Executive Function Coaching for Middle and High School Students
Is your student bright and capable, but behind because of late or missing assignments? I'm a teacher who coaches students on planning, starting, and finishing tasks on their own. Online, anywhere in the U.S.
Prefer to talk? Call or text (715) 602-0345
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7, KJV
Who it's for
Executive function coaching is a good fit for students who struggle to start or finish tasks. It fits students whose grades are low because of late or missing assignments. It also fits students who want to do well academically but don't know what to do first, or don't know when or how to study.
I have experience working with students with ADHD, autism, and other learning differences.
What a session looks like
Check In
We start with a check-in. I ask the student, “How was the week? What went well, and what didn't?” I listen to their answers and use them to guide our conversation.
Plan
Next we look at the student's assignment schedule and see what's posted for each class (Google Classroom, Canvas, or whatever their school uses), including homework, tests, and projects. We copy the assignments and due dates into a paper planner. I want students writing it down themselves. We can add phone and computer reminders as well, but I want students to have a feel for their due dates and an awareness of them.
Priority
Then we pick the most important item coming up. If it's a project or paper, we break it up and decide how we'll do each step. If it's a test, we plan how and when we'll study.
Extra
We finish by tackling one extra item, usually outside of schoolwork. It could be emailing a teacher, signing up for a driver's ed class, or applying for a job.
Between sessions
With parent permission, I check in by text twice a week. This can be a group text with the student and parent.
What changes
At first I do a lot of the guiding. Over time the student takes over. They write their own assignments in their planner, they can pick out the most important task, and they can break it up without me. Their answers to my check-ins change from “I'll get it done” to “I did it.”
Executive function isn't something a student gets cured of. It's an ongoing process, and students keep improving.
Who you'd be working with
I'm Ben Valenzuela. I've been in education for 8 years, and I hold special education credentials in California and Wisconsin. I teach math full time. I also spent 2.5 years as an academic support teacher coaching students in executive function skills, and 1 year as an executive function coach.
Over the years I've worked with a lot of students who didn't reach the success they wanted. Most of them were bright, hardworking, engaging, great kids. What held them back was planning, starting, and finishing tasks.
Their minds are still developing, and no one teaches these skills. We wouldn't expect a student to do well in algebra without training. So why would we expect them to be good at executive function without it? That training is what I do.
One student didn't want to work with me at first. I asked him questions, often about things that had nothing to do with school, and I listened. I cared, and I think he could tell. I never pushed him. Over time he trusted me, and then he started asking me for help. We still keep in touch years after he graduated high school.
What Students Say About Working With Ben
“Mr. V was a great teacher and really helped me throughout my time at Santa Fe Christian… He was always patient and willing to explain things whenever we didn't understand something. He genuinely cared about his students and wanted us to succeed. I'm really grateful for all the help he gave me and would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a tutor.”
— Former Student, Santa Fe Christian
“V is THE best tutor I've ever had! I had him at Santa Fe Christian, where he used to teach, and he was always incredibly helpful, patient, and encouraging. He has a great way of explaining things that makes difficult concepts much easier to understand. He genuinely cares about his students and goes above and beyond to make sure they succeed… I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for an amazing tutor!”
— Former Student, Santa Fe Christian
First month half off
- A 45-minute one-on-one session each week
- Check-in texts twice a week, with parent permission
- Help writing every due date from every class into a paper planner
- An overall schedule for the week ahead that shows what gets done and when
- A detailed plan for the most important tasks coming up, whether that's breaking up a project or paper, or planning how and when to study for a test
- One extra real-life task each session if needed, like emailing a teacher or signing up for a driver's ed class
- Regular communication with you about what you're seeing at home, so I can adjust the plan
Questions parents ask
Does executive function coaching replace tutoring?
No. Executive function coaching trains students to start tasks, follow through, stay organized, understand priorities, and plan. Students who struggle academically often struggle because they lack these skills. But executive function skills and academic skills are different, so a student who struggles in math may still need subject-specific tutoring.
How involved do I need to be?
I support your student by training them in our sessions and checking in during the week. Parents are still the number one influence in their children's lives. Depending on the child, you may need to provide some oversight during the week and check in with them. My role with you is to be a partner. We talk about what you're seeing at home, and I build the plan around that.
How will I know it's working?
You'll see your student planning on their own, turning in assignments on time, and starting tasks without being asked. It's a gradual process, but you'll see it in the check-in texts and at home.
What if my kid doesn't want to do this?
That's okay. I don't push. I start by getting to know your student. I ask questions, often about things that have nothing to do with school, and I listen. Once they trust me, they're open to the work. I had one student who didn't want to work with me at first. After we built trust, he started asking me for help.
Who do you work with?
Middle school and high school students, online, anywhere in the U.S.
Let's talk about your student.
Book a free 15-minute call. I'll get back to you within 24 hours.
- You tell me what's going on with your student.
- I ask a few questions about their classes and what's getting missed.
- I explain how coaching works.
- I tell you honestly if it's a good fit.
Prefer to talk? Call or text (715) 602-0345