About Us

Location -

We are proud to be part of The Gifted Collective! Located at 40th St & Greenway, which is just east of the 51 Freeway.

Our Vision

Our school is a small, independent community of professionals that meet the various needs of gifted, neurodivergent and curious learners. We are a community of inclusive, passionate teachers that encourage a passion for learning that is free from bureaucracy, incessant test taking, and forced curriculum that rarely ever meets the needs of divergent learners. Our teachers are lifelong learners themselves; they believe in supporting the whole child and creating a space free from disruptions that don’t support the learning process. Our vision is that children who learn with us will look forward to school and will want to meet the challenges presented with passion and excitement!

Gifted Teaching Philosophy

Gifted teaching is good teaching! It is getting to know the whole child and supporting them on their learning path. Not all children in a class are at the same level, have the same background knowledge, strengths, areas of struggle, desires, etc. We differentiate curriculum and instruction to meet the needs of the child. We can do this successfully because we have highly skilled, experienced, qualified, caring teachers, who are used to thinking out of the box, teaching multiple levels, and meeting a variety of needs. The teachers are supported as the professionals they are, and have a small class size as well as the flexibility and autonomy to support the children in their care.

We encourage children to take ownership of their learning, accelerate or go deep into curriculum that interests them, make connections, build on concepts and research their passions. Teachers guide them through the standards and learning goals, but allow and encourage children to have input not only in how they want to learn, but in many cases, what they learn.

See more about our teachers.

Private School Classification -

Gifted Microschool is a private school and can not take every family who applies for enrollment. We are looking for children who will be a good fit with our practices and philosophy, and we have an enrollment process to help ensure we are a good fit for your child and family.

Teachers & Staff

We are a school built by gifted-trained teachers who specialize in building environments where curious children can flourish. The Head of School selects our teachers based on their ability to not only show mastery of gifted pedagogy but also genuinely care for their children's educational/intellectual progress and growth. We have collaborated with many gifted teachers to build our concept. We will hire only the best teachers we can find.

We come from the school system and know what works, what does not work, and how learning should be. The system we are creating takes what we have learned but frees our educators from rigid systems and bureaucratic structures that many times take the enjoyment out of education (both for the teacher and the student).

Our goal is to find the best teachers and support them. Our teachers are professionals who know how to support gifted and curious learners. They have the experience and passion to make a difference in the lives of children, and we empower and support them to do what is best for our children. We hand select our staff because they are who we would want to educate our children.

