From Perfectionism to Progress: Building Resilient Learners - #IMW27010

Graduate-Level Credit / Non-Credit Hours
3 Semester Credits or 45 Clock Hours

Early enrollment is now open for the new self-paced course:
From Perfectionism to Progress: Building Resilient Learners

• The course will be available in January 2027.
• You’ll receive an email notification as soon as it’s ready.

Course Description

This course is designed to give educators an understanding of perfectionism in the classroom and its impact on K-12 students. Participants will explore what perfectionism is, how to recognize its hidden signs, and how it shows up differently across race, gender, culture, and students from affluent vs. low-income households. Drawing on recent studies by Dr. Molnar, Blackburn, Tacuri, Dr. Zinga, Dr. Hewitt, and Dr. Flett (2026) on perfectionism, educators will examine the academic and mental health consequences of perfectionism, then build practical strategies for fostering growth mindset and healthy achievement in the classroom. The course also addresses partnering with families and confronting educators' own biases and perfectionistic tendencies. This will equip teachers to recognize and support perfectionist students with understanding and compassion.

Global Outcomes/Goals of the Course

To deepen and/or apply the content and skills of the teacher’s existing professional knowledge base by meeting the following global goals of the course:

1. Recognize the varied and often hidden ways perfectionism presents in students, including how identity, culture, and socioeconomic status shape its development and expression.
2. Evaluate the effects perfectionism has on students’ mental health and academic achievement.
3. Design classroom environments and instructional practices that redirect perfectionistic tendencies toward healthy achievement.
4. Develop authentic, culturally responsive partnerships with families to support students navigating perfectionism and achievement pressure.
5. Reflect on one's own relationship with perfectionism and potential bias, and apply this self-awareness to teach with clarity and equity.

• Interactive