A groundbreaking moment has arrived in my career, and I'm so excited that I finally get to share it with you all! I was recently appointed Director of the Strength-Based Assessment Lab at Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity. This new role is not just a position to me; it's a heartfelt commitment to advancing our understanding and implementation of strength-based approaches in education, especially for twice-exceptional children.
Strength-based educational practices are central to equitable and liberatory practices. Finding what's right about each human eliminates the need to make anyone wrong. Paving the way for peace-building and designing a better world for us all.
At the heart of the Strength-based Assessment Lab lies a profound mission:
To uncover and identify the strengths of those who are struggling in their current educational settings.
To empower students, families, educators, and professionals to create positive, effective, and collaborative learning experiences.
To foster a world where every student feels valued and is empowered to demonstrate their abilities and skills in a personal and meaningful manner.
Our pioneering approach utilizes the meticulously developed Suite of Tools™ (SOT), a field-tested methodology that identifies and nurtures strengths, interests, and talents.
Strength-based assessments are at the heart of what we believe in – recognizing and nurturing each child's strengths, talents, and potential rather than focusing solely on their challenges. It's about shifting the narrative from what's "wrong" to what's strong.
To delve deeper into what strength-based assessments entail and why they're so crucial, I had the immense pleasure of joining Deborah Reber on the Tilt Parenting Podcast. With her incredible ability to make her guests feel both at ease and excited to share their expertise, Debbie hosted a conversation that will resonate with many of you.
🎧 Listen to this Very Special Conversation on the Tilt Parenting Podcast 👂
Below is an excerpt from our enlightening discussion about the essence and impact of the Strength-Based Assessment Lab at Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity:
"But really, it's about having that audience and being known for what you're good at and what you love to do and receiving some form of love and recognition in return for that self-expression. Every human in the world wants to express themselves. I think it's front and center of what makes us unique as a species. And so providing opportunities to do so, I think, is what contributes to the overall wellbeing and development of a child."
This excerpt encapsulates our mission at the Strength-Based Assessment Lab – to create environments where children can thrive by being acknowledged for their strengths and talents. It's about fostering a culture that values and celebrates every individual's unique contributions, promoting a sense of belonging and acceptance.
I invite you to listen to the full conversation on the Tilt Parenting Podcast to gain a deeper understanding of strength-based assessments and how they can transform the educational experiences of neurodivergent learners. It's a discussion filled with insights, inspiration, and practical advice for parents, educators, and anyone interested in positively impacting young learners' lives.
Thank you, Debbie, for the beautiful opportunity to share our passion and vision with your audience. And to all of you, please have a look at the Lab's website and reach out with any and all questions about our services.
With gratitude,
Jade
Congratulations, world changer!
What a great opportunity for families with gifted/2e kids. This is an excellent interview. I hope it is shared widely.