Empowered Leaders: A Social Justice Curriculum for Gifted Learners, Grades 4-5
ISBN: 9781003270539
Platform/Publisher: Taylor & Francis / Routledge
Digital rights: Users: Unlimited; Printing: Unlimited; Download: Unlimited



Empowered Leaders provides educators with a practical guide for incorporating critical social justice themes into enrichment programming for gifted students in grades 4-5.

Featuring options for differentiation, digital learning, and talent development, each chapter offers detailed lesson plans and activities based around grade level themes that build as the students progress through middle school. Accessible and reader-friendly, lessons are student-centered and designed to foster globally conscious thought, empathetic discourse, and sustainable problem-solving skills.

Ideal for individual, co-teaching, or small group programs, this helpful resource equips teachers with the tools to incorporate social justice into any subject or classroom.

National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Curriculum Network Annual Curriculum Award 2020


Bryan Kirby (@MrBKirby) and Jessica Stargardter (@MsStargardter) are gifted educators who graduated from the University of Connecticut. Bryan is currently a middle school gifted and talented teacher and Jessica is a Fulbright Scholar studying the education system in Finland. They are passionate about social justice education, technology integration, and equity in gifted programs. Bryan specializes in theater and science, while Jessica focuses on history and language arts.

hidden image for function call