In this month’s article I hope to shed some light on the teaching style I’ve found to be most effective with gifted learners. Authoritative teaching is a classroom management style that provides firm, realistic boundaries for your child in a compassionate way. An authoritative teacher focuses on maintaining high standards and projecting genuine warmth. While this style of teaching is likely effective for many (if not all) learners, it is especially critical for those that are gifted, as gifted learners are often characterized by their high needs for engagement and empathy.