When a Neurologist becomes a classroom teacher, Brain Learning Reseach promotes teaching strategies.
This website will feature the insights, publications, and presentation schedules pertaining to parent and teacher strategies to ignite student learning.
Dr. Judy Willis, a board-certified neurologist and middle school teacher in Santa Barbara, California, has combined her 15 years as a practicing adult and child neurologist with her teacher education training and years of classroom experience. She is an authority in the field of learning-centered brain research and classroom strategies derived from this research.
Her articles about the neurology of learning have been published in her books and numerous educational journals. Dr. Willis is a speaker at national and international professional educator conferences.
please keep scrolling
downThis website is named for Dr. Willis' emphasis on teaching practices that engage the heart and mind to challenge all students to their highest potentials. The letters represent parts of the neural system particularly active in learning and memory:
Reticular activating system,
Amygdala and
Dopamine
Goldie and Judy - March 15
Participating in Change
On Tuesday, March 24, 2009, Tenafly High School in Tenafly, New Jersey hosted a landmark evening of conversation entitled:Dear Mr. President: Illuminating the Current Landscape of Education & Igniting its Future Trajectory
The conversation offered insights and unique perspectives on the current landscape of education and provide a vision for its future trajectory. The insights and perspectives will emerge from an esteemed panel of some of the greatest thinkers in education, our leaders in developing the minds and hearts of future generations and providing hope for tomorrow. The conversation presents President Barack Obama a framework of educational issues and recommendations to consider in shaping the future of education.The panel was comprised of educators and authors who have made significant contributions to the discussion about education in the United States. Maurice Elias, Jenifer M. Fox, Andy Hargreaves, Heidi Hayes Jacobs, Robyn R. Jackson, Linda Lantieri, Deborah Meier, Stephanie Pace Marshall, Carol Ann Tomlinson, Grant Wiggins , Judy Willis, and Patricia Wolfe answered questions regarding teaching, technology, trends, research, schools and communities, child development and leadership as it pertains to the future of education.In addition, to these speakers, the evening’s conversation was be moderated by ABC news anchor, Lori Stokes.In these times of financial constraints in public education and our economy at large, it was necessary for the event to take place without any funding. The panelists have agreed to participate simply out of their devotion to the field of education and the children in our schools.This filmed event will play host to an intimate audience of approximately 200 by invitation only guests who will be able to move the conversation past the New York Metropolitan area and into the ears of our President. The Strengths Movement in Schools will no doubt continue to have a central role in influencing the future of our classrooms.
Link here to review 10 key concepts presented by Dr.Willis
New Blog at Psychology Today link here
ASCD video interview with Judy Willis: How Brains Learn
in general and with specific references to learning to read from her recent book:
Teaching the Brain to Read: Strategies for Improving Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension
Link here and scroll down on ASCD page to find the interview
Hot Topics - controversial issues
Book released - Aug 2008 - How Your Child Learns Best - Sourcebooks
Book released - Aug 2008 - Teaching the Brain to Read - ASCD
Book released - Mar 2009 - Inspiring Middle School Minds: Gifted, Creative. Challenging
Winter/Spring Musings
See Discussions for recent interesting news
Watch Dr. Willis Discuss Topics
Link to View
Parent and Child Magazine 2/2009
---- 10 Great Tips for Parents - -- link
A comment: “I continue to be stopped in the hallways of throughout our school by thankful teachers – everyone is so very excited to have had a view into the brain by which to better understand learning and thereby, instruction. It is at the heart of what we strive to do everyday! Thank you again for impacting the educational vision of the country. (High School Principal, Washington State)”
Contact: Judy Willis, M.D., M.Ed. at jwillisneuro@aol.com