Award-Winning Executive Functioning Tutors
serving Grand Rapids, MI
Executive Functioning
Tutors in Grand Rapids
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.

Jennifer's teaching spans everything from elementary math to college essays to business courses, which means she's constantly adapting how she structures sessions for students at very different developmental stages — a skill that translates directly into coaching executive functioning. She zeroes in on the specific habits a student is missing, whether that's learning to estimate how long a reading assignment will actually take or building a consistent workflow for managing multiple classes at once. Her background in study skills and organization gives her concrete strategies rather than vague advice about "trying harder."

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.
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.
Tutoring across 46 subjects — from elementary math to organic chemistry to college essays — means Adel constantly sees which organizational habits transfer across disciplines and which ones students are missing. His biochemistry training at Georgia Tech required coordinating lab work, problem sets, and writing simultaneously, so he teaches students concrete strategies for prioritizing tasks, estimating how long assignments actually take, and building weekly workflows that prevent last-minute scrambles. Rated 5.0 by clients.
Planning a multi-step project or breaking a semester's worth of material into a weekly study schedule requires the same structured thinking Andrew used throughout his engineering and MBA programs. He teaches students concrete systems for prioritizing tasks, managing time, and organizing materials so that deadlines stop feeling like emergencies. Rated 4.8 by students and families.
Medical school demands serious executive functioning — juggling anatomy, biochemistry, and clinical rotations means Kaitlyn has battle-tested systems for time management, task prioritization, and breaking large projects into manageable steps. She teaches students how to build their own planning routines, from using calendars effectively to chunking study sessions so material actually sticks. Rated 4.8 by students and families.
A PhD in philosophy trains you to hold complex arguments in your head, sequence multi-part proofs, and manage long-term research without external scaffolding — Christine now unpacks those same cognitive skills for students who struggle with planning, task initiation, and self-monitoring. Her breadth across math, writing, and business subjects means she can embed executive functioning strategies directly into whatever assignment a student is actually stuck on, whether it's a geometry problem set or a college essay draft.
The best part of tutoring is promoting students' long-term success through mastery of reading, writing, math, study skills, organization, and critical thinking. In particular, I enjoy helping students build test-taking strategies and core skills for the ACT, SAT, and other admissions tests. I also support pre-K and K-12 students learning math and ELA. Before joining Varsity, I tutored in a Reading and Writing Lab for university students with learning disabilities where I earned a College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) certification. Since joining Varsity, I have completed continuing education through the Lastinger Center for Learning. I graduated from the University of Arizona in 2021 with a BA in Cultural Anthropology. In addition to tutoring, I have worked as an instructional aide for an art program, an applied anthropology researcher, and a nonprofit program coordinator. Out of all these experiences, I enjoy tutoring the most. I look forward to working with you!
My goal is to ensure every student I tutor understands math and builds the confidence to bring about fundamental changes about how they solve problems, even if they haven't seen it before.
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.
I hold a Master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania in developmental psychology (with a focus on cognition) and a B.A. from Swarthmore College in theatre and English. I enjoy working with students who are looking to improve their executive function skills as a part of their overall goals for tutoring because I believe in a whole-self approach to time management and skill building. I also thoroughly enjoy tutoring in English literature, high school and college writing, organizational skills, and standardized testing. I've spent 15 years teaching high school English, public speaking, and written expression at elite independent schools, while moonlighting as a public speaking coach. My professional experience includes providing speechwriting and coaching for a now-US Senator during his first congressional campaign. Prior to becoming a teacher, I worked as a director for multiple professional theaters, and my passions for English and Theatre converge in a deep love of Shakespeare. I love to talk about literature and dissect its craft in writing, and I believe everyone can write strong essays with the right coaching and framework.
Jennifer's M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction trained her to design structured learning sequences — a skill she now applies to teaching students how to plan multi-step projects, estimate time for assignments, and organize materials across classes. Her experience spanning elementary through college-level work means she calibrates these systems to each student's actual academic demands, building routines around real homework and deadlines rather than abstract exercises. Rated 5.0 by clients.
Testimonials
Because the right Executive Functioning tutor makes all the difference.
Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
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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 abilities can break down assignments into steps, stay focused, manage deadlines, and adapt when plans change. For students in Grand Rapids, developing these skills early makes a significant difference in classroom performance, homework completion, and long-term academic confidence.
Many students struggle with time management, difficulty starting tasks, poor organization of materials and thoughts, trouble prioritizing assignments, and challenges with working memory during complex tasks. Others may have trouble transitioning between activities, lose focus easily, or struggle to plan multi-step projects. These challenges often go unaddressed in traditional classroom settings where teachers manage 20+ students, making personalized support particularly valuable for identifying and addressing individual needs.
In a classroom with an average student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1 across Grand Rapids school districts, teachers have limited time to teach organizational strategies and time management to individual students. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to assess your student's specific challenges, teach targeted strategies tailored to their learning style, and practice these skills with immediate feedback. This focused approach helps students internalize executive functioning habits much faster than general classroom instruction.
Elementary students typically focus on following multi-step directions, organizing simple materials, and managing short-term assignments. Middle schoolers need stronger time management for longer projects, note-taking skills, and the ability to balance multiple classes. High schoolers should master planning semester-long projects, independent study habits, and self-monitoring strategies. Tutors can assess where your student falls on this progression and fill gaps that may be holding them back academically.
Students typically see measurable improvements in homework completion rates, assignment submission timeliness, organization of materials and digital files, ability to break down complex projects into manageable steps, and overall academic grades. Beyond academics, many students report reduced anxiety about schoolwork, greater independence in managing their responsibilities, and improved confidence in their ability to tackle challenging tasks. Progress is often visible within 4-6 weeks of consistent practice with targeted strategies.
During an initial session, a tutor will assess your student's current organizational systems, time management habits, and specific challenges through conversation and observation. They'll explore what strategies have or haven't worked in the past, understand your student's learning style and preferences, and identify priority areas for improvement. By the end of the session, you'll have a clear picture of your student's needs and a plan for which skills to tackle first.
Effective executive functioning tutors understand learning science, have experience working with students across different age groups and learning profiles, and can teach practical organizational and time management strategies. Many have backgrounds in education, psychology, or learning support. When you connect with Varsity Tutors, you're matched with tutors who have demonstrated expertise in helping students develop these critical life skills and can adapt their approach to your student's unique needs.
This varies based on your student's starting point and goals. Some students benefit from 8-12 weeks of focused instruction to build core skills and establish new habits, while others may work with a tutor longer to tackle more complex challenges or maintain progress as academic demands increase. The key is consistency—regular practice with a tutor who can adjust strategies as your student develops stronger executive functioning skills and faces new academic situations.
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