Episode 207: Middle School Executive Functioning and the Role of the Parent-Teacher

Middle school marks a pivotal time as students transition from one primary teacher to several, face increasing academic expectations, and start seeking greater independence. It’s also a season when parents shift from manager to coach, learning to balance autonomy with meaningful guidance. Dawn Sullivan, a Classical Academy middle school teacher, shares insights on how families can nurture executive functioning skills during this critical period. She offers practical approaches such as modeling organization, establishing routines, weekly schedule reviews, and encouraging students to communicate directly with teachers. As students transition to high school, Dawn outlines how parents can gradually assume a mentor role, equipping teens to handle increasingly complex responsibilities with confidence. For slides to this presentation, visit here.