A History Of The SAT In 4 Questions, an article from npr.org

Good morning!

We hope that everyone is staying warm after the blizzard that rolled-through our area this past weekend. Today we are sharing an article from npr.org on the history of the SAT. This article talks about how the test has changed considerably, both in style and in substance. The article is interactive and offers up four examples of SAT questions from across the exam's history. Be sure to check this article out and quiz yourself if you'd like to! Visit: http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/01/22/463635963/a-history-of-the-sat-in-four-questions?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20160122 to read the article.

The newest version of the SAT will roll out in this upcoming March. If your student needs more help in preparation for this important educational benchmark be sure to contact us today at: http://www.lindereducationalcoaching.com/ and schedule a time to meet us. We are here to help!

Research-based Strategies to Help Children Develop Self-Control

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Today we are sharing an article from KQED News entitled, 'Research-based Strategies to Help Children Develop Self-Control.' This article talks about the famous "Marshmallow study" and how over fifty years of research has proven that children who were who were able to show self-control fared better on a variety of indices, including higher SAT scores, better ability to cope with stress and a lower body mass index. We have shared the beginning of the article below. To continue reading the full article, please visit: http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/01/11/research-based-strategies-to-help-children-develop-self-control/

Research-based Strategies to Help Children Develop Self-Control

By Katrina Schwartz

JANUARY 11, 2016

It all started when psychology professor Walter Mischel was watching his four closely-spaced daughters growing up. He realized he had no idea what was going on in their brains that made it possible for a child who at one moment had no impulse control and just a few months later could inhibit her emotions, wait for things and have conversations. He became curious about how children develop these skills, which led to the famous marshmallow experiment conducted at the Bing Nursery School on Stanford’s campus, where Mischel was a professor.


That study has become famous over the last 50 years, leading to many hilarious YouTube videos (none of which are the original test subjects) and a lifetime’s work examining how various strategies can help both adults and children learn to delay gratification.

In the original marshmallow study, researchers spent time building up trust and rapport with their 4-year-old subjects before starting the experiment. The researcher then told the child that she was going to leave him in the room with a treat (cookie, pretzel or marshmallow) and if he waited to eat it until she returned, she would give him two marshmallows. Alternatively, the child could put an end to his misery by ringing the bell, at which point the researcher would return, but the child would get only the one treat. Mischel and his colleagues followed the test subjects over the next 50 years and found that those who were able to wait fared better on a variety of indices, including higher SAT scores, better ability to cope with stress and a lower body mass index.

Original article source: http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/01/11/research-based-strategies-to-help-children-develop-self-control/

Coach Biographies: Meet Sarah!

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Today we are highlighting Linder Educational Coach, Sarah Behrens!

Sarah Behrens grew up between south Florida and Chicago. Her initial interest in the education field began when she worked alongside physical education teachers to adapt curriculum to create greater accessibility for all students. She pursued and graduated with degrees in Cross Categorical Special Education and Spanish from the University of Missouri – Columbia. Thereafter, she was employed as a Special Education Coordinator and Resource Teacher for two urban Chicagoland charter schools prior to moving to the area. Presently, Sarah works as Special Education Teacher for a private school for students with social and communication needs where development of executive functioning skills is a priority.

She also has a variety of experiences working with a range of needs and ages through volunteering in school, community, and therapeutic recreation settings. She is passionate about fostering students’ innovative thinking to learn and grow in their initiative and independence. Sarah also loves animals, all sports (especially college football season), hiking, traveling and exploring everything the DMV area has to offer!

To learn more about the rest of the Linder Education staff as well as a complete list of our services, please visit: http://www.lindereducationalcoaching.com/

Coach Biographies: Meet Roland!

Good morning,

Since the holidays are now over, we are going to continue our 'Meet the Coaches' series. Today we are featuring Roland Agorkle!

Professor Roland Agorkle was born in Ghana- West Africa to American citizens. In Ghana, he consistently topped his class and received a full scholarship from the President of Ghana. At the age of 16, Roland travelled to the US through a sponsorship from his American father. He then attended Mount Vernon High School, where he graduated at the top of his class and was named the best African American student. He received a full scholarship to attend George Mason University. At George Mason University, he double-majored in Math and Pre-med and taught as a teacher’s assistant.

As he taught, he began to gain insight on how to impart knowledge by equipping students to do things themselves instead of telling or just simply showing them. After graduating from college, he took his passion of educating others to low performing schools in DC. Most of these schools were filled with students from disadvantaged backgrounds who had many emotional and social problems. He took on the challenge and taught as a Biology high school teacher, then as a Middle school science and math teacher, and even as an Elementary school teacher. He went on to teach as a special education teacher, creating IEP plans and overseeing their implementation. He also worked with Local Education Agency’s and parents of special needs students. He has been issued a transitional teacher license from the Office of the School Superintendent of Education to teach special needs students.

In 2011, he was invited to compete for an entry level Professor of mathematics appointment at Fortis College. He delivered a lecture to the college faculty on “Slopes and the Real World.” After careful deliberation by the college faculty, he was surprisingly appointed an entry level Professor where he taught college mathematics for three years on an Adjunct basis.

Roland also enjoys writing, and has written short stories that have captured his community.

His poem “Sleepless night” was named as one of the best poems by poetry.com.

If you want to learn more about our other coaches, please visit our website: http://www.lindereducationalcoaching.com/