1:1 Life Skills For Gifted/Talented (PG/2E focus)
I understand my clients are constantly evolving at a psychological level. My services are a tool to support this evolution.
Ages 10+
Cost $60 per 25 minute session
This on-going class serves as a friendly check-in space packed full of thought-provoking information. These private lessons are student-driven and student-focused, so the potential direction we can take is limitless. Some students are seeking a mentor to discuss specific topics with while others wish to learn about their unique minds and unique life trajectories. I prioritize in-depth conversation and communication with my clients. I will gladly tailor lessons to your needs.
As a certified talented and gifted teacher, I have extensive experience working with Davidson Young Scholars in the profoundly gifted population as well as with students who identify as twice-exceptional. Oftentimes, students first learn about a topic in the homeroom, and this private class creates an encouraging space for them to go deeper into the lesson. Other times, parents and students contact me because they don’t prefer a group environment, and they are looking for a tailored situation with a mentor ready to guide them through specific strengths and/or areas of need. Topics covered include Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences, Elaine Aaron's high sensitivity, Dabrowski's overexcitabilities, multipotentiality, emotional intelligence, executive functioning skills, asynchronous development, and more (see full list below). These are key theories that drive our sessions.
Each lesson is designed to take 25-30 minutes. Students leave the lesson with a summary that includes additional activities, journal prompts, and resources.
Understanding Giftedness
- Asynchronous development
- High sensitivity as a biological trait
- Perfectionism (1, 2, and/or 3)
- Empathizing vs. systemizing
- Twice-exceptionality (2E)
- Handling high expectations
- Realistic expectations and self-acceptance
- Introversion/extroversion + The Big 5
- Multipotentiality pros and cons
- Theory of Positive Disintegration (Levels 1-3)
- Theory of Positive Disintegration (Levels 4-5)
- Overexcitabilities/intensities
- Maddening myths in gifted education
- Five things GT students need to succeed
- Humor and the gifted brain
- Underachievement or selective consuming?
Executive Functioning + Task Management
- What are executive functioning skills?
- Effective study habits
- Advocating for yourself as a divergent learner
- Time management tips (Eisenhower Matrix +)
- Coping with stress and anxiety
- Decision making strategies
- SMART goals /target mapping
- Problem solving exercises + bridges to progress
- Taking responsibility
- Understanding impulse control
- Kind vs. wicked learning environments
- Deliberate practice
- Effective note taking
- Learning vs. knowing
Social Skills
- Belonging vs. fitting in
- Choosing mentors and role models
- 10 common questions about friendship
- 12 tips for making friends
- Healthy friendships/apologies
- Working well with others
- Mixing friendship and projects
- Acting brain vs. thinking brain
- Friendship through metaphors
- Handling criticism and feedback
- Listening when you have a busy mind
- Beyond IQ (emotional intelligence)
- Handling frustration
- Using books, art, and music to handle emotions
- Tough emotions: Jealousy/envy
- Why some people fear success
- 10 Tips for beating performance anxiety
- Leadership
- Social-emotional journaling
- Handling teasing/learning assertiveness
- Arrogance vs. confidence
Creativity
- Psychological flow states and creativity
- The five-stage creative process
- Analogous thinking
- Divergent thinking
- Beyond IQ (creativity quotients)
- Visualization/inventive thinking
- Learning from the minds of Da Vinci/
- Thomas Edison/Benjamin Franklin...
- Motivation and Life Balance
- Theory of multiple intelligences
- Growth mindset
- Bloom's Taxonomy /Maslow
- Thinking in pictures vs. in words
- Self-distancing and alter-egos
- Creative teams (conflict styles)
Philosophy and Psychology
- Beyond IQ (wisdom)
- Stop comparing yourself to others
- When there’s no right or wrong answer
- Being flexible as an opinionated person
- Overwhelm
- Becoming well-rounded and whole
- Developing a personal philosophy
- Wise career routines for the 21st century
- The art of questioning
- Thinking clearly: Spotting cognitive distortions
- Worrying vs. planning
- Overthinking vs. self-reflection
- Tackling negative thinking
RELEVANT CERTIFICATIONS
- Department of Education, PK-12 Talented and Gifted
RELEVANT EDUCATION
- Masters of Arts in Teaching
- Morningside College, Sioux City, IA
- Doctoral Student
- Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity, Studio City, CA
For over a decade I have formally and informally studied the creative process, various theories in creativity research, the role of systemizing and empathizing in creative works, neurodiversity, personal struggles among individuals with high potential, and the role of literature in assisting personal growth. (My master's thesis focused on how literature can help students who are gifted and talented gain self-awareness and empathy.) I also have extensive experience working with Davidson Young Scholars in the profoundly gifted population and with learners who identify as twice-exceptional.
Scheduling concerns?
Feel free to try out one session to see if I am a good fit. I can accommodate a variety of M-Th 8:30am - 2:30pm CST schedules consistently with request and communication. I have several students interested in lessons two+ times per week. My personal policy is to charge for missed lessons with less than 24 hour notice. Rescheduling is difficult with my often busy schedule. Also, please note, I observe popular holidays in the US (see policy). I communicate scheduling issues on my end with plenty of notice. Communication is the key to helping your student.
Interested in joining Michelle’s waiting list?
Michelle is amazing! She immediately connected with my 14-year-old son and has a long list of invaluable resources to help meet kids where they’re at. I very highly recommend her to all parents looking for someone to help guide and support their child!
Heather M.