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Handling Teasing and Bullying

Opening Quotes “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Martin Luther King Jr. “You will never reach higher ground if …

Healthy Friendships + How to Apologize

Opening Quotes “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.'” — C.S. Lewis “Friendship …

What is Giftedness: Exploring Definitions While Keeping “Underachievers” in Mind

Opening Quotes “What you pay attention to will define, for you, what reality is.” – Oliver Burkeman “The sailor cannot see the north, but knows the needle can.” …

Navigating Transitions Big and Small

“Transitions are very difficult for gifted kids, who are very single-minded and love to concentrate on what they want to concentrate on.” – Barbara Klein, Ed.D. You put …

Gifted Mirroring: Finding Friends, Mentors, and Role Models

Opening Quotes “Put simply, a believing mirror is a friend to your creativity—someone who believes in you and your creativity. We can consciously build believing mirrors to potentiate …

Ask a Question or Submit a Case Study

My work on cognitive diversity is inspired by interactions with students, clients, and the broader public. Please use the contact form at the bottom of the page to …

“Meet the Instructor” Written by DYS Shyam Shah (Age 10) For DOA Profile Piece

Week by week, Michelle Ptacek, a master educator, sits in front of her well-appointed library, behind her laptop, writing and composing songs, reading articles about developmental psychology, and …

Useful/Fun Resources (DYS Homerooms)

Books Frequently Referenced in This Class: When Gifted Kids Don’t Have All the Answers by Judy Galbraith, M.A. and Jim Delisle, PhD Character Building Day by Day by …

DYS Homerooms (FAQs)

How do we sign up? Semester sign-up forms are distributed in select communities online. If you’ve heard about this class from a different source, please fill out a …

DYS Homerooms Policy

Thank you for choosing me as an online educator to meet the on-going individual needs of your student. I’ve found clear expectations for both learners and caregivers provides …