We are excited to announce that we have two new additions to our IEA staff! Louise Hindle and Min-Ling Li have both been involved with IEA and our programs before and have recently joined the team as Program Coordinators. Get to know more about these amazing individuals who will be leading some of our programs this year!
Louise Hindle
A British import, Louise graduated from the University of Manchester with a B.A. Honors Degree in English Literature and Language, completed her post-graduate teacher training at The University of Cambridge, and has recently completed her dissertation in Educational Leadership and Innovation with the University of Warwick. Louise has 20 years of experience in education as a high school literature teacher, lead teacher, administrator, adviser, and consultant. She is also the parent of three fun and active school-aged children. Louise has worked as a consultant with IEA’s Academy program and taught the “Small, Cerebral, and Stunning” Academy class over the summer. She now joins the IEA staff as Academy Coordinator.
What are you looking forward to in working with gifted students as the Academy Coordinator?
When it comes to working with the gifted community, I am most passionate about being able to provide an exciting and intellectually challenging diet of courses for our curious young minds to choose from. The Academy program is still young and has a great foundation in STEM courses. Building it further so that we can also meet the needs of those children who love the arts and literature along with those who are interested in engineering and technology are aspects of the role I’m keen to shape further.
This only draws attention to the children, though. One thing I have learned this summer in particular is how amazing the parents of our children are – as advocates of their children, as immensely patient and interested and interesting human beings, and as a source of knowledge for us as an organization. I look forward to getting to know them a bit more and learning from them further.
What was your favorite memory from Academy this summer?
This summer I had a fabulous time teaching my class on the development of the sonnet form. I called it ‘Small, Cerebral, and Stunning,’ which in turn became a very fitting description of the young people who took my class. Not only were their questions demanding and insightful, but their ability to connect with sonnets written hundreds of years ago was unbelievable. Every time I read Milton’s sonnets in the future, I will think of them huddled around, engaged in deep conversations about meanings and historical contexts.
What is your educational philosophy in a nutshell?
As an educator I am committed to Personalized Learning, that is in providing optimally for our students here, both through the accessing of deep content knowledge and through the best pedagogy to suit their individual needs. I believe that teaching is a craft, a craft that can be taught and learned, but one which depends on reflective practice and having a set of clear learning goals for each individual. I believe that we become better as educators by harnessing student voice, by listening to what our students want and need intellectually and emotionally, and then by shaping an education that is rigorous and attuned to this.
What is your favorite snack food?
Green and Black’s Organic Dark Chocolate any day of the week.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy hiking, surfing, and travelling with my family; going to watch classical theatre; going to concerts; and reading, of course. Since moving here, I’ve become a baseball fan and love going to watch The Dodgers, especially if it involves Friday night fireworks! At the weekend, I love to catch up on Skype with familiar faces from the UK.
Min-Ling Li
Min-Ling joins IEA after teaching high school mathematics in Los Angeles for the past two years. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Riverside and is currently working on a Master’s degree in Mathematics at California State University, Los Angeles. She is excited to cultivate relationships amongst exceptional students and with Mentors prominent in their fields. Her dedication to supporting high-potential students is rooted in her own experiences as a student who struggled to find outlets that nurtured her intellectual and social dispositions. Min-Ling will work primarily with the Apprenticeship Program. She served as a Resident Advisor for Apprenticeship this summer before joining the IEA team full-time as a Program Coordinator.
What interests you about working with gifted children?
My passion for working with the gifted community is rooted in my experiences as an immigrant child who was tested and designated as a gifted and talented student in the third grade. Although I struggled with communication because English was my second language, my teachers saw that there was something special with the way I learned and understood concepts. As a gifted student, I had many opportunities within my elementary and middle school to explore various interests in math, science, and music. As I progressed into secondary school, the opportunities began to dwindle, and being from an immigrant family, it was difficult to find other outlets for me to explore. I have decided to go outside of the classroom to help support students who are seeking outlets to fulfill their potential.
What have you learned about gifted students through working with the Apprenticeship Program this summer?
During the summer, I learned that many gifted students need a lot of support in order to maintain and/or increase their drive to perform above and beyond the norm. Through Apprenticeship, I believe we can help students realize and focus their potential while helping them to develop socially and professionally.
What are you looking forward to as a Program Coordinator for Apprenticeship?
I am looking forward to maintaining relationships with past Apprentices and building upon an incredible Apprenticeship Program. I would like to continue to expand our reach amongst students and mentors to encompass many disciplines and various work environments. I think students should explore every walk of life and develop their own understanding of where they might fit into making the world better.
What was your favorite memory from Apprenticeship this summer?
My favorite memories from Apprenticeship are the nights we spent with the Apprentices playing family games such as Pictionary and having movie nights. It gave me the opportunity to learn about the Apprentices in a way beyond what they had achieved academically.
What is your educational philosophy in a nutshell?
My educational philosophy is that every student deserves the opportunity to explore their potential.
What is your favorite snack food?
My favorite snack food is dark chocolate covered almonds. YUM!
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love running and run 5 to 6 days a week. It clears my mind and keeps me calm. I also like being a couch potato to unwind and rest.