Category Archives: Uncategorized

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. SENG has organized a month of free mental health-related resources and events including this article from Andrea Brucella Finnegan titled: ” The Emotional Implications of Gifted & Twice-exceptional Students: A Mental Health Analysis of An Animal School: A Tale of Gifted Film”

In support of our partner SENGifted.org and May Mental Health Awareness Month, this is an accompanying blog written by our Quark Collaboration WKYFT Podcast host Cherin Escher. Our guest in this episode is Sara Bradford. She is host of her own podcast The SJ Childs Show, CEO of the SJ Childs LLC, an autism consultingContinue reading “Turning Fear into Understanding”

Wonderful Session engaging with attendees on the topic of human developmental approaches to engage GT students in learning. This event is sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Educators of the Gifted and Talented, and Minnesota Council for the Gifted and Talented. #NEST!Perspective® #NEST!Trifecta®

Thank you Texas Education Agency for the opportunity to return twice this season: Jan 2023: “Masterpieces in Progress: Understanding Twice-exceptionality April 2023: “Creating Safe Environments for Vulneral GT Students”

Thank you to Institute for Educational Advancement’s (IEA) invitation to connect with families during April’s Gifted Support Group. Grateful for the personal touch from IEA’s leadership and staff: Elizebeth Jones, Jane Lauderman, Bonnie Raskin, Cheryl Brier, and others. The technology setup went well with a hybrid setup. Special thank you to Cheryl Brier for facilitatingContinue reading “Institute for Educational Advancement Outreach 2023”

It was fulfilling to write the two articles featured in the NAGC (National Association of Gifted Children) Parenting for High Potential March 2023 issue. Volunteerism is an important part of my identity and a form of personal care (through community service). My first short reflection article was written in response to the following prompt: “IsContinue reading “Volunteerism: community care as a form of self-care”

Our initial connection at the Council of Exceptional Children Annual Conference 2023 began with the sharing of my Asian American twice-exceptionality children’s photo journey “C for Curiosity” with Dr. Christopher Cormier. It was wonderful to connect through mutual curiosity around the intersections between culture/community routines and twice-exceptionality with Christopher. We had a fruitful and authenticContinue reading “Connecting Communities through Mutual Curiosity”

Gayle Bentley, M.Ed in Music Education, is a doctoral student at Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education and the mother of three neurodiverse sons. She has taught instrumental music in public schools for 23 years and will serve as the gifted/2e academic director of 2e4me Academy in Newport Beach in the fall ofContinue reading “Quark Research – Gayle Bentley, M.Ed.”

Grateful for the opportunity to support SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) and our friends at The Learning Innovation Academy in Lagos, Nigeria. This is a free hybrid event – virtual and in-person. Register Here #systemsthinking #connectingcommunities

Such a cool project to collaborate with Bridges Graduate School & Bridges 2ecenter to produce this story into a free video resource for all. Enjoy!

Blog By: Cherin Escher In this Quark Collaboration Human Range interview, Dr. Chris Wells, the president of the Dabrowski Center talks with Lin about her journey & discovery of herself, parenting, peers, relationships, and connection with Dabrowski. This is the first of a 3-part blog post. We will highlight this interview as it relates toContinue reading “Finding Me/Us”

In celebration of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Women’s History Month, and Social Emotional Learning Week in March. Quark Collaboration has teamed up with our partner Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) to produce a short video on positive psychology with Michelle McQuaid, a neurodiverse female positive psychologist workplace specialist in Australia to share with ourContinue reading “Positive Psychology + Free Resources”

March brings a variety of national events close to our hearts: Neurodiversity Celebration, Social Emotional Learning & Women’s History. We share some of our favorite resources relevant to March events. Neurodiversity Celebration Week was founded in the UK in 2018 by Sienna Castellon to “create a balanced view which focuses equally on our talents andContinue reading “Neurodiversity Celebration, SEL & Women’s History”

Looking forward to this free in-person & virtual event with SENG & Friends including 2e4me Academy, OC Autism Foundation, The O’Kelley Lab, Bridges Graduate School, Bridges 2eCenter, Blissful Seeds, and more!

