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May always feels like a season of momentum. The school year is winding down, calendars are full, and summer is just around the corner. I know many teachers are carrying the extra weight that comes with closing out a school year, finishing strong for students, wrapping grades, events, celebrations, and all the unseen work in between.
I’m thinking of you and cheering you on as you head toward the finish line! |
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A glimpse into life this season |
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It’s a full and happy season on our end, too. We’re deep into end-of-year recitals, performances, and all the family calendar juggling that comes with spring. I’m also beginning to plan for summer rhythms, projects, and a little more breathing room.
Outside, gardening season is officially underway. I’ve been cleaning out the beds, getting things ready for fresh growth, and enjoying any excuse to be in the sunshine with my hands in the dirt. There’s something restorative about starting over in the garden each year. |
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| I’m Presenting! NAGC 2026 |
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| Professionally, I’m in a season of exciting growth. I’m honored to be presenting at the upcoming NAGC conference, and I’m looking forward to sharing ideas with educators and leaders who care deeply about supporting advanced learners. |
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| | New Article on TeachThought |
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I’m also thrilled to share that my TeachThought article has been published. It’s always meaningful to contribute to conversations that help move education forward, and I’m excited to share it with you!
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| | A recent EdSurge article highlighted how more school districts are relying on data to identify gifted students, rather than depending solely on teacher referrals or parent advocacy. This shift matters because traditional identification methods often overlook capable learners—especially students from underrepresented backgrounds, multilingual learners, and those whose strengths may not show up in obvious ways.
Using multiple data points, such as achievement trends, growth measures, universal screening, and classroom performance, can help schools cast a wider net and recognize potential earlier. When done thoughtfully, data can open doors for students who may have been missed in the past.
At the same time, numbers alone are not enough. Strong identification systems combine data with professional insight, student voice, and equitable practices that recognize different expressions of giftedness.
As schools reflect on this year and plan for fall, it’s a valuable time to ask: Who is being identified, and who is still being missed? What data sources are we using? Are all students given access to screening opportunities? How can we better recognize diverse strengths?
These questions can lead to stronger, more inclusive gifted programming next year. |
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| May is a wonderful time for student choice, creativity, and reflection-based learning. Consider projects that allow students to: Showcase growth from the year Solve a real-world problem Teach others something they learned Create passion projects tied to interests Reflect on how they’ve changed as learners
Some of the best end-of-year learning happens when students are given voice and ownership.
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| | SCAMPER Challenge
SCAMPER is a creative thinking strategy that helps students generate new ideas by asking questions such as Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Rearrange. It is an excellent tool for deepening problem-solving, stretching flexible thinking, and encouraging innovation across subject areas. |
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| Growth MindsetA growth mindset helps students understand that abilities can develop through effort, practice, and effective strategies. Teaching this mindset builds resilience, confidence, and a willingness to embrace challenges as part of the learning process. |
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If you’re curious about what traditional education can learn from homeschooling, I’m sharing a free resource inspired by my recent blog post: Lessons from Homeschooling. It includes practical insights, a companion webinar, and downloadable handouts designed to help families and educators create more flexible, meaningful learning experiences. |
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| What You Should Know About Me
I recently shared a new post all about using a “What You Should Know About Me” activity to build stronger relationships and create a more student-centered classroom from the very beginning. It’s a meaningful way for learners to share their strengths, needs, interests, and what helps them thrive. |
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| Depth With Less Work
Recently, I published an article on Edutopia on how to support gifted students without creating more work for teachers. It offers practical ways to increase challenge through depth, choice, and meaningful extension so advanced learners stay engaged without adding to your workload. |
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| How can I help students stay motivated at the end of the school year? |
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Students often stay more motivated at the end of the year when they feel a sense of ownership and purpose in what they’re doing. Try giving them choices through choice boards, passion projects, or small group challenges tied to skills you’ve already taught. Reflection activities can also help—have students set a short-term goal, track their progress, or create a portfolio that shows how much they’ve grown. Keeping routines consistent while adding a few fun, meaningful options can make a big difference in those final weeks. |
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| What Topic would help you most right now? Start the survey to let me know - and I will feature that topic next month! |
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| | Chronology
One thing we’ve been enjoying lately is finding games that combine learning and laughter. Right now, I’m loving Chronology, a history-based timeline game that sparks great conversation, a little friendly competition, and plenty of “wait... that happened before what?” moments. It’s a fun reminder that learning often sticks best when it feels like play. |
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As schools and families begin planning for summer or looking ahead to fall, this is a great time to start conversations around curriculum support, enrichment planning, gifted education, and learner-centered strategy. If you’re looking for personalized support for your child, family, school, or organization, I’d love to connect. You can learn more about ways to work with me on my website or reply to this email to start the conversation.
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