Unlock Teen Brainpower

For over 6 years, the enlightened and expert articles of Dr. Judy Willis have become the "must read" content of STEM Magazine, now in 68 countries monthly. With the combination of Dr. Willis's neuroscience insights and her "on target" educational experience, parents, teens, and professionals worldwide value each and every article with which she graces us. Unlocking Teen Brainpower: 20 Keys to Boosting Attention, Memory, and Efficiency, will have profound impact and influence on tens of thousands of young minds, as well as parents, teachers and professionals. With the implementation by teens of the book's 20 Keys, the future of our young workforce and eventual leaders is brighter than ever. -- Wayne Carley, Publisher, STEM Magazine
Sometimes, it’s easy to think teens aren’t using their brains at all. This impressive book shows that in reality, teens have everything they need to use their brains more efficiently. Full of science-backed tips, it’s a must-read for all parents and their teens to help navigate the tumultuous teenage years. -- Esta Pratt-Kielley, NBC Universal, Assistant Producer NBC News Learn Parent Toolkit
Dr. Judy Willis is a unicorn -- a brilliant neuroscientist, savvy educator, compassionate parent, and skilled writer who can translate the inscrutable language of brain research into helpful tactics for normal people. Teen Brainpower will empower teens to weather the stormy seas of adolescence with solid research-based strategies for optimizing this critical time in their development. -- Betty Ray, former director of Programming and Innovation, EDUTOPIA;
If you have a teenager, work with teenagers, or even just know a teenager: Unlocking Teen Brainpower: 20 Keys to Boosting Attention, Memory, and Efficiency is for you. Equipped with comprehensive expertise, and a deep understanding of the human condition, Dr. Willis easily navigates the winding roads of neuroscience, and surfaces with insightful takeaways and tangible advice for every reader. The real power in Dr. Willis’ work is in her ability to push every person’s thinking on just how much the human brain – specifically, their own – can accomplish. Working with Dr. Willis has been one of the greatest gifts of my professional career, but the biggest impression she’s left on me has been a personal one – expanding my perception of my own capabilities. Dr. Willis is refreshingly kind, intellectually honest and an invaluable thought leader in the education space. It’s been a privilege to learn from Dr. Willis. I only hope you give yourself the same opportunity. -- Gabbi Timmis, NBC Universal, Assistant Producer NBC News Learn Parent Toolkit
In the 1970s we had Judy Bloom, a warm, caring voice who spoke to teens in a way they could understand and who served as a friend and guide. Fifty years later, in 2020 we have Judy Willis who does the same for the youth of today. In a clear and coherent voice, Dr. Willis makes concrete recommendations in a way that teens can relate to and offers suggestions that are sure to make a difference to those who are willing to help themselves. Anxiety, stress, technology, peer pressure, mental health…Challenges we have had for decades are now, finally, openly discussed. Willis offers teens concrete steps to take charge by establishing focus (identifying what tips their attention), planning and organizing (rather than becoming hostage to others’ agendas) and identifying ways to manage their own emotions by understanding how feelings change how we act, react and learn. She then guides teens in the ways they can improve their decision-making networks in a pro-active, forward looking approach. Her recommendations are finalized by a chapter on Memory as she explains how they are formed as well as their vital role in all learning. Her work is practical and encouraging. She offers specific ideas about how to better encode information so as to enhance retrieval and does so in a calming, friendly voice. While many recommend that teens of today need extra support, the five “doors” Willis suggests include concrete activities that do so. -- Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa, Professor of Education Harvard University Extension; Director, Brain, Mind and Educational Development Institute