Gratitude to teamwork as we wrap up our mentorship panel at the recent 2023 Council for Exceptional Children Annual Conference. The best part of this conference was the opportunity to share C for Curiosity with others. Big shoutout to Harri O’Kelley our team cheerleader!

Join me at William & Mary’s Annual 2e Conference this weekend. Missed it? Post-recordings are available.

#CAGCON2023 is happening this weekend. Looking forward to engaging with everyone this weekend.

Touching review by Megan Swilley as she reflects on her own journey and experience as she reads my photo journey book.

Hope you enjoy this piece which appeared in the December SENGvine and is available for free in the SENG library.

As we approach the end of 2022 and the beginning of a new year: stay and be curious. May the force with you!

Body Wisdom & the Polyvagal Theory: How Nervous System Regulation Fosters Transformative Whole Health. It has been our honor to talk with Autum Romano, educator, author, bodyworker, and committed health practitioner out of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Autum is a committed massage specialist with a focus on the nervous system & functioning as a foundation forContinue reading “Voices “Human Range: My Life, My Journey” – Guest Autum Romano”

Free Event: Looking forward to rich exchanges and learning from diverse community voices: Dec 9 ~11th 2022.

Looking forward to presenting and attending NAGC 2022: “Evening the math playing field in early public education for gifted low income and ELL Students” “Social and Emotional Support for Ourselves and Our Gifted Students”

Join me on the next episode of the Crucial Conversations Webcast! Wednesday, November 9, at 1 p.m. PT with host Maria Kennedy from Bridges 2e Center O

Looking forward to presenting on this topic: “What does an Education 4.0 model that meets Industry 4.0 requirements look like?”

So lovely to have an authentic conversation about the importance of curiosity, parenting complex outlier children, and exchanging ideas with Sonu Aziz, host of The Gifted PLaCe podcast.

Looking forward to this upcoming keynote @talent education 2022 conference. The best part will be meeting current and making new international connections! #sengifted #bridgesgradschoolinaction #positivepsychology #socialemotionalhealth #2enews.com

Join me at the upcoming Schools of the Future Conference 2022. #Bridgesgradschoolinaction

It was lovely to chat with Emma Lin of Mummyfique.com, a virtual hub for modern mothers. I love their mission of supporting “mums-led businesses through collaborations, events, activities, editorials, and campaigns that enable these businesses to thrive”. What a supportive vibrant community! What an honor to share my journey with other mothers.

Tiffany Chaiko is a twice-exceptional doctoral student at Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education. She is a non-practicing accredited public relations professional and a former independent sales representative. Tiffany has more than ten years of volunteer leadership experience in educational settings. She holds an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Hawaii Pacific University andContinue reading “Quark Research -Tiffany Chaiko, M.Ed.”

Meet Brandon McDaniels, an adult private driving instructor in Dallas, TX. She shares her authentic story of finding a personally meaningful life, and how COVID pushed her to come to terms with her superpower and secret. Some of our favorite quotes from this interview: “Staying in silence to be present” “It is okay to sacrificeContinue reading “Voices “Human Range: My Life, My Journey” – Guest Brandon McDaniels”

Thank you Bridges Graduate School for the “C for Curiosity” write-up in our August Newsletter. Celebrating every one of us as unique individuals, with rights to dignity and belonging has become my personal mission. Join me on this journey seeking sustainable health and wellbeing across our lifespan. This book is available on Amazon, Barnes &Continue reading “Curiosity”

Our Quark Collaboration “Voices: We Know You For That” podcast guest today is Amelia Thompson, Founder & President of RenewToday – A social impact organization supporting initiatives that foster mercy, justice, and community. RenewToday is a non-profit organization helping to maintain and developed a focus on advancing menstrual health through tackling period poverty. For moreContinue reading “VOICES: “WE KNOW YOU FOR THAT” GUEST – Amelia Thompson”

Wonderful session engaging with Epsilon parents on the NEST! approach to understand and nurture complex outliers for lifelong health and wellbeing.

Film is a powerful educational tool that engages multiple modalities. Join us on July 22nd, 2022 @5pm ET for a session at the 2022 SENG conference to learn how mentorship fits within the NEST! parenting trifecta. What comes to your mind when you think about mentors? Through the use of film clips from the documentaryContinue reading “Mentorship is Key: Parent, Mentee & Academic perspectives through Film”

Join us virtually for a dialogue on wellbeing and resilience with our panel at July 21st 202, 7pm ET. What is wellbeing? What is resilience? Are they related? Nicole Mattingly, a gifted adult parenting her gifted teens, shares her journey and 4 tips. Mahala Bruns a gifted adult shares her journey and tips for “peopleContinue reading “Dialogue on Wellbeing & Resilience”

Attending the 15th Dabrowski Congress on July 18 and 19th, 2022. Looking forward to connecting with familiar faces and making new connections.

#BetterTogether, an initiative by the People’s Action Party (PAP) to raise awareness and drive collective action for mental health in Singapore was launched on April 30th, 2022. It was important for all stakeholders to participate in the June 24th, 2022 follow-up public engagement session. Attendees included various Singapore governmental agencies, parents, academics, clinicians, school counselors,Continue reading “Mental Health Initiative Singapore 2022”

Looking forward to presenting and attending the 15th International Dabrowski Congress on July 18-19, 2022 with my fellow Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted Board members Karen Arnstein and Carrie Pokrefke. I will be presenting “1st Generation South East Asian American Self and Parental Reflections on Positive Disintegration.”

It was such a pleasure to be in Episode#111 on the movement to align k-12 and beyond educational pedagogies with Silver Lining for Learning June 25th 2022, 530pm ET. The hosts at Silver Lining for Learning include Chris Dede -Timothy E. Wirth Professor Learning TechnologiesHarvard Graduate School of Education Curt Bonk – Professor curtbonk.com InstructionalContinue reading “K-12 & Higher Education”

I am so excited to host the opening panel session for the SENG 2022 Annual Conference: “Wellbeing and resilience for the gifted: Narratives from multiple perspectives.” Join us, on July 21st, 2022 online from 7-830pm EST. Panelists: Malaha Burns, Ph.D., Nicole Mattingly, M.A., Jordan O’Kelley, & Lin Lim, Ph.D. Life is unpredictable and it isContinue reading “Wellbeing & Resilience for the gifted”

Conversations beyond Math & Education with Dr. Po Shen Loh It was such a pleasure for Quark Collaboration to interview Dr. Po Shen Loh on our episode for “Human Range: My Life, My Journey” We had a great dialogue around human development throughout our conversation about math and education. Here are some of our favoriteContinue reading “What does math have to do with human development?”

Read my latest article in the National Association for Gifted Children’s (NAGC)Parenting for High Potential Magazine – June 2022 Issue. It discusses the impacts of negative life experiences of twice-exceptional children and provides tips and strategies for parents to address 2e trauma. Note that this article requires a subscription or membership to NAGC

Join us on June 5th, 2022 for Day 3 of the GHF Conference.

Join us on Day 2 and Day 3 of the GHF annual virtual conference on June 4th 2022.

I am looking forward to this day-long Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Education Regulations and Policies for the Gifted Initiative workshop. Gratitude for the collaborative systems-level goals success approach with the team and support staff. Personal learning and growth with this more than a year-long international, cultural, linguistic, time, conceptual, technological, and logistical coordinationContinue reading “Modern Trends in Caring for the Gifted”

Attend the GHF annual conference June 3-5, 2022 live for free. Access to information and education is a systemic barrier to equity and quality of life. Join me for a presentation and conversation on June 4th, 2022, at 1:45 pm EST and two other sessions during this conference.