Meet the Team

Founder & Lead Teacher
Adam Laningham, author of Gifted Children & How Trauma Impacts Them, and the From Struggling to Thriving Series, has over 20 years of experience in the field of education. Adam was recognized as the Arizona Gifted Teacher of the Year, he has taught at several schools in multiple grade levels, created and facilitated numerous gifted programs, and served as a district manager coordinating programs for over 6000 gifted students.
Adam is currently the President of SENG - Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted, serves on the Advisory Board for the Arizona Association for Gifted & Talented, is a founding member of Callisto (supporting gifted foster youth), and an advisor for CogAT Riverside Insights. As founder and owner of Bright Child AZ and The Gifted Collective, Adam is an international speaker, consultant, and gifted advocate.
Credentials -
- Currently obtaining Twice Exceptional Education Program Certificate, Bridges Graduate School
- Full Gifted Endorsement, Ottawa University
- Master’s Degree in Leadership, Northern Arizona University
- Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education, Arizona State University
- Arizona Teaching Certificate & Endorsements
  - Principal Certificate
  - Elementary and Secondary Education Certificates
  - Additional Endorsements in Gifted K-12 and Middle School Education
  - Highly Qualified in History, Social Studies, and Mathematics
Microschool Teacher - Advanced Placment Academy
Chaffanie Maye, M.Ed Hi there! I’m Chaffanie Maye, and for the past 13 years, I’ve had the absolute joy of teaching and inspiring young minds. As a gifted child myself, I know what it’s like to crave deeper learning, ask a million “what if?” questions, and see the world through a lens of endless curiosity. That’s exactly why I’m so passionate about gifted education—I believe every child deserves to feel challenged, supported, and excited about learning!
In my classroom, I strive to create an environment where gifted learners feel understood and empowered. Learning should never be boring! I love designing lessons that spark creativity, encourage big ideas, and help students develop the confidence to explore their unique talents. Whether we’re diving into complex concepts, working on passion projects, or discovering new ways to solve problems, my goal is always to make learning an adventure.
Outside of teaching, I’m a big fan of reading books (getting lost in a great story is the best feeling!) and creating beautiful things—whether that’s digital stationery, hand-lettered designs, or something completely new. Creativity is a huge part of who I am, and I love bringing that same energy into my classroom every day. Gifted students are full of potential, and I truly believe in helping them shine. Learning should be joyful, challenging, and full of possibilities—just like life! I’m so grateful to be part of that journey with my students.
Let’s make learning amazing together! ✨
Credentials -
Education:
- Doctor of Philosophy: Psychology - Cognition and Instruction (Coursework)
- Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Reading K-8
- Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education Grades K-8
Certifications:
- Standard Elementary Teaching Certificate
- Middle Grades Math and Reaching Endorsment
- Gifted Endorsment in progress
Microschool Teacher - Unique Learners 2e Academy
With over a decade of experience in education, Alisha Young is a dedicated teacher serving a diverse range of students, including those who are gifted or twice exceptional. She holds a master's degree in curriculum and instruction and is passionate about teaching students with multiple intelligences. She firmly believes that everyone has their own unique genius and strives to help each student discover and develop their strengths.
Credentials -
Education:
- Apple Certified Teacher
- Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
- Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education
Certifications:
- Standard Elementary Teaching Certificate
- Early Childhood
- Gifted Endorsment in progress

Classroom Highlights

Clear Directions and Supportive Climate: Mrs. Young

Gifted children thrive off of clear procedures, directions, and a safe space to learn restorative practices. This means teaching children if a social or emotional boundary was broken, how to repair that and get to a place of functioning effectively.
Apple iPad FreeForm: Mrs. Young

One of the projects my kids really are enjoying is digital story-telling using the apple app, Freeform! This is a story of one of my gifted children who re-wrote the story “the lion and the mouse” re-creating parts of the setting but demonstrating visual animation skills with verbal storytelling!
Problem Based Learning: Black Plague Mrs. Maye

One of our recent projects this year was completing a integrated simulation of what life would have been like during medieval times through the bubonic plague. It included art, science, math, reading, research, and presentation skills and the kids were excited to learn about how diseases spread and how to be proactively safe as they navigated different problems to solve as they took on a role on a seat of the council of elders!
Learning About Brain Science: Mrs. Maye

One of the units we did was learning about the brain! It is important to learn how the gifted brain learns, and specifically, what we can do to continue to have a growth mindset. Many gifted kids experience emotional intensities or overexcitabilities (e.g., in imagination, intellect, emotions). Knowing this is normal and brain-based helps them feel less alone—and more in control of themselves. This was an example of a 3D brain we built as the introduction to the unit when we learned about more parts of the brain.
Creating Games: Mrs. Maye

For math, we focus on concepts WE need to learn about. This is important because not all students are at the same pace with skills. This group of students created their own board game that had the players solving problems based on the standard they were currently working on! Differentiating for kids in the products they use to demonstrate their learning is one way we make sure to not limit their creativity!
Student Data Notebooks/Leadership Notebooks: Mrs. Young

One way to support student growth is through the use of a data notebook or learning portfolio! It is important that students set their own goals, track their progress, and celebrate their growth! Gifted students thrive when they have autonomy. A learning portfolio lets them set goals, track progress, and reflect on their growth—turning learning into something they drive, not just something that happens to them. This is a student sharing his notebook with his mom!
Reading Buddies/Peer Mentoring: both Mrs. Maye & /Young

Gifted kids can feel isolated or "different." Peer mentoring helps them build empathy, communication skills, and confidence by interacting with peers in meaningful ways, either as mentors or mentees.