SENG Liaisons promote the vision, mission, and services of SENG by:
If you are interested in becoming a SENG Liaison, please download the SENG Liaison Brochure.
For more information or to answer additional questions, please email Lori Comallie if you are a US resident or Rose Blackett if you reside out of the US,
Search for liaisons by state abbreviation:
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MN, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT,
VA, WA, WI, WV, WY, International
| STATE | LIAISON |
| Alabama | We are now accepting applications for the state of Alabama through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Alaska | Kimber Olson, Kimber Olson is the parent of a highly gifted child, and a psychotherapist specializing in working with children in Anchorge, Alaska. In addition to 15 years of mental health and child protection experience, Kimber has provided trainings nationally and internationally, teaching professionals in the areas of trauma, attachment, ethics, and understanding eating disorders, among others. She has taught at the Kenai Peninsula College. (7/10-7/12) |
| Arizona | Elizabeth Ringlee, Elizabeth Ringlee is the Executive Director for Arizona Association of Independent Schools. The former Director of Gateways School for the Gifted in Tucson, Ms. Ringlee spent many years following a career as an internationally respected media and marketing executive. (7/10-7/12) |
| Arkansas | Polly Bakker, Polly Bakker received Retirement Recognition for 34 years of service in education from Patti Thompson at the 32 annual Arkansans for Gifted and Talented Education (AGATE) Conference held in Little Rock at Peabody Hotel February 17-19, 2011. Mrs. Bakker was a G/T Supervisor at Arch Ford Education Cooperative in Plumerville for 23 years. She was also president of AGATE, founder of Arkansas Association Gifted Education Administrators, member of Phi Delta Kappa, Delta Kappa Gamma, Alpha Chi Omega, Destination Imagination Board, and Conway First United Methodist Church. Her husband is Ben Bakker, former Superintendent at Mt. Vernon-Enola Schools. (7/11-7/13) |
| California (Northern) | Kathleen Crombie, Ms. Crombie, M.A., M.Ed. earned degrees in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University-Teachers College in New York. She is the SENG Parent Group Trainer, Faciliator and Consultant at Summit Center in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has a special interest in chronic disorganization of gifted across the life span. Ms. Crombie is a founder and President of Piedmont GPS (Gifted Parent Support) Board of Directors. She grew up on a research farm in Minnesota. Ms. Crombie and her husband are raising two gifted middle school boys. (7/10-7/12) |
| California (Southern) |
Deborah Greenspan, Deborah Greenspan lives in Winnetka, California. As a former California Community College Chancellor’s Office Articulation and Matriculation Committee Student Representative, and the current Parent Liaison of 2E Network LA, Deborah helps twice-exceptional adults and children navigate systems, referring and supporting parents on their healthcare and education journeys. Deborah also advocates implementing research-based best practice models and encourages mutually supportive parent–teacher collaboration in schools. Using the tools gathered from SENG and the child-centered learning model of ‘lifting in areas of strength with one hand while supporting areas of need with the other,’ Deborah eclectically homeschooled her eight and ten year old twice-exceptional daughters for four and 1/2 years. Her eighteen year-old daughter earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology through a university early entrance program and works in psycho-neuro research. Deborah’s sixteen year-old daughter attends community college. (7/11-7/13) |
| Colorado | Kathee Jones, Kathee Jones’ involvement in, and passion for, gifted issues began as the parent of three gifted children, which has included pursuing a variety of educational options including homeschooling to meet their individual needs and to find “fit”. Kathee is a board member of the Colorado Gifted and Talented Association, has been with CAGT’s local affiliate since 2001, and serves on the Colorado State Advisory Committee for Gifted Education. (1/11-1/13) |
| Connecticut | We are now accepting applications for the state of Connecticut through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Delaware | Sandra Williamson, Sandra C. Williamson, Ph.D., earned an Educational Psychology degree with a concentration in Instructional Technology at Kent State University. She has taught in higher education for twenty years. Currently she is the chair of M.Ed. in Instruction: Gifted and Talented Learners degree program offered at Wilmington University. Dr. Williamson is a member of the American Educational Research Association and the International Society for Technology in Education. She is co-editor of book reviews for the Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-based Learning. Dr. Williamson serves on the Delaware Department of Education Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Learners. As a psychologist and instructional technologist, her passions and research focus on designing and developing computer-based instruction to study authentic problems. She has worked with numerous gifted and talented programs in Ohio studying problem-based learning with virtual reality computer-based instruction and presented her research at national and international conferences. (1/11-1/13) |
