JIM DELISLE, ph.d.

Dr. Jim Delisle has taught gifted children and those who work on their behalf for more than 30 years. Jim retired from Kent State University recently after 25 years of service as a professor of special education. Throughout his career, Jim has taken time away from university teaching to return to his “classroom roots”, volunteering as a 4 th , 5 th and 8 th grade teacher in 1991, 1997 and 2006. In addition, Jim taught gifted middle school students one day a week between 1998 – 2008 in the Twinsburg, Ohio Public Schools. Presently, he continues to work with students at the Scholars Academy in Horry County, South Carolina.

The author of more than 250 articles and 16 books, Dr. Delisle’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 on Oprah! A frequent presenter throughout the U.S., Jim has also addressed audiences in nations as diverse as England, Oman, Greece, China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

The educational credentials for Dr. Jim Delisle include: B.S in Elementary and Special Education (mental retardation), University of Maine, Farmington, 1975 (Summa cum laude). M.Ed. in Special Education (emotional disturbances), Millersville University, 1976. Ph.D. in Educational Psychology (gifted education), University of Connecticut, 1981. Classroom teaching experiences are: 3 years, elementary (K – 6) special education, Gorham, NH; 2 years, gifted and talented teacher, grades 4 -5, Stafford Springs, CT; 1 year, 4 th grade teacher, Solon, OH; 10 years, part-time gifted teacher, grades 6 – 8, Twinsburg, OH; 2 semesters (sabbatical leaves) volunteering as a teacher in grades 4, 5 and 8, Loris, SC.

His tenure at Kent State University encompasses: Professor of Special Education, 1983 – 2008. Selected as Distinguished Professor, the University’s most prestigious teaching award, in 2006. Retired at Full Professor rank in 2008.

INCLUSIONSCHOOL2020 is extremely honored to have an authority at the level of Dr. James Delisle present at this conference. In addition to his keynote address and his break-out sessions, Jim will hold a special two-hour workshop for secondary gifted students and a two-hour workshop for parents and teachers working with gifted students.