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Dr. Miraca Gross: In Memoriam

The Davidson Institute mourns the recent passing of Dr. Miraca Gross. Dr. Gross, an author and scholar who was recognized internationally as a leading authority on the academic, social and emotional needs of gifted children, had a profound impact on many.

Dr. Gross worked at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia from 1991 to 2011. While at UNSW, she established and became the Director of the Gifted Education Research, Resource and Information Centre (GERRIC) and was a Professor of Gifted Education in the School of Education.

Among her many accomplishments as a scholar and a teacher of gifted education was her longitudinal study of gifted Australian children, portions of which were published in Exceptionally Gifted Children. She was also a prolific publisher in the top international peer reviewed academic journals in gifted education (including Gifted Child Quarterly), the developer of the Professional Development Package for Teachers in Gifted Education, the educator of generations of teachers in gifted education, and so much more.

Dr. Gross was instrumental in helping Bob and Jan Davidson establish the Davidson Institute in 1999 and Davidson Academy in 2005. The mission of the Davidson Institute is to recognize, nurture and support profoundly intelligent young people and to provide opportunities for them to develop their talents to make a positive difference. The Davidson Institute could not exist as it does without the inspiration and guidance of Dr. Gross.

Dr. Gross was a fierce advocate for gifted students who made huge contributions to the highly and profoundly gifted community world-wide. She will be missed by many; her legacy will live on.

View this tribute to Dr. Gross > 

View Small poppies: Highly gifted children in the early years, a classic article by Dr. Gross on the development and needs of profoundly gifted children in infancy, toddlerhood and the preschool years.

Dr. Gross also conducted numerous impactful “Tips for Parents” seminars for Davidson Young Scholar families through the years, including: