The Beyond Exceptional Team
Dr Trevor Clark - Director & Consultant
Trevor has over 35 years of experience in autism education, ‘twice-exceptionality’ and autism practice research. He has worked in mainstream and special educational contexts and is the former director of the Aspect Research Center for Autism Practice. Trevor is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Griffith Institute for Educational Research at Griffith University. He works with the Gifted Education Research & Resource Centre (GERRIC) at the University of New South Wales. He is a published author and presents nationally and internationally on autism education, twice-exceptionality, and related research. Trevor resides in inner-city Sydney, New South Wales, with his dog, Jasper.
Dr Geraldine Townend - Consultant
Dr Geraldine Townend is a published academic in the field of gifted education and twice-exceptionality with a focus on pedagogy to support talent development and creativity. As a lecturer and researcher at the University of New South Wales, she leads the Master of Teaching (Secondary) program and contributes to the Gifted Education Research and Resource Information Centre (GERRIC). Dr Townend's work focuses on supporting gifted students, particularly those who are twice-exceptional, to achieve their potential. Her research interests include academic self-concept, creativity, and the development of inclusive education strategies.
Kate Caldecott-Davis - Consultant
Kate is a psychologist, teacher, and academic presenter at UNSW's Gifted Education Research Resource and Information Centre (GERRIC). She conducts comprehensive cognitive ability assessments and supervises and trains psychologists and allied health professionals working with gifted and 2e individuals. Kate advocates for a neuroaffirming practice that prioritises each individual's unique strengths and abilities from the initial consultation to the delivery of assessment findings. Kate is a past member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) Tests and Testing Expert Group, is the current Secretary for the APS Psychologists in Schools Interest Group, a professional member of SPELD NSW and the Australian Association for Education of the Gifted and Talented (AAEGT). Kate is regularly invited to present to educators, families, psychologists, and allied health professionals on issues encompassing gifted education, mental health, learning and instruction, and motivation.
Sappho’s interest in and commitment to gifted education is a result of more than twenty years of primary education and teaching experience; having identified the need to provide opportunities for diverse gifted learners and advocate for improved educational outcomes. Sappho has completed a Master of Gifted Education with Excellence at UNSW; is an academic presenter for the Gifted Education Research & Resource Centre (GERRIC) at UNSW, delivering professional learning to teachers; and is a tutor and marker for the Master’s Education degree at UNSW. She was a high potential and gifted education coordinator, teacher, and Department of Education HPGE representative, and is currently NSW Program Coordinator for G.A.T.E.WAYS. Sappho’s interests within gifted education include twice exceptionality, gifted underachievement, creativity and giftedness, and curriculum differentiation.
Dr Trevor Clark - Director & Consultant
Trevor has over 35 years of experience in autism education, ‘twice-exceptionality’ and autism practice research. He has worked in mainstream and special educational contexts and is the former director of the Aspect Research Center for Autism Practice. Trevor is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Griffith Institute for Educational Research at Griffith University. He works with the Gifted Education Research & Resource Centre (GERRIC) at the University of New South Wales. He is a published author and presents nationally and internationally on autism education, twice-exceptionality, and related research. Trevor resides in inner-city Sydney, New South Wales, with his dog, Jasper.
Dr Geraldine Townend - Consultant
Dr Geraldine Townend is a published academic in the field of gifted education and twice-exceptionality with a focus on pedagogy to support talent development and creativity. As a lecturer and researcher at the University of New South Wales, she leads the Master of Teaching (Secondary) program and contributes to the Gifted Education Research and Resource Information Centre (GERRIC). Dr Townend's work focuses on supporting gifted students, particularly those who are twice-exceptional, to achieve their potential. Her research interests include academic self-concept, creativity, and the development of inclusive education strategies.
Kate Caldecott-Davis - Consultant
Kate is a psychologist, teacher, and academic presenter at UNSW's Gifted Education Research Resource and Information Centre (GERRIC). She conducts comprehensive cognitive ability assessments and supervises and trains psychologists and allied health professionals working with gifted and 2e individuals. Kate advocates for a neuroaffirming practice that prioritises each individual's unique strengths and abilities from the initial consultation to the delivery of assessment findings. Kate is a past member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) Tests and Testing Expert Group, is the current Secretary for the APS Psychologists in Schools Interest Group, a professional member of SPELD NSW and the Australian Association for Education of the Gifted and Talented (AAEGT). Kate is regularly invited to present to educators, families, psychologists, and allied health professionals on issues encompassing gifted education, mental health, learning and instruction, and motivation.
Sappho Dalziell - Consultant
Sappho’s interest in and commitment to gifted education is a result of more than twenty years of primary education and teaching experience; having identified the need to provide opportunities for diverse gifted learners and advocate for improved educational outcomes. Sappho has completed a Master of Gifted Education with Excellence at UNSW; is an academic presenter for the Gifted Education Research & Resource Centre (GERRIC) at UNSW, delivering professional learning to teachers; and is a tutor and marker for the Master’s Education degree at UNSW. She was a high potential and gifted education coordinator, teacher, and Department of Education HPGE representative, and is currently NSW Program Coordinator for G.A.T.E.WAYS. Sappho’s interests within gifted education include twice exceptionality, gifted underachievement, creativity and giftedness, and curriculum differentiation.