The Executive Function Classroom: Practical Strategies That Strengthen Learning, Independence, and Engagement

Every classroom includes students who struggle to get started, stay organized, manage their attention, regulate emotions, complete assignments, or persist through challenging tasks. These behaviors are often viewed as motivation or behavior concerns, yet research increasingly points to a different explanation: many students are still developing the executive function skills needed to learn independently.

In this engaging three-hour professional learning experience, participants will explore the science behind executive function and discover how everyday instructional practices can strengthen students' working memory, cognitive flexibility, self-regulation, planning, organization, and self-monitoring. Join us to learn how executive function can be intentionally embedded into effective Tier 1 instruction, classroom routines, and learning environments.

Presented by Wristine Senecal served the East Helena School District for 15 years as a classroom teacher in kindergarten, 1st grade, 3/4th multiage, 4th grade and 5th grade special education and was the PreK-2nd grade instructional coach for 10 years. During her tenure in East Helena she served on the ELA and math curriculum committees and was instrumental in writing successful grant applications for the district. Wristine understands the processes of grant implementation and developing and maintaining a robust comprehensive improvement cycle. She has served in all capacities in this endeavor working effectively with administrative teams, building leadership teams, grade level teams, classroom teachers, support staff and paraprofessionals. Wristine is currently a consultant with STRIVE consulting group serving schools in Montana and Colorado with literacy grant implementation, instructional coaching mentorship, and professional development aligned with the science of reading. She also serves as an Acadience Training Specialist and provides professional development and implementation support to schools across the nation for Acadience reading and math assessments. Wristine owns By Example Instructional Consulting and has provided professional development for teachers on research supported instructional practices in reading, math, classroom management and positive behavioral support. Her passion is building relationships and working beside educators to inform, inspirit and inspire the work that they do.