Show notes
Today I’m talking with Jacqui Byrne, the founder of FlexSchool, a pioneering educational model designed specifically for 2e students. Jacqui is an award-winning educational leader, a sought-after speaker, and a passionate advocate for neurodiverse learners. She’s also a parent of 2e kids herself, and she built FlexSchool not just as an educator, but as a mom determined to find a better way for her own children, who were struggling at school.
This is Jacqui’s second time on the show—the last time was six years ago (and I encourage you to listen to that episode too). I wanted to bring Jacqui back to talk about what she’s learned and observed in supporting the learning and growth of twice-exceptional kids over the years.
We get into all kinds of topics in this conversation, including the story behind FlexSchool’s creation and the philosophy that drives it, the power of talent-based learning, and how teachers and schools can become places of trust, safety, and joy for 2e kids who have often felt like misfits. Jacqui also shares insights into how behavioral issues in 2e students are often identity crises, and what it means to support their growth across the full arc of their lives.
About Jaqui Byrne
Jacqui Byrne has a knack for seeing the brilliance others miss. As the visionary behind FlexSchool, she built a place where gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) students could thrive—quirks, challenges, and all. She didn’t set out to start a school; she set out to solve a problem. Too many gifted, complex learners were being overlooked, underestimated, or misunderstood, and that wasn’t something she was willing to accept.Jacqui never asks, “Why can’t they do this?” Instead, she asks, “What haven’t we figured out yet?”
An award-winning educational leader, sought-after speaker, and passionate advocate, Jacqui presents at conferences, school districts, and education associations across the U.S. and internationally. She is the 2025 winner of the New Jersey Association for Gifted Children’s prestigious Developing Minds Award. She serves on the advisory board for the Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education and holds a degree from Yale University. She is the parent of twice-exceptional kids and knows firsthand what it feels like to watch a child struggle in either a gifted program or special education when they need both. That’s why she built FlexSchool—not just as an educator, but as a mom who refused to give up.
You'll learn:
- How neurodivergent language is gaining acceptance and shifting education toward more inclusive, affirming mindsets
- How Flex School’s talent-based model meets students where they are, sparking agency, creativity, and joy
- What Jacqui sees as key to teaching 2e students—modeling humility, building trust, and embracing their humor and uniqueness
- Why identity crises and masking are common in 2e kids and often drive anxiety and behavior challenges
- Why gifted kids may struggle with executive function or study skills despite high intellect—and how to better support them
Resources:
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