This article presents an interview with Dr. Barbara Clark, a Professor Emeritus of the Charter College of Education, California State University, Los Angeles. She was named California State University, Los Angeles Outstanding Professor of 1978-1979 and was nominated twice for the California State Universities and Colleges Trustees Award for Statewide Outstanding Professor. She is author of the widely used text, "Growing Up Gifted" and the book "Optimizing Learning," and is primary author of several state handbooks and guidebooks in gifted education including the "Recommended Standards for Gifted and Talented Programs" adopted by the California State Board of Education in 2002. In the interview, Dr. Clark shares her experiences that led her to the field of gifted education.