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Staff

DIRECTORS

Susan Daniels, Ph.D.
Program Director

Dr. Susan Daniels is Co-founder and Educational Director of the Summit Center as well as Associate Professor of Educational Psychology and Counseling at California State University – San Bernardino, where she also directs the College of Education Graduate Certificate in Gifted Education. Dr. Daniels is an internationally recognized expert in the field of gifted education and creativity, with numerous publications and presentations at educational and psychological conferences given annually. She specializes in the social and emotional development of gifted children and adolescents, intensity and sensitivity of gifted individuals across the lifespan, and the development of creative potential. Providing Differentiated Educational Plans for children and adolescents as part of the Gifted Comprehensive and Gifted Complex Assessment options through the Summit Center, Dr. Daniels is also available for consultation with families and schools.

Daniel Peters, Ph.D.
Counseling Director

Dr. Dan Peters, licensed psychologist, is Co-founder and Clinical Director of the Summit Center, specializing in the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and families with special emphasis on gifted, talented, and creative individuals and families. He presents at state and national conferences on a variety of gifted topics. Dr. Peters was former Assistant Director of Quest Therapeutic Camps, Danville and Director of Quest Therapeutic Camps, Fremont, which focused on building emotional, social, and behavior strengths in children with attention, learning, social, and emotional issues. Dr. Peters also serves on the Editorial Board of Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) and consults with various Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) and Special Education Departments. Dr. Peters’ clinical interests include the diagnosis and misdiagnosis of gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) individuals, overcoming anxiety, and helping individuals achieve their developmental potential.

Wendy Zinn
Executive Director

Wendy Zinn has been involved in gifted education for 18 years as a parent, a SENG parent group facilitator, and an enrichment program coordinator. In addition, she was a co-founder and member of the Santa Clarita Association for the Gifted and Talented, a regional CAG affiliate. As a Board Member and Treasurer of the Santa Clarita Education Foundation, she also co-founded the Santa Clarita Children’s Literacy and Art Festival. Currently, Wendy is a Program Coordinator, at California State University – San Bernardino , for a federally funded GEAR UP grant that serves 3,800 underserved students in four Southern California school districts. Concurrently, she is finishing a Masters degree in Integrative and Holistic Education at CSUSB. Her Masters thesis project is looking at the impact of a social-emotional curriculum for helping gifted teens explore college and career opportunities through university-based summer enrichment programs.

GROUP LEADERS

Michele Kane, Ph.D.

Michele Kane is an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Master of Arts in Gifted Education Program at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. Michele is also is the President-Elect of the Illinois Association for Gifted Children and the Chair-Elect of the Global Awareness Network of the National Association for Gifted Children. Michele holds a Doctorate in Education from Loyola University Chicago. A major focus of Michele's work is related to the social/emotional needs of the gifted. Previously, she served as Program Coordinator for Gifted for the Antioch Public Schools in Antioch, Illinois. Along with her husband Dan, she is the parent of six gifted adult children.

Michael Postma

A former history teacher, Michael Postma is currently directing High Potential Services for a suburban school district just west of Minneapolis/St. Paul. In that role, Michael has developed a magnet school for exceptionally gifted children as well as comprehensive programs for gifted children in grades K–12. A writer and presenter, Michael has spoken on a variety of issues within the field of gifted and talented education all across the nation. Michael currently holds a B.A. in history, an M.A. in Gifted & Talented Education and is on the verge of completing his Ed. D. in the field of Critical Pedagogy. As the father of two children with Asperger's Syndrome, Michael has a developed a special interest in the realm of the twice-exceptional child.

Dan Tichenor

Dan Tichenor has had an affinity for nature ever since he and his buddies would spend hours on end at Motlong's Pond. He has had experiences as a journalist, editor, storyteller, teacher of students with special needs and gifted stu

dents, as well those of a dad of six gifted (now adult) kids. He has been active in summer programs for gifted kids including those at a private school for gifted, a college program for gifted kids, and a camp for the highly gifted. Dan is a firm believer in the notion of "taking it outside" and his activities are deeply rooted in being outdoors and in learning from the environment.

PROGRAMMING INSTRUCTORS

Joanna Mupanduki, J.D.

Joanna Mupanduki is an attorney with over three years experience as a Deputy Prosecutor in Washington State where she practiced both adult and juvenile prosecution. Joanna's interest in law started in high school when she found her love for debate. In law school, Joanna furthered this interest by serving on the Moot Court Board where she facilitated moot court competitions and competed in them herself. As an attorney, Joanna has continued to coach moot court teams at the high school level. She enjoys sharing her courtroom experience and teaching about the nuances of criminal law.

Dr. Blessing Mupanduki, Ph.D.

Dr. Blessing Mupanduki is currently the Science Specialist for the Assessment and Accountability Division with the California Department of Education (CDE) in Sacramento. He is in charge of all the statewide education research and evaluation science assessment assignments. He was a mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological sciences, earth sciences, and foreign languages educator in southern California. Blessing was also an adjunct professor of chemistry and physics at College of the Desert (COD), director of the Desert Science Center, and a coordinator for Career Technical Education and the Roots & Shoots program through Cal State University at San Bernardino. Blessing was born and raised in the former British colony of Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) in southern Africa.

Craig Reisgen

Craig Reisgen is the owner and developer of High Performance Math, an online math and racing competition. He has a degree in developmental psychology and mathematics. Mr. Reisgen has been a program director at Club Wilderness, a Boys and Girls Club of Hollywood camp, which used to be located in the San Bernardino Mountains. At Club Wilderness, he directed and taught outdoor education and experiential programs. The outdoor education programs included biology, geology and environmental education. The 5 day experiential program included a hike into the wilderness, four nights of tent camping, orienteering, ropes course, horse riding, canoeing and mountain biking.

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