Many teachers assume that giving students unlimited freedom leads to greater creativity. In reality, thoughtful constraints often inspire deeper thinking, stronger problem solving, and more innovative solutions. Learn four practical ways to use material, time, budget, and process constraints to transform your STEM challenges.

Catch up on the latest from InterestEd, including my newest Edutopia article, gifted education insights, free classroom resources, family updates, and practical ideas to inspire your teaching this school year.

A recent New York Magazine article questioned whether giftedness is real at all. As an educator who works with gifted and twice-exceptional learners, I believe the better question is not whether giftedness exists, but whether our systems are doing an adequate job identifying and supporting students with advanced learning needs.

After nearly four years of training, classes, and practice, Hope has officially passed her therapy dog certification! In this personal update, I share the journey that led to this milestone, what therapy dog work means to me, and some of the opportunities Hope and I hope to explore in our community.

The May edition of The InterestEd Insight includes classroom strategies, gifted education reflections, summer learning ideas, and resources for educators and families preparing for the transition into summer.

Students can give the right answers without truly thinking deeply. This article shares 6 simple ways to bring more depth into your ELA lessons without adding more work.

Laura Mukerji shares news of her NAGC26 presentation on how challenge, autonomy, and curriculum design shape gifted learners’ motivation, identity, and long-term success.

A simple, meaningful activity to help you truly understand your students from the start. This one-page student profile builds relationships, supports student voice, and gives you insight you can actually use.

. In this newsletter, I share recent writing, practical teaching ideas, and a look at what I’ve been building at InterestEd over the last few months!

Looking for ways to challenge gifted learners without extra planning? These strategies help you add depth and complexity to what you are already teaching.

When students finish early, the typical response is to give them more work or move them ahead. But deeper learning doesn’t always require acceleration. In this article, I share a simple strategy teachers can use to extend thinking within the same task, along with a free classroom resource.

Curriculum is not neutral for gifted learners. When challenge and autonomy are missing, the long-term cost shows up in motivation, identity, and sustained engagement with learning.