by Michelle Bodwell, LMFT, ATR Fall is here. School has started again, and the wonderful freedom and chaos of summer has come to an end. As a parent, I do my best to embrace the fullness of each summer season. The loosening of the scheduling belt, the...
The Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) is excited to announce that 28 middle-schoolers from across the country have been named 2017 Caroline D. Bradley Scholars. The Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship is a four-year high school scholarship for gifted learners to attend an optimally matched high...
By Byron Lichtenstein - CDB Scholar, Yunasa Camper, Apprentice, IEA Board Member My relationship with IEA began in 2002 when I was a seventh grader. I grew up the product of 40-student classrooms and overworked teachers in a large California public school system. At age 7,...
Curated by Niña Abonal, Senior Program Coordinator From staff members traveling to conduct CDB Scholarship interviews, Yunasa camps teeming with energetic campers, Academy classes bustling with curious learners, and EXPLORE students externing at sites all over Los Angeles, summertime at IEA is nothing short of eventful. Not...
by Heather Honig, IEA Intern This summer, I came home from college hoping to gain experience working for a non-profit organization. While I still have some time before I have to choose a career path, I have always been passionate about giving back to my community....
By Cadence, 8, Academy Student This summer, I took two Academy classes, Brain Function and Algorithms in Nature and Technology, taught by instructor Ms. Nathalie Blume. Ms. Nathalie kindly connected me with Dr. Wendy Gilmore, Associate Professor of Neurology and Cell and Neurobiology in the Multiple...
We asked our community what websites they recommend for gifted kids. Here’s what they had to say! Byrdseed “Byrdseed is all about better understanding our gifted learners. Stick around and you’ll learn how to differentiate lessons, teach across the content areas, and appreciate gifted kids’ unique social...
Are you looking for a summer book recommendation? Check out what we at IEA are currently enjoying! Far From the Tree by Andrew Solomon "The book takes off from the old adage about an apple not falling far from the tree. Each chapter focuses in tremendous detail...
by Kelly Gray, Administrative Assistant Each year the Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) awards the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship (CDB) to approximately 30 highly-gifted students. The scholarship provides funding to attend a high school best suited to meet their unique intellectual and personal needs as well...
by Jim Delisle, Educator, Author and Yunasa Fellow As parents, each of us has the unique opportunity to be embarrassed by something we said to our children. Whether spoken out of anger, tiredness or an awkward attempt to be funny, adults (present company included…) sometimes regret...
by Niña Abonal, EXPLORE Program Coordinator IEA’s EXPLORE program is in full swing! This year, the selection and placement process was especially competitive as students vied for a chance to work with distinguished mentors and sites willing to host only a selected number of students. In addition...
By Elizabeth D. Jones, President and Co-Founder of the Institute for Educational Advancement. The film Gifted staring Chris Evans and Jenny Slate, released for video next week, introduces audiences to a cute and very precocious young girl, Mary (McKenna Grace), whose advanced intellectual ability and quick verbal...
by Abby Daniels, Director of Development & Communications at IEA Looking for ways to keep your gifted child active and engaged this summer? We’ve got the answer for you: IEA Academy. We’ve put together our top 10 reasons for you to enroll your gifted and talented...
by Qiao Li, Coordinator “I’m bored out of my mind” says a piano student who practiced for hours every day under the diligent watch of his parent. How could someone work so much and be so bored? People who work and study for the sake of doing, or...
Written by Heather Boorman of The Fringy Bit I still don’t quite know how it happened. One minute, my 3 kiddos and I were sitting at the dinner table, laughing and enjoying a conversation that (miracle of miracles) didn’t involve arguing over who’s turn it was...
by Stephanie Tolan, M.A., Author and Senior Fellow The word unique is very often misused in our country. It means “one of a kind.” So something has to be either unique or not unique. It can’t be very, or especially, or extraordinarily. And I cannot be more...
It is not uncommon for gifted students to finish their high school coursework before the age of 18. At this juncture they must decide whether to pursue early college admission, or other options. When done correctly, allowing a student to advance academically can be a...
by Anvi Kevany, Administrative Assistant When you recognize that your child may be gifted, and has not been identified as such, or has been identified as gifted but is not reaching his/her potential, then you will need to advocate for your child so they will receive...
by Zadra Rose Ibañez, Director of Operations As the head of the HR department, I am usually one of the first gatekeepers in receiving applications for employment. At IEA, because we work with highly intelligent children and families, we insist on high quality employees. This means that...
by Alexis Hopper, Program Coordinator In celebration of National Teacher Day, we would like to extend a thank you to all the educators who shape the lives of students across the country. Thank You, Mattie Whyte Woodridge Pioneer of Teacher Appreciation Day Teacher Appreciation Day was not always marked...
by Nicole LaChance, Marketing and Communications Coordinator Overthinking. The irony in writing about this topic is that I kept overthinking it. What direction should I take? What tips should I offer? Where can I find the best research? What if my post doesn’t hold up against...
by Paula Prober, Licensed Counselor and Consultant Your child is emotional. Anxious. Melting down. Telling you that you’re the worst parent. Ever. Not in so many words, necessarily. But still. You know that you’re the worst parent. Ever. “How can such a smart kid behave this way?” you...
By Lisa Natcharian, Raising Wizards It's a scientific fact that 20% of the population is born with a gene that allows them to "process sensory data much more deeply and thoroughly" than other people do. We also know that a common thread that runs among gifted people is...
by Heather Boorman, LICSW, LCSW, and Co-Founder of The Fringy Bit Whether we believe it or not, Spring has sprung. Often, we think of new growth, new life, and renewal, but spring can also hold an underpinning of grief and loss. As soon as the weather warms...
by Cassidy Kao, Academy Student Hi everyone! My name is Cassidy and I am eleven years old. I’m also the author of Constellation Exploration: Greek Mythical Stories Retold with Simple Facts and Fun and Mysterious Riddles, Roller Coaster: Kid’s Guide on How to Write Poetry, and...