| Florida | Pamela Sudzina,Pamela Sudzina is the former facilitator of the Gifted Education Program of Service Options in Polk County Schools, Florida. She designed and facilitated online endorsement classes for teachers who added gifted to their teaching certificates. Pam has also served on committees related to gifted and has acted as an advocate and resource for the district and the state. She recently retired after 38 years of service to the Polk County School District. Her major research interests include the social and emotional issues of students who are gifted, online learning and underrepresented gifted children and youth. Pam is an advocate for parents of gifted children who are looking to build successful relationships with the school. Ms. Sudzina is also the mother of an adult daughter and grandmother of a middle school age grandson. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Florida Southern College, M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Development from the University of South Florida and is currently working in the proposal phase of the dissertation at the University of South Florida. (7/10-7/12) |
| Georgia | Muriel Knope, Theologian Howard Thurman wrote: “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do that because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” As parents, we support our children as they discover their passions. I’m a former public school teacher and freelance writer who homeschooled my gifted son. I am a SMPG facilitator and I conduct workshops for parents on the social/emotional needs of gifted children. (7/10-7/12) |
| Hawaii | We are now accepting applications for the state of Hawaii through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Idaho | We are now accepting applications for the state of Idaho through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Illinois | Nuwenka DuMont, Newenka DuMont founded and servedas the first president of the Gifted Education Cooperative (GECO), a parentsupport and advocacy organization still thriving in the southwest suburbs ofChicago. She is currently serving as thenew parent education chair for GECO. Newenka also is a member of the IllinoisAssociation for Gifted Children, has volunteered on IAGC’s advocacy andaffiliates committees, has spoken at IAGC annual conferences and organizedIAGC’s first Please Don’t Leave OurChildren Behind Day in Springfield. She has been leading SENG style guided reading groups since 2003. Newenkahas two gifted children who have attended public schools, including the statepublic magnate boarding school, the Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA), exceptwhen she and her husband homeschooled for a year to travel around theworld. (1/11-1/13) |
| Indiana | We are now accepting applications for the state of Indiana through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Iowa | We are now accepting applications for the state of Iowa through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Kansas | Sheri Stewart, Sheri Nowak Stewart has been an educator for nearly forty years, primarily in gifted education. Sheri’s doctoral work in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies emphasized both district level school administration, staff development and gifted education. Currently she is the coordinator of an exemplary gifted program in the Blue Valley School District in the Kansas City area and consults with other school districts. She has served on the board of directors for state gifted associations in Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas and on the executive committees of two National Association for Gifted Children Divisions. When she was State Director for Gifted Education in Nebraska, she directed the writing of new state regulations for gifted education. She is also a former professor of gifted education where she was graduate advisor to over 200 teachers of the gifted. Dr. Stewart’s focus throughout her career in gifted education has been the social-emotional needs of gifted students. She has written and presented on this topic, serves as a SMPG facilitator and organizes groups in the Overland Park area, and continues to connect with past gifted students…some of whom have become gifted education teachers themselves. (7/10-7/12) |
| Kentucky | Joy Navan is Professor Emeritus at Murray State University as well as a consultant. She has been a popular presenter at SENG’s national conference. Ms. Navan is bi-lingual in Spanish and proficient in French. She is the author of the book Nurturing the Gifted Female. (7/10-7/12) |
| Louisiana | Heidi Molbak is an educational placement consultant helping families find appropriate educational settings in independent day and boarding schools for their gifted and twice-exceptional children. She served as a Director for SENG for two years from 2008 through 2009. Heidi has led SENG Model Parent Groups in New Orleans and is a trained SENG Model Parent Group Facilitator and Trainer of facilitators. She is completing her Masters in Counseling at Loyola University New Orleans. Her personal gifted story includes supporting her children through twelve schools in five states and two countries as well as running her own small gifted school from home. She has experience with public magnet, public charter foreign-language immersion, independent, one-room multi-age, boarding and home schools. She is a member of IECA, Independent Educational Consultants Association. She writes about, works with and speaks on educational placement of gifted children in independent schools. (1/11-1/13) |
