Deborah L. Ruf

Deborah L. Ruf earned a Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota in the Psychological Foundations of Education. Her focus was Tests & Measurement with a minor in Learning & Cognition. She was a private consultant and specialist in gifted assessment, test interpretation, and guidance for the gifted for 30 years. Dr. Ruf addresses educational policy, particularly how to set up schools that meet not only academic but social and emotional needs of children through grouping and instruction with true peers.

The National Gifted Children Program Coordinator for American Mensa from 2003 to 2008, she was awarded the Mensa Foundation’s Intellectual Benefits award in 2007 for her professional work in the field of intelligence. A parent, classroom teacher, and administrator in elementary through graduate education, she writes about school issues, social, and emotional adjustment of gifted children and adults.

For more than 40 years, Dr. Ruf has served as a keynote speaker, workshop, and conference presenter, and written chapters for 5 textbooks, more than 12 peer-reviewed journal articles, and 100 plus articles and handouts for newsletters, magazines, and websites.