In 2003 I graduated from Griffith University with a Bachelor of Arts (Literature Studies) / Bachelor of Education - Secondary English and Studies of Society and the Environment. I left my beloved job of 7 years at Target and headed north to take up my first full time teaching position. Since then I have enjoyed many career opportunities - employment training and case management with job seekers, managing a plastic surgery consultancy and running a mobile phone shop among them. In 2010 I returned to teaching at Kingston State College, a school in a disadvantaged area in Logan with a low ICSEA, full of amazing students. I’ve enjoyed learning about and from them and have undertaken a range of roles within the school including Year Coordinator, Student Council Coordinator, acting Dean of Students and Gifted Program Coordinator. This role provides me the opportunity to present at local and international conferences (such as the 2019 WCGTC World Conference), run parent information workshops to build their confidence in supporting their gifted students and coordinate and present professional development opportunities for school staff in my region, both primary and secondary. In 2019 I completed my Masters of Education: School Guidance and Counselling (Career) through QUT. Continuing my journey of learning and growth, both personally and within my career, is incredibly important to me. Knowledge empowers us and enables us to make and inspire change. I love learning and taking on new challenges. To this end, went straight back to uni in 2020, undertaking a research degree back at Griffith University, exploring the lived experience of gifted learners in South-East Queensland. In July 2023, I commenced my PhD at Griffith University, exploring more in the experiences of gifted learners. Let the learning continue!!I juggle this with parenting two elementary school kids and working as a reading and executive functioning tutor for students aged 6 through 25, from elementary school to college.