Nichole Pugliese and Mike McLeod will present "Executive Functioning: Boys’ Development and 21st Century Learning" at the annual Best for Boys Speaker Series on Thursday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. The talk is open to the public and will be held in Ball Auditorium at The Haverford School.
Pugliese, Director of the Enrichment and Learning Center at The Haverford School, and McLeod, an executive function expert and founder of GrowNOW Therapy Services, will discuss the development of Executive Functioning (EF) skills in boys from elementary school through college, and ways for a parent/guardian to support that growth in an age-appropriate manner.
EF skills include things such as problem solving, emotional control, planning, time management, and task initiation. It also incorporates flexibility, working memory, self-control, and more skills that allow boys to succeed academically, emotionally, and socially.
Parents/guardians will learn about:
- ways EF impacts boys’ confidence, education, and ability to face challenges,
- age-appropriate tactics for supporting their student’s EF development in a variety of situations,
- how to partner with their student’s educators to build EF skills.
About Nichole Pugliese
Nichole Pugliese joined The Haverford School in 2018 after working in several capacities at AIM Academy, most recently as Coordinator of Educational Outreach and Teacher Development.
She began her AIM Academy career as one of the first graduate cohorts of Teacher Scholar Program through Saint Joseph's University at a classroom working to develop an integrated curriculum tailored for students with language-based learning disabilities. She also helped design a professional development series linking AIM faculty to experts in the fields of reading, math, writing, and science, as well as a master's-level teacher residency model in partnership with the Special Education degree program at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia.
Pugliese holds a Masters of Science degree in Education from Saint Joseph's University, specializing in individuals with high incidence learning disabilities.
About Mike McLeod
Michael McLeod, MA, CCC-SLP TSSLD is an ASHA-Certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Executive Function/ADHD Specialist.
Michael focuses on the unique and innovative skill of Internal Language while constructing interpersonal relationships and meaningful varied experiences for students.
Michael is the owner of GrowNOW Therapy Services, a specialized private practice in Philadelphia. Michael presents internationally and trains families and professionals on how to foster Executive Functions and Resiliency.
About the Lecture Series
The Haverford School's Best for Boys speaker series invites the community to learn about topics and practices that help foster the social, emotional, and academic growth of young boys.
The events are free and open to the public.
Past Best for Boys Speakers
Darren Hengst: Performing Arts—Empathy, Connection, Communication
Brendon Jobs: How to Be An Upstander
Dr. Pam Greenblatt: The Science Behind Successful Readers
John Urschel: Thinking Quantitatively
Dr. Michael Baime: Mindfulness and the Constricted Spirit
Paul Assaiante: Achieving Success Through Failure
Michael Reichert and Janet Heed: The Boy Behind the Mask
Laurie Bodine and Bill Brady: Lead Well, Be Well, Do Well
Dr. Jay Greytok: Boys to Men
Michael Reichert: Boyhood in the 21st Century