As the landscape of education evolves, so do the demands placed on our students. Today’s high schoolers aren’t just learning facts. They’re navigating a complex world that requires them to manage time, prioritize tasks and adapt to rapid changes.
For aspiring educators, understanding how to integrate essential executive function skills into their teaching is more crucial than ever. The online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with a concentration in Secondary Education program from William Paterson University (WP) equips future teachers with the tools and knowledge to foster these vital skills in their students.
Importance of Executive Function Skills
Executive function skills are fundamental to student success. Everyday Speech defines executive functioning as “a set of cognitive processes that enable individuals to plan, organize, initiate, and complete tasks. [Executive functioning] involves skills such as time management, organization, problem-solving, decision-making, and self-regulation.” These skills help students manage academic and personal tasks, including completing assignments on time and adapting to changes in their environments. Developing these skills can be particularly challenging for adolescents, as their brains are still maturing.
High school students face increased pressures, both academically and socially. Integrating executive function skills into the classroom helps students manage these pressures, enhances their academic performance, improves behavior and reduces impulsivity.
According to The Education Hub, students with strong executive function skills make better decisions, navigate life situations effectively, and are more likely to enjoy long-term physical and mental health. Research indicates that these skills predict academic success better than IQ and result in higher achievement in reading, math and spelling.
Executive function skills are critical building blocks for students’ long-term success. By understanding these developmental nuances through targeted training, educators can create inclusive learning environments that address students’ needs.
Classroom Strategies and Teaching Practices
To more efficiently guide students through their executive function skills learning journey, teachers can apply several practices, as outlined by Edutopia. For starters, creating clear, well-organized materials reduces cognitive load. Techniques like dividing lectures into smaller segments, using visual aids and soliciting student feedback can improve comprehension and retention. Maintaining clear walls and organizing displays can create a focused environment. Phone policies can further reduce distractions.
Practical classroom strategies include self-directed goal setting, which teaches students planning and organizational skills. Educators can scaffold this process by encouraging students to outline achievable goals and anticipate obstacles. Integrating real-life scenarios into lessons also promotes executive function skills. When teachers design exercises that mimic common challenges — like balancing schoolwork with social activities — students gain experience managing priorities and making thoughtful decisions.
WP’s online MAT Secondary Education program offers the Curriculum Design for All Learners course, which highlights adaptability and inclusivity. By utilizing the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, students learn to create lesson plans that accommodate diverse learning needs.
Addressing Challenges and Making Adjustments
A significant challenge teachers face is meeting varied developmental needs, as students strengthen these skills at different rates. Many students experienced disruptions during the pandemic, affecting their executive functioning. Recognizing this reality, WP’s online MAT Secondary Education program courses — including Learner Development and Differences — provide future educators with tools to address these challenges through differentiated instruction and positive behavior support.
Educators must also make real-time adjustments when students struggle to apply executive function skills during lessons. A teacher trained in executive functioning can provide tailored scaffolding, such as reminders or step-by-step guidance, to help students stay on task.
A master’s degree program that emphasizes executive function skills equips future teachers to support high school students academically and teach essential skills for life beyond school. WP’s program offers a unique approach, training teachers to create inclusive environments and foster independence in young adults.
Learn more about WP’s online MAT with a concentration in Secondary Education program.
