Dr. Linda Kreger Silverman
Van Nuys, CA USA
by Linda Powers Leviton
That one teacher who changed my life forever (and still does) was Dr. Linda Kreger Silverman. I met her in 1964, while in a summer gifted program. Linda could see my light immediately, and spent the next 10 years including me in her groups for gifted children, her various activist activities (anti-war, feminism, etc.) and including me in her large extended family.
Linda encouraged my gifts, validated my ideas and eventually convinced me I was gifted (I was a 2e, visual-spatial learner– it took a lot of convincing that I wasn’t just an overachiever). I went to college in a special program that explored alternative teaching strategies, taught and ran gifted programs while still an undergraduate, and raised three highly gifted children of my own. I currently work, counsel, assess and coach the gifted of all ages. Linda even edited and acted as midwife for my book. All of my achievements were related to Linda Silverman’s encouragement, love, and wise guidance. Together we’ve authored articles, sponsored conferences, hosted events, given presentations and workshops and been each other’s best friend–actually chosen sister–for over 56 years. I’ve been so lucky to have her in my life! I adore her and am forever and always grateful for having Linda as THAT ONE TEACHER who helped me to fulfill my potential and even became my lifelong best friend and mentor.