The Gifted Ed Podcast
Episodes
Episode 39: Digital Wellness & Media Literacy — Foundations for Gifted Learners (Part 2)
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this second installment of a series on digital wellness and media literacy, we continue our conversation with educator, writer, and scholar Lucas J...
Episode 38: Digital Wellness & Media Literacy — Foundations for Gifted Learners (Part 1)
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this first installment of a series on digital wellness and media literacy, we welcome educator, writer, and scholar Lucas Jacob to explore how thes...
Episode 37: Evaluating Secondary Schools for Gifted Learners
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Gwen Cooper, Middle School Head and Secondary Placement Director at Avery Coonley School, to unpack the process ...
Episode 36: The Importance of Play for Gifted Students (Part 2)
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we welcome back Lisa Wiltz and Eric Youngquist, who explore the essential role of play, simulation, and gamification in supporting gi...
Episode 35: The Importance of Play for Gifted Students (Part 1)
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we welcome two insightful educators—Lisa Wiltz, early childhood expert with nearly four decades in the classroom, and Eric Youngqui...
Episode 34: Rethinking Leadership in Gifted Education
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we welcome Allison Yunkun, a doctoral candidate and an elementary educator and from The Avery Coonley School in Downers Grove, Illino...
Episode 33: Understanding Anxiety in Gifted Youth
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we welcome Dr. Maha Zayed and Lora Dudek of The OCD and Anxiety Center to discuss the many ways anxiety can show up in children and a...
Episode 32: Writing Strategies for Gifted Learners
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we welcome Darrell Maskell, who shares how he teaches writing to his gifted students. We explore his instructional techniques and pro...
Episode 31: Underachievement in Gifted Learners – Erin Vanek from The Gifted Perspective
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we sit down with Erin Vanek, founder of The Gifted Perspective, to explore the often misunderstood world of underachievement among gi...
Episode 30: Supporting Gifted Students with Dyslexia & Hyperlexia
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we welcome Krista Genovese to explore how giftedness, dyslexia, and hyperlexia intersect. As a first-grade teacher at Quest Academy—...
Episode 29: Designing Meaningful Curriculum for Gifted Minds
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How can we design a curriculum that both challenges gifted learners and builds essential skills? In this episode, we welcome educators Sunshine Echeva...
Episode 28: Unlocking Potential - Insights from Content Specialists
25 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we welcome content specialists Stephanie Butler, Alissa Prestwich, and Elizabeth Foran. Together, we dive into the critical role conte...
Episode 27: Building Rapport and Classroom Connections
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we welcome Katie Baldwin, a 3rd grade educator, and Christina Fallstick, a middle school math educator, to the Gifted Ed Podcast to ex...
Episode 26: Social Thinking with Abby Spiwak & Kari Zweber Palmer (Part 2)
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we continue our conversation with Abby Spiwak, educator currently implementing Social Thinking Curriculum, and Kari Zweber Palmer, a ...
Episode 25: Social Thinking with Abby Spiwak & Kari Zweber Palmer (Part 1)
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we welcome Abby Spiwak, educator currently implementing Social Thinking Curriculum, and Kari Zweber Palmer, a social-cognitive therap...
Episode 24: Leadership in Gifted Education with Dr. Kirsty Montgomery
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're thrilled to welcome Dr. Kirsty Montgomery, Head of The Avery Coonley School (an independent school for gifted students), for an insightful conve...
Episode 23: Whole-Brain Strategies for Gifted Students
29 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk through tips and strategies outlined throughout the book, The Whole-Brain Child by Dr. Daniel Siegel and Dr. Tina Payne Bryso...
Episode 22: Gifted and Distractible with Julie Skolnick
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we welcome Julie Skolnick, author of Gifted and Distractible, to the Gifted Ed Podcast to explore giftedness and 2E(plus) profiles. W...
