Carla Brigandi

Dr. Carla Brigandi is an educator, researcher, and former Teacher of the Year who is passionate about helping teachers and parents nurture children’s strengths and talents. A former secondary mathematics teacher and gifted program coordinator, she brings real classroom experience to everything she writes—grounded in what actually works with students.

Now an Associate Professor at West Virginia University, Dr. Brigandi has spent her career studying and designing evidence-based enrichment that increases engagement, motivation, and achievement for diverse learners, including students in rural and underserved communities. She was the Principal Investigator of Project Appalachian Coders, a U.S. Department of Education–funded initiative focused on expanding access to advanced learning and computer science.

Dr. Brigandi is an award-winning scholar, national leader in gifted education, and co-author of The Facilitator’s Handbook for Effective Enrichment. Her work empowers educators and families with practical, research-backed strategies to help children thrive—academically, creatively, and personally.