New Virtual Course: Understanding and Supporting Perfectionism in Gifted Students

Presented by our partners in the Pima County School Superintendent’s Office

If you work with gifted learners, you’ve seen it.
The student who melts down over a tiny mistake.
The one who rewrites the same paragraph twenty times.
The kid who looks “fine” on the outside but is quietly drowning in impossible expectations.

Perfectionism shows up early, it shows up often, and it shows up hard — especially for gifted kids. And our partners at the Pima County School Superintendent’s Office are offering a fantastic new learning opportunity to help educators better understand and support it.

A Self-Paced Course Designed for Today’s Classroom

The virtual asynchronous course Perfectionism in Gifted Students gives teachers and school counselors practical tools to recognize and address unhealthy perfectionism. The course covers how to spot early warning signs, support students who struggle with self-criticism, and build classrooms where mistakes are part of the learning process

Participants will learn how to:

• Understand the roots and consequences of unhealthy perfectionism
• Differentiate instruction for perfectionistic learners
• Teach coping and emotional regulation strategies
• Create supportive learning environments
• Help students shift their thinking and adopt more flexible, growth-oriented mindsets
• Use approaches like mindfulness and bibliotherapy to build resilience

The course also includes independent application activities that can be used directly with students. Educators will earn 4 hours of recertification credit upon completion

Course Details

Dates: November 10, 2025 through January 12, 2026
Format: Virtual, asynchronous, self-paced
Cost: $25
Registration: https://schoolspimagov.wildapricot.org/event-6349331 

Why This Matters

Perfectionism isn’t simply “high standards.” It can impact mental health, motivation, and long-term success. When educators understand the difference between healthy striving and harmful pressure, they’re better equipped to guide gifted students toward confidence, curiosity, and resilience.

This course is a great opportunity to add new tools to your toolkit, deepen your understanding, and support students who need it most.