Ann Batenburg

Ann Batenburg, PhD, served as a clinical associate professor of Gifted Education in the Simmons School of Education and Human Development at Southern Methodist University (SMU). There, she taught a course on Positive Psychology, which included discussions of emotional intelligence, growth mindset, strengths, values, and meditation. She currently works at the University of California at Irvine as a Residence Life Coordinator, where she creates and facilitate wellness programs and workshops for the campus community.

She earned her doctorate in Teaching and Learning with a focus in Gifted Education from the University of Iowa. She also holds two master's degrees: one in Special Education from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, and one in Teacher Leadership from North Park College in Chicago. She has taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate teacher education courses with a focus on gifted education.

Committed to exploring and promoting wellness, both for herself and others, Batenburg is studying to be a meditation teacher through the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield. She is also a Board-eligible Health & Wellness Coach through the Academic Integrative Medicine Health & Wellness Coaching Certificate Program at the UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute.