Award-Winning Executive Functioning Tutors
serving Minneapolis, MN
Executive Functioning
Tutors in Minneapolis
Private 1-on-1 tutoring, weekly live classes for academic support, test prep & enrichment, practice tests and diagnostics, and more to elevate grades and test scores.
Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
UniversitiesSchools & Universities
DeliveredHours Delivered
ProficiencyGrowth in Proficiency
Who needs tutoring?
No obligation. Takes ~1 minute.

Kenneth's cognitive neuroscience degree means he understands the brain science behind why some students struggle to initiate tasks, regulate attention, or hold a plan in working memory — and that understanding shapes how he teaches these skills rather than just assigning them. He connects executive functioning strategies like sequencing and self-monitoring directly to the academic work students bring in, whether that's structuring a college essay or mapping out a study plan for chemistry.

Ten years ago, I started as an elementary substitute while attending Hanover College. As my interests in the education field changed and progressed, my philosophy stayed the same; education is something that can happen anywhere, not just in the traditional classroom. I went on to gain a Master's in School Librarianship & Facilitated Learning from Indiana University-Indianapolis. During this time I had started actually teaching, first with library sciences, elementary technology, elementary science, and tutoring. Over the past six years, I have tutored; homework help, organization, special education, exam reteaching, and mentoring for students from 3rd grade through adults taking professional licensing exams (ie. PRAXIS). While things have changed, my passion is still finding what a student needs for their best learning possible, and adapting content to work with them. My philosophy is simply that I think everyone can learn, sometimes we just have to look at the education differently.
Graduate training in school counseling means Katherine spends her days learning exactly how students get stuck — not on content, but on the invisible skills like task initiation, planning, and self-regulation that determine whether homework actually gets done. She connects those counseling frameworks to the real academic work students bring in, whether it's a stalled college essay or a psychology reading they keep putting off. Her background across subjects like writing, human development, and AP psychology gives her concrete material to anchor organizational strategies to.
I currently work for an afterschool enrichment program (Best Brains) tutoring elementary English and math, and I have 4+ years of experience as a private ESL tutor for both children and adults. I am working toward my Masters of Science in Secondary English Education and ESL at the University of Wisconsin- Madison. I graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative World Literature and Japanese, and from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Master of Arts in Japanese Language and Literature. I began tutoring while I was in high school, assisting with algebra homework. In college, I volunteered as a kindergarten reading assistant through a program called Start Making a Reader Today. I later volunteered while in graduate school at a local high school tutoring students in beginner Japanese. I have also been employed by the University of Wisconsin as a Teaching Assistant, and taught in Religious Studies and East Asian Studies. In all cases, it has been a pleasure watching students progress in their academics and to see them grow as young scholars. I especially enjoy teaching language arts because of the feeling of connection that language can bring. My favorite part of teaching is seeing the smiling face of someone the moment that they finally "get" something they've been struggling with and watching their confidence boost. In my free time, I host a small book club, pen pal with friends around the world, and try my hand at new recipes.
Planning, prioritizing, managing time, and shifting between tasks — these executive functioning skills underpin academic success but rarely get taught explicitly. Derek tackles them as teachable skills, building concrete systems like task checklists, color-coded planners, and structured routines that students internalize over time. His doctorate focused on how curriculum design shapes learning behavior, which gives him a research-grounded toolkit for strengthening these cognitive habits.
I've helped several hundred students in a wide variety of subjects, from executive functioning to computer science to standardized testing. I also help students with general support in math and English. Most of my students are around 9-17, but I work well with students who are older and a little younger as well. I also work very well with students who have specific obstacles or requirements, such as neurodiversity support or schedules that change a lot. Most of my background is in computer science, from my college major to my experience hands-on over the past 10 years. Regardless of the subject, I believe every student's needs are unique and every student is able to achieve great things with the right preparation and support. My number one goal is to provide that whenever I can, both to the student and to their parents. I communicate with parents outside of sessions a lot to establish their expectations, better understand students, and recommend ways they can directly support their children in their journey as well.
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Cognitive Neuroscience from Brown University and am currently completing a PhD in Psychology. My tutoring style is structured, supportive, and warm. I focus on breaking big goals into manageable steps, building realistic study routines, and helping students develop systems they can actually maintain. I emphasize executive function skills such as planning, time management, task initiation, and follow-through, while integrating mindfulness-based strategies to support focus, reduce anxiety, and improve confidence. Whether working with a younger student or an adult learner, my goal is to help students feel capable, organized, and increasingly independent in their learning.