| Maine | We are now accepting applications for the state of Maine through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Maryland | Erica Burman, Erica Burman is a SENG Parent Group facilitator and a member of the leadership of the Gifted and Talented Association of Montgomery County (Maryland). She has two children and ten years of experience with gifted issues in Montgomery County. (7/10-7/12) |
| Massachusetts | Bonnie Zimmer, My son has been my best teacher about giftedness though I also apply my skills as a licensed clinical social worker to my work with SMPG groups. I bring to SENG over 20 years experience working with women and families individually and in groups and I am committed to supporting other parents who encounter the confusion and isolation of raising gifted children, especially within the public school setting. (7/10-7/12) |
| Michigan | Cynthia Lardner, Cynthia Lardner, J.D., M.A., LLPC, is a licensed counselor with a private counseling and consulting practice specializing in learning, giftedness, individuals with disabilities, and gifted individuals with disabilities. Customized presentations have been delivered to the Association of Michigan School Counselors, the Michigan Educational Association, the Michigan Department of Education, the NAGC, the University of Michigan Outreach program, and CHADD. Lardner is the Secretary for the NAGC’s Counseling and Guidance Division and Gifted Liaison for the Association of Michigan School Counselors. (7/10-7/12) |
| Minnesota | Wendi Schirvar, Wendi M Schirvar, M.A., AbD, is a licensed School Psychologist and University researcher, who speaks locally and nationally and maintains a private counseling and consulting practice regarding needs of gifted learners.She has devoted her research to the socio-emotional needs of gifted learners, using this information to help parents and administrators build connections to better serve the needs of gifted students. With a background in Child Development, Attachment Research, Parent Education and Educational Psychology, she brings an eclectic blend of theory and practice to her work assisting families of gifted students with parenting issues, testing, school advocacy, educational planning and family goal setting. She maintains membership on various local and national boards to support the attention to the needs of gifted students. (7/10-7/12) |
| Mississippi | Royal Toy, Royal Toy is an Assistant Professor of Education at Mississippi University for Women, coordinator of Gifted Studies, Director of Summer Discovery, and Assistant Director of Mississippi Governor’s School. Royal is a Model Parent Group Facilitator and is working to expand the services for social and emotional needs across the state. (7/10-7/12) |
| Missouri | We are now accepting applications for the state of Missouri through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Montana | We are now accepting applications for the state of Montana through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Nebraska | John Thomsen , John is the Communication Coordinator for Nebraska Association for the Gifted. He has made multiple contributions to the area of gifted including: being the recipient of Extra Mile Award, Gifted Nebraska Award for Lifelong Work for Gifted and the Destination Imagination Service Award. He frequently presents at the Nebraska Association for the Gifted COnferences. John is currently Talented and Gifted Consultant to 18 schools districts for the Educational Service Unit #3 in Omaha, Nebraska. |
| Nevada | We are now accepting applications for the state of Nevada through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| New Hampshire | We are now accepting applications for the state of New Hampshire through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| New Jersey | Anna Kress, Dr. Anna Kress is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Princeton, NJ. She primarily provides psychotherapy to gifted adolescents and adults and specializes in working with college students. She was an intern at the counseling center at The College of New Jersey, a postdoctoral fellow at Princeton University, and a staff psychologist at Rutgers University. Dr. Kress’ interests include overexcitabilities and diagnostic issues in the gifted. Her article on gifted introverts was recently published. (7/10-7/12) |
| New Mexico | We are now accepting applications for the state of New Mexico through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| New York | Rebecca Mannis, Dr. Rebecca Mannis is a learning specialist with over 25 years of experience developing and implementing customized instructional programs for gifted and twice exceptional students at her learning center, Ivy Prep Learning Center, www.ivy-prep.com. She consults to schools, parents and organizations in designing programs that match individual learning goals to complement each school’s approach. She has a Masters in Reading from Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Ph.D. from Teachers College, Columbia University in Developmental Psychology with specialization in Neuroscience and Education. . She recently founded a nonprofit foundation to address the instructional needs of students who are not sufficiently served. (7/10-7/12) |
| North Carolina |
