Scott Barry Kaufman Joins 2e Center
The Bridges Education Group, a recognized leader in educational pedagogies for the 2e (twice-exceptional) student, is pleased to announce that Columbia University professor and esteemed speaker and author Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman has been named Director of Research at the Bridges 2e Center for Research and Professional Development.
Dr. Kaufman is best known for his groundbreaking work on intelligence and creativity, and has written or edited several influential works in the field, including Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined; Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind; and Twice Exceptional: Supporting and Educating Bright and Creative Students with Learning Difficulties. He is listed by Business Insider as one of the "50 groundbreaking scientists who are changing the way we see the world." As Director of Research, Dr. Kaufman will be advising on various research and writing projects centered around the Bridges 2e Model, which supports the development and education of gifted students with learning challenges. He will play an active role in conducting classes and workshops in positive psychology for Bridges Academy faculty and students and will be a featured speaker at the 2020 Bridges Parent University. He also will continue to serve as a faculty member at the Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education, leading courses on cognitive diversity and the complexities of 2e.
“I am so excited to be working with the good folks at Bridges to help bring out the best in all students, and to help broaden our notions of human potential,” Kaufman said. “Too many children are falling between the cracks due to outdated notions of what it means to excel intellectually and creatively in life. Ability and disability can coexist; in fact, this coexistence is what makes us human.” The Bridges 2e Center for Research and Professional Development is a first-of-its-kind multi-disciplinary hub where professionals, scholars, and practitioners combine expertise to enhance understanding of the growing population of 2e students. The Center engages in research, outreach, and staff training, and hosts symposia and workshops in the area of twice-exceptional education. “I am thrilled that Scott Barry Kaufman will be working with us at the Center and Graduate School,” said Dr. Susan Baum, Director of the Bridges 2e Center. “Scott brings so much knowledge, creativity, and compassion to those projects he values. Having Scott here will result in innovative efforts to better our advocacy and deepen understanding of the power of minds wired differently.” A twice-exceptional or 2e student is one who is highly gifted but also faces learning challenges such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety disorder, or others. These students typically require learning approaches different than those found in most standard classroom environments. The 2e Center is part of the Bridges Education Group. In addition to the 2e Center, the Bridges Education Group consists of Bridges Academy, a day school for 2e students; and Bridges 2e Media, which publishes 2eNews.com and Variations2e magazine. The Bridges Education Group also is affiliated with the Bridges Graduate School. Dr. Kaufman will be presenting at the California Association for the Gifted conference in Palm Springs in February, and at a professional luncheon on February 25 at UCLA, discussing his new book. A complete speaking schedule will be available in January. Helping twice-exceptional students thriveThe 2e Center is a first-of-its-kind multi-disciplinary hub where professionals, scholars, and practitioners combine expertise to enhance understanding of the growing population of 2e students. With the unique opportunities afforded by working with a lab school, the Center can encourage and undertake much-needed research, provide courses and workshops for educators and parents, and share resources about the best practices that serve this cognitively diverse, at-risk population.
The primary goals of the Center are to create awareness, offer professional development, provide outreach, and generate projects that will improve services for the special population of children known as twice exceptional (2e). The 2e Center operates within a positive psychology framework, emphasizing that more is to be gained from understanding and acknowledging what a child can do than from focusing on deficits and problems –– an approach all-to-common in many schools. Professional Development The 2e Center staff provides professional development including:
Outreach The 2e Center has specific goals to disseminate information and resources through multiple venues. Center activities include
Research The 2e Center encourages research studies, both internal and external, that serve to build a base of best practices for twice-exceptional education; to assess awareness levels and needs; and to better understand the 2e learner. In addition, the staff and Executive Board of the Center develop and field-test protocols and instruments specifically designed to measure strengths, interests, and talents. Directors, faculty and members of the 2e Center and Bridges Academy are available for professional development and awareness workshop. Please contact Kim Vargas for more information or fill out the contact form below.
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NAGC Honors 2e Book
The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) announced the winners of the 2018 NAGC Book of the Year Award, recognizing excellence in books published in gifted and talented education.
To Be Gifted & Learning Disabled: Strength-Based Strategies for Helping Twice-Exceptional Students with LD, ADHD, ASD, and More, written by 2e Center Director Susan Baum, Bridges trustee Robin Schader, and Steve Owen, won the Book of the Year Award in the practitioner category. “One of the fastest ways to improve the lives of gifted children is to provide adults with publications that inform and guide,” said M. René Islas, executive director of NAGC. “These books are trustworthy resources that increase understanding and are powerful opportunities for learning.” Click here to order your own copy. Suite of Tools™Discover tools designed to help educators connect with the person in personalized learning.
Click here for more information on the Suite of Tools™ and how you can license them for use in your home, school, or district. |
Bridges Academy: Educating the twice-exceptional
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These famous people were all thought to be twice exceptional. They were brilliant in their fields and made great contributions to society in spite of their challenges.
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We are devoted to the social, intellectual and creative growth of 2e students. After all, we could be teaching some of this generation’s greatest minds.
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BRIDGES ACADEMY 3921 Laurel Canyon Blvd. Studio City, CA 91604 (818) 506-1091
© COPYRIGHT 2016-2018. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
© COPYRIGHT 2016-2018. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.