That is how Elizabeth described her eldest son, Joseph who, at 4 years old, was a highly energetic child with an urgent fascination for numbers. His attraction was so advanced, Elizabeth had to relearn middle school math concepts just to satisfy his curiosity. As Joseph progressed through school, not only did his love for numbers grow, it became apparent that Joseph needed more than what Elizabeth or his teachers could offer.

“He was rejected in school and really struggled. He had so much difficulty,” Elizabeth recounted. She could see the light in Joseph dimming as he struggled to make friends and perform well in elementary and middle school. At the urging of her friends, she got Joseph tested at the district level. The results confirmed that Joseph was 129% more advanced than his peers. Though she was affirmed by these results, receiving them did little to provide Elizabeth relief. “All [his teachers] would say is ‘he’s smart, he’s smart;’ that’s it!” While they acknowledged his gifts, Joseph’s school did not provide him with the support he needed to tap into his potential.

Elizabeth noticed similarities in her younger son, Jacob, her niece, Lucy, and her nephew, Randy. Afraid that, like Joseph, their needs would be ignored, Elizabeth began to spend her free time looking for help. She struggled to find a place that could address the academic and emotional needs of the children. Moreover, the programs she found cost more than her family could afford. “I feel bad because if I had the money, I would do more right away,” Elizabeth insisted. “No matter what, you have an obligation to nourish that hunger of knowledge.”

Luckily, Elizabeth stumbled upon the phone number of Ann Smith, Executive Director of the Gifted Support Center in northern California and longtime supporter of ������Ƶ. “I left a long voicemail, crying. I was so desperate! I tired of fighting.” Ann called Elizabeth back the next day and directed her to ������Ƶ, assuring the mother that, at ������Ƶ, she would find the help and guidance her family needed all along.

For Elizabeth and her family, finding ������Ƶ was a life changer. Elizabeth’s family could receive the help they needed without financial burden, as, to date, no qualified child has been turned away from ������Ƶ due to lack of funds. Though they travel over a 4-hour round trip to attend programming, for Elizabeth, it is well worth it. “They are all so interested in all the programs,” Elizabeth tearfully shared. “They smile now, and they share everything they learn with me. They never wanted to talk before!” Joseph and his cousin, Lucille, both attend the while Joseph’s younger brother, Jacob, and his cousin, Randy, attend the . Elizabeth also receives consulting from Betsy Jones, President and Executive Director of ������Ƶ. Though the needs of the children are still overwhelming, she no longer feels alone. For Elizabeth, ������Ƶ has made all the difference. “It has changed my life and their lives. It’s something beautiful.”

Our goal is to never turn children away due to a lack of resources. Your support helps ������Ƶ serve highly able and creative youth of all backgrounds so no matter where they’ve been, they will have the tools to travel anywhere they want to go. To contribute to ������Ƶ . We appreciate your support. 

To learn more about ������Ƶ programs please . 

It’s hard to believe, but we’re already well into the new year: 2019. Despite heavy rains – much-needed and welcomed throughout Los Angeles County – in ������Ƶ’s home city of Pasadena, CA, the future looks bright! With the rainfall comes the opportunity to recalibrate, reflect, and reenergize for an exciting year ahead. We have some incredible new initiatives and programs on the horizon and are looking forward to continuing to serve and support our amazing students, families, educators, and community partners.

We hope you’re as excited about this list as we are!

