The Excellence in Gifted Education Certificate is a research-informed professional learning program designed for educators, instructional leaders, and administrators seeking to strengthen gifted education practice across grades and disciplines. This certificate equips participants with the knowledge, strategies, and tools needed to identify gifted learners, design appropriately challenging instruction, support social-emotional development, and build sustainable gifted programs that align with school goals and student needs.

Program Overview

This program is designed to make current gifted education research and best practices both accessible and actionable for educators. Led by an experienced K–12 educator and school leader, this certificate program translates theory into clear, practical strategies that participants can immediately apply to better serve advanced and high-potential learners.

Through an exploration of gifted learner characteristics, identification practices, and evidence-based instructional models, participants will gain concrete tools and adaptable frameworks to support intellectual challenge, creativity, and social-emotional development in gifted students across diverse learning contexts.

This certification program is a thoughtfully designed, two-course series spanning the fall and spring semesters and is open to educators across all grade levels and subject areas, recognizing that gifted learners exist in every classroom.

Program Details

Duration: September 2026 – May 2027

Grade Levels:
‍Open to educators and leaders of all grade levels (PK-12).

Format:

Two courses spanning two semesters.
‍Biweekly live sessions: 8 sessions per semester.
Each session: ~150 minutes.
Mode of Delivery: Flexible options, including synchronous online, face-to-face, and hybrid formats.

Class Meeting Dates: For the 2026-2027 cohort, classes begin September 28th. Please see the full calendar with meeting dates and times HERE*.

*Out-of-state and international participants will join in-person meetings via Zoom when time zones allow. They must also join online synchronous sessions if time zones allow. If live participation is not feasible, participants will be expected to view the session recording and complete an alternate assignment.

Course Instructor

Kelsey Brennan

Kelsey brings nearly 15 years of experience in gifted and advanced education and currently serves as the Assistant Head of Elementary School at Fulton Science Academy. Throughout her career, she has worked at multiple levels of gifted education—as an elementary classroom teacher, gifted coordinator, instructional coordinator, and school leader—giving her a deep, practical understanding of how to support gifted learners both in the classroom and at the programmatic level. As Assistant Head of Elementary, Kelsey leads with a strong focus on instructional excellence, teacher development, and student-centered learning, supporting educators in designing rigorous, engaging learning experiences that meet the diverse needs of gifted and high-potential students. Prior to moving into school leadership, Kelsey spent nearly a decade in the classroom, including years working directly with gifted learners. Her classroom experience continues to shape her leadership and teaching, allowing her to bridge research-based gifted education theory with practical, day-to-day instructional strategies.

Course Details

Course 1: Foundations of Gifted Education: Learner Characteristics & Identification
This course provides educators with a strong foundation in understanding gifted learners and the research that informs effective gifted education practices. Participants explore definitions and models of giftedness, characteristics of gifted learners, and equitable identification and assessment practices. Emphasis is placed on recognizing diverse expressions of giftedness, addressing bias and underrepresentation, and understanding ethical and cultural considerations. Through case studies and applied learning, educators develop the knowledge and confidence needed to accurately identify gifted learners and support their academic and social-emotional needs.
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‍Course 2: Curriculum, Instruction, & Program Leadership for Gifted Learners
This course focuses on translating gifted education theory into effective classroom practice and sustainable programming. Participants examine differentiated curriculum design, advanced instructional strategies, and assessment approaches that promote growth and challenge for gifted learners. The course also addresses gifted program models, leadership, advocacy, and family engagement, equipping educators to support gifted learners within a variety of school contexts. Through an applied capstone project, participants design and reflect on instructional or programmatic solutions that can be implemented in their own classrooms or schools.

Click HERE to view a detailed outline of course topics.

Key Benefits

Apply current gifted education research through clear, classroom-ready strategies.
Build capacity to design instruction and advocate for effective gifted programming.
Develop usable tools and artifacts that transfer directly to your school context.
Strengthen equitable identification and inclusive support for gifted learners.

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