Dr. Jim Delisle

Jim Delisle, Ph. D. has taught gifted children and their supporters for more than 39 years. He retired from Kent State University in 2008 after 25 years of service as a professor of special education. Throughout his career, Jim has taken time away from college teaching to return to his "classroom roots," volunteering as a 4th, 5th, and 8th grade teacher. He has taught gifted middle school students one day a week in the Twinsburg, OH public schools, and for the past six years, Jim has worked part time with highly gifted 9th and 10th graders at the Scholars' Academy in Conway, SC. He has also been a Yunasa Senior Fellow for the past six years.

The author of more than 250 articles and 20 books, Jim's work has been translated into multiple languages and has been featured in both professional journals and in popular media such as The New York Times and Oprah! His book, Doing Poorly on Purpose: Strategies to Reverse Underachievement and Respect Student Dignity, will be published in 2018. A frequent presenter throughout the U.S., Jim has also addressed audiences in nations as diverse as England, Greece, China, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.

Jim's wife, Deb, served as the Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education at the US Department of Education in Washington DC for 3 years, and is currently the CEO of ASCD, the nation's premiere association for educators. Their son, Matt, is an Emmy Award winning video editor in San Francisco and the source of many stories about raising gifted and creative kids. In his retirement Jim plans to walk as many beaches as possible and write children's picture books where the main characters are based on young people he has taught or counseled during his career.