Rate My Professor Angela Novak

Angela Novak is an Associate Professor in the Literacy Studies, Special Education, and Emergency Preparedness department within East Carolina University’s College of Education. She also serves as the Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Program Coordinator, overseeing approvals for course substitutions and ensuring alignment with North Carolina Department of Public Instruction standards for the AIG add-on licensure. Dr. Novak earned her Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership, with a focus in Gifted Education Administration, from The College of William and Mary. With more than 25 years of experience in education—from public schools and private non-profit summer programs to higher education institutions—she has dedicated her career to advancing teacher preparation and gifted education. Previously serving as Assistant Professor and AIG Coordinator from 2017 to 2023, she now holds her current associate professor position. Dr. Novak coordinates the Equity and Advocacy in Gifted and Talented Education Certificate and the Gifted and Talented Education Certificate programs, equipping pre-service and in-service educators with essential skills.

Dr. Novak’s research interests encompass equity-driven professional learning in gifted education, culturally responsive practices, gifted critical race theory, identification and support for culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse gifted learners, advocacy for talented youth, rural gifted learners, and professional development for gifted educators. Her work explores teacher training, overexcitabilities, underrepresented populations, and the social-emotional lives of gifted children. She has produced over 50 publications, accumulating 102 citations, including key peer-reviewed articles such as “Using Case Studies to Develop Equity-Driven Professional Learning for Educators of Gifted Children” (2020), “Guiding Principles in Developing Equity-Driven Professional Learning for Educators of Gifted Children” (2020), “Gatekeepers in Gifted: A Case Study of the Disproportionality of Gifted Black Youth in Elementary Programs” (2020), “Black (Gifted) Joy: A Critical Race Theory Perspective” (2021), “Peter Parker Principle: From White Privilege to Gifted Critical Discourse” (2022), and “Perceptions of a Gifted Coordinator on University/District Collaboration Providing Culturally Responsive Gifted Professional Learning: A Phased Analysis of the Four-Zone Equity-Driven Model of Professional Learning” (2023). In leadership roles, she has been Past Chair and Program Chair of the National Association for Gifted Children’s Professional Development Network, as well as Communications Chair and Newsletter Editor. In 2024, Dr. Novak received the Distinguished Service Award from The Association for the Gifted of North Carolina for her contributions to professional standards, gifted education initiatives, and addressing the needs of exceptional children in legislation.