Building positive relationships across different key lifespan transition stakeholders form an important component for complex outlier family health and wellbeing. As a parent of two complex outliers, it gives me great joy and comfort to know that we are making a difference through our openness and willingness to share and engage in dialogue around multipleContinue reading “Cal State LA Office for Studies with Disabilities”

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” -Maya Angelou Amy Clark is a doctoral student at Bridges Graduate School studying Cognitive Diversity in Education with a focus on Innovative Leadership. She has a Certificate in Twice-Exceptional Education, a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, and a Master ofContinue reading “Amy Clark, SENG SMPG Facilitator”

Join me at the 2022 National Summit for Educational Equity Conference organized by the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE). The theme is “Pathways to an Equitable Workforce”.

Join us, twice-exceptional advocates from The O’Kelley Lab: Harri James, Jordan O’Kelley, and I to dialogue the importance of mentors from different perspectives at Cal State LA, on April 21st 2022, at 330 pm.

Our guest today is Jordan O’Kelley, author, inclusivity, and strength-based mentor teen advocate, part of The O’Kelley Lab, and an aspiring astrophysicist who entered college at 14 years old. “Be passionate about your education! It is up to YOU!” ~ Jordan O’Kelley

Jordan O’Kelley is a teen advocate for inclusivity and strength-based mentorship approaches. We asked Jordan to share with our readers, his 2021 NASA N3 Neurodiversity Network program experience. In the words of Jordan: “The NASA N3 program is a Summer internship program created by Physics professor and STEM educator Dr. Lynn Cominsky at Sonoma StateContinue reading “NASA N3 Internship from the voice of Jordan O’Kelley”

Welcome to another episode of “Voices – We Know You For That”. Our guest is Liana Yarckin, a watercolor fine artist and youth art mentor located in Dallas, TX. Please visit her website, Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

We are pleased to share our hour-long presentation: ” Differentiation Squared: Strategies for Struggling Gifted Students.” Published in TEMPO+, an on-demand publication by Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT). TAGT has generously offered a 2-weeks free subscription to our readers. Sign up at https://tempo.txgifted.org/trial-registration/, then read our article here: https://tempo.txgifted.org/differentiation-squared-strategies-for-struggling-gifted-students/ We are available forContinue reading “Differentiation Squared – Publication in Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented”

Participated in a great invited panel on “Diversity in Gifted Education Research” this afternoon. This session was hosted by Dr. Dina Brulles with five different focus areas in gifted education research presented by five presenters including Dr. Terry Friedrichs, Dr. Ann Robinson, Dr. Gilman Whiting, Dr. Dina Bruilles, and myself. I presented a segment onContinue reading “2022 Annual Gifted Education Policy Symposium & Conference”

Lim, L. (2021). Understanding Twice-exceptionality (2e): A Multi-systems Perspective. International Journal of Childhood Education, 2(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.33422/ijce.v2i1.34

Limited time Free Access: TAGT is offering my colleagues and followers a free temporary subscription to TEMPO+: Sign up at https://tempo.txgifted.org/trial-registration/, then read my article at http://bit.ly/TEMPOTestOptional

WHO Harri James O’Kelley is an actress, a script supervisor, a storyteller, and a writer-director.  She has written and directed a feature film, four award-winning shorts, and now her first documentary, “O’Kelley Legends:  2e Behind the Scenes.”  Out of her passion for gifted and special needs education, Harri has also created The O’Kelley Lab with herContinue reading “Quark Collaboration Advisory Panel: Harri James O’Kelley, California”

WHO Magalie A. Pinney is a Financial Services professional from the USA who is certified in the field of gifted and talented education by the University of Connecticut, Neag School of Education. She received a Communication baccalaureate, cum laude, and is pursuing a Masters’ degree. She is an advocate, chairperson, and board member for MassachusettsContinue reading “Quark Collaboration Advisory Panel: Magalie A. Pinney, Massachusetts”

