Dr. MaryGrace Stewart Founder and Chief Academic Officer (CAO) of IDEAL4Gifted, has 43 years of experience in gifted and talented education. She laments the factory model of U.S. education, which is in contrast to over 70 years of research that learning should fit the child instead of the other way around. As Parent Liaison and President of the Massachusetts Association for Gifted Education, she worked with nearly 400 families to inform teaching practices. Dr. Stewart has presented on gifted education at conferences and schools across the U.S., China, and in Kenya.
Her passion for inventiveness began in 2nd grade and it has been reflected in her education: a bachelor’s in art education, a Master’s in Physiology of Art Production, another Master’s in Gifted Education, and a Doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership. She studied with renowned professors to synthesize theories & research into the academic foundation of IDEAL4Gifted. She has received awards such as “Exemplary Service Award” (Southwestern Central School District), “Teacher of the Year” (Clover St. School), “Service Award” (Massachusetts Association for Gifted Education) and the National Association for Gifted Children’s “Community Service Award”. Dr. Stewart’s commitment to educating gifted and twice-exceptional children shines through those awards.