Executive Function Skills as a whole allows us to set goals; plan how to complete a project; prioritize tasks; organize time, materials and information; shift approaches flexibly; control behaviors for task completion; and hold and manipulate information in working memory. Effective executive function skills are required for success in school and the world beyond.

Executive function continues to develop in the prefrontal cortex of the brain until at least the age of 25, often later in people with ADHD or other learning differences.

The good news is that these skills can be improved, but to affect real change – develop new habits and systems – requires weekly practice and involvement.

Christine Leppones was raised in a family of educators, so the desire to teach, share information, and continually advance her own schooling has long informed her personal and professional choices. A 15-year software sales veteran who began her career at Oracle Corporation, Christine merged her technology experience with her passion for teaching by launching a web-based tool for high school students at a local college-access nonprofit.

Over the course of her career, Christine has taught spoken word and literacy classes to at-risk youth in various schools in Marin, including juvenile hall, through her work at The Beat Within, a Bay Area nonprofit. Christine was trained by Nurturing Wisdom, a private tutoring company based out of Chicago. She has worked with students of all ages, coaching them in critical skills such as test preparation, overcoming test anxiety, executive function, and growth mindset. Christine also launched an executive function boot camp series geared toward young people in transition, including those headed to middle school, high school, college, and the workforce.