By Mark Erlandson Mark Erlandson, the parent of a gifted student who presently attends a boarding school out East, is a former lawyer and public high school English teacher from Wisconsin starting a new business as a legal writing consultant. Sad as it may be for some...
Gifted children often experience overexcitabilities, also called intensities. These areas of heightened stimulation are categorized in five areas: psychomotor, sensual, imaginational, intellectual, and emotional. Though overexcitabilities are not, in and of themselves, negative characteristics, they are often discussed as though they are problems to solve. However,...
We love celebrating the highlights and accomplishments of the IEA community. We wanted to take the opportunity to showcase this amazing community and what you have done over the past month so that we can all celebrate together. Even as summer wound down and IEA programs...
By Jennifer de la Haye, Yunasa Program Coordinator IEA’s pioneering Yunasa summer camps unite highly able youngsters with experts in the social and emotional development of gifted children. Campers explore and grow the intellectual, spiritual, emotional, social, and physical aspects of their lives. When I sat down...
By Linnea Pyne Linnea is a Certified Mindfulness Facilitator and a Mindfulness coach, teacher, and facilitator. She often teaches Mindfulness at the IEA Academy. Those who spend time with, raise, teach, and care for young gifted people agree that these individuals are different from their peers in...
By Anna Enger Anna interned with IEA over the summer, working closely with the IEA Academy program. Here she shares her reflections on some of the things she has learned from the experience. Prior to joining the team at the Institute for Educational Advancement, I spent a...
Whether you have a child or student who has recently been identified as gifted, know a child who may be gifted, or have encountered a child who is gifted and have questions, you may need a place to start, a place that gives you the...
We love celebrating the highlights and accomplishments of the IEA community, so we wanted to take the opportunity to showcase this amazing community and what you have done over the past month so that we can all celebrate together. Summer days at IEA continue to be...
By Jennifer Kennedy Several years ago, as I was looking for content to share on IEA’s social networks one day, I stumbled across a TEDTalk by Susan Cain. I found myself captivated by everything she was saying. She discussed introverts in an extraverted world, and I...
Much like many of the kids we serve, the IEA staff is a group of voracious readers. We wanted to share what we’re reading now in case you are looking for some good summer reads. New and Selected Poems, Volume 1 by Mary Oliver “I give my...
Every gifted child has a unique story. The following story is part of a series of posts highlighting gifted children and adults we have found through IEA programs, depicting the many faces of gifted. The IEA Academy – mentioned in this story – provides young...
We love celebrating the highlights and accomplishments of the IEA community, so we wanted to take the opportunity to showcase this amazing community and what you have done over the past month so that we can all celebrate together. Summer is a busy time at IEA...
By Jennifer Kennedy Jennifer is IEA's Marketing and Communications Coordinator and puts her enthusiasm for grammar to good use daily. I have a confession to make: I love grammar; I always have. When I began learning Spanish, I was excited about how much it taught me about English grammar. Proofreading...
Literature has so much to teach all of us. Because reading is a cherished pastime for many gifted individuals, we thought we would share some great quotes from children’s literature and beloved children’s authors that teach gifted kids and adults alike important lessons. Be Yourself “It is very...
Kate Duey is the Director of Admission Planning, LLC. She has worked with IEA supporting gifted students since 2009 and has a wealth of knowledge about their unique challenges and their wonderful potential. Kate has a BA from Harvard College and an MBA from Harvard...
“The question is not what you look at, but what you see.” – Henry David Thoreau In The Little Prince, the narrator describes a picture he drew as a child. He was rather proud of this drawing and was certain it would inspire fear in those...
It’s not news that parents of gifted learners are often tired. The seemingly endless trial-and-error of finding the right resources for your child can be as exhausting as it is exhilarating. Even in the boundless age of technology and digital resources, the one clear truth...
The Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) is dedicated to providing and advocating for the most relevant and impactful programming for highly able students possible. Your experience and feedback are critical to assisting us in supporting purposeful change in gifted programs and services. It is crucial...
By Brianna Safe Nearly two weeks have passed since the 2015 Bradley Seminar, and I remain energized by the abundance of community, conversation, and enthusiasm that infused our weekend in Washington, D.C. The Bradley Seminar – an annual three-day event – is a keystone of the...
By Mark Erlandson Mark Erlandson, the parent of a gifted student who presently attends a boarding school out East, is a former lawyer and public high school English teacher from Wisconsin starting a new business as a legal writing consultant. While many may look at online...
By Jennifer Kennedy Do you remember your elementary school report cards? They were more than just a column of letters with all of your hard work reduced down to a number – a number to be judged against that perfect 4.0. In those early years, you...
By Jennifer de la Haye Jennifer is the Program Coordinator for Yunasa, IEA’s pioneering summer camps that unite gifted young people ages 10-15 with experts in highly able youth. In a nurturing setting, campers explore and grow the intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of...
By Zadra Rose Ibanez “When I grow up, I want to be an astronaut, a doctor, a movie star, a teacher, a fireman and president!” Many gifted students are faced with a dilemma – “I love everything, so which do I choose?” In the 1920’s, Lewis Terman...
By Alicia A. Ayala “Many of the gaps in my knowledge and understanding were simply limits of class and cultural background, not lack of aptitude or application as I feared.” ― Sonia Sotomayor, My Beloved World Sonia Sotomayor is the first Hispanic and third woman appointed to the...
In the spirit of the Academy Awards this weekend, we thought we would share a list of good movies featuring gifted children and young adults. Based on a discussion on the IEA Facebook page and a poll of the IEA staff, here are some of...