Award-Winning Executive Functioning Tutors
serving Des Moines, IA
Executive Functioning
Tutors in Des Moines
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.

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.

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.
Hello! My name is Sam Bicking. I am an alumni and student at The University of Pennsylvania studying Pre-health sciences before entering medical school. I have been tutoring for several years with students with disabilities (and amazing students without disabilities).
Running a natural sciences department at a bilingual elementary school in Ecuador meant Joy wasn't just teaching content — she was building systems for planning, prioritization, and task completion across two languages and multiple grade levels. She applies that same structured approach to executive functioning skills like time management, organization, and breaking long-term assignments into manageable steps.
Planning a multi-step assignment, managing time across subjects, keeping materials organized — these are skills most schools expect but rarely teach explicitly. Charles's counseling psychology training gives him concrete strategies for building these executive functioning habits, from using visual task breakdowns to teaching students how to self-monitor their own focus and prioritize effectively.
Breaking large assignments into sequenced steps, building weekly planning routines, managing deadlines across multiple classes — Manuel tackles the organizational side of academics that often goes untaught. His structured approach to executive functioning gives students concrete systems they actually use, not just advice to "stay organized." Rated 5.0 by students.
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, prioritizing, and self-monitoring don't come naturally to every student — they're skills that can be explicitly taught. Cristiana breaks executive functioning into concrete habits: using checklists to initiate tasks, time-blocking to manage sustained attention, and post-session reflections to build self-awareness about what strategies are working. Her own experience managing a demanding dual-major course load gives her practical techniques to share, not just theory.
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.
Claire teaches concrete systems — color-coded planners, task-chunking methods, priority matrices — rather than vague advice about "staying organized." Her background across a wide range of academic subjects means she can tailor these executive functioning strategies to whatever coursework a student is actually struggling to manage, from essay deadlines to exam prep schedules.
I am persuasive and capable of developing rapport and trust, as well as experienced in influencing the attitudes and ideas of others.
Balancing a double major in psychology and biology while preparing for medical school forced Karim to build real systems for task prioritization, time blocking, and breaking long-term projects into manageable steps. He teaches those same strategies — planning backwards from deadlines, organizing materials, and self-monitoring progress — so students can manage their own workloads independently.
Testimonials
Because the right Executive Functioning tutor makes all the difference.
Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
Nearby Executive Functioning Tutors
Other Des Moines Tutors
Related Learning Differences Tutors in Des Moines
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 can break down assignments into steps, manage deadlines, stay organized, and handle distractions. For students in Des Moines, developing these skills early makes a significant difference in grades, test performance, and long-term learning habits.
Many students struggle with time management, difficulty starting tasks despite understanding them, disorganization of materials and thoughts, trouble breaking large projects into manageable steps, and challenges with working memory during complex assignments. These issues often go unaddressed in traditional classroom settings where teachers manage 20+ students with varying needs. Personalized instruction helps identify which specific areas need support and builds targeted strategies.
In a classroom of 20+ students, teachers typically teach general strategies that work for many but not all learners. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to assess your student's specific challenges, learning style, and current skill level, then build customized systems for organization, planning, and task completion. This targeted approach means students practice strategies on their actual schoolwork rather than generic exercises, creating faster, more meaningful improvement.
During an initial session, a tutor will typically assess your student's current strengths and challenges through conversation, observation of how they approach tasks, and discussion of specific struggles (like homework completion, test preparation, or project management). They'll also learn about your student's classes, daily schedule, and goals. This foundation allows the tutor to develop a personalized plan that addresses real obstacles your student faces.
Executive functioning skills develop gradually from elementary school through young adulthood, with major growth spurts in middle school and high school. Even elementary students benefit from learning basic organizational and planning skills. However, middle and high school students often need more targeted support as coursework becomes complex and independence is expected. Regardless of grade level, it's never too early or too late to strengthen these critical skills.
With consistent personalized instruction, students typically show improvements in assignment completion rates, homework accuracy, organization of materials and notes, ability to plan multi-step projects, test preparation effectiveness, and overall grades. Many students also report reduced anxiety about schoolwork and increased confidence in their ability to manage tasks independently. Results depend on starting point and consistency, but most students see noticeable progress within 4-6 weeks of regular tutoring.
Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who understand Iowa's educational standards and the specific demands of Des Moines school curricula across the three local districts. Rather than teaching in isolation, tutors apply executive functioning strategies directly to your student's actual classes, assignments, and projects. This means strategies are practiced on real homework and test preparation, making the skills immediately relevant and transferable.
Getting started is straightforward—connect with Varsity Tutors and share details about your student's age, grade, specific challenges, and goals. You'll be matched with a tutor experienced in executive functioning who can work with your student's schedule and needs. Most families schedule an initial session to assess where support is needed, then develop a plan together for ongoing personalized instruction.
Let’s find your perfect tutor
Answer a few quick questions. We’ll recommend the right plan and match you with a top 5% tutor.