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Author: Kate Bachtel

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Kate Bachtel

Dr. Kate Bachtel is the founder of SoulSpark Learning, a Colorado based nonprofit dedicated to optimizing the development and well-being of youth and the educators who care for them. Prior to launching SoulSpark Learning, she co-led the opening of Mackintosh Academy's Boulder campus, a K-8 school for gifted learners. She holds a doctorate in education with an emphasis in gifted from University of Denver and a master's in education with an emphasis in equity and cultural diversity from University of Colorado at Boulder. She also serves as a director at Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) and was president for the 2016-17 term.
SENG Director's Corner
Kate Bachtel

The Complex Simplicity of Gifted Well-Being

Kate Bachtel argues gifted well-being is both complex and simple: shaped by trauma, physiology, and multiple developmental dimensions. Schools should listen, validate, challenge and create opportunities. Regular practices—strengths-based engagement, creativity, nature connection, emotional skill-building and agility—support empowerment and healthier outcomes for gifted youth.

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Kate Bachtel November 15, 2019
Education & Homeschooling
Kate Bachtel

We are our Environment: The Eco-System of Gifted Development

Kate Bachtel argues that eco-literacy is essential to gifted development, urging educators to foster environmental connections, improve learning habitats, and address cultural climate. The essay highlights nature’s health benefits, sustainability practices, distributed leadership, and calls for moral responsibility to nurture ecosystems for youth and communities.

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Kate Bachtel March 29, 2018
Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma
Kate Bachtel

Trauma: A Call for Collaboration

This article explains how trauma affects gifted youth, describing symptoms, diagnostic challenges, and physiological impacts. It recommends trauma-informed identification, supportive learning environments, sensory accommodations, calming strategies, and collaboration with mental health professionals to support healing and assessment of students’ abilities.

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Kate Bachtel May 28, 2016
SENG Director's Corner
Kate Bachtel

The SENG Circle

The SENG team reflects on 2015 with gratitude, noting growth, mistakes, and plans for expansion. They emphasize inclusive communities, role diversity, responsibility, and seeking mission-focused supporters, inviting partnership to better meet gifted individuals’ social and emotional needs while wishing readers peace and joy.

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Kate Bachtel January 1, 2016
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Kate Bachtel

Inclusive Communities say “No”

Kate Bachtel argues that inclusive communities proactively prevent bullying by addressing behavior, not labeling people. She outlines clear definitions, workplace parallels, and five measures—communication protocols, investigations, protection from retaliation, bias education, and celebrating upstanders—while noting social media’s dual power to connect and harm.

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Kate Bachtel July 16, 2015
SENG Community Groups (SCG)
Kate Bachtel

SMPG: The Heart of SENG – In The Spirit of Service

This post describes SENG Model Parent Groups (SMPGs), eight-to-ten week co-facilitated parent groups that support families of gifted children. It explains topics covered, participant benefits reported, and SENG’s commitment to training facilitators and preserving program quality to ensure supportive, well-researched SMPG experiences.

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Kate Bachtel April 26, 2015
Education & Homeschooling
Kate Bachtel

Your Learning Path: A Framework for Creating and Considering Learning Environments

A practical framework for choosing or designing learning environments for gifted children by identifying strengths, needs, and educational goals. The article discusses assessing sensitivities, creativity, emotional and sociopolitical development, curriculum alignment, leadership and evaluation practices, and protecting students from bullying.

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Kate Bachtel December 18, 2014
Education & Homeschooling
Kate Bachtel

Director’s Corner: The Power in Sensitivity

Using classroom vignettes, the author argues that sensitivity is a strength, not a flaw, and that nurturing empathy and social-emotional development empowers gifted children. Contrasting inclusive, relationship-centered classrooms with rigid, punitive ones, she urges educators to model compassion and reshape systems so every child can thrive.

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Kate Bachtel March 7, 2014