SENGinar: Giftedness is a Lifelong Journey

From the speakers Michele Kane and Ellen Feidler

What are the lives of older gifted adults like? What might be different for them compared to others in their cohort age group (ages 50-65, 65-80, & 80 and beyond)?

When or why would someone be considered an “elder?” Can we assume that anyone who is thought of as an “elder” is gifted?

What have elders in the field of gifted education contributed to this conversation?

This SENGinar will focus on lived experiences of older gifted adults during the latter years of their lives. Dr. Michele Kane and Dr. Ellen D. Fiedler will discuss the distinction between being an “elder” or just being older. They will also explore the following key issues for older gifted adults:

* Connecting w/others – searching for kindred spirits – having meaningful relationships

* Coping with conflicting feelings and asynchronous development

* Seeking ongoing opportunities for expanding their knowledge – finding ways to continue to have vibrant, interesting lives and exercise their minds

* Balancing everything in their lives – being selective about how they spend their time and energy – dealing with physical changes

* Responding to an urgency to accomplish something worthwhile and to make a difference in the world: Generativity and Leaving a Legacy

After sharing effective strategies that older gifted adults can use in their quest to live satisfying, meaningful lives, the presenters will conclude with a dialog about being “ageless.” A brief list of useful resources and sources will be included.

ABOUT Michele Kane & Ellen Fiedler

Michele Kane, Ed.D., has been an advocate for gifted learners and gifted education for more than 25 years. During

this time she has been a frequent presenter at state, national, and international conferences. She is professor at

Northeastern Illinois University, where she coordinates the Master of Arts in Gifted Education program. Michele is a

contributing author to Off the Charts, Giftedness and Creativity, and Living with Intensity. Her most recent book,

Planting Seeds of Mindfulness, co-authored with Dorothy Sisk, was just released. Inspired by her experience raising six

gifted (now adult) children, Michele’s interest remains on the social and emotional needs of the gifted.

Dr. Ellen D. Fiedler, Professor Emerita of Gifted Education from Chicago’s Northeastern Illinois University, is the author of Bright Adults: Uniqueness and Belonging Across the Lifespan. She has published chapters on gifted adults in Off the Charts: Asynchrony and the Gifted Child and in Living with Intensity as well as many articles in professional journals. Her Ph.D. is in Counseling and Guidance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has been a Gifted Program Coordinator and a State Consultant for Gifted and has regularly presented at state, national, and international conferences and keynoted the first international symposium on adult giftedness.

Contact information: Ellen D. Fiedler, Ph.D., ellendovefiedler@mac.com