I have worked in education for almost twenty years, a majority of that time focused on supporting the growth of gifted learners. After eleven years teaching Japanese and Humanities and working as the assistant middle school head at the Nueva School in California, I recently moved to Kyoto where I now teach high school language and culture courses with Global Online Academy.

I received my masters degree in Japanese literature from Columbia University, concentrating on Meiji-era novels and post-war film, and then managed a Japanese antiquities gallery in Manhattan and Tokyo, specializing in Jomon and Yayoi period pottery.

I knew my heart was in education, and a few years later, I brought my excitement for learning to the classroom, first at public and charter schools in Philadelphia and New York City, then at Nueva, and now at GOA. Working at schools with a range of programs for gifted education has allowed me to appreciate the importance of identifying and supporting gifted students, who (along with their families) are far too often unseen, misunderstood, and underserved.

Schools, students, and families alike need and deserve the resources to help our gifted learners thrive, and I am grateful to be here at Cresconova to explore these challenges and opportunities.