In February, 1988, Joe Wayman and Kathy Balsamo sat at the Ramada Inn Restaurant in Dayton, Ohio, to discuss the possibility of joining forces to begin a consulting venture that would also include Nancy Johnson. All had been consultants for the Illinois Gifted Program, involved with Good Apple’s Challenge magazine, and authored activity books.

Creative Learning Consultants made its debut in Beavercreek, Ohio, in March, 1988. By August 1, 1989, the venture was not only working, but the first book, The Faces of Gifted, was also in the process of being published. Nancy and Kathy formed a partnership, and Joe was one of several major speakers.

A logo was designed to symbolize that everyone is a piece of the education puzzle, always a piece coming in or leaving, and that our customers and clients – YOU – are important pieces of the education puzzle. By October of 1989, the three founders were ready for the first conference sessions and exhibit at the Iowa State Gifted Conference at Hotel Ft. Des Moines.

Our background in gifted education had taught us to be creative, risk taking, and PERSISTENT. Learning had to be individualized – differentiated – to meet the unique needs of students. We knew what we offered was and always will be of the highest quality and practicality for teachers and students. Our products will always make kids and educators THINK at a higher level. Gradually we realized that we were offering many “pieces of the puzzle” – consultants, books, CDs, conference presentations, our website www.piecesoflearning.com, and our e-mail newsletter, Piece by Piece. Our name became Pieces of Learning.