There is a hidden curriculum for success that schools aren’t teaching, but top-performing students are working on every day…
…and it’s giving them the edge they need to succeed.
What is this hidden curriculum?
The hidden curriculum for success
When I speak about the hidden curriculum for success, I’m referring to a set of executive function skills and academic strategies that top-performing students consistently work to improve. These skills and strategies, such as increasing focus, cultivating a growth mindset, and habit stacking are skills that are helping students with challenging course loads and multiple extracurricular activities to excel. I believe that mindful practices are the third set of skills in the hidden curriculum for success, and the students I work with are proof of that.
I coach students in K-12, college, and adult learners in school-related anxiety, attention, academic habits, critical thinking, decision-making, self-regulation, managing distractions, motivation, note-taking, study skills, procrastination, productivity, routines, systems thinking, sleep hygiene, test performance, time management, breath work, meditation and more.
I’ve developed a Student Baseline Assessment to help you understand your student’s executive function, academic, and mindfulness skills, which you can take for free at the link below.
“As a parent, I underestimated how much the techniques and strategies would impact my son’s life. With Dr. Anita’s help, my child is now able to calm his mind and focus on the tasks he needs to get done each day, dramatically boosting his productivity.”
— Asher W., ZenEdge Parent
Coaching plans
Choose from a single session, bundled hours, or support for a semester or the whole academic year based on what fits your schedule and needs.
Schools and organizations can contact me directly to learn how other institutions are introducing The Zen Edge to their students and teams and for details and pricing.
FAQs
Get answers to the most frequently asked questions.
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Executive function skills are cognitive skills that a student can learn and apply to help them be more successful, confident, and capable learners. These include time management, organization, task initiation, emotional regulation, planning and prioritizing, focus and attention, self-regulation, decision making, calendaring, and reverse engineering goals and deadlines. They are skills that are not explicitly taught in school, but students are expected to master to be successful.
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Mindful practices are intentional approaches to being fully engaged in the present moment. Mindfulness practices typically involve exercises and techniques that help individuals develop awareness of their thoughts, emotions, sensations, and surroundings. One mindful practice that many of the students I work with benefit from is the 4-7-8 breathing technique where you take a deep breath in for 4 counts (inhale), hold your breath for 7 counts, and then release your breath slowly over 8 counts (exhale). The key is to exhale longer than you inhale.
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Having a coach can help people of all ages. As an Executive Function Coach, I help individuals who experience challenges with managing tasks, organizing their time, planning, problem-solving, and regulating their emotions and behavior. I work mostly with children and young adults; however, the skills, strategies, and practices I teach have helped many of my clients' parents as well.
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During a coaching session, I work 1:1 with a student to identify their specific challenges, set goals, develop strategies, skills, and practices to enhance their executive function abilities. The coaching process is personalized to meet the unique needs and goals of each student, promoting greater independence, productivity, and success in school and life.
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Learning and practicing new skills and behavior change takes time, so the number of sessions suitable for a student varies widely and depends on the student's needs, goals, progress, and commitment. Generally, executive function coaching ranges from a few sessions to several months. Some students benefit from an initial series of sessions followed by periodic follow-ups to reinforce skills and address new challenges as they arise.
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Yes, sessions are available on Saturdays for part of the day. See the Contact page for specific timings.
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Yes, the parent will receive notes after each session and periodic check-in meetings with me.
I believe in working collaboratively with parents to provide the best possible support for their student.
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No, but we have many great partners that we can refer you to!
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I offer a discount on services when you purchase a package. Please see the Coaching Plans tab for more details.
If you are a school or organization wanting to establish a large-scale partnership, please contact me at anita@zenedgecoaching.com to discuss pricing and details.
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No, unfortunately these services are not yet covered by most insurance plans.
ZenEdge Coaching does not work directly with insurance companies or provide codes regarding diagnosis or services. Some clients have used their Flexible Spending Account/Health Savings Account (FSA/HSA) benefits to help pay for coaching services; however, FSA/HSA providers have varying requirements or approval processes, so we encourage clients to contact their FSA/HSA provider to see if our services qualify as an approved use of those funds. If they qualify, the client can ask that ZenEdge Coaching be added to the FSA/HSA provider’s list of approved vendors.
Some clients have also successfully used 529 College Plan funds to pay for coaching services. Please contact your 529 Plan provider to see if that is an option for you.