Middle School Gifted

Inspired by my brilliant 6th graders, I’m having so much fun with this project! I’m making them to share with my students and teacher friends. 🤓 They are so easy and fun to make and more personal than the bulk sticker prize-packs online. I’m going to try bookmarks and magnets next! Which one do you like??? What others should I make?

Our school is wearing red for World Autism Awareness/Acceptance Day 🧠 💕

What an amazing day on Capitol Hill. I had the opportunity to join advocates from across the country to meet with officials about the only federal legislation for gifted and talented students! The Jacob K Javits Act supports critical research and professional learning for educators working with our often overlooked populations of brilliant learners. Congressional offices don’t often hear directly from K-12 teachers but our stories are powerful!! Thankful that both of my senators support funding Javits in FY27

I’m SO PROUD of my students and how we ended our ELA unit with fun and authenticity! They planned an exciting interactive evening (with refreshments of course) to showcase all their hard work studying Shakespeare.
*
What’s your favorite Shakespeare in school memory?
*
Some highlights of our event:
A museum “gift shop” with free student-designed Shakespeare merch.
Posters translating Shakespearean English to Gen alpha internet slang.
Parents, grandparents, and friends were so proud of the kids and excited to share their own favorite Shakespeare memories.
Watching the final versions of their videos with special effects, dramatic music, and sound.
Very dramatic live performances combining traditional and modernized text with stage combat techniques.

Yes, we had some technical difficulties and yes planning an evening event kept me at school outside of contract time, but it was absolutely worth the stress and last-minute problem-solving to make this happen.
I totally recommend trying this with your classes and wish I had asked someone to take more photos! Thanks to for the great ideas.
Please comment or DM me if you’d like to use the museum or performance rubrics I created.
*
*

Can’t wait to share teaching ideas with the amazing gifted educators in Iowa!

Virtual Spring Workshop
MTSS Framework: Best Practices for Differentiation and Curriculum Design for Gifted Learners!

Early bird rates ends March 31st!
Members: $99
Non-Members: $175
Access to recording for 90 days

https://bit.ly/ITAGSpringWksp26

My new book is officially out today!
*
I am so honored to share 20 of my favorite teaching strategies in that hits stores and web platforms today. You can order it through the link in my bio or anywhere great books are sold 🤓
*
If you need LESSON PLANS for your 4th-8th grade advanced learners that can be implemented tomorrow, this book is for you.
*
If you like books with funny and relatable STORIES about teaching, this book is for you.
*
If you like books that actually include all the DIGITAL RESOURCES you need to implement the lessons, you’ll love this one.
*
If you thrive on PUZZLES, creative thinking, and general learning joy, this book is definitely for you!
*
If you know a bright child and want to help their teachers, this book would be a perfect GIFT.
*
Kansas City locals are invited to join me for a book launch party in March (details coming soon!)
*
This has been a work of joy and love with so much support from family, friends and colleagues along the way. I want to thank my current and former students in Piper who inspired these lessons and are featured through pseudonyms throughout the book. Thanks also to Rebecca, Quinn, and the incredible Prufrock team.

This is me totally stepping out of my comfort zone so my school can get a grant for equipment. It was a little scary at first but turned into one of the most fun days I’ve had doing PD! They even gave me a safety whistle. 😆Archery competitions are safe and fun! Thanks to my AP for the pics 🏹

New unit => New bulletin board! 🎭📚 My students love it! How well do you know the Bard(s)?

was just incredible! My heart is full and my brain is bursting with ideas and inspiration. Here are some favorite moments!

💕Meeting up with wonderful friends who I only get to see once a year.

👩🏻‍🏫Sharing my favorite teaching strategies and meeting new people who love this work as much as I do.

📝Learning from outstanding speakers who inspire me to keep growing as a professional and making my “neighborhood” a better place for gifted kids.

🤓 Joining the NAGC Board of Directors as interim Parent Representative! Thank you Catherine, Dorn, and all my new colleagues for the warm welcome and high expectations.