03/05/2026
Rainy☔️cloudy ☁️days are perfect for joining us via Zoom for a session! We'll be on today, March 5 from 3:30 p.m. - 4:20 p.m. to hear Ed Thome, Associate Professor, Mathematics and Statistics talks about:
BUILDING AN EXECUTIVE-FUNCTION-FRIENDLY CLASSROOM
Why do some students struggle to “just get started”? Have you noticed a shift in your classes lately? You see the potential in your students, yet many hit a wall when it comes to essential academic habits: meeting deadlines, managing complex projects, following through on academic tasks, or even staying focused during a lecture. It’s easy to characterize the absence of these habits as a lack of maturity, but what if it’s actually a gap in Executive Function Skills (EFS)?
To support these students, we need a clearer view of the cognitive framework that supports or hinders their work. The Brown Model of Executive Function identifies six critical clusters that shape student performance: Activation, Focus, Effort, Emotion, Memory, and Action.
When these systems are out of sync, student progress stalls. Based on my recent work, I estimate that approximately 25% of incoming freshmen arrive with substantial weaknesses in several of these areas, while another 20% have challenges they gradually overcome. When nearly half of a class is struggling with these self-management capacities, it changes the entire teaching dynamic.
Developed as the capstone for my recent project at Landmark College, this session offers a practical roadmap for moving beyond faculty frustration. We will explore how to help students navigate these hurdles so they can more consistently execute the high-level work they are capable of producing.
Learning Objectives
In this session, we move past abstract theory to focus on high-impact classroom practice. By the end of the presentation, you will be able to:
1. Analyze the impact of the six EFS clusters on student learning and academic performance.
2. Recognize EFS weaknesses by connecting classroom behaviors, such as chronic procrastination or “zoning out,” to underlying cognitive factors.
3. Select evidence-based instructional strategies that scaffold student success without compromising academic rigor.
4. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of different EFS support frameworks to determine what best fits your discipline.
5. Construct a plan to integrate “EF-friendly” cues and structures into your own classes.
Presenter: Ed Thome, Associate Professor, Mathematics and Statistics
When: Thursday, March 5, 3:30 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.
Where: Via Zoom
Register: https://forms.gle/PDop5AZ6rAiUHJKP7