RADTEACH.COM
When a Neurologist becomes a classroom teacher, Brain Learning Research promotes teaching strategies.
This website features the insights, publications, and presentation schedules pertaining to parent and teacher strategies to ignite student learning.
Dr. Judy Willis, a board-certified neurologist combined her 15 years as a practicing neurologist with ten subsequent years as a classroom teacher to become a leading authority in the neuroscience of learning. With her unique background as both in neuroscience and education, she has written ten books and more than 200 articles about applying neuroscience research to classroom teaching strategies.
After graduating Phi Beta Kappa as the first woman graduate from Williams College, Willis attended UCLA School of Medicine where she was awarded her medical degree. She remained at UCLA and completed a medical residency and neurology residency, including chief residency. She practiced neurology for 15 years before returning to university to obtain her teaching credential and Masters of Education degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She then taught in elementary and secondary school for 10 years.
Dr. Willis is on the adjunct faculty of the Williams College and travels nationally and internationally giving presentations, workshops, and consulting about learning and the brain. She has been interviewed by USA Today, Euronews, The Wall Street Journal, NBC News Education Nation, ABC Australia Radio, Lateline Australia, Popular Mechanics, Neurology Today, USA Today, Washington Post, Education Week, Medscope Neurology, Parenting Magazine among others, and writes staff expert blogs for NBC News Education Nation, Edutopia, Psychology Today, and The Guardian. In 2011 she was selected by Edutopia as a “Big Thinkers on Education.” She also has consulted for the World Bank about education design in developing countries, focused on Vietnam.
Brand New - Worth your time
An Inspiring video/bio .. please watch
https://theinstitute.gr/ks/the-neuroscience-of-learning/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3RylnLrRnItPJ76wclgdVbwIQA9n9i3_j-10FHZjHxRZRxQzmdKI-aJM4_aem_BHqEwqJf0_Aknh7AsKa72g
Victorian Academy of Teaching Excellence
Podcast with Judy Willis
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ysXn4W2QY2c5dZWSWkZsT
please keep scrolling down
This 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:
Reach (Reticular Activating System,)
Attitude (Amygdala )
Develop (Dopamine)
Contact Dr. Judy Willis at jwillisneuro@gmail.com
To receive her periodic newsletters, links to articles of interest or to raise questions, offer ideas or express concerns:
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New June 2024 Newsletter
New Blog for Edutopia - https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-music-support-deeper-learning
BRAND NEW NEWSLETTER
April 2023 Building Students’ Organizational Skills
Dec 2023 Brain Breaks
June 2024 Math Phobic Students
Edutopia Blog May 2023
Coping with your kids' transition to home & on-line learning
Recent Honors - Selected to sit on
Educational Board of Brazil: Scientific Board
Carniege Learning: Literacy Advisory Board
NEWEST BOOK
Research-Based Strategies to Ignite Student Learning: Insights from Neuroscience and the Classroom, Revised and Expanded Edition
Free Chapters and Study Guide http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/120029.aspx
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Research-Based-Strategies-Ignite-Student-Learning/dp/1416628584
Co-author: Malana Willis
Upgrade Your Teaching: Understanding by Design Meets Neuroscience by Jay McTighe and Judy Willis, M.D. Annual Editors’ Selected ASCD Membership 2019.
Free Chapter 1, 3, and Study Guide
http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/119008.aspx
Unlock Teen Brainpower: 20 Keys to Boosting Attention, Memory, and Efficiency. Judy Willis, M.D. November 2019. Rowman & Littlefield Publishing: Lanham, MD
https://www.amazon.com/Unlock-Teen-Brainpower-Attention-Efficiency/dp/1475852207/
How Your Child Learns Best: Brain-Based Ways to Ignite Learning and Increase School Success. Foreword by Goldie Hawn. Sourcebooks: 2008. http://www.amazon.com/Your-Child-Learns-Best-Brain-Friendly/dp/1402213468
Prior Books
Inspiring Middle School Minds: Gifted, Creative, And Challenging. Great Potentials Press, 2008
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0910707936/
Learning to Love Math: Teaching Strategies that Change Student Attitudes and Get Results, ASCD 2010 http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/108073.aspx?utm_source=ascdfacebook&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=math-willis-fb
Brain-Friendly Strategies for the Inclusion Classroom, ASCD 2007 http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/107040.aspx
Teaching the Brain to Read: Strategies for Improving Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension ASCD August 2008. http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/107073.aspx
NEW BOOK CHAPTER
Nurturing Habits of Mind in Early Childhood by Arthur L. Costa and Bena Kallick just released by ASCD. Available to read: Chapter 1. Brain Development in Children 2 to 7 by Judy Willis, M.D.
