Affective Processing Curriculum

In the summer of 2020, over 20 gifted education specialists from across Missouri collaborated on a statewide Affective Processing curriculum project. Led by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Gifted Association of Missouri (GAM), and Lindenwood University, the initiative aimed to create meaningful SEL experiences tailored for gifted students.

Participants engaged in nine hours of whole-group virtual training and additional collaborative and independent work, focusing on SEL components such as class meetings, the Zones of Regulation, and bibliotherapy. Each educator contributed at least two fully developed lessons within one of five Affective Processing strands: Self-Awareness, Mindsets, Social Capacity, Life Skills, and Emotional Well-being.

The resulting lessons are available in an online repository accessible to educators statewide and beyond, with the goal of continued growth as more teachers contribute.

The project was led by Dr. Tracy Bednarick (Lindbergh Schools, GAM Region 8 Co-director), supported by a leadership team including Christine Nobbe (DESE), Hannah Noack-Ruebling (GAM Region 8 Co-director), Richelle Moore (Kirkwood), and Dr. Mary Gismegian (Lindenwood University).