Renowned psychologist Angela Duckworth explains that the term executive function “originally comes from neuroscience, from an understanding of how the prefrontal cortex regulates lower-order areas of the brain . . . it involves working memory and response inhibition—turning down one part of the brain to turn up another. But the term is a little confusing because sometimes it just means ‘getting your act together.’”

The following resources provide applicable knowledge for middle and high school educators:

• Students Self-Assess EF Skills: Questionnaire

• Simple Classroom Strategies to Build Executive Function

• 8 Ways to Bolster Executive Function

• Drawing, Interactive Graphic Organizers, and Intentional Note-Taking Strategies Improve Memory of Material

• Busting the Myth of Multi-Tasking

With the pressures of child development gaps during the pandemic and burnout at an all-time high, educators deserve support more than ever. They benefit from research-based, practical, and encouraging professional development. Annie Neary tailors workshops and coaching to your specific needs and budget, whether you are an individual educator feeling lost and lonely, an ardent PLC group, or a whole faculty community in need of an engaging presenter who can combine science and practice.