Michele Juratowitch has been a longstanding member of QAGTC and is highly regarded amongst the gifted education community for her expertise and sensitivity regarding the support and education of gifted students.
Michele has spoken regularly at QAGTC International and State conferences and committee events, on topics such as the social and emotional needs of gifted students, perfectionism, anxiety, executive functioning and educational advocacy. She has shared freely of her knowledge and insight with parents and teachers over several decades, providing a stable voice of reason and understanding to both, while never losing sight of the child.
Michele has been a tireless advocate for gifted students and a support for parents and teachers whose job it is to support and nurture their emotional development and intellectual potential. As a part of QAGTC West Committee, Michele encouraged teachers and parents to come together to collaboratively support each other and the child on a sometimes rocky educational journey. In this way, she has acted as an advocate for the equal educational opportunity to struggle, to learn, and to grow.
Beyond this, Michele has worked as an academic in connection with GERRIC, and in advisory roles to several educational organisations and sectors. She has published on topics that directly support gifted students and their teachers. Michele was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to study the needs of gifted students and counselling interventions to support them, which led to her to establish her consultancy practice, Clearing Skies. The contribution that Michele has made through sharing this knowledge and expertise to the QAGTC community and beyond is difficult to quantify; to say it has been extensive is inadequate. Perhaps it is better to say that it will be felt across generations.
Michele has shifted the understanding of parents and teachers, and in doing so, how gifted children have come to see themselves. The ‘ripple effect’ will be far reaching. In light of this, it is appropriate that Michele should be a life member of QAGTC. She has been a trusted colleague and friend to the QAGTC community and the QAGTC West committee in particular, but her reach has been far greater and will continue to impact the gifted community into the future.
Equally significant has been the contribution of Carol Barnes, whose dedication to QAGTC and the gifted education community has been characterised by generosity, wisdom and service. Carol is a passionate advocate for students who are gifted with a learning disability. Carol has played a pivotal role in fostering connections between families, educators and students, helping to build the strong and supportive community that remains a hallmark of QAGTC today. Her thoughtful leadership and tireless advocacy for twice exceptional children have ensured that gifted and talented young people have a voice and that their educational needs remain at the forefront of discussion and action.
Carol has spoken regularly at QAGTC International and State conferences and committee events, on topics such as the social and emotional needs of twice exceptional students, anxiety, differentiation and educational advocacy. She has shared freely of her knowledge and insight with parents and teachers over several decades, forming the GLD Australia online community, writing university articles and various advocacy papers to governments. She has been an honorary Visiting Fellow (gifted education) at GERRIC within the UNSW School of Education. Carol was also vice-president of the QAGTC Gold Coast Branch for many years, supporting and guiding parents and educators.
Together, Michele and Carol have exemplified the values of collaboration, commitment and excellence. Their influence extends far beyond individual programs or events; it is reflected in the strengthened capacity of educators, the confidence of families, and the opportunities created for gifted learners throughout Queensland.
As QAGTC celebrates its ongoing mission, we acknowledge with deep gratitude the remarkable contributions of Michele Juratowitch and Carol Barnes. Their legacy will continue to inspire future generations and serve as a powerful reminder of the impact that passionate and dedicated individuals can have on the lives of gifted and talented young people.
QAGTC is proud to announce Michele and Carol as life members of our Association.
