As the school year comes to a close, teachers have a valuable opportunity to invest in their professional growth. Here are some ways you can expand your expertise in executive function during the summer break.
Research and Reading
Take advantage of the summer break to delve into research articles, books, and educational resources that explore executive function. This self-guided study can provide a solid foundation for designing instructional strategies and interventions that promote executive function development. We highly recommend Dr. Lynn Meltzer’s books, which we list on our resources page!
Online Courses and Webinars
The SMARTS YouTube Channel(link opens in new tab/window)↗ offers many webinar recordings and short clips on the intersection of executive function with math, reading, goal setting, procrastination, and more.
SMARTS teachers can dig deeper into the SMARTS Executive Function Curriculum at our Summer Workshop. This year’s summer workshop will:
- Be held online via Zoom or recorded sessions for a total of 10 hours of training
- Offer both large group sessions and grade-level breakouts to explore the importance of executive function strategy instruction
- Provide you with a thorough knowledge of SMARTS
- Prepare you to implement a customized approach for any educational setting
Collaboration and Networking
Reach out to fellow educators and organize informal study groups or professional learning communities focused on executive function. We invite you to use the Secondary and Elementary message boards (located under TOOLS when logged into SMARTS). Sharing experiences, exchanging ideas, and collaborating on lesson plans can yield valuable insights and build a supportive network. If you have any questions for the SMARTS team, you can ask through the message board or email us directly!
Reflective Practice
Dedicate time to reflect on your teaching practices and identify areas for improvement regarding executive function skills. Review student work samples, assessments, and feedback to gain insights into areas where students may struggle or excel. This reflective process can inform instructional decision-making for the upcoming academic year.
The summer break presents an invaluable opportunity for teachers to invest in their professional development and expand their expertise in executive function. By engaging in research, online courses, collaboration, and reflective practices, educators can enhance their instructional strategies and empower students to become effective self-regulated learners. As you embark on this professional development journey, remember also to schedule time for breaks and rest this summer!
- Caitlin Vanderberg, M.Ed., SMARTS Associate
SMARTS Executive Function Curriculum: smarts-ef.org
Research Institute for Learning and Development: researchild.org