Let me make an introduction!

I am a passionate educator who has found her niche - my tribe. Gifted education has been an area of curiosity and passion for me for as long as I can remember. It’s my heart calling so to speak. I hope you enjoy my take on life as a parent of a child who is gifted, wife to a husband who is gifted, teacher of gifted students, trainer and mentor of teachers of gifted and advocate for families and communities who serve students who are gifted. Oh, and did I mention - I am a self proclaimed geek and highly gifted adult myself?!

A little about my personal educational experience:

I have taught students in public and private school settings - working with grades K-8. I even homeschooled my own son for a bit, when we realized that he required a unique approach to meet his needs. I have educational experience in both low and high socio-economic schools - urban and rural - teaching both as a self-contained classroom teacher, gifted resource teacher, and gifted co-teacher. I have extensive experience with Exceptional Education Services and English Language Learners, often serving as an advocate or intermediary during meetings between teachers and parents. I have trained hundreds of colleagues, conducted parent universities, mentored new teachers, planned summer camps for gifted students, created countless engaging lessons and always walked away learning something new myself. I have designed district and school level curricular experiences for learners, working with teachers on standards-based planning and implementation. My strategic work with a virtual gifted program, improving and updating processes with general education, ESE, gifted teachers and district leadership to provide a quality virtual learning experience for over 100 identified gifted learners turned out to have massive benefits in 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic impacted schools. This platform has continued to develop and improve over time.

In 2019, I had the distinct pleasure of being recruited for the ground level work with district and school leadership to open and support a brand new elementary magnet school which housed two separate magnet programs - one which provided full-time gifted services for over 400 identified gifted students in 1st-5th grades and a literacy program which supported intensive interventions for approximately 80 students who showed characteristics of Dyslexia. Initially, both magnet centers required extensive support and guidance. As part of the team tasked with these endeavors, I found myself learning and growing in ways I had not imagined. Over the past five years, the relationships built and knowledge I have shared allowed me to extend my support to a full-time gifted middle school magnet program, as well as other district programs. Currently, I work as an Instructional Staff Developer, designing learning pathways for colleagues, focused on talent development, enrichment, and enhanced literacy for all students. Mostly, I have spent the past 20 years learning as much as I can and trying to be a support to those around me, all while working to further the field of gifted education and talent development in order to better support all of our students.

These experiences have led me here. Looking to share my personal thoughts and gained experiences as I navigate life, education, parenting - as well as find some new inspiration of my own!

I am nothing if not a lifelong learner.

Here are some of my current obsessions:

1. Great literature

2. Vintage anything

3. Animals

4. Puns

5. Pop culture

6. Working with my students to help them learn more about themselves and the world around them

7. Helping fellow educators develop their own understanding of gifted education and how they can better serve our students

There is clearly much to explore. I am glad you are here with me as I share my thoughts in a quest to spread curiosity, kindness and joy. I strongly believe that what we do in gifted education is beneficial to all learners, and if we want to continue to grow and expand our own knowledge, we must share what we have learned and be open to learning from others.

My goal is to develop students who believe in their potential and abilities - finding satisfaction in whatever path they choose.

Feel free to email me or follow me on social media! I would love to connect and grow together!