Dream Team

Our Educator Community

Gifted & Talented is fortunate to have an incredible network of passionate and dedicated educators who believe in our vision and are excited to collaborate and become part of our growing team.

We believe something special happens when educators have the opportunity to share the subjects and interests they are genuinely passionate about. By bringing together educators with diverse talents, experiences, and areas of expertise, we can give students more opportunities to explore their interests, discover new ones, and connect with adults who share their enthusiasm for learning.

We look forward to introducing the wonderful educators who will help shape our programs and bring the Gifted & Talented community to life.

Meet Our Team

Paula Turner

Director of Instruction and Gifted Programs

Hello Gifted and Talented Community!

I am so thrilled to step into the role of Director of Instruction and Gifted Programs! Teaching has been my heart and passion since 2008, and over the last 12+ years specializing in gifted education, I’ve had the joy of working with gifted learners of all ages.

While I love diving into academic rigor, my true passion lies in supporting the social and emotional growth of every child. I believe that when we nurture a student's unique curiosity, emotional depth, and individual strengths, their academic potential naturally soars. Every learner deserves an environment where they feel understood, supported, and celebrated for exactly who they are.

My journey in education has allowed me to wear many hats. I hold licenses in K–6 Elementary Education, 6–9 Language Arts, K–12 Gifted Education, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), and K–12 Exceptional Student Education (ESE). Having expertise across both gifted and diverse learning needs helps me view every student holistically, ensuring our instruction meets all learners with empathy and excellence.

In my free time, I love traveling the world—especially cruising to amazing places like Italy, Greece, Croatia, and Alaska! When I’m closer to home, you can find me swimming in the pool, relaxing at the beach, reading a great book, or enjoying board and card games with friends and family. As a lifelong learner, I’m always eager to explore new places and ideas to keep growing both personally and professionally.

I can't wait to partner with our wonderful students, families, and teachers to create a vibrant, caring, and intellectually inspiring environment. Please feel free to reach out, say hello, or share what makes your child shine—I look forward to meeting you!

Warmly,

Paula Turner

Director of Instruction and Gifted Programs

Gifted and Talented

Haley Guignard

Founder & Executive Director

The idea for Gifted & Talented began with something I was searching for as a parent: an ongoing extracurricular enrichment opportunity for my daughter centered around hands-on, project-based learning. I envisioned a place where fun and education could come together, while also creating the sense of belonging and community that children often find through athletics and other youth activities. I quickly realized that what I was looking for simply didn’t exist here in Pinellas County.

That vision was also shaped by how much I loved being part of my daughter’s school community. As a PTA mom, I had the opportunity to support and connect with students, educators, staff, and families. I genuinely loved being part of a community brought together by a shared purpose: supporting our children and working together to make their school experience the very best it could be.

My own educational background has always centered around people, development, and community. In college, I studied psychology, sociology, social work, and human services. I earned my Associate in Arts from St. Petersburg College and my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a concentration in Psychology from the University of Florida. In 2024, I became a certified K–6 educator and went on to teach second grade for two years.

Teaching changed me in ways I didn’t expect. The capacity of my heart grew tremendously as I came to know and care for my students, and I became deeply inspired by the passion, dedication, and creativity of my fellow educators. Those experiences brought the vision for Gifted & Talented into even greater focus: creating a place where students can learn alongside educators who share their interests, passions, and enthusiasm for discovery.

I believe every child has strengths and interests worth discovering, but they don’t always have the opportunity or access to explore them deeply. Through Gifted & Talented, I hope to connect children with like-minded peers and passionate educators while giving them the freedom to explore their interests, try new things, build confidence, and discover what excites them.

Above all, I want to create the kind of place I was searching for as a parent—a nurturing, supportive community where children feel that they belong, where learning is something to look forward to, and where curiosity has room to grow. I’m incredibly excited to welcome families into this community and to see what our students discover, create, and accomplish along the way.

Haley Guignard

Founder & Executive Director