Program Faculty
Dr. Melanie Bloom
Dr. Melanie I. Bloom holds an EdD in Higher Education Leadership, an EdS in K-12 Educational Leadership, an MA in Educational Processes – Curriculum and Gifted Education and a BS in Elementary Education.
Dr. Bloom has served as a course designer, practicum supervisor, and instructor in higher education for 12 years. She has been in gifted education administration for six years, with the last five as the Coordinator of Gifted Education K-12 for the Hazelwood School District in St. Louis, and a previous role as a principal of a gifted magnet school.
Dr. Bloom completed a year-long training on STEM Teacher Quality. Her research interests include college students with autism, students who are twice-exceptional and gifted education.
Courses taught
EEM 796 (Practicum)
Shannon Fuller
Now in her 19th year of teaching, Ms. Shannon F. Fuller (she/her) has spent 14 of those years working with gifted students in the Kansas City area.
Her academic background includes a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, a Gifted and Talented certification from the University of Missouri - Columbia, and a Specialist in Education in Educational Leadership in Gifted Programming from Arkansas State University. Ms. Fuller is currently a PhD student at the University of Missouri – Kansas City.
Ms. Fuller plays an active role in state and national associations for gifted youth and has presented at major conferences such as the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) and the Gifted Association of Missouri (GAM). She is also an active member of the American Educational Research Association (AERA).
In 2022, she was the lead author of a chapter in T. Neal's Strategies and Considerations for Educating the Academically Gifted, contributing “Gifted LGBTQ+ Strategies for Successful School Years.” She currently has one publication under review. Her research focuses on gifted education, identity, and equity in education.
Courses taught
Dr. Denise Ford
Dr. Denise Ford has been a lifelong educator working in elementary and secondary schools. She’s been in the gifted field for almost 20 years. Currently she is a gifted specialist for middle school students in Kirkwood, Missouri.
She has worked with the earliest learners as a parent educator, as an elementary classroom teacher, and as a SENG model parent group discussion leader. She received her PhD in Teaching and Learning, writing her dissertation on stress and exercise with the gifted child, and recently earned a graduate certificate in mind, brain, and learning.
She has spoken regionally, nationally and for international audiences on the topic of teaching the gifted with the brain in mind.
As a lifelong learner, she enjoys sharing her passion for gifted education, and she believes passionately that every educator should have an understanding of how best to support these wonderful learners.
Courses taught
Dr. Tracy Bednarick-Humes
Dr. Tracy Bednarick-Humes serves as Lindbergh Schools’ Gifted Coordinator where she oversees the south location of the Metro Saint Louis Program for Exceptional Gifted Students and the LEAP gifted enrichment program.
She has been on the Gifted Association of Missouri Board for the past six years and currently serves as the Conference Vice President. Previous roles include District Representative, Executive Vice President, and Executive President. With over 25 years experience in education, Dr. Bednarick-Humes is passionate about meeting the needs of all learners, especially the academic and SEL needs of gifted and 2E students.
She earned a BA in English and Education from Hope College (Holland, Mich.), an MA in Biology Education and Administrative Certification from Grand Valley State University (Allendale, Mich.), and an MA in Gifted Education from Lindenwood University. She obtained her Doctorate in Teacher Leadership from Maryville University and recently completed her Psychological Examiner Certification from Lindenwood University.
Dr. Bednarick-Humes has led efforts in building equity into gifted education and creating a social emotional learning lesson repository for gifted students. Beyond gifted education, she is inquisitive about inquiry-based science and overcoming science misconceptions; using the design process in learning for all students; and improving how we meet the holistic needs of middle school students.
Dr. Bednarick-Humes is also the recipient of the 2022 National Association of Gifted Children Coordinator Award and 2021 Lois A. Evans Gifted Education Award from Lindenwood University.