Who Joi Lin is a PhD student of curriculum and instruction, specializing in gifted education leadership at the Morgridge College of Education, University of Denver. She currently works as a graduate research assistant and as Director of Professional Education at the Gifted Development Center. She chairs the Education and Gifted Youth Committee at the MensaContinue reading “Quark Collaboration Advisory Panel: Joi Lin, Colorado”

Quark is grateful to be a part of this wonderful interactive session with parents, educators, and supporters of gifted education on a Presidents’ Day weekend.

Baylor GT Parent Conference has just concluded last Saturday. Grateful for the opportunity and patience while navigating virtual presentation technology whilst traveling. A great internet connection is not to be taken for granted. Thankful to my QuarkCollaboration team member Cherin Escher for being a great spot and double-checking to make sure our presentation goes smoothly.

Join me for 2 Parents & Educators Sessions at the William & Mary Twice-exceptional Annual Conference, February 25-26, 2022. I love that affordable parent conference rates are available. Hope you can join live or watch the recordings at a later date. I will be presenting the following sessions: “Differentiation squared: Moving towards holistic embodied educationContinue reading “W&M 2e Annual Conference 2022”

Looking forward to presenting these two sessions at the Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented (AAGT) 48th Annual Conference, Feb 10-11, 2022.

Madeline Chun is a High School Junior from Texas. She is the Co-founder of KAYAT, and our guest on the Voices: “We Know You For That” Podcast.

Key points of interest What does brain development involve? Brain network formation is reflective of a person’s experiences over time, through the reorganization, pruning, and generation of neural connections. Brain development is dependent on interactions between evolutionary paths determined by biology, genes, age, environment, and past experiences. Can brain science be translated directly into educationalContinue reading “The brain basis for integrated social, emotional, and academic development: How emotions and social relationships drive learning. Immordino-Yang & Chrone (2018)”

“Access to Gifted Programming for 2e Students” was chosen as the article that generated the most interest in the month of Feburary.

“Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”   (The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost, 1915) Rashmii Mahendra, MBA, has had an amazing journey that spans across three continents. She completed her degree in Social Sciences from a Russell GroupContinue reading “SENG SMPG Facilitator: Rashmii Mahendra, MBA”

After a year of collaboration with uncountable hours of joy, tears, and personal fulfillment working with a group of dedicated volunteers of multicultural women dedicated to bettering the lives of complex outliers, happy to announce that the Quark Collaboration Website is finally up in time to celebrate 2022. Looking forward to furthering interdiscplinary translational dialogContinue reading “Quark Collaboration”

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Join me during the following conference sessions in February 2022: “NEST! guiding framework: Visualizing 2e learner-teacher success.” “Differentiation Squared: Moving towards holistic embodied education of 2e learners.”

Looking forward to engaging during this virtual conference.

YSA Enrolled-Parent-Only Family Discussion Supporting twice-exceptional: Thurs, Dec 9 @ 11 AM PT/ 2 PM ET, 2021 Looking forward to the upcoming live session with Young Scholars Academy families.

Thanksgiving is a time for family, reflection, and gratitude. This year takes on important significance as we look back at the past, full of unplanned adjustments and experiences. It is easy to focus on what we have lost – we already know that was before. It is much harder to look through the eyes ofContinue reading “Thanksgiving 2021”

Wonderful quarterly SMPG facilitator support group hosted together with Joan Larson (SMPG trainer) and Caroline Lubbe (SENG board member). We had facilitators across the US and Europe join us to share experiences, resources and to find better ways to support parents we serve.

