The Gifted Ed Podcast

The Avery Coonley School
  • 4.5 (14)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

The Gifted Ed Podcast was developed as a resource for educators who work with gifted and high-achieving students and for our parent community. Gifted children have advanced cognitive abilities for their age and this asynchronous development can often come with heightened intensity. Combined, this dissonance can create an inner experience and awareness that is qualitatively different from the norm. Through our podcast, we explore the complexities of educating gifted children through the sharing of experiences and interviews with educators and other professionals who work with gifted children.

  1. FEB 19

    Episode 38: Digital Wellness & Media Literacy — Foundations for Gifted Learners (Part 1)

    In this first installment of a series on digital wellness and media literacy, we welcome educator, writer, and scholar Lucas Jacob to explore how these evolving fields intersect with gifted education. Together, we unpack foundational definitions, discuss how rapidly changing digital environments impact learners, and emphasize the importance of cultivating mindsets — not just skillsets — to help students thrive. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how media literacy and digital wellness shape social, emotional, and cognitive development, and why these conversations are especially relevant for supporting gifted students in a fast-changing world. Lucas Jacob is an educator with more than 30 years of experience across PreK–12 settings, a published writer and poet, former Fulbright Scholar, and former co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Media Literacy Education. His work focuses on the intersections of media, learning, and human development.Host: Meghan McCarthy Co-Producers: Adam Metcalf and Jeff Westbrook Original Music by Adam G-F How you can be involved: Subscribe to The Gifted Ed Podcast Email us at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thegiftededpodcast@averycoonley.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to the podcast team to let us know of any topics that you would like discussed. Additionally, you can use this form to let us know that you would like to appear on an episode as a guest and what topic(s) you would like to discuss.

    26 min

  2. JAN 26

    Episode 37: Evaluating Secondary Schools for Gifted Learners

    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 of evaluating secondary school options for gifted students. We explore how families can thoughtfully navigate public, private, parochial, and boarding school choices—while keeping the individual needs, passions, and social-emotional development of gifted learners at the center of the conversation. Dr. Gwen Cooper holds a doctorate in education and serves as the Middle School Head and Secondary Placement Director at Avery Coonley School. She works closely with families to guide them through the high school selection, application, and registration process, helping identify environments where gifted students can truly thrive. Host: Meghan McCarthy Co-Producers: Adam Metcalf and Jeff Westbrook Original Music by Adam G-F How you can be involved: Subscribe to The Gifted Ed Podcast Email us at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thegiftededpodcast@averycoonley.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Submit a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to the podcast team to let us know of any topics that you would like discussed. Additionally, you can use this form to let us know that you would like to appear on an episode as a guest and what topic(s) you would like to discuss.

    16 min

  3. 12/18/2025

    Episode 36: The Importance of Play for Gifted Students (Part 2)

    In this episode, we welcome back Lisa Wiltz and Eric Youngquist, who explore the essential role of play, simulation, and gamification in supporting gifted learners of all ages. This episode reframes play—not as downtime, but as developmentally essential, academically rich, and socially transformative. Lisa Wiltz - With 39 years of experience, Lisa has taught preschool through early elementary and specializes in early childhood development and gifted education. She holds degrees from Illinois State University and National Louis University, has presented nationally on play-based learning, and currently teaches Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4. Her passion: helping young learners build the social-emotional and cognitive skills that form the bedrock of future learning. Eric Youngquist - Eric is in his 22nd year of teaching middle school social studies. With degrees from NIU and St. Xavier University, he brings learning to life through strategy, debate, and simulation. He coaches both a strategic gaming club and a debate team and is committed to using games to build communication, reasoning, negotiation, and empathy. Listeners will explore: Why play is the foundation of learning How games and playful learning support creativity, problem-solving, cognitive flexibility, and emotional development What empathy development really looks like from preschool through middle school How educators can balance academic demands with meaningful play Real examples of simulations and games that deepen learning, engagement, and rigor Host: Meghan McCarthy Co-Producers: Adam Metcalf and Jeff Westbrook Original Music by Adam G-F How you can be involved: Subscribe to The Gifted Ed Podcast Email us at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thegiftededpodcast@averycoonley.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to the podcast team to let us know of any topics that you would like discussed. Additionally, you can use this form to let us know that you would like to appear on an episode as a guest and what topic(s) you would like to discuss.

    25 min

  4. 11/25/2025

    Episode 35: The Importance of Play for Gifted Students (Part 1)

    In this episode, we welcome Lisa Wiltz and Eric Youngquist, who explore the essential role of play, simulation, and gamification in supporting gifted learners of all ages. This episode reframes play—not as downtime, but as developmentally essential, academically rich, and socially transformative. Lisa Wiltz - With 39 years of experience, Lisa has taught preschool through early elementary and specializes in early childhood development and gifted education. She holds degrees from Illinois State University and National Louis University, has presented nationally on play-based learning, and currently teaches Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4. Her passion: helping young learners build the social-emotional and cognitive skills that form the bedrock of future learning. Eric Youngquist - Eric is in his 22nd year of teaching middle school social studies. With degrees from NIU and St. Xavier University, he brings learning to life through strategy, debate, and simulation. He coaches both a strategic gaming club and a debate team and is committed to using games to build communication, reasoning, negotiation, and empathy. Listeners will explore: Why play is the foundation of learning How games and playful learning support creativity, problem-solving, cognitive flexibility, and emotional development What empathy development really looks like from preschool through middle school How educators can balance academic demands with meaningful play Real examples of simulations and games that deepen learning, engagement, and rigor Host: Meghan McCarthy Co-Producers: Adam Metcalf and Jeff Westbrook Original Music by Adam G-F How you can be involved: Subscribe to The Gifted Ed Podcast Email us at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thegiftededpodcast@averycoonley.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to the podcast team to let us know of any topics that you would like discussed. Additionally, you can use this form to let us know that you would like to appear on an episode as a guest and what topic(s) you would like to discuss.

