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About Sarah Kesty
Sarah Kesty helps amazing neurodivergent people create strategies to thrive! She is an executive function, autism, and ADHD coach and host of the Executive Function Podcast. A 4-time teacher of the year, Sarah’s Brain Tools School coaching and learning programs support high schoolers, college students, adults, and coaches in developing executive function skills to smooth out life.
Sarah specializes in translating research into real-life, actionable strategies. She regularly writes and presents for international groups and publications, including The Humane Society, State Departments of Education, Psychology Today, and Edutopia. Sarah’s “trainings teach businesses, schools, and families to create environments and systems that support executive function. Her mission is to make the world brain-friendly, inclusive, and a little more fun. An avid birder and local Trail Guide, she and her family live in San Diego, surrounded by nature. Her book for teachers, Growing Executive Function, was released September 2025 (Solution Tree).
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An Executive Function Expert
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An autism specialist with the state of California
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Recognized for effectiveness and innovation
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An international speaker
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A published author
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A 504 and IEP expert
Why Growing Executive Function is Our Passion
“It’s such a bummer that Mikey moved,” my principal says, and I look at her confused. “You mean Mikey from my class?” I ask, and she nods. “Yeah, he hasn’t been in the office for weeks,” she notes, and I laugh. “He’s at school every day! It’s just that he’s staying in class and staying out of trouble.”
Mikey was a unique young man with lots and lots of energy, but his situation was not unique: before he grew his executive function skills, he was in trouble a lot. He’d goof off in class, have impulsive moments, and generally struggle to keep up with the academic demands. Everything changed when we filled up his executive function toolbox. It’s the Mikeys of this world who inspire me to help all of us grow our executive function, and it is moments like these that make me realize how impactful executive function skills are.
Students and adults with executive dysfunction play life on hard mode. Their largely invisible struggles impact nearly every aspect of their lives–academics is the easiest but not the only example. Work, self-care, meals, house chores, parenting…anything that demands cognitive strategies will be challenged by executive function needs. And there are two hopeful threads that connect all of our stories: we are not alone, and executive function means skills– and skills can be developed, supported, and augmented.
I know what it’s like to have invisible challenges. I know what it’s like to try your hardest but still be deemed “not good enough” by teachers and other adults. I know how greatly supportive strategies can transform your life. And I know what it’s like to fight hard for understanding—for myself and for my students.
I’m here to help take you from awareness to action, from theory to practice. Supporting executive function is my passion and purpose, and I’m honored to share this journey with you!
Awards
Innovative Teacher of the Year, Classrooms of the Future 2021
Sweetwater Union High School District Teacher of the Year 2021
NASET Outstanding Special Education Teacher Award 2019
Twin Rivers School District Teacher of the Year 2014-2015
Janny Latno Grant for Innovative Programs 2013
CHADD Innovative Sessions Presenter 2013
California Retired Teachers Association grant 2011
Chico Creek Teaching Scholarship 2004
Lieutenant Robert Merton Rawlins Merit Award at CSU, Chico 2003
I have Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a neurological condition in which my body attacks the covering of my nerves, causing pain, nerve death, and muscle and coordination challenges. This disease is mostly invisible (except for the times I’ve recovered from my 11 surgeries so far), and from the outside, my desire to rest or use handicapped parking can look like “laziness” to others. (A fact that strangers still sometimes point out to me!)
When I was in school, I obsessed over becoming just like the “perfect kids.” But, I certainly couldn’t run like they did—with my funky little feet—and doing a cartwheel was more like a fumbling, sideways somersault, if that. My class would have to sit on the grass waiting for me to finish the mile run, and, let me tell you, having 34 kids watch you struggle is embarrassing and lonely. I felt I was the only one with a problem. My mom would hug me and assure that everyone had something, and I tried hard to believe her.
I know what it’s like to have an invisible disability. I know what it’s like to try your hardest but still be deemed “not good enough” by teachers and other adults. I know how greatly supportive strategies can transform your life. And I know what it’s like to fight hard for understanding—for myself and for my students.
