her career Robyn has served the KGTC community in a variety of roles, most recently as Region 3 Chair, 2023 Convention Co-Chair, and Board Secretary. Other leadership roles include past president positions for the Topeka Alumnae Panhellenic Council and Junior League of Topeka. Her commitment to community service is also reflected in her volunteer work with First Baptist Church of Topeka. Married to Roger for 36 years, Robyn is the proud parent of two married adult children and Mimi to the world’s most perfect grandson who brings immense joy to her life.Treasurer: Leigh Johnson
My name is Leigh Johnson. I am currently running for the position of Treasurer for the KGTC state board of directors. I am finishing my first two-year term as Treasurer at this time, and I am happy to continue in this role for the board to provide some continuity and stability in managing our funds.
I have been part of the KGTC Board, in some capacity, for about 10 years. I have worked in gifted education for 21 years. I am starting year 16 at Maize High School, currently a member of the USD 266 Maize Cooperative. I also have 6 years of experience as a rural facilitator serving 4 small schools K-12. That experience was split by a 10-year period as a domestic engineer, during which time my husband and I owned a greenhouse business and I was extremely active in the local PRIDE organization in Alton, KS.
My husband, Gerald, and I currently live in Newton, KS. We have lived in Harvey County, just north of Wichita, since 2007. We are active in the Kansas Square Dance Association and have danced together since 1986 when I took square dance lessons at K-State while working on my undergraduate degree. We have two adult children and two grandpuppies.
Secretary: Jessica Lofquist
Jessica Lofquist is a gifted teacher for USD 457, Garden City Public Schools. She works with K-6 students. She has taught gifted for 3 years in Garden City Schools. Jessica has taught in Southwest Kansas for 23 years, and 13 years have been in gifted. She has served on the KGTC board since 2019 as Region 4 Chair and currently as co-chair of the Connections Committee. She enjoys working with gifted students and advocating for them.
* Denotes a voting board member
Interested in Joining KGTC's board?
See Job Descriptions and send us an email via the Contact Us page!