Researcher · Speaker · Consultant
Anthony M. Washington, Ph.D.
Turning the science of how talent actually develops into practical strategy for schools, districts, and the young people they serve.
About
Research into how creative ability actually develops
Dr. Anthony M. Washington holds a Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Planning & Leadership from William & Mary. His doctoral research examined how expert jazz improvisers develop world-class creative ability — and what that reveals about talent development far beyond music.
That research became the foundation for the Giant Steps Framework, a four-stage model of how creative and cognitive ability actually develops, grounded in flow theory and creativity science. It gives educators and district leaders a shared, evidence-based language for a question most programs never define clearly: what does developing talent actually look like, stage by stage?
He now brings that research to school districts, educators, and families through keynotes, professional development, strategic planning, and program evaluation — and through Creative Intelligence Partners, his consulting practice.
- Ph.D., Educational Policy, Planning & Leadership
College of William & Mary - M.M., Music Composition & B.Mus., Music Education
Norfolk State University - Founder
Creative Intelligence Partners
The Research
Where the Giant Steps Framework comes from
Studying expert jazz improvisers offered something most gifted-education research doesn't: a close-up view of creative ability being built in real time, under real constraints. That work identified four stages that describe how creative and cognitive talent develops in any domain.
Meaningful Exposure
Encountering a domain in a way that sparks genuine engagement, not just compliance.
Deliberate Practice
Sustained, effortful development of skill — with feedback, not just repetition.
Authentic Performance
Applying developing skill in real, consequential settings — a stage, a portfolio, a competition.
Creative Contribution
Moving from replicating a domain's rules to genuinely adding something to it.
Scholarship
Publications & presentations
Peer-reviewed writing and invited talks on creative talent development and gifted education — and, most recently, on integrating artificial intelligence into advanced academic programming.
Publications
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2025
Giant Steps: Developing Creative Ability Through a Systematic Trajectory
GAMbit, Winter 2025
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2019
Giant Steps: Toward a Developmental Trajectory of Creative Talent
Doctoral dissertation, College of William & Mary
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2016
Efficacy of Creative Training for Gifted Science Students
With L. Anderson. In M. K. Demetrikopoulos & J. Pecore (Eds.), Interplay of Creativity and Giftedness in Science
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2014
Review: Recruiting and Retaining Culturally Different Students in Gifted Education
By D. Y. Ford. Roeper Review, 36(1), 70–71
Selected Presentations
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2024
Say Hi to AI: A Practical Approach to Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Gifted Education
National Association for Gifted Children — Seattle, WA
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2024
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Creativity: Tools, Collaboration, and Classroom Applications
Johns Hopkins DELTA Teaching Symposium
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2020
Desegregation vs. Forced Integration: The Impact of Brown v. Board on Today's Educational System
DC Library Lecture Series — Washington, DC
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2019
Excellence in Equitable Education
Keynote — The Roeper School, Bloomfield Hills, MI
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2019
Equity, Access & Gifted
Matter of Equity Project — Wayne State University and College of William & Mary
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2017
Differentiation in the Gifted & General Education Classroom
Guest lecture — University of Richmond
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2014
Giant Steps: Creative Talent Development
Distinguished Lecture Series — Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
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2013
Body & Soul: Toward a Developmental Trajectory of Creative Ability
National Association for Gifted Children — Indianapolis, IN
Speaking & Engagement
Keynotes, workshops, and conversations grounded in research
Dr. Washington speaks to district leaders, educators, and conference audiences on talent development, creativity, and equity in gifted and advanced academic programming.
Keynote Speaking
Bringing talent-development research to the stage for educators, districts, and conference audiences.
Illustrating the Range of Talent
Showing how creative and cognitive ability shows up across domains — from the lab bench to the canvas to the keyboard.
Conversations & Panels
In dialogue on creative ability, equity, and what schools can do differently for the students who are hardest to see.
Core Capabilities
Services for districts, schools, and organizations
Keynote Speaking
Research-grounded keynotes on talent development, creativity, and equity in gifted and advanced academic programming.
District-Level Strategic Planning
Helping district leadership teams build coherent, standards-aligned strategy for advanced academic and gifted programming.
Equity Audits & System Transformation
Examining identification practices and program access to close equity gaps in who gets seen as gifted.
Educator Training & Professional Development
Workshops that give teachers and coordinators a shared framework for recognizing and developing talent.
Program Evaluation & Data Analysis
Rigorous evaluation of gifted and advanced academic programs to inform what to keep, fix, or rebuild.
For Families
Looking for support for your own gifted child?
Creative Intelligence Partners is Dr. Washington's consulting practice for families raising gifted and creatively talented children — one-on-one guidance and a research-based framework for supporting development at home.
Visit Creative Intelligence Partners →Get in Touch
Let's talk about your event or district
For speaking engagements, district partnerships, professional development, or media inquiries, reach out directly.