ABOUT GIFTED RESOURCE COUNCIL

History

Forty years ago, four women sat around a kitchen table, talking about the need for programs for bright children. From this humble beginning, through much hard work of dedicated teachers and volunteers, Gifted Resource Council was born.

Programming started with classes that evolved into our current Learning Lab program. GRC’s Space Academy was our first summer program in 1984, followed by Ancient Academy in 1986. Academic Challenge Cup, our friendly competitions in math, language, and creative problem solving, started in 1984 with a pilot program of only two school districts participating.

For a few years, starting in 1998, GRC even offered trips to Ecuador as part of the Amazon Rainforest Student Research Project!

Check out our most recent Mindwonders newsletter Dec. 2023!

Today, GRC continues Learning Labs, Summer Academies, and the Academic Challenge Cup, in addition to our parenting classes which help families meet the needs of challenging and supporting bright children.

Gifted Resource Council Learning Labs

LEARNING LABS

Gifted Resource Council acc

SUMMER ACADEMIES

Gifted Resource Council Academic Challenge Cup

ACADEMIC CHALLENGE CUP

40th Anniversary

GRC is thrilled to be celebrating 40 years in 2023!

We had a fantastic birthday party on April 30, 2023! GRC honored 10 teachers who have devoted 20 or more years to teaching with GRC.

20 year teacher honorees

If you have any special memories of GRC please take a few moments to share them with us!

Gifted Resource Council 40th Anniversary

Our Team

Laura Falk, M.Ed.
Executive Director

Megan Barr

Megan Barr
Office Manager

Gifted Resource Council blue star

Marla Dell
Bookkeeper

Our Board of Directors

Kathy Surratt-States, President
Steve Murphy, Vice-President
Sandy Kalin, Secretary
Ron Carron, Treasurer
Steve Krekeler
Julia Maranan
Agnes Meyo, Psy.D.
Morgan Moody, Ph.D.
Eliot Prokop
Debbie Pyzyk
Pam Washington, Ph.D.

Our Advisory Committee

Mary Angert
Beverly K. Berla
Laura Bryant
Robert Coulter, Ed.D.
Christopher Dadian
Sue Flesch
Richard Heuermann
Lisa McLaughlin
Linda H. Smith, Ph.D.

Laura Falk, M.Ed.

Executive Director

Laura brings more than 25 years of experience in the education and nonprofit sectors. Laura has worked in public and independent schools for almost 20 years, as well as nine years in nonprofit organizations. She has bachelors degrees in English and Theatre from Vanderbilt University and her masters in education from Southern Oregon University.

“As someone involved in education and organizations serving youth for my entire professional career, I particularly understand the importance of programs that address the needs and challenges of bright and talented children, as well as for their parents and teachers.”

She goes on to say, “Both my sons greatly enjoyed Equations competitions, and my younger son also participated in Creative Convention, Saturday Learning Labs, and Summer Academies. So I have seen—both as a parent and an educator—what a powerful presence GRC provides to bright and gifted students in the community..”

Outside of work, Laura can be found hiking, quilting, reading and doing word puzzles.

Megan Barr

Office Manager

Megan provides the delightful voice on the phone when someone calls GRC. She’s also a whiz with spreadsheets and databases and keeps the logistics side of the office humming. Her previous experience includes work as a technology trainer and administrative assistant at NESI, and the UMSL Computer Education and Training Center. Outside of work, Megan is a writer, crafter, and keeper of two wonderful cats, Loki and Freya.

Megan Barr

Marla Dell

Bookkeeper

Marla is GRC’s keeper of all things financial since 1995. Marla also provides the institutional knowledge in our tiny office, as she’s been involved with GRC since her son was a participant. Marla won the Gifted Association of Missouri 2001 Parent Award for her contributions to gifted education in Missouri. Marla can also often be found volunteering at her church, gardening, and playing with her new kitten Bubba.

Gifted Resource Council blue star

Stock Gifts

Contact your financial advisor and provide the information below to ensure a quick and accurate transfer of funds:

  • GRC’s broker: First Clearing Corp., Wells Fargo Advisors
  • D.T.C. #: 0141
  • Account #: 5580-7980
  • Account Name: Gifted Resource Council
  • Contact Name: Ray Palmer
  • Phone: 636-530-3401

Notify GRC of your intent to make a gift of stock, with the following information to Laura Falk, Executive Director, at 314.962-5920 or lfalk@giftedresourcecouncil.org:

  • Donor’s name
  • Name of the stock being transferred
  • Number of shares transferred
  • Transaction date
  • Name of your financial advisor or bank handling the transfer