Welcome my dear Substack friends to this wonderful conversation about giftedness with my sister, Karen.
Together we explore what it means to be gifted, especially in the fields of leadership and education.
Despite excelling academically and professionally, my sister never identified as being ‘gifted’, preferring terms like ‘high achiever’ or ‘capable’.
Karen recounts experiences that impacted her, such as excelling in both teaching and leadership roles, receiving accolades, and mentoring others.
She discusses the challenges faced within bureaucratic and under-resourced educational environments, the stress on her health, and her strong belief in the values of compassion, equity, and effective education.
The conversation also delves into Karen’s work with marginalised communities and the impact of systemic inequities on First Nations people. It highlights her dedication to social justice which is a common concern among gifted folk.
Ultimately, the conversation underscores the continuous journey of learning and growth, even at advanced stages of one’s career.
Thanks very much to Karen for taking the time to share her thoughts and experiences.
If you hear some background noise it’s Karen’s rescued greyhound Molly getting a little restless.
We hope you enjoy this conversation and, as always, greatly appreciate your feedback and comments.
Let’s get the conversation started…
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