Serving and Identifying Gifted Learners through
Purposeful Passion Projects
Genius Hour
What if the key to identifying and serving your gifted learners isn’t another test, but the opportunity to pursue their passion and purpose during the school day?
Buy the Book!
Genius Hour Academy 2026
(In-Person)
Mark your calendar because the 2026 Genius Hour Academy on July 9th-10th is the professional learning experience you won’t want to miss. Over two energizing days, you’ll dive deep into the “how” of implementing Genius Hour with clarity and confidence.
Genius Hour Book Study (Virtual)
Giving your learners the opportunity to pursue their passion and purpose during the school day can change everything. Learn how to bring joy back into your classroom with this self-paced book study. You'll learn how to implement Genius Hour in a manageable and meaningful way.
Genius Hour Coaching
Would you like to have support every step of the way as you implement Genius Hour in your classroom?This coaching package includes an introduction session, a session for each of the 6 Ps of Genius Hour, and a final session to wrap things up. I'll help you make this experience everything it should be for both you and your learners.
Genius Hour Skills Enhancement Suite
A resource with over 80 skills-based learning experiences that you can utilize throughout the Genius Hour process to ensure learners are gaining skills and making connections as they work on their projects.
The Ultimate Genius Hour Toolkit
The Ultimate Genius Hour Toolkit takes the guesswork out of implementation with:
- The Genius Hour Book
- The Virtual Book Study
- Genius Hour Coaching Package
- Genius Hour Skills Enhancement Suite
- Genius Hour Learner Guides
Genius Hour Learner Guides
A guide for learners to use as they work through the Genius Hour process. This is a place for them to document their learning, reflect on connections, and consider their next best step as they work on their project. The Learning Guides include Passion, Plan, Pitch, Project, Product, and Presentation.
The 2026 Genius Hour Academy is going to be AMAZING!
Mark your calendar because the 2026 Genius Hour Academy on July 9th-10th is the professional learning experience you won’t want to miss. Over two energizing days, you’ll dive deep into the “how” of implementing Genius Hour with clarity and confidence, all while developing your own passion project alongside a community of creative, like-minded educators. This academy blends practical strategies, hands-on exploration, and meaningful collaboration to help you return to your classroom inspired and fully equipped. If you’re ready for PD that feels purposeful, personal, and empowering, the Genius Hour Academy is where you’ll want to be.
Why Genius Hour?
Genius Hour is far more than unstructured free time, it’s a powerful framework for cultivating depth, challenge, and authentic engagement in today’s classrooms. When intentionally designed, it becomes a vehicle for gifted learners to explore complex ideas, build advanced skills, and take ownership of their learning in meaningful ways. I’ve worked to gather the tools, strategies, and classroom-tested resources that make Genius Hour not only impactful, but also manageable for busy educators. If you’re looking to elevate student voice, enrich your curriculum, and inspire deeper thinking, you’re in the right place, let’s unlock what Genius Hour can truly become...together.
Genius Hour works when done well.
It wasn’t so long ago that I was right where you are, inspired by the idea of Genius Hour, but unsure where to start. I know what it feels like to want more meaning, more student engagement, and more joy in your teaching… but to feel overwhelmed by the how.
Over the past 10+ years, I’ve helped thousands of educators bring Genius Hour to life in their classrooms, guiding them through the process, providing structure, and helping them unlock student creativity, ownership, and authentic learning. I created the Genius Hour Academy and the 6 Ps framework because I’ve lived the messy middle and I know how powerful this journey can be when you have the right tools and support.
Finding Meaning in the Mess:
Why I Created the 6 Ps of Genius Hour
When I first implemented Genius Hour in my classroom, I was excited...and overwhelmed.
I believed in giving my learners time to explore their passions. I wanted them to feel ownership, curiosity, and joy in learning. But once we started, the questions came flooding in:
What do I do with students who don’t know their passion?
How do I give them freedom without chaos?
How will I know if it’s working?It was messy, like really messy - in the best and hardest ways. But I realized something important:
Genius Hour doesn’t mean a free-for-all.
Students (and teachers!) need a roadmap, a flexible structure that guides the experience while still allowing creativity and autonomy to thrive.That’s when I created the 6 Ps of Genius Hour, a clear, practical framework that brings meaning to the mess and helps learners (and educators) move from ideas to impact.
💡 The 6 Ps of Genius Hour:
Bring Genius Hour to our campus/district!
Passion/Purpose – Discover what drives you
Plan – Set a meaningful direction
Pitch – Share your idea with others
Project – Take action and start building
Product – Create something real and shareable
Presentation – Reflect and showcase your learning
Genius Hour FAQs
What is Genius Hour?
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Looking for Free Genius Hour Resources? Join Our Meaningful Mess Community!
Every educator deserves to feel seen, supported, and served - just like our learners. That's why I offer a supportive community, resources, and strategies for gifted educators.
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