Friends of Gifted Alliance
Kate Bachtel (Founder of SoulSpark Learning)
Dr. Kate Bachtel studies and co-creates programs and communities for gifted learners and the educators who care for them. She earned her Ed.D. with an emphasis in gifted from the University of Denver and holds her MA.Ed with an emphasis in equity from CU Boulder. Prior to founding SoulSpark Learning, a non-profit dedicated to optimizing student and educator development and well-being, she co-led the opening of a K-8 school for gifted learners. Kate is a grateful mom of two teens and past president and current director at SENG.
Jim Choy (Founder of Brainchild Ltd)
Jim Choy has devoted his life to encouraging children of all ages to engage in creative building through robotics, coding, and individuals creations. In 2018, he hosted the Gifted Alliance Pine Car Derby for GA member families.
MakerBay
MakerBay is Hong Kong's very own creative maker space open to the public. In 2017, MakerBay hosted our first ever MegaMarble Run Challenge. Gifted Alliance member families joined together to create a five-story marble run at the MakerBay Aberdeen St location.
Rick Smith (Co-facilitator of SENG Parent Workshop in 2016)
Rick has 15 years of teaching experience. He holds multiple IB teaching certificates, along with a B.Ed, M.Ed., Post-Grad. Dip of Ed. and an Ed.D (ABD). He currently works in child development specialising in specific learning needs including gifted or highly talented. Rick enjoys inspiring children who are underachieving to finally experience successes and find that one subject that captures their attention. Over the past 15 years, Rick hopes to give parents a range of tools to help children become lifelong learners.
Kate Bachtel (Founder of SoulSpark Learning)
Dr. Kate Bachtel studies and co-creates programs and communities for gifted learners and the educators who care for them. She earned her Ed.D. with an emphasis in gifted from the University of Denver and holds her MA.Ed with an emphasis in equity from CU Boulder. Prior to founding SoulSpark Learning, a non-profit dedicated to optimizing student and educator development and well-being, she co-led the opening of a K-8 school for gifted learners. Kate is a grateful mom of two teens and past president and current director at SENG.
Jim Choy (Founder of Brainchild Ltd)
Jim Choy has devoted his life to encouraging children of all ages to engage in creative building through robotics, coding, and individuals creations. In 2018, he hosted the Gifted Alliance Pine Car Derby for GA member families.
MakerBay
MakerBay is Hong Kong's very own creative maker space open to the public. In 2017, MakerBay hosted our first ever MegaMarble Run Challenge. Gifted Alliance member families joined together to create a five-story marble run at the MakerBay Aberdeen St location.
Rick Smith (Co-facilitator of SENG Parent Workshop in 2016)
Rick has 15 years of teaching experience. He holds multiple IB teaching certificates, along with a B.Ed, M.Ed., Post-Grad. Dip of Ed. and an Ed.D (ABD). He currently works in child development specialising in specific learning needs including gifted or highly talented. Rick enjoys inspiring children who are underachieving to finally experience successes and find that one subject that captures their attention. Over the past 15 years, Rick hopes to give parents a range of tools to help children become lifelong learners.