I helped develop the RITHA programme in 2017. I am a current RITHA lecturer and have also taught in the US. During my teaching, a question I always ask myself is: what else I can offer to my students? I believe RITHA has several unique characteristics.
First, similar to many professional development programmes, RITHA contains the latest scientific knowledge and useful evidence-based practices in the field of gifted education. I enjoy working with our RITHA students to explore concepts and exchange ideas.
Second, RITHA uses a blended learning style, which allows us to reach educational professionals in different countries. This blended learning model was carefully evaluated by Lianne Hoogeveen, RITHA's programme director, and I, and the result was published in the journal Evaluation and Program Planning in 2022. In other words, RITHA itself is also a science-based programme. Finally, RITHA is designed for participants with different backgrounds – from teachers to counsellors, psychologists to administrators, social workers to parents and beyond. It is also very hands-on. We emphasise that it is important for RITHA students to implement the RITHA knowledge in the various contexts of gifted education and to use the final product to contribute to improving the world of gifted education, care and policy.
My lifelong passion is discovering best practices to support highly capable, young students by developing their talents and helping them experience positive social and emotional interactions. To achieve these goals, I work with teachers, parents, psychologists, and researchers globally and learn a lot from them. Working with RITHA from a different time zone is not always easy. However, my RITHA experience is rewarding when I see RITHA students change their perspective and play an influential role in the local community for high-ability students."