136. The Deep Compassion Embedded in Executive Functioning, with Mitch Weathers

Mitch Weathers is a brilliant educator, author of the book, Executive Functions for Every Classroom and the founder of Organized Binder. Organized Binder is an evidence-based MTSS Tier 1 universal solution. It provides a structured environment with clear expectations and routines, exposing students to goal setting, reflective learning, time management, study strategies, and organizational skills. It aligns with Universal Design for Learning and supports Least Restrictive Environments, or LREs. You know listeners, I graduated from high school in 1976 with a 2.6 GPA and awful SAT scores. My first year of college was a massive success if you consider drinking and playing rugby the object. After dropping out of college I became, for the next 15 years, a chef and then a hotel manager. Eventually I finished my undergraduate degree and earned a, yes, 4.25 GPA. Why? Because what I gained over those years as a chef and hotel manager was an elevated set of executive functions never taught to me when I was in this thing we call “school.” Evan Beachy, a senior strategist at one of the largest independent schools in the country, is the reason I have Mitch on the show today, and he had this to say for this episode: “I first met Mitch a couple of years ago, through a mutual friend. Though we’ve been meeting monthly ever since to dive into our work, ideas, personal and professional struggles, and engage in general intellectual discourse on education, we have never met in person. But our connection runs deep. Mitch is a snowboarder, a runner, a father, an entrepreneur, an author, and a connector. In a world where we must embrace technology, analog interaction and the hands-on practice of building resiliency is more important than ever. Thus, Mitch’s work with executive functioning is vitally important; far more important than mere content or scope and sequence. Studentship, the habits and practices of being a student - executive functioning in neuro-scientific parlance - are more vital than ever in today’s educational landscape and Mitch is among those leading the charge". A principal at Sequoia High School in CA wrote the following about Mitch: “My first interactions with Mitch were when he was a new teacher in our district and I was his BTSA support provider. I remember being struck from the start by what an incredibly gifted educator he already was. Mitch not only put much time into planning his classroom instruction so that he maximized learning and minimized distractions, but he was also able to successfully convey these goals to kids. Every lesson began with the end in mind and students were given clear steps as to how to fulfill the day’s objectives. Every lesson closed with students writing about what they had learned that day and Mitch would use these writings to inform the next day’s instruction. Equal only to Mitch’s sound pedagogy is his ability to work with students. In short, he is a kid whisperer. Mitch consistently treats his students with the respect due to scholars and they respond in turn. From kids who end up at Stanford, to those who will be the first in their family to graduate from high school, all students love Mitch and strive to do well in his care.” Editing for this episode is provided by the amazing and talented Evan Kurohara. Our theme music comes from the vast catalog of pianist, Michael Sloan.