Our Story
Triad started out of necessity. A parent with two gifted children whose needs were not being met through a traditional school and a teacher who wanted to give more to her students.
Yvonne Blinde
I knew my son was a smart kid, but he wasn’t that kid. In retrospect, and after reading too many books on the subject, I now see it. I now realize a gifted child is more than their academic performance. My son started showing symptoms before kindergarten. Things came to a head in first grade. I did not know how to help him or who to talk to. Who wants to hear about problems that arise from your child being too smart? Once I started opening up and talking to people in the community, I heard a repeating story of discovering a gifted child. For some, like myself, this is a trying time. Some parents relish the thought their child is special and smart. It is almost as if they wear it as a badge of honor in good parenting. I didn’t feel that way. I felt panic. How was I to help my child, who was unhappy and struggling? I looked at the school for help. They were indifferent. I then looked into a county-funded program that sounded promising. On the surface, it sounded perfect, but as with many state/county/federally funded programs, the people running the program hands are tied by red tape, empty promises, and overcrowding. Then, my younger son started showing symptoms similar to my older son. He was too young to be accepted into the county program, and the current school wasn’t cutting it, and by previous experience, they didn’t seem to care to come up with a solution. This time around, I started looking into homeschooling. The thought of this responsibility scared me. I started talking to his current teacher about options. She was very patient in listening to me vent my frustrations about the situation. Ultimately, the solution was to work together to open a school.
We based the school on her knowledge of education and what I felt my children needed in a school. It has been a rewarding undertaking. My children are receiving an outstanding education. They are happy and engaged at school.
Julie Power
Education/Certification: NV Cert., M.A. Ed.
I am grateful to have been part of Triad since it’s inception and to share in the growth and success of our students over the years.
My teaching journey began after earning my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education. Early on, I spent seven months in China teaching English to middle school students—an experience that shaped my philosophy of meeting each child where they are and encouraging them to see the world with curiosity. Since then, I have taught in both public and private schools and worked with students from Kindergarten through middle school.
Beyond the classroom, I have also enjoyed supporting educational programs in different ways. For many summers, I worked with Kids University at the University of Nevada, first as On-Site Coordinator and later helping with curriculum and program development. I also interned with the Washoe County School District, where I contributed to projects that supported students and families at the district level.
In 2019, I completed a Master’s degree in Gifted Education from the University of Connecticut, which gave me additional tools to support all learners—especially in recognizing and nurturing unique strengths, creativity, and social-emotional needs.
Most of all, I love getting to know each child as both a learner and an individual. It is truly a privilege to walk alongside them as they grow, discover, and succeed.