    42 min

  5. 10/22/2025

    Episode 34: Rethinking Leadership in Gifted Education

    In this episode, we welcome Allison Yunkun, a doctoral candidate and an elementary educator and from The Avery Coonley School in Downers Grove, Illinois. Allison shares insights about the Leadership Academy, a program designed to develop authentic leadership skills in gifted students from grades 2–4. The conversation explores how the academy helps young learners understand leadership beyond titles—focusing instead on empathy, collaboration, and purpose-driven action. We also discuss the intentional design behind this initiative, how it supports diverse leadership styles (including introverted leaders), and how social-emotional learning (SEL) connects deeply to leadership development. Later in the episode, a student participant from the Leadership Academy joins to offer a firsthand perspective on what it’s like to learn and practice leadership as a gifted student. Host: Meghan McCarthy Co-Producers: Adam Metcalf and Jeff Westbrook Original Music by Adam G-F How you can be involved: Subscribe to The Gifted Ed Podcast Email us at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thegiftededpodcast@averycoonley.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Submit a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to the podcast team to let us know of any topics that you would like discussed. Additionally, you can use this form to let us know that you would like to appear on an episode as a guest and what topic(s) you would like to discuss.

    18 min

  6. 09/29/2025

    Episode 33: Understanding Anxiety in Gifted Youth

    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 adolescents. Together, we explore a scale of intensity to help distinguish between healthy anxiety and clinical anxiety. We also highlight why it’s so important for parents and teachers to understand anxiety—recognizing the signs early can make a critical difference in supporting children’s emotional well-being, learning, and development. Listeners will also gain practical strategies to help students manage anxiety more effectively in both home and school settings. www.theocdandanxietycenter.com Host: Meghan McCarthy Co-Producers: Adam Metcalf and Jeff Westbrook Original Music by Adam G-F How you can be involved: Subscribe to The Gifted Ed Podcast Email us at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thegiftededpodcast@averycoonley.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Submit a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to the podcast team to let us know of any topics that you would like discussed. Additionally, you can use this form to let us know that you would like to appear on an episode as a guest and what topic(s) you would like to discuss.

    48 min

  7. 05/27/2025

    Episode 32: Writing Strategies for Gifted Learners

    In this episode, we welcome Darrell Maskell, who shares how he teaches writing to his gifted students. We explore his instructional techniques and process, the executive functioning skills embedded in his approach, and some of the remarkable outcomes that have emerged in his classroom. Darrell Maskell has taught third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students for twenty-seven years in both the UK and the US. He began his career as an electrical engineer before transitioning into education at the age of twenty-eight. He started teaching in London public schools and has since worked in three private schools for gifted children. In 2007, he was recognized with both the Positive Promotions Midwest Teacher of the Year and the Sam’s Club Teacher of the Year awards. Teacher Resource: Darrell Maskell’s Fantasy Writing Planner https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/class-project-inspires-palatine-fifth-grader-to-publish-her-own-book Host: Meghan McCarthy Co-Producers: Adam Metcalf and Jeff Westbrook Original Music by Adam G-F How you can be involved: Subscribe to The Gifted Ed Podcast Email us at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thegiftededpodcast@averycoonley.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Submit a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to the podcast team to let us know of any topics that you would like discussed. Additionally, you can use this form to let us know that you would like to appear on an episode as a guest and what topic(s) you would like to discuss.

    47 min

  8. 04/30/2025

    Episode 31: Underachievement in Gifted Learners – Erin Vanek from The Gifted Perspective

    In this episode, we sit down with Erin Vanek, founder of The Gifted Perspective, to explore the often misunderstood world of underachievement among gifted students. Erin shares insights into the behavioral and emotional profiles of gifted learners who aren't meeting their potential and helps us unpack the why behind their struggles. From classroom engagement to parent support, she offers practical strategies educators and caregivers can use to reconnect these students with learning and motivation. Whether you're a teacher, parent, or advocate, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways to help gifted students thrive. In this episode, you’ll learn: Common traits of underachieving gifted studentsThe myths surrounding giftedness and motivationTools and techniques to reignite engagement in gifted learnersHow The Gifted Perspective serves as a bridge between educators and gifted kids' unique needs Learn more about Erin's work: https://thegiftedperspective.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the.gifted.perspective/ Host: Meghan McCarthy Co-Producers: Adam Metcalf and Jeff Westbrook Original Music by Adam G-F How you can be involved: Subscribe to The Gifted Ed Podcast Email us at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thegiftededpodcast@averycoonley.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Submit a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to the podcast team to let us know of any topics that you would like discussed. Additionally, you can use this form to let us know that you would like to appear on an episode as a guest and what topic(s) you would like to discuss.

    30 min
See All (38)

Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

The Gifted Ed Podcast was developed as a resource for educators who work with gifted and high-achieving students and for our parent community. Gifted children have advanced cognitive abilities for their age and this asynchronous development can often come with heightened intensity. Combined, this dissonance can create an inner experience and awareness that is qualitatively different from the norm. Through our podcast, we explore the complexities of educating gifted children through the sharing of experiences and interviews with educators and other professionals who work with gifted children.

Information

  • Creator
    The Avery Coonley School
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Avery Coonley School
  • Show Website
    The Gifted Ed Podcast

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