I’m here to help take you from awareness to action, from theory to practice. It’s too important to wait. Learn with me, and I’ll show you how to teach and coach your child to fill those executive function skill gaps and experience success at school, and home, and in all areas of life!
My Story (and why I get what you’re going through)
I know what it’s like to have an invisible disability. I know what it’s like to try your hardest but still be deemed “not good enough” by teachers and other adults. I know how greatly supportive strategies can transform your life. And I know what it’s like to fight hard for understanding—for myself and for my students.
I’m here to help take you from awareness to action, from theory to practice. It’s too important to wait. Learn with me, and I’ll show you how to teach and coach your child to fill those executive function skill gaps and experience success at school, and home, and in all areas of life!
I have Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a neurological condition in which my body attacks the covering of my nerves, causing pain, nerve death, and muscle and coordination challenges. This disease is mostly invisible (except for the times I’ve recovered from my 11 surgeries so far), and from the outside, my desire to rest or use handicapped parking can look like “laziness” to others. (A fact that strangers still sometimes point out to me!)
When I was in school, I obsessed over becoming just like the “perfect kids.” But, I certainly couldn’t run like they did—with my funky little feet—and doing a cartwheel was more like a fumbling, sideways somersault, if that. My class would have to sit on the grass waiting for me to finish the mile run, and, let me tell you, having 34 kids watch you struggle is embarrassing and lonely. I felt I was the only one with a problem. My mom would hug me and assure that everyone had something, and I tried hard to believe her.
Awards
2024 Award
2021 Award
2021 Award
2020 Award
Chadd Innovative Program Award 2024:
Life After High School was recognized as an Innovative Program supporting executive function development in teens and young adults at the International ADHD Conference, November 2024.
Innovative Teacher of the Year, Classrooms of the Future 2021
Sarah’s lessons and approaches to support students’ executive function were celebrated at the awards ceremony at SeaWorld, San Diego.
Sweetwater Union High School District Teacher of the Year 2021
One of four district representatives, Sarah was a Teacher of The Year for Sweetwater Union High School District during the global pandemic and online school. District leaders celebrated Sarah’s ability to engage and support students during distance learning.
Sarepta Rare Lessons Award 2020:
Sarepta Therapeutics published and awarded recognition to Sarah’s lesson plan, which raised students’ awareness of rare diseases.
2019 Award
2014-2015 Award
2013 Award
2013 Award
2011 Award
2004 Award
NASET Outstanding Special Education Teacher Award 2019
The National Association of Special Education Teachers named Sarah a 2019 Outstanding Educator for her excellence, leadership, and commitment to improving special education practices.
Twin Rivers School District Teacher of the Year 2014-2015
Twin Rivers Unified School District honored Sarah as one of two Teachers of the Year in 2014, noting her commitment to families, community, and student growth. She was celebrated for her mentor program, student government, and school events.
Janny Latno Grant for Innovative Programs 2013 (through CARS+)
The Janny Latno Grant for Innovative Programs was awarded to Sarah’s Executive Function Lessons in 2013, allowing Sarah to purchase materials to continue growing executive function schoolwide.
2003 Award
Lieutenant Robert Merton Rawlins Merit Award at CSU, Chico 2003
CHADD Innovative Sessions Presenter 2013
CHADD and the International ADHD Conference recognized Sarah’s executive function lessons as an innovative model for educators in 2013, in Baltimore, Maryland.
California Retired Teachers Association Grant 2011
To support her literacy development program, Sarah and her co-teacher were awarded with the 2011 California Retired Teachers Association Grant. Her students with special needs went on to publish their own books and personal yearbooks that year.
Chico Creek Teaching Scholarship 2004
Recognized for academic excellence and community commitment, The Chico Creek Teaching Scholarship helped Sarah earn two teaching credentials in 2004.
Certifications
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