Hidden Brilliance: Understanding the Lived Experiences of Gifted Adoptees and Foster Youth
Exploring the challenges affecting gifted adoptees and foster youth.
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Event Details
Children who are adopted or in foster care face unique psychosocial challenges which may be amplified by the shared challenges and intensities of their giftedness. These same Issues and challenges may mask their giftedness which can further fuel the misunderstandings and preconceived ideas of how an adoptee or foster child should look or behave.
This webinar will explore these challenges and ways they may impact these children’s education. Stories collected during a qualitative study of this population will be shared to highlight lived experiences.
Topics discussed will include trauma, loss, grief, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, relationships, transitions, and school assignments. These topics are not often discussed in the education community, therefore attendees will learn about how to spot and address the above challenges, while also encouraging students’ strengths, developing their talents and interests, and advocating for the gifted adoptees and gifted foster children in an educational environment.
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Kathy Green is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa teaching classes on talent development in the arts & athletics and perfectionism. She teaches private oboe students and directs her church choir. She taught middle school band and creative arts for 30 years, after which she created and ran a high school internship program for gifted music students for the Wheaton College Artist Series. Kathy received a Bachelor of Music Education from Wheaton College and a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology/Gifted Education from the University of Connecticut. Kathy and her husband are the parents of a gifted, adopted daughter.
Alissa Cress is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Purdue University. She earned her B.S., M.S.Ed., and Ph.D. (Gifted Education) from Purdue and previously worked as an elementary teacher and camp counselor, teacher, and coordinator. She is Assistant Director of the Gifted Education Research and Resource Institute, teaches pre-service teachers, and serves as Co-PI on the federally funded HOPE+SIM Javits project.
Mariel Tader received a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Cornell University as well as a B.S. in Mathematics and Physics at Case Western Reserve University. Devoted to outreach and mentoring, she knows the importance of considering the individual needs of each student. As an adoptee who has personally experienced the challenges and rewards of being adopted and in a gifted program, Mariel is enthusiastic about exploring the diverse perspectives of gifted people as they find their path in life. She believes that this work is important for a better future and brings her research experience and knowledge of study design to contribute to this work.
Dr. Neily Snook is an Assistant Professor of Special and Gifted Education at New Mexico Highlands University and a National Board Certified Teacher with 29 years of K–12 experience. She serves as Chair-Elect of NAGC’s Social and Emotional Development Network and President Emeritus of the New Mexico Association for the Gifted. Her work bridges research and practice through professional development, curriculum design, and statewide collaboration in support of educators, students, and families.