Evelyn Metcalf, |
| North Dakota | We are now accepting applications for the state of North Dakota through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Ohio | We are now accepting applications for the state of Ohio through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Oklahoma | We are now accepting applications for the state of Oklahoma through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Oregon | We are now accepting applications for the state of Oregon through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Pennsylvania | We are now accepting applications for the state of Pennsylvania through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Rhode Island | We are now accepting applications for the state of Rhode Island through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| South Carolina | We are now accepting applications for the state of South Carolina through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| South Dakota | We are now accepting applications for the state of South Dakota through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Tennessee | We are now accepting applications for the state of Tennessee through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Texas (Central) | Janet Hale, As mother of four now-grown gifted sons in Highland Park ISD in Dallas, Janet co-founded the parent group PC-TAG in 1993, serving on its board and on the district’s TAG Advisory Committee in various capacities through 2007. She received the Outstanding Parent of Gifted award from the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented, 2009-10. Now an ardent SMPG facilitator, she has organized training of over 40 facilitators in the north Texas area.(7/10-7/12) |
| Utah | Sally Lyon is an educational consultant and founder of Our Gifted Online Conferences. Sally’s passion is providing a safe harbor for those who are seeking to understand and advocate for gifted children. Sally is the founder of a national twice-exceptional #2E twitter network. Sally is a recipient of NAGC Professional Achievement Certificate Program 2003, UAGC’s Sally M. Todd Local Leadership Award 2006, and Top Online Educator Award 2007. She serves on SENG’s Editorial Board, NAGC’s Parent Advisory Committee, helped develop the Mile Marker Series and is published in UOG – Understanding Our Gifted. Sally is married and a parent of two grown sons . (1/11-1/13) |
| Vermont | We are now accepting applications for the state of Vermont through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Virginia | We are now accepting applications for the state of Virginia through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Washington | David Berg, David Berg is a father of three gifted sons. His involvement in gifted issues began when his oldest son was selected to participate in the local school district’s highly capable program. He has been a board member of the Academic Booster Club of Puyallup, a local parent group for families of gifted children, since 2006. He has been a board member of the Northwest Gifted Child Association since 2009 and the Washington Coalition for Gifted Education since 2010. David recently served on the Washington State Highly Capable Program Technical Working Group helping make recommendations for the future direction of highly capable programming in the state. David is a SENG Model Parent Group Certified Facilitator. (1/11-1/13) |
| West Virginia | We are now accepting applications for the state of West Virginia through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Wisconsin | We are now accepting applications for the state of Wisonsin through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Wyoming | We are now accepting applications for the state of Wyoming through June, the appointment will begin in July 2011. Click here to apply. |
| Australia | Susan Luus, Susan Luus holds a MEd specialising in gifted education from the University of New South Wales, Australia. She has presented nationally and internationally on gifted children and supporting their needs. Susan has taught in mainstream schools in South Africa and Australia and a school for the gifted in New Zealand. She assists in development of curriculum for gifted children with a focus on their academic and social and emotional needs. Her current consultancy provides professional development for teachers and assists in designing appropriate curriculum for gifted students. Susan is involved in ongoing support for parents of gifted children and assists them in advocating for their children and their learning needs. She works in schools with gifted children to assist the development of self-advocacy and negotiated learning pathways. Susan believes that support and advocacy are vital for the provision of equity of opportunity for gifted children. (7/10-7/12) |
| New Zealand | Francis Hill, Francis first became aware of SENG when she was added to their roll of honour. Since then she has presented at the SENG Florida conference and throughout New Zealand and Australia. Throughout her career, she has focused on meeting the needs of students who don’t fit the system by reason of temperament, learning difficulties or giftedness. She is a director of the Alpha Education Consultancy, Principal of the Alpha Digital Facility and author of the Teaching Gifted Learners series of books for teachers. Currently, she is busy spreading the word about SENG’s excellent work through New Zealand and Australia. (7/10-7/12) |