Episode 21: Addressing Anxiety in Gifted Students with Dr. Maha Zayed
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features our discussion with Dr. Maha Zayed, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and owner of the OCD & Anxiety Center. She specializes ...
Episode 20: Executive Functioning Strategies for Success (Part 3)
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we welcome back Robin Speizman and Katherine Wilkie to the Gifted Ed Podcast to explore classroom strategies and structures that suppo...
Episode 19: Executive Functioning Vulnerabilities in Gifted Students (Part 2)
30 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we welcome back Robin Speizman and Katherine Wilkie to the Gifted Ed Podcast to explore classroom strategies and structures that suppo...
Episode 18: Unpacking Executive Functioning for Gifted Students (Part 1)
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we invite Robin Speizman and Katherine Wilkie to define and discuss the components of executive functioning and how it presents within...
Episode 17: Supporting Gifted Students through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
27 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we invite Michael Dixon (he/him), Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, to discuss the role of DEI within our gifted community...
Episode 16: Navigating the Digital World
24 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we discuss the significant insights shared by our recent guest in the Family Speaker Series, Dr. Devorah Heitner. While on campus, sh...
Episode 15: Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we invite Kenny Bae, Director of STEAM Innovation, to discuss the uses and implications of artificial intelligence in the classroom. ...
Episode 14: Strategies for Supporting Introverted Gifted Students - Voices from the Trenches
31 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we reflect on strategies to optimize the school experience for introverted and extroverted students by sitting down with two teachers...
Episode 13: Supporting Introverted Gifted Students
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we’re going to take you on an exploration of the gifted introvert and extrovert experience. In the general population, extroverts ou...
Episode 12: Neurodiversity: Twice Exceptional Students with Dr. Nichole Dawson
27 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features a recording from our ACS Family Speaker Series. The learning challenges of a Twice Exceptional (2E) student are often overlooked...
Episode 11: Accelerated and Passionate Learners - Voices from the Trenches
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this “Voices from the Trenches” episode, we reflect on how teachers accommodate passionate and accelerated learner profiles by sitting down wit...
Episode 10: Helping Your Child Read and Write Well with Nancy Parkinson
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is a special edition episode as it will feature a recording from our ACS Family Speaker Series. The Family Speaker Series is new this school ye...
Episode 9: Executive Functioning with Dr. Ann Weller
08 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This is a special edition episode as it will feature a recording from our ACS Family Speaker Series. The Family Speaker Series is new this school ye...
Episode 8: Gifted Learning Styles - Accelerated and Passionate Learners
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There are various profiles of gifted learners, and in this episode we compare and attend to the characteristics of accelerated and passionate gifted s...
Episode 7: Identifying and Nurturing Giftedness
20 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we invite Kristen Teague, our Interim Director of Enrollment, to discuss the characteristics of giftedness. We examine various aspect...
Episode 6: Navigating Perfectionism (Part 4) - Reflections
27 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode wraps up the series on perfectionism. Join Meghan McCarthy and Angel Van Howe as they reflect on teachers’ thoughtful responses to perf...
Episode 5: Navigating Perfectionism (Part 3) - Voices from the Trenches
31 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is part 3 of our series about perfectionism. Occasionally, we will be featuring teachers who have experience working with gifted students...
Episode 4: Navigating Perfectionism (Part 2) - Voices from the Trenches
29 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is part 2 of our series about perfectionism. Occasionally, we will be featuring teachers who have experience working with gifted students...
Episode 3: Navigating Perfectionism (Part 1)
21 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The pursuit of perfectionism or excellence leads to different destinations. This episode focuses on the differences and commonalities between perfecti...
Episode 2: Asynchronous Development
25 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Asynchronous development is part of the gifted experience for many children. This episode dives deeper into the definition of asynchrony, as well as t...
Episode 1: Introduction - What is Giftedness?
28 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Giftedness is so complex that experts can’t agree on a single definition that encompasses all the different ways it presents in a person’s perform...