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Learn more about the hidden pressures of high achievement, recognizing potential early, and why gifted learners often face an early existential crisis. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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In this issue…★ The Hidden Pressures of High Achievement: A closer look at the challenges, supports, and coping strategies of gifted adolescents. ★ Recognizing Potential Early: A case study of how gifted and talented children are identified and supported within inclusive preschool environments. ★ Exceptionally Ordinary podcast: Why gifted learners often grapple with questions of meaning, morality, and mortality earlier and more intensely than their peers. |
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Exceptionally Ordinary Podcast
The Deepest End: Gifted Minds and Existential Dread (Part 1)Why do some gifted children wrestle with life's biggest questions long before their peers? In this episode of Exceptionally Ordinary, we explore the complex inner worlds of gifted learners and the existential questions that can emerge when advanced cognitive abilities meet intense curiosity, sensitivity, and awareness. Drawing on Dabrowski's Theory of Positive Disintegration and the concept of overexcitabilities, we examine why gifted children may experience profound concerns about mortality, morality, meaning, and justice at surprisingly young ages. This conversation offers valuable insights for parents and educators seeking to better understand and support learners whose minds naturally venture into the deepest end of life's unanswered questions. |
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Welcome to The Research Recess! Grab a coffee and step away from the grading pile or the team meeting. This is your mental playground for the latest data, insights, and breakthroughs in gifted and 2e education.
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Under Pressure: Gifted Students’ Vulnerabilities, Stressors, and Coping Mechanisms Within a High Achieving High SchoolThis qualitative study explores the interactions among gifted students’ vulnerabilities, stressors, supports, and coping mechanisms at a public, high-achieving residential high school. Qualitative interviews (n = 12) revealed that teachers caused stress by (a) failing to provide academic challenges and/or (b) failing to support students’ diverse identities; conversely, teachers provided support when they were available, enthusiastic, and understanding. Further, peers added stress through class rank competition but fostered support through accepting diverse identities and building friendships. In general, students heavily relied… |
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Giftedness and talent in inclusive preschools: A multiple case study regarding identification, teaching, quality of interactions, and experiences of childrenThere are gifted and talented children who go unnoticed in education systems and who are not provided with adequate teaching. This is a matter of concern, both for individual children and society at large. The framework includes the Bioecological Model for Human Development and the Differentiating Model of Giftedness and Talent. The experiences and interests of the six children confirmed these identifications, teaching forms, and quality of interactions. Significance and knowledge contributions, and suggestions for further research are discussed. This study has relevance to student preschool teachers, preschool teacher educators, preschool teachers, preschool principals, and others interested in giftedness, talent, inclusive education and preschool. |
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HAGT Tools, Services, & Resources
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HAGT PRISM© Questionnaire: Personalizing the Picture of Highly Able LearnersThe HAGT PRISM© Questionnaire (Profile of Reasoning, Interests, Supports, and Motivation) is a free, interactive tool designed to better understand and support highly able learners in grades 2–8. Developed for use by educators and families, the questionnaire is completed by the student to draw out their strengths, interests, and support needs and generates a personalized learning profile to inform classroom practice and individualized support. |
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School Leadership Strategies: Explore HAGT’s Whole-School Approaches for Advanced LearnersLooking to strengthen support for highly able students across your school? HAGT provides guidance for school leaders committed to equity and excellence through whole-school models, strategic staffing, and flexible pathways for advanced learning. Explore research-informed strategies, proven program models, and practical tools designed for sustainable, schoolwide implementation. Whether you're just getting started or refining your systems, we invite you to partner with us to lead meaningful change. |
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HAGT Courses & Conferences
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Register for the Challenge for All Summit Today!The 9th Annual Challenge for All Summit Virtual Edition returns on February 5 and 6, 2027. Join a global community of educators to explore impactful strategies for supporting highly able learners. If you couldn't join us in person in Bangkok this year, the good news is that the Summit is going virtual, bringing the same inspiring sessions and global connections straight to you, wherever you are. No passport required. |
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Faculty Professional Development: Register for HAGT’s Challenge for All Fall & Winter Flex CoursesFall Session 2026: September 21 – November 22, 2026
Winter Session 2026: November 30, 2026 - January 30, 2027 Looking to better support advanced learners? HAGT offers a faculty Professional Learning Series for educators at all levels. With flexible asynchronous courses, you can build expertise in foundations, practical strategies, and specialized topics in gifted education. Earn 45 professional development hours. Contact us about graduate credit through SUNY, and gain real-world strategies to transform your teaching. |
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Learning Support Assistants: Register for the Neurodiversity Support Specialist ProgramFall Session 2026: September 21 – November 22, 2026
Winter Session 2026: November 30, 2026 - January 30, 2027 Supporting neurodiverse learners effectively requires more than just good intentions—it takes knowledge, skill, and confidence. Our Neurodiversity Support Specialist Certification Program is designed for learning support assistants who are ready to deepen their understanding of neurodiversity and apply practical strategies that improve student outcomes. Whether you're new to the role or have years of experience, this certification program equips you to support all learners, including those with learning difficulties, giftedness, or twice-exceptionality (2e), with clarity and confidence. |
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Perfiles Complejos: A Certification Pathway for Latin American EducatorsFall Session 2026: September 21 – November 22, 2026
Winter Session 2026: November 30, 2026 - January 30, 2027 Perfiles Complejos is a three-course bilingual professional certification pathway designed specifically for Spanish-speaking educators and school leaders in Latin American and international school contexts. From foundational frameworks to classroom-ready tools to systems-level leadership, each course builds toward a full HAGT certification. No matter where you are in your HAGT journey, there's a place for you to start. |
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Stay connected for more insights, opportunities, and resources in the next issue of The Navigator! In the meantime, explore our website for additional ways to support highly able learners. The Navigator is dedicated to helping schools and families navigate the education of highly able/gifted & talented (HAGT) and twice-exceptional (2e) learners. You’ll find research insights, practical strategies, and meaningful tools to help advanced learners grow and excel.
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