Navigating Giftedness
Wednesday, October 16
6:30-8:00pm
Wednesday, October 16
6:30-8:00pm

A child’s giftedness can create a very complex journey for parents to navigate. This event will explore the nature of giftedness, providing parents a better understanding of the whole child and how to best support them. Guests will learn about the neuro-biological-developmental nature of giftedness as well as twice-exceptionalities, while also exploring how to help children develop a healthy gifted identity. Presenters Andy Mahoney and Sheryl Stoller from The Center for Identity Potential will share strategies for forging the path to your gifted child’s flourishing growth.
The event will conclude with an open Q&A Session and time for networking over refreshments.
This event is free and open to the public.
The event will conclude with an open Q&A Session and time for networking over refreshments.
This event is free and open to the public.
Agenda
6:30 pm: Registration & Networking
6:40 pm: Opening Remarks by Tim Costello, Head of School, Science & Arts Academy
6:45 pm: Presentation by Andy Mahoney, Founder, Center for Identity Potential and Sheryl Stoller, Founder, Stoller Parent Coaching
7:30 pm: Open Q&A
7:45 pm: Networking & Refreshments
6:40 pm: Opening Remarks by Tim Costello, Head of School, Science & Arts Academy
6:45 pm: Presentation by Andy Mahoney, Founder, Center for Identity Potential and Sheryl Stoller, Founder, Stoller Parent Coaching
7:30 pm: Open Q&A
7:45 pm: Networking & Refreshments
Presenters

Andy Mahoney
Founder
Center for Identity Potential
Andy Mahoney, MS, LCPC, is the founder of the Center for Identity Potential and Identity Potential, Inc. in Park Ridge and Detroit. He is a recognized expert and pioneer in the field of counseling the gifted and talented. His expertise spans over 30 years as a counselor, family therapist, and trainer of mental health professionals. Andy is also a current board member for Michigan Association for Gifted Children.
Founder
Center for Identity Potential
Andy Mahoney, MS, LCPC, is the founder of the Center for Identity Potential and Identity Potential, Inc. in Park Ridge and Detroit. He is a recognized expert and pioneer in the field of counseling the gifted and talented. His expertise spans over 30 years as a counselor, family therapist, and trainer of mental health professionals. Andy is also a current board member for Michigan Association for Gifted Children.

Sheryl Stoller
Founder
Stoller Parent Coaching
Sheryl Stoller is a PCI Certified Parent Coach® at Stoller Parent Coaching and The Center for Identity Potential, a regular guest speaker for organizations, and the mother of three intense, gifted/twice-exceptional children who are now flourishing young adults. Sheryl draws on her professional and personal experience as she specializes in coaching parents of gifted and twice exceptional children privately and in groups, in person and online, equipping parents to consciously create the emotional-legacy they intend.
Founder
Stoller Parent Coaching
Sheryl Stoller is a PCI Certified Parent Coach® at Stoller Parent Coaching and The Center for Identity Potential, a regular guest speaker for organizations, and the mother of three intense, gifted/twice-exceptional children who are now flourishing young adults. Sheryl draws on her professional and personal experience as she specializes in coaching parents of gifted and twice exceptional children privately and in groups, in person and online, equipping parents to consciously create the emotional-legacy they intend.
Event Hosts

