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Episode Description:

In this conversation, Mitch Weathers, teacher, author and creator of Organize Binder, discusses the critical role of executive functioning skills in education, particularly for middle and high school students. They explore how these skills impact student success, the importance of routines in the classroom, and the cognitive load that students experience as they transition between different educational environments. Mitch shares his personal experiences as a teacher and the insights he gained about the necessity of teaching organization and self-regulation skills to help students thrive academically and emotionally. In this conversation, Larissa and Mitch Weathers discuss the importance of executive functioning skills in education, how collective teacher efficacy can enhance student outcomes, and the balance between technology and traditional learning methods. Mitch shares insights from his book, 'Executive Functions for Every Classroom,' highlighting practical approaches for teachers to implement these concepts effectively.

Resources:

Organized Binder

Mitch’s Book: Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3-12: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning Environments 

Executive Function Webinar

Executive Function Toolkit

Executive Function in MTSS

Executive Function Blog 2

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Takeaways:

• Executive functioning skills are essential for student success.
• Organization is a foundational skill that many students lack.
• Students often feel better when they are organized.
• Teaching routines can significantly aid student learning.
• Cognitive load affects students' ability to learn and self-regulate.
• Routines help reduce anxiety during transitions in school.
• Mental calories are a finite resource for students.
• Clarity in expectations can help students thrive in new environments.
• Collective routines among teachers can ease student transitions.
• Collective teacher efficacy significantly impacts student success.
• Routine and clarity in the classroom foster a safe learning environment.
• Modeling executive functioning skills is crucial for student learning.

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