Join these seasoned educators on Setting the Standard as they share the real, unfiltered stories from their decades in the classroom—the triumphs, the mistakes, and everything in between. With humor, heart, and a passion for helping students (and the adults who work with them), they bring a fresh, insightful perspective to education today.
Executive Functioning by Age – Understanding the Developing Brain
Why can a preschooler follow simple directions but struggle with waiting their turn? Why do middle school students remember every detail about their favorite athlete yet forget to bring a pencil to class? And why does it sometimes feel like teenagers' brains are under construction?
In this episode of Setting the Standard, veteran educators Jared Mills and Danielle Gillespie explore how executive functioning skills develop from infancy through young adulthood. Using relatable stories from the classroom, the basketball court, and everyday family life, they explain what children are developmentally capable of at each stage—and why patience, coaching, and realistic expectations matter.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How executive functioning skills emerge from infancy and continue developing into a person's mid-20s.
What executive functioning looks like during the preschool, elementary, middle school, and young adult years.
Why adolescents often struggle with planning, organization, impulse control, and long-term projects.
How the developing prefrontal cortex shapes behavior and decision-making.
Why challenging behaviors are often signs of developing skills—not character flaws.
Practical ways parents and educators can use "scaffolding" to help children build independence and confidence over time.
Whether you're a parent wondering if your child's behavior is age-appropriate, an educator looking for research-based strategies, or someone interested in how the brain develops, this episode offers practical insights that will change the way you view learning, behavior, and growth.
Join us as we unpack the science behind executive functioning development and discover how shifting from frustration to understanding can help every child—and every adult—reach their full potential.
2 Sept 2026
Executive Functioning 101
Episode 1: Executive Functioning 101 – Understanding Your Brain's Command Center
What if the biggest obstacle to success isn't laziness—but understanding how the brain actually works?
In the premiere episode of Setting the Standard, veteran educators Jared Mills and Danielle Gillespie unpack the fascinating world of executive functioning—the mental skills that help us plan, organize, focus, regulate emotions, manage time, and follow through on our goals. Whether you're a teacher, parent, coach, or simply someone trying to understand yourself better, this episode provides a practical introduction to the brain's "command center."
You'll discover:
What executive functioning is and why it doesn't fully develop until our mid-20s.
The 10 essential executive functioning skills and how they influence learning, work, and everyday life.
Why people can excel in some executive functioning skills while struggling in others.
The powerful connection between dopamine, motivation, and task initiation.
The critical difference between executive dysfunction and laziness—and why that distinction changes everything for educators, parents, and individuals.
Filled with relatable stories, research-backed insights, and practical takeaways, this episode lays the foundation for understanding why we do what we do—and how we can better support ourselves and the students in our lives.
Join us as we begin exploring how understanding the brain can transform the classroom, the home, and everyday life. Because when experience meets inspiration, everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
9 Oct 2025
The 3-Minute Rule
Be honest—how many times have you ignored that one tiny task (like replying to a short email) only to find it haunting you later like a ghost in your inbox? Or maybe you let a sink cup sit there long enough to start its own ecosystem? Those little jobs might seem harmless, but when they pile up, they’re like gremlins: small, annoying, and multiplying when you’re not looking.
Enter: The 3-Minute Rule.
What Is the 3-Minute Rule? The 3-Minute Rule is basically a productivity hack disguised as common sense. It goes like this: if a task takes three minutes or less, do it immediately. No bargaining, no “I’ll do it later,” no dramatic sighing while scrolling on your phone. Just do it.
23 Sept 2025
The ceiling becomes our new floor. Meet Jared and Danielle
Danielle Gillespie and Jared Mills introduce themselves and share their energy and excitement for learning and teaching.
2 Mar 2023
Visualization: Social Reform
How you think about an experience can affect how you feel about an experience thus impacting how you perform at an experience. Take a break to embrace some calm as you prepare for Monday's assessment.
29 Nov 2021
Sharing the Journey with Josh Flory
Jared and Danielle continue their discussion of Standard Based Education with Olentangy Orange 8th Grade Science teacher Josh Flory.
18 Oct 2021
Small Beginnings, Big Goals
Danielle and Jared reflect upon the start of a new school year, successes, areas of improvement and goals for the remainder of the year. Additionally, Danielle shares her research on metacognition and its connection to student learning.
19 Aug 2021
Think Tank on Standard Based Learning featuring Megan Walker Part 2
Join us for Part 2 with Gifted Specialist and Art Educator Megan Walker as she continues her conversation with Jared and Danielle to discuss Standard Based Learning. Be ready to learn and grow!
16 Aug 2021
Let's Get Fired Up!
Our long awaited first day of school is here!!! Enjoy today's episode full of energy, fun, and first day of school banter!!
5 Aug 2021
Think Tank on Standard Based Learning featuring Megan Walker Part 1
Gifted Specialist and Art Educator Megan Walker sits down with Jared and Danielle to discuss Standard Based Learning. This thorough analysis of SBL will prove to be a valuable resource for any teacher looking to improve their craft.
31 Jul 2021
Back to School Blues
Mr. Mills and Mrs. Gillespie mourn the close of summer and reminisce of their younger days. They hope to encourage and inspire past, present and future historians/students during the course of this podcast series.
15 Jul 2021
Prioritizing and Proficiency: Part 1
In today's episode, Jared and Danielle discuss the difference between priority standards and secondary standards. Additionally, they begin their conversation about proficiency scales and look to dive into the topic deeper in future episodes.
25 Jun 2021
Book Club
Jared and Danielle discuss their review of the introduction to "A Teachers Guide to Standards-Based Learning". Additionally, they enjoy an engaging interview with special guest, Adam Nafziger.
11 Jun 2021
The Vision
In the 1st episode of "Setting the Standard", Jared and Danielle discuss their vision for the upcoming podcast series. Including who they are, why they are working on this project together and what they hope to accomplish. Enjoy the inaugural episode of "Setting the Standard".
Jared and Danielle can be reached at settingthestandardpodcast@gmail.com.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
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