Panel: Walking the Path with the Gifted: Thematic Analysis of K-12 Needs-Based Teacher Mentoring Approaches

In their work as gifted education practitioners in independent schools in Australia across decades, the presenters have identified seven key interconnected and common themes related to both strategic school improvement goals and struggles faced by gifted students Kindergarten - Year 12. These themes are (in no particular order): (i) identity crisis; (ii) perfectionism; (iii) disengagement; (iv) superficial learning; (v) underachievement; (vi) complexities of twice exceptionality; and (vii) raising the academic bar. This session shares stories of successful teacher mentoring approaches and gives participants structures, strategies and space to discuss mentoring their own school students who face similar challenges and opportunities.