Authors
Dona Matthews
Dona Matthews, PhD has taught at several universities in Canada and the US, including the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, and Hunter College, City University of New York. For several years, she had a private practice as a psychoeducational consultant working with families and schools. She was the founding Director of the Center for Gifted Studies and Education at Hunter College, and her publications include Being Smart about Gifted Education, with Joanne Foster (2009); The Development of Giftedness and Talent across the Life Span with Frances Degen Horowitz and Rena Subotnik (2009); and The Routledge International Companion to Gifted Education (2009), with Tom Balchin and Barry Hymer.
Awards
Professor of the Year Award
Dona Matthews, 2001/02
Upton Sinclair Award
Every year, Education News appoints ten ‘heroes of American education’ as recipients of the Upton Sinclair award. In 2008, Dona Matthews was one of the recipients. The award citation stated, ‘Dr. Matthews’ commitment has been a singular voice for gifted kids, their development as well as their well-being. She has devoted time and energy working on behalf of gifted children, a most worthy cause. An Upton Sinclair leader, indeed!’
Collaboration with Dr. Kaufmann
Felice Kaufmann is studying people–now in their 60s–who were identified as exceptionally high academic achievers when they were still in high school. They emphasize the importance of hard work, perseverance, and personal relationships, and suggest that success is more about self-acceptance and personal fulfilment than it is about formal recognition and prizes.
Dona Matthews collaborated with Dr Kaufmann on the most recent iteration of this important longitudinal study. Published in the Roeper Review (abstract), their findings have been discussed widely, including Faith Brynie’s Psychology Today blog.
Joanne Foster
Joanne Foster is co-author (with Dona Matthews) of the award-winning Being Smart about Gifted Education 2nd Edition , (2009, Great Potential Press). She is also a parent, teacher, consultant, researcher, and education specialist. Dr. Foster has over thirty years experience working in the field of gifted education. She writes extensively about high-level development, including the ongoing series of articles ABCs of Being Smart featured in the journal Parenting for High Potential. She presents at conferences and learning venues across North America, focusing on a wide range of topics relating to optimal child development. Her book Not Now, Maybe Later: Helping Children Overcome Procrastination is forthcoming with Great Potential Press. Dr. Foster teaches Educational Psychology at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto.
