What if the reason so many young students struggle in the classroom has nothing to do with behavior, laziness, or defiance, and everything to do with emerging executive functions that have simply not been taught yet? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper welcomes back two familiar faces, executive functioning expert Mitch Weathers and primary educator and researcher Sarah Oberle, to celebrate the release of their brand new co-authored book Executive Functions for Every K–3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong Start. Mitch and Sarah share the story behind the book, including how Sarah tracked Mitch down through a contact form after realizing his first book, which covered grades three through twelve, left primary teachers without the tools they desperately needed for the youngest learners in the building. Together they explain why working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility look completely different in a five, six, or seven year old, and why what looks like defiance or inattention in a primary classroom is almost always a child whose executive functions are still in the very early stages of development. The conversation is packed with practical, immediately usable strategies embedded in routines teachers are already using, from how to orient student attention before instruction, to rethinking classroom displays that quietly drain cognitive bandwidth, to the power of being so granular and specific in directions that ambiguity is removed entirely. Mitch and Sarah also speak directly to school leaders about what to look for when walking into classrooms where this work is taking root, and why investing in executive function development at the primary level is the most powerful tier one intervention a school can make. About Mitch Weathers: Mitch Weathers became an exceptional educator because he once struggled as a student. Throughout his academic journey, Mitch rarely felt comfortable in the classroom. It took him seven years to graduate from college—a reflection not of ability, but of disconnection. He often experienced education as something happening around him, not something he was actively part of. That sense of isolation fueled his desire to create a different kind of learning experience. When Mitch became a teacher, he brought with him a deep empathy for students who felt unseen or overwhelmed. He quickly realized that before we can effectively teach content, we must first build the foundation for learning. That foundation is structure, consistency, and support. To meet this need, Mitch created Organized Binder—a simple, research-backed system that empowers teachers to explicitly teach executive functioning skills without sacrificing instructional time. By establishing predictable learning routines, teachers foster safer, more inclusive classrooms where students gain confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging. Mitch’s mission is to equip educators with the tools to help every student succeed—not just academically, but personally. Follow Mitch Weathers: Website:www.organizedbinder.comTwitter:https://twitter.com/organizedbinderInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/organizedbinder/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/organizedbinderLinkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchweathers/Vimeo OB showcase:https://vimeo.com/showcase/8775721 About Sarah Oberle Sarah Oberle is an educator, writer, and professional learning designer with 18 years of experience as a primary classroom teacher. Her work centers on helping educators understand how learning happens and how that understanding shapes daily instructional decisions. Beyond the classroom, Sarah designs and facilitates evidence-informed professional learning for teachers and school leaders, both in person and virtually. She works with national and international organizations to ensure professional learning is research-informed, practical, and responsive to the realities of teaching. Her work focuses on attention, memory, and executive functions, with an emphasis on pedagogy rather than programs. Follow Sarah Oberle Website:sarahoberle.comTwitter (X): S_OberleLinkedin:www.linkedin.com/in/drsarahoberle https://www.amazon.com/Executive-Functions-Every-Classroom-Self-Regulation/dp/B0G3PX72N5?pd_rd_w=2sLa3&content-id=amzn1.sym.4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_p=4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_r=RC6BBND1GXYF9N93EEDQ&pd_rd_wg=b01fx&pd_rd_r=c0701dfa-8805-4112-b35a-3899b52fe858&pd_rd_i=B0G3PX72N5&psc=1&linkCode=ll2&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=e366c22231736e593748df76e59f10b1&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl — #1 New Release, "The Language of Behavior" is NOW Available! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DVT32KQ1?&linkCode=ll1&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=d18e5a44a6582a22d15ee23193af7bb8&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl The Language of Behavior is an essential guide for school leaders committed to transforming their school culture and addressing student behavior through a more compassionate, effective approach. Drawing on their extensive experience in education, Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper challenge outdated disciplinary practices and offer a clear, trauma-informed framework that empowers educators to interpret student behavior as a form of communication. Through three core tenets—Consider the Environment, Explore the Root Causes of Behavior, and Respond with Intentionality—this book equips leaders with actionable strategies to foster positive behavior, build stronger relationships, and cultivate a more supportive school climate. Packed with real-world case studies, evidence-based practices, and insights into the lasting effects of childhood trauma, The Language of Behavior provides school leaders with the tools to create lasting, meaningful change. It offers a roadmap to reduce behavior issues, re-engage students and staff, and establish a culture of accountability and empathy. This book is not just a reference—it's a call to lead with vision and transform how we approach discipline, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive. Bulk Orders: https://www.connectedd.org/bulk-orders — Need a Presenter for a conference or school PD? Contact Brad Waid to book Joshua Stamper for your next event on Improving Student Behavior, Impacting School Mental Health, or Creating healthy habits. Follow the Host, Joshua Stamper: Contact:https://joshstamper.com/contact/Twitter:www.twitter.com/Joshua__StamperInstagram:www.instagram.com/joshua__stamperLinkedin:www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-stamperFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/AspirePodcastSubscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aspire-the-leadership-development-podcast/id1384210762?mt=2 -- Aspire to Lead Won the FireBird Award! I’m happy to announce that my book, “Aspire to Lead”, won the 2022 Leadership Book Award from Speak Up Talk Radio! It is a great honor to get this kind of recognition and I really appreciate all your support! The book is available for purchase on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1953852386/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1953852386&linkCode=as2&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=0d9c336e3db6ab16cbb08421ef3e4175 Review the Podcast I want to give a huge shout out to those who have taken the time to provide a review on Apple, Spotify or any other podcast platform. It truly means the world to me that you would take the 30- 90 seconds to share how the podcast has positively impacted you or why other educators should check out the show. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through these links, The Aspire Podcast gets a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Teach Better Podcast Network This podcast is a part of the Teach Better Podcast Network. 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