http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/119017/chapters/Brain-Development-in-Children-2-to-7.aspx
Newsletters - link here
Sign up for Newsletters
Contact Dr.Willis at jwillisneuro@gmail.com
Check out the Publication Page
Over 150 linkable articles pertinent for teachers and parents
Newly Revised
The Links Page -
all the links you need
New Photos Notable Events
Some Really Great New Blogs - see Publications
Interviews - See Interview Page
Mind Up
Swedish TV
From The Vault
http://www.pearson.com.au/community/in-conversation/judy-willis-science-of-learning/
The Guardian
The Science Of Homework: Tips To Engage Students' Brains
Monday 23 February 2015 THE GUARDIAN FEB 23 2015 http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2015/feb/23/science-homework-students-brains-learning
Edutopia
The High Cost of Neuromyths in Education`
Edutopia January 16, 2015
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/high-costs-neuromyths-in-education-judy-willis
“Meet Dr Judy Willis, EDUTOPIA Staff Blogger” https://www.edutopia.org/users/judy-willis-md
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/neuroscience-behind-stress-and-learning-judy-willis
Three Questions To Consider Before You Give A Test. TeachTought Issue 03/16/2014. http://www.teachthought.com/teaching/3-questions-consider-give-test/
Many New Articles for 2014/2015
In addition to the above you can find links to other of my articles.
Click on the Publications page on the right column either on the top or bottom of the page depending on your operating system.
Jay McTighe - Comments re Influence of Judy Willis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjXmhCUYK8Q
Workshops - I am available for workshop and presentations
Link here for topics and detail
Recent National Publications quoting Judy
Cover story Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine:
Flipped Out: How the digital revolution is turning learning upside down (interview comments)
http://4lakidsnews.blogspot.com/2013/08/flipped-out-new-school-how-digital.html
Wall Street Journal article (in the online and print June 12 editions), by "Work & Family" columnist, Sue Shellenbarger includes my interview responses.
about how parents can best respond to children’s complaints of boredom. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323949904578539361337041442.html#mod=todays_us_personal_journal
USA Today Quoted in article July 3, 2013 Brain stimulation at any age can slow memory decline http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/03/brain-aging-activities/2461655/
New
NBC News Education Nation Expert for Parent Toolkit http://parenttoolkit.com
Live Interviews and Presentations:
Australia ABC show Lateline Judy Willis, MD interview www.abc.net.au/lateline scroll to “Neuroscientist explains how to stimulate young brains”
TEDx Enola Video. Dr. Judy Willis Feb 1, 2010 "From Neuroscience Lab to the Classroom" Link here
See Presentations Page for schedule of upcoming and past presentations
Jay McTighe and Judy Willis Workshops and Co-presentations
What the Brain Needs to Learn Best and
How to Provide It with Understanding by Design
We continue to co-present workshops and presentations about the insights from neuroscience and cognitive science research regarding brain-optimal learning and how to use UbD to plan curriculum, assessments, and instruction that provide these optimal learning opportunities. Most recently our three-day preconference workshop at the ASCD annual convention in Philadelphia was our best yet! You can contact us directly to arrange for one at your school, district, or conference: jmctigh@aol.com and jwillisneuro@aol.com
See conversation with Judy and Jay re Collaboration
Co-presenters in Vienna, Austria 3/2013
Exciting Information
See links page for new staff blogs
Judy Willis is an
Edutopia’s “Big Thinker on Education”
http://www.edutopia.org/big-thinkers
“Change starts with an idea. That was true of the American Revolution and the microchip. It's equally true of the big changes that the American public education system is just starting to make. And despite the headlines, some of the most exciting minds are focusing their attention on the world of education.Take a look at some of the most innovative, surprising, intriguing, and inspiring ideas from some of the biggest thinkers on education.”
