This comprehensive professional learning series provides educators with a deep dive into the unique world of gifted learners. Divided into three stand alone 15-hour courses, this series moves from understanding the core identity of the gifted student to exploring creative environments and mastering advanced pedagogical practices.
Class A: Understanding the Gifted Profile (15 Credit Hours)
Focus: Identity and Social-Emotional Needs Unlock the complexities of the gifted mind. This course provides a foundational understanding of what it means to be gifted, beginning with the historical context and evolving definitions of giftedness. Participants will explore the unique internal experiences of these learners, focusing on overexcitabilities, intensity, and the specific needs of visual-spatial learners.
Educators will gain practical insights into managing common psychosocial challenges such as perfectionism and underachievement, while learning to identify diverse talents through the lens of Multiple Intelligences.
Class B: Creative Environments and Program Models (15 Credit Hours)
Focus: Cognition, Creativity, and Service Delivery How do we build environments where giftedness can flourish? This course explores the intersection of learning mindset and high-level cognitive development. Participants will master tools to foster innovation, including SCAMPER and FFOE (Fluency, Flexibility, Originality, and Elaboration), and examine the visionary work of leaders in creativity.
Beyond individual creativity, this course prepares educators to navigate institutional structures by analyzing various service delivery models and the role each plays in gifted classrooms.
Class C: Advanced Pedagogy and Practical Synthesis (15 Credit Hours)
Focus: Instructional Strategies and Action Research Translate theory into classroom mastery. This final course is dedicated to the practical application of advanced instructional strategies tailored for gifted students. Educators will learn how to implement effective acceleration and differentiation through collaboration and the strategic use of specialized resources.
A significant portion of this course is dedicated to inquiry learning and an Action Research Project, where participants will select a specific topic of interest, create a comprehensive plan, and share their results with their professional community.
Dates: September 28 - March 28
- Class A: September 28 - November 2. Virtual meeting on Sept. 28
- Class B: November 16 - December 14.. Virtual meeting on Nov. 16
- Class C: February 1 - March 28. Virtual meeting on Feb. 1
Time for virtual meetings: 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
This registration page is for Class A only.
** Separate registration is required for Class B and can be found here:
** Separate registration is required for Class C and can be found here:
Cost: $80 per class.
Facilitator: Michele Thelen
Michele Thelen is the current Executive Secretary for the Arizona Association for Gifted & Talented (AAGT). She was recently the Coordinator of Gifted & Talented Education in the Marana Unified School District. She has been an elementary teacher, gifted cluster teacher, gifted specialist, mother of two gifted adults and grandmother of four gifted youngsters. Michele has also served as the co-facilitator of the Southern Arizona Gifted Network which supports gifted students and their families as well as teachers of the gifted through professional growth opportunities for teachers and families. Michele has presented at the National Association for Gifted Children National Conference, SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) National Conference and the AAGT Annual Conference. She loves spending her free time enjoying nature with her family.
