Was it being born on the Fourth of July that set Lorraine Bouchard on a lifelong path of independence? Hers is a road less traveled. As a teen activist, she fought her way through school, insisting on gender equity in course offerings and on the opportunity to graduate high school in less than four years. At the age of 30, she showed the world how education should be done by founding the non-profit, independent Rainard School for gifted learners; she later worked to launch other schools in Virginia, Florida, and Ohio. She is a lifelong champion of gifted people, and has presented nationally and internationally on the topic. She holds an Ed.D. from the University of Houston, where her research on overexcitabilities earned the Hollingworth Award from the National Association for Gifted Children. Beyond her life as an educator, Ms. Bouchard is passionate about enjoying nature. She loved her years working in residential summer camps in Washington and Colorado, and she insisted on taking her students camping and on nature walks. The beach is her happy place where she contentedly plays in the waves, snorkels the reefs, and hunts for mermaid tears. While education made Dr. Bouchard a living, creativity colors her life. She coached creative problem solving teams and served as the regional director for Odyssey of the Mind. Dr. Bouchard loves theatre, from the vantage of audience, director, and actor, having performed in dozens of productions in eight states. She also exercises her creativity through drawing, voiceover work, gourmet cooking, and English smocking. Her motto is Risk Joy. By pursuing her passions both professionally and personally, despite their risks, Dr. Bouchard has enjoyed a full life of love.
