While challenge matters, what truly empowers gifted students is the chance to shape their own learning path. When students have a say in what they explore, how they learn, and how they share their thinking, they tend to lean in with more curiosity, confidence, and creativity.

That doesn’t mean giving up structure. Choice is most effective when it’s thoughtfully designed and connected to clear learning goals. With just a few intentional options, you can create space for student voice while still maintaining focus, direction, and balance in your classroom.

When summer hits, many parents feel the pressure to keep their gifted kids constantly engaged—but research shows that rest and unstructured time are far from wasted. In this post, I share why giving your child space to "do nothing" might actually be one of the best things you can do for their development, and how I’m learning to embrace the quiet moments with my always-busy 8-year-old.

Something exciting arrived in the mail last week—my author copy of Creative Writing Passport, and I’m so happy to share that it’s now officially available on Amazon!

What makes it stand out is its balance of classic strategies and fresh insights. The authors address modern challenges like social media, screen time, bullying, and LGBTQ+ issues, while still focusing on core needs like advocacy, educational planning, and finding true peer connections. It's a rich, practical guide for anyone navigating the complex and rewarding journey of raising or supporting gifted kids.

If you work with gifted students — whether as a teacher or homeschooler — The Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Children (2nd Edition) is a resource you’ll want on your shelf. Edited by Maureen Neihart, Sally M. Reis, Nancy M. Robinson, and Sidney M. Moon, this book offers a clear, research-based look at the emotional and social growth of gifted kids.

If you're supporting a gifted learner—or any child who struggles with focus, organization, or emotional regulation—Smart but Scattered is a resource I highly recommend. This book offers a clear, compassionate approach to building executive functioning skills like planning, task initiation, working memory, and self-control.

Gifted students are often the outliers—curious, intense, sometimes misunderstood. As educators and parents, we’re in a unique position to create spaces where these learners feel safe, seen, and supported—not just for their intellect, but for who they are as whole people.

As part of my recent work in gifted education, I explored Standard 2, which focuses on understanding the diverse ways gifted students develop—cognitively, socially, emotionally, and culturally. It also challenges us to build learning environments that reflect and respond to that complexity.

Here are 20 insights from that process—each one a small reminder of what it means to serve gifted students well.

Maya is a 10-year-old fifth grader with advanced verbal reasoning and problem-solving skills. She loves reading and thinking deeply about the world around her. But along with those strengths, she also experiences high levels of perfectionism, anxiety, and sensitivity. She’s the kind of student who might crumple her paper and start over again and again—not because she doesn’t understand the material, but because it’s not “perfect.”

I recently discovered a creative thinking framework that instantly clicked for me as an ELA teacher—and it might become one of my favorite tools for working with gifted students. It’s called SCAMPER, and while it’s often used in business and design thinking, it has incredible potential in the classroom, especially for writing.

As educators and parents, we often focus on the strengths of gifted learners—their quick thinking, creativity, and passion for knowledge. But behind these intellectual abilities lies something just as important: their emotional world.

Supporting the social and emotional development of gifted students is essential to helping them thrive, both in and out of the classroom.

Artistically gifted students offer the world unique insight, beauty, and perspective through their work—but their emotional lives can be just as complex and vibrant as their artistic expressions. While these students are often celebrated for their creativity and talent, they are sometimes misunderstood when it comes to their emotional and social development. Educators and parents can better support these students by understanding the traits that shape their inner worlds and the environments that help them thrive.

Traditional methods of gifted identification—which rely heavily on standardized IQ tests and academic achievement—can be limiting to many students.

Barriers such as anxiety, language, and cultural differences can impact test performance and lead to under-identification. A holistic approach should be considered by school districts and gifted programming coordinators to allow for diversity and equity in gifted identification. 

Explore the latest updates in education and gifted learning with The InterestEd Insight – March 2025 Newsletter! This month, we’re sharing insights on Gifted and Talented (GT) certification, must-have teaching resources, a sneak peek at upcoming workbooks, and an exciting new YouTube series for educators. Download the full newsletter now to stay ahead with expert tips, tools, and strategies for supporting diverse learners.

I recently had a very interesting conversation with an acquaintance who asked about my personal homeschool journey. During our discussion, I learned that she was considering homeschooling but felt overwhelmed by the abundance of information and resources available. When I first started, I did a lot of research—so many philosophies, methods, and ideas to explore! Eventually, I found my stride as a mix of Waldorf and traditional homeschooling. One thing I’ve learned is that choosing the right homeschool approach is highly individual—what works for one family (or even one child) might not work for another. Sometimes, different kids need different approaches within the same household!

Many well-meaning people say, “All students are gifted,” but this misconception can harm students who need specialized gifted education services. Discover why true giftedness goes beyond high achievement and how we can better support gifted learners’ academic and social-emotional needs.

As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how we approach gifted education, both in the classroom and at home. For educators and parents, reimagining rigor means creating an environment that encourages students to think critically, creatively, and deeply. This approach isn’t just about increasing the workload—it’s about fostering engagement, curiosity, and the ability to solve problems in new and innovative ways. By rethinking how we design learning experiences, we can offer gifted learners opportunities to grow in ways that are both meaningful and fulfilling.

Fostering a growth mindset is one of the most important factors for the long-term success of gifted learners. A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and practice. Growth mindset empowers students to embrace challenges, persevere through setbacks, and cultivate the skill of resilience. As educators and parents, we have the unique opportunity to instill these values in gifted children, equipping them with the tools they need to thrive both academically and personally. Gifted learners are often accustomed to high achievement with minimal effort and may face difficulties when they encounter challenges. By promoting a growth mindset, we can help gifted students understand that setbacks are opportunities for growth rather than indicators of failure.

Holistic learning environments are about engaging the whole student—not just intellectually, but also emotionally, socially, creatively, and physically. When students feel supported in all these areas, they’re better prepared to learn, adapt, and thrive. Holistic education goes beyond traditional academics and builds the foundation for lifelong resilience, curiosity, and empathy.

Holistic learning treats education as more than just a transfer of knowledge. It’s about creating a dynamic space where students grow in all dimensions. Each part of the learning experience plays a role in shaping a well-rounded individual who can handle challenges and engage meaningfully with the world.

Hello, friends! I’m excited to share a new chapter in my journey with you!

As I continue my work in educational consulting, I’ve reached a place where growth and learning feel beautifully intertwined. With every project, I’m reminded of why I started InterestEd: to make a real difference for students, families, and schools. Wrapping up my recent current work and waiting on a few new contract possibilities, I’m feeling both reflective and energized about what’s next.

Hello, friends! I’m so happy to share some updates about InterestEd and the exciting things happening behind the scenes. Here’s a little peek into what’s new!

First, I’m thrilled to say that the InterestEd website is now live! I’ve poured so much into creating this digital space, and I hope it will be a welcoming hub full of resources, event announcements, and soon—a newsletter! It feels amazing to finally have a place where I can connect with each of you and share what I’m passionate about.

Another milestone: all the official business filings are complete, and InterestEd is ready to soar! This week was made even sweeter when my new business cards arrived. It’s the little things that make it feel real!