1. Celebrating Heart, Fostering Hope: On February 9, ������Ƶ will formally celebrate its 20^th anniversary with a gala fundraiser at the Annandale Golf Club in Pasadena. We’re so excited to share this incredible occasion with those that have helped shape ������Ƶ for two decades. If you’re unable to join in person, please consider donating, sponsoring, or providing us with a silent auction item. All money raised will go towards continuing to help serve the nation’s brightest and most deserving students, who drive our mission on a daily basis. For more information, please click .
2. 18 years of Yunasa! Since 2002, and across 22 sessions, has been providing gifted youth with award-winning programming, embracing them for who they are and helping them understand and work with the unique joys and challenges they face. This summer, Camp Shady Brook in Colorado and Camp Copneconic in Michigan will host campers, counselors, Fellows, and ������Ƶ staff for a unique, week-long experience like no other. Interested in applying? There’s still time!
3. Academy Additions: We’re introducing two new NAGC-award-winning Shelagh Gallagher curricula to our Academy offerings: Black Death and It’s Electrifying! – and that’s just in the spring session! Stay tuned for more additions in the summer and beyond, including a course for our youngest students, ages 6-9: The Penguin Predicament: A Problem about Animal Habitat and Survival.
4. Ready, set, make! On June 22, ������Ƶ will host its first-ever Maker Faire. Details about this one-of-a-kind event with makers, tinkerers, and creative minds coming soon!
5. Community: Now entering its second year of providing an academic and social home for the gifted community, ������Ƶ’s Learning Center at 540 S. Marengo is excited to welcome – and welcome back – families, educators, Externs, Bradley scholars, and community partners through programming, free events, open houses, workshops, trainings, and tours. Check out our page to see what’s on the horizon!
6. Our third content guide: In June, ������Ƶ will release its third content guide, which will focus on high schools throughout the United States that serve gifted students. We look forward to being able to provide our families with a well-researched, informative guide for their rising high schoolers. To view our two content guides released in 2018, please visit our .
7. Calling all volunteers! ������Ƶ is launching its first-ever program! Volunteers are an integral part of ������Ƶ. We rely on our volunteers to help support a variety of services for our community. Whether you’re working with students, engaging with guests at events, or performing administrative tasks, our volunteers help our programs thrive! Join ������Ƶ’s mission to ensure that each gifted child’s specific needs are met so that they can reach their full potential.
8. Brilliant scientists, brilliant students: (Learning Among Brilliant Scientists) is in its second program year! Since its initial launch in March 2018, LABS has continued to build momentum with a great line-up of STEM professionals from Caltech, Cal State Los Angeles, and USC. They’ve shared their innovative work and research on such topics as astrophysics, molecular biology, computer science, ecology and evolution, biology and mathematics! The new year kicks off with an exciting LABS on Cancer Cells in the Blood! There are still spots available for the February 16 LABS Series:
9. Streaming live, coast to coast! meetings have gone digital! ������Ƶ is now livestreaming our meetings on Facebook and YouTube. We’re excited to be able to expand our outreach to non-local families and share gifted professionals’ amazing insight with our community. The next meeting, on January 31, will focus on social emotional imagination in gifted education.
10. EXPLORE-ing a new location: is launching a program in Northern California! The program continues to garner great interest from applicants in NorCal, so this summer we’re hoping to make the leap up north to host students at 1 or 2 mentor sites. We’ll be able to expand our reach and serve more talented high schoolers!
11. Hot off the presses: ������Ƶ now has a 3D printer! Thanks to a generous grant from the Ahmanson Foundation, which is providing us with funds to transform our Learning Center, our programs are now equipped to provide students with 3D printing technology, design, and coding. Check out our first test print from Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Coordinator, Mallory Aldrich:
12. Speaking of hearts: Academy is hosting it’s first-ever Valentine’s Day card-making event the week of February 4. Stop by during business hours to make cards for family, friends, teachers, and other special people in your life. Free of charge! Details located .
13. Beakers and Bunsen burners and bacteria, oh my! Within a few weeks, construction will be complete on ������Ƶ Learning Center’s new wet lab! With three working stations, sinks, and a flat screen monitor, Academy and LABS programs will be able to provide an authentic science lab experience for students and educators. We look forward to seeing this amazing space transform into a space of hands-on inquiry that has been years in the making.
14. Student-led workshops: 2018 was a fantastic year for student-led workshops and there are already two planned for February: the third workshop in CDB Scholar Luke Gialanella’s Votes and Voices series – A Presidential History of the U.S. Two-Party System – and The Wonderful World of Poems with Cassidy Kao. We’re so grateful that our students love sharing their knowledge and experiences with each other!
15. Family and fun: When not working with and serving our incredible students, ������Ƶ staff enjoys cultivating their hobbies and pursuing their interests. Marketing and Communications Coordinator Nicole LaChance is looking forward to joining her family for some rock and roll excitement this summer: “I am going to see Aerosmith in June at their residency in Las Vegas with my family. Aerosmith is a special band for us and I have probably seen them at least 8 times already. It will be awesome to spend time with my family and see a great show we are all super excited about. Maybe I’ll even get lucky at the casino!”

What ������Ƶ programs or events are you most looking forward to in 2019

When I saw the topic for this month’s blog hop was “Emotional Intelligence” I have to admit I was a bit stumped. Not a topic with which I’m very familiar, I was overwhelmed with the possibility of having to write an informed blog post. So, I turned to the trusty Google search and did some digging. It did not disappoint.

I found several articles on all facets of emotional intelligence (EQ), from how it affects your career to its signs in gifted children. Rather than merging these together in a hodgepodge of my own thoughts, I wanted to share the ones I found most useful. Hopefully, these will be helpful to those who are in the same place I was.

Definitions of Emotional Intelligence

This short primer from the University of New Hampshire gives a basic definition of emotional intelligence, along with a glossary of terms related to the subject. Perfect if you are strapped for time and want a one-minute read.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence is full of resources about emotional intelligence and its effects on our lives. They even host events to share recent research and announcements. Great for those who want to dive deep into the subject.

A helpful article from Psychology Today for those like me who think best in broken-down categories. The author reviews misconceptions about emotional intelligence common in the larger media. He also gives a brief overview of study he and a colleague conducted to measure emotional intelligence in children.

A list of common traits of those with EQ coupled with brief explanations. Since the article is published on the career site Inc., it also notes studies that have found those with high emotional intelligence tend to be star performers in the work place.

Emotional Intelligence and Society

The author of this Atlantic article explains how the trait can be used for “evil,” particularly in the workplace. He explores studies conducted in workplaces that have found some employees with high EQ possess almost Machiavellian tendencies.  A very interesting read on the dangerous power of manipulation.

This feature from the New York Times highlights Northern California schools that attempt to teach elementary-age children to be emotionally intelligent. I was fascinated by the methods the schools used and the debate over whether or not they are effective.

Emotional Intelligence and Gifted Children

A well-rounded piece from the Davidson Institute that emphasizes the importance of being attentive to the emotional development and needs of the gifted child. I appreciated the fact that the author acknowledged the common in the population and how they can be harnessed to ensure a child thrives.

Brainy Child provides another overview of emotional intelligence, but this one specifically relates to gifted children. Parents will appreciated the list of tips for developing EQ in the gifted, as well as notes on common emotional stressors and how to overcome them.

More tips, this time from SENG, on how to nurture emotional intelligence in your gifted child. The author specifically advocates for a hands-on but not helicopter approach, guiding the child while allowing them to learn and grow on their own.

What are your favorite resources about emotional intelligence?

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