Over two decades working with students on IEPs and 504 plans taught Dolmecia exactly where the hidden breakdowns happen — the kid who understands the math but can't start the problem set, or the one whose binder is a black hole of lost worksheets. Her special education certification and finance training give her both the behavioral framework and the structured, systems-oriented mindset to build concrete routines around task initiation, material tracking, and assignment planning tied to a student's actual schoolwork.
Jamie's Master's in Special Education gave her direct training in breaking executive functioning into teachable skills — things like planning multi-step assignments, managing time with visual schedules, and self-monitoring progress without constant prompting. She builds these strategies into real schoolwork so students practice organization and task initiation where it actually matters, not in isolation.
Planning a multi-step essay, breaking a semester-long project into weekly milestones, keeping track of deadlines across six classes — these are executive functioning challenges Gabby addresses directly. Her five-plus years as a tutor and writing coach have centered on building concrete systems for organization, time management, and task prioritization that students can actually maintain on their own.
Rosie's graduate work in healthcare and her undergraduate finance training both demanded juggling complex, multi-step processes under tight deadlines — skills she now unpacks for students who struggle with planning, time management, and task initiation. She teaches across a wide range of subjects, from math to essay writing, which means she can embed executive functioning strategies directly into the academic work a student is already doing rather than treating them as separate lessons. That cross-subject perspective lets her spot where organizational breakdowns are actually happening and build practical routines around those specific friction points.
Law school is essentially a crash course in executive functioning — Yilin's Juris Doctor required managing simultaneous case briefs, seminar deadlines, and long-term research projects with zero hand-holding. She applies that same structured thinking to teach students how to prioritize competing assignments, catch procrastination patterns before they spiral, and build study workflows that hold up across subjects like math, science, and writing. Rated 5.0 by clients.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Executive functioning refers to the mental processes that help us plan, organize, manage time, and complete tasks—skills essential for academic success and daily life. Students with strong executive functioning can break down assignments, prioritize work, and stay focused, while those who struggle may have difficulty organizing materials, starting tasks, or managing their time effectively. In Minneapolis's diverse school districts, students face varying classroom structures and expectations, making personalized support in these foundational skills particularly valuable.
Many students struggle with time management, procrastination, organization, working memory, and task initiation—knowing where to start on a big project or keeping track of multiple deadlines. Others have difficulty with planning, breaking complex assignments into manageable steps, or shifting between different types of tasks. These challenges often become more apparent as students advance through middle and high school, where independent work and self-direction are increasingly expected.
In a classroom with a 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio, teachers focus on delivering content rather than building individual executive functioning systems. Personalized instruction allows tutors to assess your student's specific challenges—whether it's planning, organization, or task management—and create customized strategies that match their learning style and needs. This one-on-one approach means your student gets immediate feedback, practice with real assignments, and strategies they can apply across all their classes.
Students typically see measurable improvements in assignment completion rates, grade consistency, time management, and reduced stress around deadlines. Many develop stronger organizational systems, learn to use planning tools effectively, and build confidence in tackling complex projects. Progress varies based on starting point and consistency, but most students notice meaningful changes within 4-6 weeks of regular personalized instruction.
Executive functioning skills develop gradually throughout childhood, but targeted support becomes especially important in middle school (grades 6-8) when academic expectations shift toward greater independence and multi-step projects. However, students of any age can benefit from personalized instruction—elementary students may focus on basic organization and task initiation, while high school students often work on complex project planning and time management across multiple classes.
The first session focuses on assessment and relationship-building. Tutors will ask about your student's specific challenges—Do they procrastinate? Lose track of assignments? Struggle to organize materials?—and observe how they approach a task. They'll also learn about your student's classes, learning style, and goals, then develop an initial plan for building stronger executive functioning skills tailored to their needs.
Tutors use evidence-based approaches like breaking tasks into smaller steps, creating visual schedules, teaching planning frameworks, and building personalized organization systems. Common tools include planners, checklists, time-blocking techniques, and digital organization apps—whatever works best for your student's preferences and lifestyle. The goal is to help students develop habits and systems they can use independently across school and home.
Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who specialize in executive functioning and understand the needs of students in Minneapolis schools. You'll share information about your student's specific challenges and goals, and we'll match them with a tutor whose expertise and teaching style align with their needs. From there, you can schedule sessions that fit your family's schedule and begin working on building stronger organizational and time management skills.
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