From Professors

I have been very blessed to learn from some of the very best minds in the field of teaching throughout my educational journey. I have also worked with numerous amazing scholars from around the world.

Enthusiastic, Determined, and Creative

Echo came to the US with a dream of an education that could pave the way for her to make a significant contribution to the education of learners with high ability and high potential.

She believes that shaping the future of the young generation in positive ways will shape the future of the world in positive ways.

I watched Echo work her way past numerous obstacles - always with optimism, good humor, and determination that taught me daily about the human spirit.

She published five journal articles in a two-year span, and as a result, she was granted the rare opportunity by her Ph.D. committee to work on a Manuscript Style Dissertation, which was the 2nd in the history of Curry School of Education at UVA.

Echo's intellectual enthusiasm, high level of motivation, consistent work ethic, positive personality, persistent pursuit of quality, and creativity are all predictors of her continued success."

Carol Ann Tomlinson, Ph.D.

Distinguished professor at UVA, Author & Speaker

Dr. Carol Tomlinson is a renown scholar and was my Ph.D. Supervisor at Curry School of Education at UVA. She is the William Clay Parrish Jr. Chair and Professor who specializes in educational leadership and differentiated instruction. See one of her guest blogs regarding differentiation.

Motivated, Genuine, Outstanding Work Ethic

Echo is extremely hardworking; she has not only a profound work ethic but also in addition, a quality which is hard to define but which I came to think of as a deep respect for the processes of learning which colors all her engagement with learning and teaching.

She is very highly motivated. She has demonstrated outstanding ability in conducting research and contributing to the field by publishing in prestigious peer-reviewed journals, even while caring for her two young children.

She is, indeed, a true scholar and she was recognized as such when she was in Sydney, with respect, admiration, and genuine affection. She stood out as outstanding even in a group of outstanding people.

Echo’s passion for teaching and learning is accompanied by a genuine warmth towards and interest in other people.

I am certain that she will continue to contribute to the field tremendously with unusual promise. I have no hesitation recommending her in the highest possible terms."

Miraca U.M. Gross, Ph.D.

Distinguished Australian Author & Scholar

I have known Dr. Miraca Gross since pursuing my master's of education at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. Dr. Gross served as the Director of the Gifted Education Research Resource and a Professor of Gifted Education in the school of education at UNSW, Sydney. She was considered a leading authority in the study of gifted & talented students, and focuses on the academic, social, and emotional needs of students. Dr. Gross was honored by Queen Elizabeth II with the Order of Australia, the nation's highest recognition for achievement and service.

Diligent, Productive, Insightful

During her graduate study, Echo was one of the most diligent and capable graduate students. She completed all the 20 courses within two years, obtained excellent grades in each course, and also shared her insights and experiences from her unique cultural background and perspective with the scholars and students at UVA. It seemed to me that the notion of hard work and determination was embedded in Echo.

In addition to her achievement as a student and her excellent performance as a Research Assistant, Echo demonstrated herself as a productive and competent researcher. She impressed me and other professors and students by publishing her research work in several referred journals during her doctoral study, which in itself is a painstaking and time-consuming process.

Echo also obtained rich experiences in the web-based course delivery and communication with teachers and students through online distance learning, which is increasingly important and critical in teaching in the 21st century.

Echo is an excellent researcher and writer. Her studies and academic accomplishments reflect her important position as an academic link between the West and the East by linking theories and practices."

**Photo credit: UVa Today

Carolyn M. Callahan, Ph.D.

Distinguished Educator and Scholar

I have known Dr. Carolyn since starting my Ph.D. program at UVa. Her Ph.D. is in educational psychology with an emphasis in gifted education, and she founded several programs for gifted students. She is also the site director of UVa NRC/GT. She has been heavily published in the areas of programming and evaluation and has earned many awards.

Impressive, Accomplished, Pursues Perfection

It is my great pleasure to provide the highest possible recommendation in support of Dr. Echo Wu [Hensley].

Dr. Wu [Hensley] impressed me with her remarkable academic knowledge and experience in the area of gifted education. She possesses a positive attitude toward learning and teaching, and has broad connections with scholars and teachers around the world. Her confidence and articulation using English, a second language for her, blends with her splendid sense of humor.

It is clear to me that Dr. Wu [Hensley] is exceptionally competent and a brilliant asset. She is an extraordinary educator and individual, not only because of her strong academic background in gifted education and social-emotional development of children, but also because of her unique passion and perfectionism in doing the job. Her excellent communication skills with the students and other teachers, and the love and warmth that she gives to the students are noticeably returned to her with mutual respect and appreciation by all.

