The Gifted PLaCe
About The Gifted PLaCe
Connecting Research, Educators, and Practice to Advance Understanding of Neurodiverse Learners
The Gifted PLaCe was created to bring together researchers, educators, and practitioners to explore current research, emerging ideas, and meaningful practices that support neurodiverse learners. Drawing on her experience as an educator, researcher, and scholar-practitioner, Dr. Aziz brings together conversations with leaders in the field to explore topics related to gifted and advanced learners, twice- and thrice-exceptional students, curriculum and instruction, educator development, and the evolving landscape of education. The Gifted PLaCe aims to bridge research and practice by creating opportunities for educators to engage with new perspectives, reflect on their work, and consider approaches that support the academic, social, and emotional development of learners with diverse strengths, abilities, and ways of experiencing the world.
About Dr. Sonu Aziz
Dr. Sonu Aziz is an educator, researcher, and scholar-practitioner whose work bridges gifted education, curriculum development, educator preparation, and educational research.
As Head of Academic Affairs at Long Island School for the Gifted, Dr. Aziz supports curriculum development, faculty learning, and instructional practices across grades K–8. Her work focuses on creating responsive learning environments that challenge and support learners while helping educators develop the knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Dr. Aziz holds a Certificate in Advanced Gifted Education, and her scholarly interests center on gifted learners, including twice- and thrice-exceptional students, and the ways educational systems can better recognize and develop diverse expressions of ability. Through her doctoral research in Leadership & Innovation at New York University, which examined teacher perceptions of twice-exceptional students and received the Distinguished Problem of Practice Award, Dr. Aziz explores how research can inform practices that strengthen identification, instruction, and support for neurodiverse learners. Her engagement with the field extends beyond her research and school-based work through her service on the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee for the National Association for Gifted Children and her contributions to GiftedNYS.
Her work is grounded in a commitment to connecting research with practice and helping educators create learning environments where students feel challenged, supported, and valued. In recognition of her contributions to gifted education, Dr. Aziz received the Dr. Rosemary Callard-Szulgit Student Award for Gifted Education in 2026.
Through The Gifted PLaCe, Dr. Aziz continues to create opportunities for educators and researchers to engage in thoughtful conversations that deepen understanding of neurodiverse learners and translate research into meaningful educational practice. Her work reflects a commitment to helping educators recognize student potential, develop responsive approaches, and create learning environments where students’ strengths and pathways for growth are understood and supported.
