GAM 2024 Conference (Gifted Association of Missouri)

Providing opportunities for gifted students to build social skills and develop relationships with like minded peers is one component of effectively supporting the social emotional needs of gifted students.  The gifted teacher should use a variety of strategies to create an atmosphere that fosters community building for gifted students at all levels.

We all need love and belonging. Our students are no different. The environment created in the classroom, and the connections made there, impact student academic performance and emotional well being. Gifted and talented students possess a unique set of abilities, develop asynchronously and often exhibit intensities all of which can impact emotional development and the ability to build and maintain healthy relationships. Gifted educators should strive to create an environment that reduces social isolation, encourages the sharing of diverse perspectives, and builds community among intellectual peer groups. Having this support network in place can help students cope with self esteem challenges, perfectionism and peer relations.

In this session I will share strategies I have used in my classroom for building community among gifted students at all grade levels.

This interactive session will equip educators with practical strategies for supporting the holistic development of gifted students. While academically advanced, gifted learners often face unique psychosocial challenges. Participants will explore research-based approaches for cultivating critical skills like social skills, motivation, resilience, and positive self-concept. Through hands-on activities, case studies, and small group discussions, attendees will gain insights into common psychosocial needs, learn techniques for creating supportive classroom environments, partner with families and counselors, and build a toolkit of resources. Leave empowered to nurture the "whole gifted child" by intentionally addressing their psychosocial needs alongside cognitive growth.

Are you ready to become an advocate for gifted education, then teach your students how to be an advocate?  Creating advocates is a unit designed to teach the Missouri Gifted Learner Outcome skills of communication and advocacy to address the lack of awareness around gifted education.  In this session you will learn how to introduce and implement the four forms of communication; verbal, nonverbal, written, and visual.  You will then learn how to introduce and teach The Art of Persuasion using ethos, logos, and pathos for the purpose of advocacy.  These two concepts are combined when students produce a real-world product to persuade the Missouri State Board of Education to declare Gifted Education Awareness Week.  Finally, join other gifted educators, students, and programs across Missouri during the second full week of February to raise awareness about gifted education.  Bonus, basic advocacy skills can be transferred to ANY topic you or your students are passionate about!