Boston, USA.  Ivy Group, which manages the premier Multiple Intelligences (MI) schools in China, is very proud and excited to have Dr. Howard Gardner join the Ivy Advisory Board.

Dr. Gardner is the Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Senior Director of Harvard Project Zero.  The author of over twenty books translated into twenty-seven languages and several hundred articles, Gardner is best known in educational circles for his theory of Multiple Intelligences, a critique of the notion that there exists but a single human intelligence that can be assessed by standard psychometric instruments.  He has also written extensively on creativity, leadership, and professional ethics.  His latest book “Five Minds for the Future” was published in April 2007.  Gardner has visited China several times as an honorary professor at East China Normal University.  You can find accounts of these experiences in his 1989 book “To Open Minds.”

Professor Gardner will provide guidance and direction in the development of the Ivy Multiple Intelligences Institute.  The goals of this institute include the development of teacher training for successful MI classrooms and research in MI-based curriculum.  The results will be used to improve the curriculum at Ivy Schools as well as ensure teachers develop the skills and understanding to use MI theory as a tool to identify and build on children’s strengths.  The Institute will be led by Julie Viens who worked with Professor Gardner at Project Zero and is one of the world’s foremost experts on MI.

"We are extremely honored to have Professor Gardner join our Advisory Board,” commented Jack Hsu, CEO of Ivy Group.  “Our goals have always been to ensure that our work is supported by rigorous research and has long term educational benefits for children.  Clearly, guidance from Professor Gardner ensures that we meet our goals, proceed in the right direction, and deliver an even better product for our young students.”

For more information, please contact Kitty Ho, Communications Manager of Ivy Group, at kitty.ho@ivygroup.org.

About Ivy Group

Ivy Group manages leading kindergartens and pre-schools based on the Multiple Intelligences (MI) theory and is the only official MI organization in China recognized by the Multiple Intelligences Institute. Ivy schools have won multiple awards internationally and in China and are recognized for its excellence and commitment to early childhood education.  For more information please visit the website www.ivygroup.org.