My career has not followed a straight path.  I am a registered architect, though no longer practicing.

My daughter was born with some neurologic issues and my focus changed to caretaking and providing extra stimulation to help her brain grow.  In my limited spare time I focused on making art and eventually exhibited and sold it, and received some nice recognition. My son also had difficult to identify special needs.  Every year his teacher would either say, “Your son is one of the brightest kids I’ve seen.” or “Your son is just not getting it and you should think about holding him back.”  He is both Gifted and also has a significant learning challenges (Gifted and Talented/Learning Disabled (GTLD) also known as  twice exceptional (2E)).

To understand GTLD better, I got involved with the GTLD Network of Montgomery County, MD.  Eventually I became president.  At that time, the GTLD Network sponsored a lecture series so that parents and teachers could learn about the latest research in understanding and teaching GTLD students.  Located close to NIH and Johns Hopkins, we had some amazing speakers - and I learned a lot.

Once both kids were doing well enough, I entered a Masters of Science program in Organization Development (similar to Organizational Psychology).  There I learned some tools regarding psycho-social dynamics of both individuals and groups.  While I didn’t finish the degree, I did take what I learned and used it working as a graphic facilitator. I got to draw and write on the walls while meetings happened (see IFVP.org to learn more about graphic facilitation.)  I still use what I learned from visual facilitation in all my work.  Showing people what they are saying is so much more effective than taking typical notes.

The graphic facilitation led work with large organizations introducing concepts of Complexity Thinking and the complexity of communication (awarefulsystems.com). 

One thing often leads to the next.  I keep asking questions.  So here I am, and here we are.  Ready to help you figure out how to adjust your college/grad school learning strategies.