The conversation explores the importance of considering executive function skills when designing classrooms. The guests discuss how classroom design can impact students’ executive function and offer practical strategies for creating a supportive environment. They emphasize the need for clear organization, visual cues, and predictable routines to help students manage their working memory and develop executive function skills. The conversation also highlights the role of reflection and flexibility in classroom design, as well as the role of empathy and self-compassion for teachers in supporting students’ executive function development.

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Jocelyn Greene is Child’s Play NY’s founder and executive director, an award-winning theater education company based in New York. She partners with dozens of schools to connect social-emotional learning (SEL) with academics through residencies and professional development. Jocelyn founded Child’s Play NY in 2009, drawing from her work as a student (MFA, NYU graduate acting; BA, Wesleyan University), an actor (The Public Theater, LA Shakespeare Festival), and a teacher (Will Power to Youth, Oddfellows Playhouse, Epic Theater) to develop the rigorous curriculum and imagination-based games that ignite the program today. She is a contributor with Mt. Sinai Parenting and writes about the intersection between theater and child development at childsplayinaction.com

Sarah Kesty is an executive function and ADHD coach, author, and speaker. She created Brain Tools School and hosts the Executive Function Podcast. A 4-time teacher of the year, Sarah’s coaching and learning program supports high school and college students in developing skills and mindset for independence.

Crystal Frommert, M.Ed, brings over two decades of diverse educational experience, spanning from elementary to post-secondary levels. She currently holds the positions of middle school math teacher and deputy head of secondary at Awty International School in Houston. Crystal is also a published author of the 2023 book When Calling Parents Isn’t Your Calling: A Teacher’s Guide to Communicating With Parents.