Larissa Dayana Jean | CEO & Founder
Born in Port au Prince, Haiti and raised in the United States, I was born to teach. At the tender age of four years old, I knew that education would be the sphere of influence God created me to impact for His glory. I spent my childhood in Boston, Massachusetts, where I was enrolled in various gifted programs as early as third grade. This continued into my middle school years, after my family relocated to Lawrenceville, Georgia. God was faithful in blessing me with teachers and counselors to encourage me and point me in the right direction.
However, although I continued to challenge myself through AP courses and rigorous coursework, I wish I had more support, shepherding, and discipleship. What I know now as an educator, I wish I knew prior to graduating from high school. At times, it was a very lonely path. As a first generation college student of immigrant parents, we did not know the right questions to ask, nor where to look for the answers for life after college.
My vivid experiences of usually being the only student from a different cultural and linguistic background in my AP and advanced level classes enabled me to connect with my own students with similar experiences when I became a high school Spanish teacher. In 2014, God opened a door for me to serve as the International Baccalaureate and Gifted Coordinator for the Clarke County School District in Athens, Georgia.
When I learned that gifted students from diverse cultural backgrounds at my school were underrepresented in the AP Program and Advanced Level courses at the school, I established and led the Gifted Minorities Achieving Initiative, which provided support for culturally and linguistically diverse students and their families with the academic, social, and emotional support that is unique to gifted minority students. This experience was not only a powerful opportunity to be an agent of change in the field of education, but God used it to spark a new passion in my heart in leading and shepherding the next generation of Christ followers from all cultural backgrounds, because talent is found in all cultural groups!
I am a life long learner, a leader, a coach, a mentor, and an advocate for the “invisible” gifted population in the public, private, and home school sectors. I would be so honored and blessed to partner with your child as he or she uses their God given gift to impact their God assigned sphere of influence!
Roselande Jean | Administrative Assistant
Roselande is a married mother of three handsome boys and two beautiful girls. She enjoys teaching mathematics and is passionate about helping others. She received her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Alabama State University and her Master’s degree in Mathematics Education (5-12) from Western Governors University. Roselande is the founder of EzerWorks VA and thrives in helping business owners make their work easier. She serves her community through her involvement in her church by assisting administratively, teaching in children’s ministry and leading the women’s ministry in efforts to bring change in the city of Lawrenceville. She is a problem solver who seeks to be a helping hand to those around her.
Bridgette Rooks | Marketing Assistant
As The Gift Center’s Multi-Media Marketing Assistant, Bridgette brings over 20 years of creative and strategic experience to every project. A graphic-design graduate and CEO of Cre8tive Vibes, she began her career in retail before discovering her passion for helping entrepreneurs organize their ideas, define their brand, and share their stories. At The Gift Center, Bridgette combines her Entrepreneur Lifestyle Mindset and Brand Development and Marketing expertise to craft engaging videos, social posts, and email campaigns that celebrate student achievements, recruit families, and deepen community connection. She believes that with a clear plan and a bit of encouragement, everyone can tap into their greatness and use their God-given gifts.