Thankful to the new opportunities for sharing ideas with colleagues around the world. The Nov 7th, 3am Pacific Standard Time keynote was certainly a challenging yet exhilarating. I am grateful to the questions, excitement and interest generated from this presentation. Technology advancements allowed for this particular opportunity to occur. Looking back to my primary andContinue reading “When technology increases opportunities”

Looking forward to keynote at ARETL: ” Guiding framework to education children with high potential and disabilities: Integrating brain targeted teaching and strength-based pedagogy.”

Embed from Getty Images Attended the 12th Annual Awareness Film Festival in Los Angeles held Oct 21-31st this past weekend to support The O’Kelley Lab documentary: ” O’ Kelley Legends: 2e behind the Scenes”. On behalf of the SENG board of directors, Caroline Lubbe and I attended the event to support the O’Kelley Family andContinue reading “12th Annual Awareness Film Fest”

Parent advocacy is a critical component in building positive and strong collaborative relationships in our public schools for gifted students. Join board members from the Gifted Education Family Network at the upcoming SENGinar, Oct 19, 2021, 7:30-9pm EST. Can’t make it? register to access the recording.

Looking forward to the release of my conversation with Young Scholars Academy on thinking framing around neurodiversity, parenting and education.

Where the Wheels Hit the Road: Reflections on Strength-based Parenting Read my article in the September 2021 SENGvine Newsletter.

Gifted Homeschoolers Forum (GHF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to “To empower every gifted family to make strategic, proactive, and intentional educational choices.” Please join me for a conversation!You are invited to a Zoom webinar. (Link leads to the event in the GHF Forum)When: September 10, 2021 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)Topic: Cultivating AwarenessContinue reading “GHF Expert Series Parent Chat: Sept 10, 2021”

Looking forward to giving this presentation and introducing the NEST! framework

It was such a pleasure to speak with my colleague and friend, Dr. Nicole Tetreault on parenting, education and being neuro diverse. Please read this post completed for Gifted Education Family Network.

Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education (BGS) will always hold a special place in my heart, being their FIRST alumni in 2020. Being a part of an organization/system from the start is a different experience and journey than being part of an organization/system that is already established. People vary in their preferences andContinue reading “Learning, Development, Multi-systems”

Honored to participate in the recently concluded inaugural Gifted Homeschoolers Forum (GHF) conference which was held June 4 -6, 2021. It was such a pleasure to listen and interact with the different panelists involved in this moderated session led by Dr. Sarah Mendonca. GHF’s stated mission is to “empower every gifted family to make strategic,Continue reading “Considering Curriculum: Finding What Works”

Looking forward to presenting in a virtual session: “Fostering 2e student success through a Brain-Targeted Teaching Framework“ Stay Tuned …

International SENG Facilitator Virtual Support Focus Group, May 26th 2021. Our first #SENGFamChat was a success! Facilitators across the US and globe (UK, S. Africa, Germany, Spain, France, Serbia, Italy, Netherlands, Croatia) participated, or stopped by to say hello during our 90min long focus group. Many areas of common need and support were voiced directContinue reading “#SENGFamChat”

Conversations with Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented May 18th, 2021 As research, clinical and practical knowledge of neurodiverse gifted children increases, what do we know about gifted outliers such as twice-exceptional and highly or profoundly gifted? How do we tie all these into a cohesive guiding framework to foster nuanced understanding and collaborative solutionsContinue reading “Collaborative Nurturance of Gifted Outliers Through Strong Educator-Parent-Practitioner Relationships”

Refreshing to be part of the roundtable discussion in celebration of 2021 International Women’s Day that also include male colleague perspectives. Our conversations were richer as a result of the wide range of participants during our round table session. Dallas Round Table participants included:

Looking forward to the upcoming live Facebook session hosted by Mark Hess, President Elect of Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented, May 18, 2021. 5pm MDT/ 4pm PDT. Title: Collaborative Nurturance of Gifted Outliers Through Strong Educator-Parent-Practitioner Relationships. As research, clinical and practical knowledge of neurodiverse gifted children increases, what do we know about giftedContinue reading “Conversations with CAGT 5.18.21”