When it comes to helping students learn more efficiently, Executive Function skills are the greatest tool teachers have at their disposal. Yet, many teachers aren’t aware of their value, and the ones that do often don't know how to support them in the classroom. For example, we had one teacher ask us on our Facebook page how teachers can support their own Executive Function challenges while also managing a classroom full of kids who have varying degrees of Executive Function challenges, too. As soon as I read this question, I knew EF in the classroom was an important topic to cover on Focus Forward - and that I also had the perfect people to reach out to.

BrainTracks is a separate division of Beyond BookSmart that’s focused on training teachers in Executive Function tools and strategies that they can use in the classroom. I invited the program’s director, Susan Lohman, and one of their School Training specialists, Allison Larthey, to talk about the role Executive Function skills play in the classroom and how teachers can help both their students and themselves develop these skills further. Listen in to learn how you can apply these same strategies to find more time and energy for learning at home or in the classroom.

I hope you enjoy the conversation. Be sure to check out the relevant links and resources below that were mentioned in the episode!

Braintracks

Braintracks Website

Braintracks Resources

Your Kid's Gonna Be Okay by Michael Delman

Ep 15: Building Meaning: Life Lessons from an Executive Function Pioneer

Tools

6 Steps to Successful Goal Setting for Students (and Adults!)

SMART Goals - How to Make Your Goals Achievable

Circle of concern v Circle of control – Discovery in Action

Mirror Neurons

Mirror neurons: Enigma of the metaphysical modular brain - PMC

The Mind's Mirror