Tim Costello
Head of School
Science & Arts Academy
Tim has over 20 years of experience in education, having served as a teacher, vice principal, division head and head of school. He possesses extensive supervisory, marketing, recruiting, and administrative skills, and is well versed in board, curriculum, development, finance and strategic planning issues.
Upon graduation from Villanova University with a degree in Business Administration, Tim taught 5th grade in the Mission District of San Francisco while earning a Master’s Degree in School Leadership from the University of San Francisco. During his final two years in the Bay Area, Tim assumed the role of vice-principal in addition to his teaching responsibilities. In 2006 Tim was named founding Middle School Head at Open Window School in Bellevue, WA , an independent school for gifted students. In this new role, he was charged with designing all aspects of a new middle school program, including curriculum development, student recruitment, marketing and hiring. However, it was not until he visited Science & Arts Academy that he found the right fit both personally and professionally. SAA’s mission aligned with Tim’s educational beliefs and the school’s commitment to gifted learners resonated as both a parent and an educator. Tim was named SAA’s seventh head of school in late 2012 and officially assumed the role in July, 2013.
During his time at SAA, the school has grown in both size and reputation, and is a leader in the gifted independent school community. From a commitment to social and emotional learning to ongoing faculty and staff professional development, SAA remains steadfast in being The Gifted Choice in the Chicago area.
Head of School
Science & Arts Academy
Tim has over 20 years of experience in education, having served as a teacher, vice principal, division head and head of school. He possesses extensive supervisory, marketing, recruiting, and administrative skills, and is well versed in board, curriculum, development, finance and strategic planning issues.
Upon graduation from Villanova University with a degree in Business Administration, Tim taught 5th grade in the Mission District of San Francisco while earning a Master’s Degree in School Leadership from the University of San Francisco. During his final two years in the Bay Area, Tim assumed the role of vice-principal in addition to his teaching responsibilities. In 2006 Tim was named founding Middle School Head at Open Window School in Bellevue, WA , an independent school for gifted students. In this new role, he was charged with designing all aspects of a new middle school program, including curriculum development, student recruitment, marketing and hiring. However, it was not until he visited Science & Arts Academy that he found the right fit both personally and professionally. SAA’s mission aligned with Tim’s educational beliefs and the school’s commitment to gifted learners resonated as both a parent and an educator. Tim was named SAA’s seventh head of school in late 2012 and officially assumed the role in July, 2013.
During his time at SAA, the school has grown in both size and reputation, and is a leader in the gifted independent school community. From a commitment to social and emotional learning to ongoing faculty and staff professional development, SAA remains steadfast in being The Gifted Choice in the Chicago area.

Mindy Hildebrandt
Director of Enrollment Management
Science & Arts Academy
As Director of Enrollment Management at SAA, Mindy brings over 15 years of experience in the field of education, serving as a teacher, principal, and school administrator within both public and independent schools.
Mindy taught kindergarten for five years in the western suburbs of Chicago after earning her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Purdue University. Soon after earning a Master of Arts in School Leadership and Supervision from Concordia University, Mindy was appointed principal of a neighboring elementary school in her district. Leading her school for the next five years, Mindy oversaw the development of all curricular programs, monitored student growth, implemented interventions based upon individual needs, provided professional development for faculty/staff, and developed a positive, collaborative school culture. Her insight into the importance of differentiated instruction comes from extensive experience in monitoring student progress and collaboratively identifying interventions to support continued growth. This included leading RtI, IEP, and 504 educational teams to support the growth and progress of each individual student.
In 2014, Mindy brought her passion of working with children and families to Science & Arts Academy. As the Director of Enrollment Management, she works closely with families through all steps of the school search process. She regularly leads school tours, facilitates parent meetings, and provides a variety of opportunities for prospective students and families to learn more about the SAA community.
Director of Enrollment Management
Science & Arts Academy
As Director of Enrollment Management at SAA, Mindy brings over 15 years of experience in the field of education, serving as a teacher, principal, and school administrator within both public and independent schools.
Mindy taught kindergarten for five years in the western suburbs of Chicago after earning her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Purdue University. Soon after earning a Master of Arts in School Leadership and Supervision from Concordia University, Mindy was appointed principal of a neighboring elementary school in her district. Leading her school for the next five years, Mindy oversaw the development of all curricular programs, monitored student growth, implemented interventions based upon individual needs, provided professional development for faculty/staff, and developed a positive, collaborative school culture. Her insight into the importance of differentiated instruction comes from extensive experience in monitoring student progress and collaboratively identifying interventions to support continued growth. This included leading RtI, IEP, and 504 educational teams to support the growth and progress of each individual student.
In 2014, Mindy brought her passion of working with children and families to Science & Arts Academy. As the Director of Enrollment Management, she works closely with families through all steps of the school search process. She regularly leads school tours, facilitates parent meetings, and provides a variety of opportunities for prospective students and families to learn more about the SAA community.