Dr. Wu's industrious work ethic and enthusiasm in teaching has earned her respect and recognition from our students, parents, teachers, and the principal.

Dr. Wu [Hensley] is a rare individual who possesses the knowledge and skills found in the most capable and experienced teachers. She also has high standards and is a perfectionist with regard for her teaching. Beyond that, she brought interesting cultural aspects into our education community. It has been a wonderful benefit for our school and the community to have Dr. Wu, a Chinese scholar, teaching our children.

In sum, Dr. Wu has established herself as an outstanding teacher in gifted education. She is a very positive, joyful, and energetic person who is absolutely a pleasure to work with."

**Photo credit: Oced Foundation VA

Carol Hunter, Ph.D.

Gifted Coordinator & Experienced Educator

I have known Carol Hunter since working with her in the gifted program at Orange County schools. She has been in the education community for 40 years and works on improving resources for gifted students, teachers, and parents.

Inspiring, Passionate, Devoted to Education

Growing up in a remote district in northwestern China, Dr. Wu [Hensley] has led a tremendously inspiring life, making her way to study in Beijing, Hong Kong, Australia, and then in the US as a Ph.D. student at the University of Virginia (UVa).

She has since the very beginning set high goals to achieve and has been following through those goals with passion, devotion, and perseverance. Dr. Wu [Hensley] is among the international scholars who have been doing their best to contribute to this important aspect in education.

It seems to me that Dr. Wu's research has drawn an extremely exciting idea that, as educators, we should adopt a two-prong approach in gifted education by simultaneously supporting and fostering giftedness and talent of the small portion of the population (commonly believed as 2%), and the vast majority of children who also need to be supported from every aspect to succeed in the future.

Dr. Wu's findings have had a great impact on the conceptions of giftedness in the area, and have significantly broadened the traditional scope of gifted education, especially from the Western perspective.

As a Chinese scholar, I appreciate very much Dr. Wu's ability in writing and publishing in English (and in Chinese of course), and I truly respect her contribution to the area by informing the world about Chinese cultural perspectives regarding gifted education, and about what Chinese parents and educators are doing for the next generation.

Dr. Wu has been one of the very few scholars who are familiar with both Eastern and Western cultures, and who attend the annual conferences to communicate and advocate Chinese research with international scholars. She has already demonstrated exceptional originality and insight in the field of gifted education in the international setting.

Dr. Echo Wu is an outstanding researcher who has unique knowledge and skills and extraordinary abilities in the study of gifted education. She has made innovative and original contributions to the field of educational studies, published in international referred journals, and won scholastic awards for accomplishments."

**Photo credit: Oced Foundatoin VA

Jiannong Shi, Ph.D.

Educator, Author & Researcher

Professor Jiannong Shi is a distinguished psychologist at the top research center for gifted education in China. He was a visiting scholar at Yale, University of Munich, University of Adelaide, and several other prestigious universities across the world. Professor Shi has written several books and served on many committees in the area of gifted & talented education.

Echo is an outstanding educator & researcher. Her dedication and perseverance has produced among the finest documented evidence of the sources of success of Nobel prize winners. I am so excited to see how much more impact she is making to the society and to the world as she thrives in online teaching and coaching."

Farhana Loonat, Ph.D.

Professor & TED Speaker, California

The case studies described in [Dr. Echo's] book can be perceived as individual stories, unique examples, or interesting detailed life stories. They are rich, carefully structured bricks for further research, a collection of facts that might serve as a basis for more general, insightful conclusions about the art of raising gifted children."

Taisir Yamin, Ph.D.

Scholar & Leader, Germany

I am so impressed with Echo’s intelligence, insight & enthusiasm in education, and her cross-cultural experience. She is of great value to the education in our society, and I have no doubt that she will continue her outstanding contribution to the United State and indeed to the world."

Bulent Atalay, Ph.D.

Eminent Scholar, Mary Washington

I have no doubt that Echo is the most dedicated and dependable individual & scholar I have ever met in my life. I admire her broad knowledge, rich experience and substantial ability in teaching and mentoring. She has my highest respect and recommendation in what she does - helping other educators and professionals succeed in their online career.”

Joanna Jin, Ph.D.

College Professor & Author, China

I've worked in business industry for many year. Since I got to know Echo, I have been deeply impressed by her determination and perseverance in pursuing her dreams. She is truly a person of honesty and integrity. She is a devoted and warm-hearted scholar that you can certainly trust and respect."