View 7 Video Chapters of Dr. Judy Willis’ “Big Thinker in Education” Interview: http://www.edutopia.org/big-thinkers-judy-willis-neuroscience-learning-video
The Big Thinker video interview is divided into 7 1-2 minute segments by topic. From “Big Thinker” Judy Willis page , scroll down the bar to the right of the video/photo and you can open each section by name:
-Meet Judy Willis, Neurologist Turned Educator
-The Science of Boredom
-Creating Curiosity in the Classroom
-Focusing Students' Attention in the Classroom
-The Importance of Creating a Safe Environment
-Lessons Learned from Video Games
-Preparing Students for the 21st Century
Judy’s New Position: EDUTOPIA Staff Blogger Read her first blog and watch her video, A Neurologist Makes the Case for the Video Game Model as a Learning Tool
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/video-games-learning-student-engagement-judy-willis
Edutopia Blogs by Judy
Neuroscience and the Bilingual Brain
Rewire your Burned Out Brain
Educations BIG BANG
Judy Willis’ Blog Feed Link: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/19536/feed
Psychology Today - Staff blogs
Provocative Thoughts
Link Here and go to More of Radical Teaching
Lower Canada College Video Interviews
Six Part Video Series from Lower Canada College 2011: One on One with Dr. Judy Willis, MD, M.Ed.: Helping Students Develop Their Highest Cognitive Potentials http://www.lcc.ca/cf_media/index.cfm?t=1&g=262
Part 1: Combining Neurology and Teaching http://www.lcc.ca/cf_media/index.cfm?t=1&g=262
Part 2: Adolescents Brain Development Influences Learning http://www.lcc.ca/cf_media/index.cfm?t=1&g=269
Part 3: Why teach students about their brains http://www.lcc.ca/cf_media/index.cfm?t=1&g=270
Part 4: How to teach students about their brains http://www.lcc.ca/cf_media/index.cfm?t=1&g=274
Part 5: Building Executive Functions for Future Success http://www.lcc.ca/cf_media/index.cfm?t=1&g=278
Part 6: Parenting to build executive functions http://www.lcc.ca/cf_media/index.cfm?t=1&g=279
New Articles - look under publications for links to several new articles
Learning to Love Math: Teaching Strategies that Change Student Attitudes and Get Results, Insights from a Neurologist and Classroom Teacher ASCD July, 2010.
This book uses math as an example because it is the subject with the most negativity, but the book is about neuro-logical strategies for changing student negativity to motivation and promoting growth mindset in any subject or school in general.
Free chapters and study guide download at:
http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/108073.aspx
Amazon.com link here
Recent Events:
See Notable Events for Recent Photos
Hanoi 2017
Brazil 2016
2012 Invitations for Educators: Readers of my Books and Attendees of my Presentations/Workshops
Here are the Internet Links to what I’ve been calling my “Brain Owner’s Manual” that has now been published in Educational Leadership and is available on line as a two part article/pdf (you can also link directly from the publications-articles portion of this website)
Internet Links to Brain Owner’s Manual
Willis, J.A. (Dec. 2009) How to Teach Students About the Brain. Educational Leadership. 67(4) Online Link Here
Willis, J.A. (Dec. 2009) What You Should Know About Your Brain. Educational Leadership. 67(4) Online as an illustrated downloadable PDF to use in teaching students about their brains at: Link Here
An open Invitation
Sign up for RAD e-newsletter twice a year, copy of How to Teach the Brain to Motivate Students (Brain Owner’s Manual, Judy’s article from Educational Leadership, and updates on articles and new ideas. XXLink to Contact FormXX
Santa Barbara News Press Feature
Deserving of a gold star: Actress and local neurologist collaborate on innovative project for children
MARILYN McMAHON, SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER August 18, 2010 - Link Here
American Academy of Neurology -
Member Spotlight
AAN News - June 2010
link here to read
Keep Igniting,
Judy Willis
Link here to review 10 key concepts presented by Dr.Willis
Link to Judy’s Staff Blogs (really mini articles about education, neuroscience, and child development) for Psychology Today
Link here
Video Interview from ASCD with strategies from Learning to Love Math: Teaching Strategies that Change Student Attitudes and Get Results - Math Interview
Hot Topics - Link to Psychology Today Blog Posts
What to do when Your Child Hates School 7/18
Want Children to “Pay Attention”? Make Their Brains Curious! 5/9
Why Healthy Teenagers Die 2/6
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
Book released - July 2010 - Learning to Love Math
Winter/Spring Musing
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
