Today we catch up with a recent guest Sam Young, from Young Scholars Academy, as we unpack strength-based learning and find out what the big deal is all about!

Keep an eye out for:

• Young Scholars Academy open house on 8 December.
• Our Gifted Kids Live zoom webinar 'A Very Gifted Christmas', and
• Our new ebook, 'A Very Gifted Christmas'!

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Memorable Quote

"When we think of strength based learning we're really talking about focusing… where the energy or where the mind goes… everything flows… and a strength based education is just a choice to focus on here, the strength area, and just bring this up knowing that this [the area of deficit] will come to.

It's a choice that we make as educators and as mentors, as psychologists, as a therapist, everyone to say, yes, there are these areas, there are these struggle areas, but we also need to focus on developing, primarily, the strength areas, the areas that feel good and know that everything else will follow suit." – Sam Young

"At its core, deficit-based learning… steeps our students… in a space where they are not thriving and it constantly reminds them… of where they're struggling, how they're coming up short and what they're not doing. And that has been shown to have real consequences on their psyche, on their self-worth, on their self-esteem, on confidence and their ability to then be successful in this life. Paradoxically, by helping someone bring the bottom up, so to speak, you're actually harming them." – Sam Young

Resources

• Young Scholars Academy – home page has link to live open house event!
• 'A Very Gifted Christmas' Ebook by Our Gifted Kids
• A Very Gifted Christmas Live Zoom Webinar (& replay) 5 December 2022 | 07:30 PM Adelaide (South Australia)

Bio

Sam Young

Samuel Young, MEd, is a growth-minded, two-time Fulbright Scholar and Director of Young Scholars Academy, a strength-based, talent-focused virtual enrichment center that supports twice-exceptional students and their families. Samuel is a neurodivergent educator who has ADHD. As an ADHD learner, he has a tremendous understanding of, experience in, and respect for all things related to neurodiverse education.

Before founding Young Scholars Academy, Samuel taught in a variety of capacities—including nearly a decade at Bridges Academy—at an array of programs in the US, Europe, and Asia. Travel and culture are near and dear to him. He has led 2e students to over 7 countries for immersive cultural and educational trips.

Samuel has been featured in the documentary 2e2: Teaching The Twice Exceptional, the textbook Understanding The Social and Emotional Lives of Gifted Students, 2nd Ed., Variations Magazine, 2e News, and other publications.

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