The Beyond Exceptional Team
Dr Trevor Clark
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.
Kate Caldecott-Davis
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.
Dr Geraldine Townend
Geraldine is a researcher and lecturer in the School of Education at the University of New South Wales. Her expertise focusses on marginalised learners, including those with special learning needs, those who are gifted, and gifted learners with disability (also known as twice-exceptional students). Her research interests focus on supporting students to develop their potential in education. Geraldine is interested in supporting preservice and practising teachers’ understanding of best practice around students with diverse learning needs. She collaborates with organisations such as Autism Australia, ADHD Australia, and the Australian, Spanish and US Associations for Gifted Education. Geraldine is the Australian delegate for the World Council of Gifted and Talented Students. She conducts professional development in schools, information sessions for parents and carers, and provides advice for educators, national and international organisations.
Dr Marie McGregor
Marie is a researcher and lecturer in the Gifted Education Research and Resource Centre (GERRIC) at the University of New South Wales, Australia. Marie’s research interests lie in educational psychology, particularly student motivation, engagement, and psychological well-being. She is particularly interested in how educators can harness student differences, interests, and curiosities into the classroom to adopt a talent development perspective in education. An approach in which students play an active role in their own growth, learning and development. Marie has over 25 years of teaching experience. Her teaching centres on developing cohesive programs for gifted students (including those with disabilities) that encourage creative and critical thinking, self-regulation, and autonomy. In addition to lecturing, Marie provides professional development courses to teachers that focus on identifying and educating high-potential and gifted students, including twice-exceptional and underachieving gifted students. Driven by a desire to empower teachers in gifted education, Marie finds this part of her work particularly satisfying.