Class Information
Want to amplify your BrainHQ experience? Taking “The Fundamentals of Brain Health” class can help you do that!
In addition to learning all about the brain, joining the class gives you the chance to connect with others using BrainHQ, and a direct line to a coach who knows all about the program. The classes meet once a week for 90 minutes, with the time split between fascinating information on the brain and brain health, and friendly instruction on understanding and using BrainHQ.
How to purchase a class voucher
The Fundamentals of Brain Health class costs $99. If you’d like to buy a class voucher you can use to join a class, follow these steps:
- Go to BrainHQ.com
- Click your name in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. (Note: If you don’t see your name there, you probably have to log in first. Click “LOG IN” and fill in your email and password.)
- Select “Profile.”
- Scroll down to the “BrainHQ Classes” header. You’ll see a button inviting you to buy a voucher.
Once you have purchased a voucher, you can choose the best class dates and times for you!
How to register for a class
If you already have a class voucher and would like to register, here’s how to do it:
- Go to BrainHQ.com
- Click your name in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. (Note: If you don’t see your name there, you probably have to log in first. Click “LOG IN” and fill in your email and password.)
- Select “Profile.”
- Scroll down to the “BrainHQ Classes” header. You’ll find a list of class times and dates there. Select the one that works in your schedule!
- Once you have registered, you can look in that same section of your profile to find out when your next class is. There will also be a link to join the class on Zoom.
Class Times
We are currently offering these sessions of the Fundamentals of Brain Health.
| Day and Time | Starting Date | Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesdays at 9:30 am | September 13 | Amin Shakhawat |
| Thursday at 2 pm Pacific | September 21 | Dena Bahmani |
| Tuesday at 9 am Pacific | October 3 | Rajeev Banerjee |
| Wednesday at 4:30 pm Pacific | October 4 | Gianne Souza |
| Wednesday at 9 am Pacific | November 8 | Stephanie Heald |
| Thursday at 4:30 pm Pacific | November 9 | Tiffy Nguyen |
| Tuesday at 9 am Pacific | December 5 | Stephanie Heald |
| Wednesdays at 9:30 am | January 3 | Amin Shakhawat |
| Monday at 4:30 pm Pacific | January 8 | Gianne Souza |
Class Content
In the first week, we’ll go over some basics before getting into the core curriculum, including the goals for this class and what you hope to get out of it. We also challenge common beliefs around aging and the brain, and introduce the BrainHQ program.
What exactly is “attention”? And why is attention so important to your brain and for your life? These are just a few of the questions addressed in Week 2. We’ll also take a look at the BrainHQ exercises in the attention category.
Your brain speed–how quickly your brain can process what you hear, see, and otherwise sense–is closely related to overall brain health. In Week 3, we talk about why brain speed is so important, and how the BrainHQ exercises help you increase your brain speed.
When people think of cognitive health, their first thought is often of their memory. In this lesson, we examine the many types of memory, learn about memory in the brain, and begin to understand why memory is a placeholder for brain health for many people. We also take a look at the exercises in the Memory category of BrainHQ, reviewing how to use them, what their scientific goals are, and why they matter.
The brain has been called “the most complex thing in the universe.” How does it work? We answer that question in Week 5. We talk about several different brain structures, neural communication in the brain, and more.
The brain can change at any age, thanks to neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. What causes the brain to change, and how does it make those changes? How does it create new neurons? We answer these questions and more in this lesson.
Our magnificent senses are what allow us to experience the world. In Week 7, we start to explore our senses and how the brain perceives by diving into touch and sight. We also share how BrainHQ can help improve sensory processing.
In Week 8, we continue our discussion of sensory perception with a focus on hearing, taste, and smell. We share how BrainHQ can help speed up and sharpen auditory processing, and why that matters to overall brain health.
There are a lot of actions you can take in daily life to help keep your brain in shape. In this lesson, we highlight many of these–eating a brain-healthy diet, the right kinds of physical exercise, meditation, and many more.
In our final lesson, we take a look back at what we’ve learned in this class.
Meet Your Instructors
Mindy Sloan
InstructorMindy’s career focus has been on using education to make the world a better place. She has served learners of diversity as a school psychologist for PK-12 school districts and the California Youth Authority, and as a faculty member and administrator at institutions of higher education. As a faculty member and administrator, Mindy pioneered several strategies to effectively engage at-risk learners, established an online Library, Writing Center, and Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, provided 24/7 learning supports that increased students success, created predictive models to diagnose and prescribe specific interventions that improved student learning, and was elected as a faculty senator and faculty body President. Her graduate degrees are in Educational & Counseling Psychology, and she is a licensed school psychologist, school administrator, and special educator. Dr. Sloan’s first career was as a greeting card illustrator and writer. She is a minister of metaphysical sciences. Last and most importantly, Mindy is a mother of four amazing adults and Nene to a grandson and granddaughter.
Stephanie Heald
InstructorStephanie Heald is an education consultant, professor, speaker, and philanthropist in the areas of education, professional development, digital learning, and virtual learning communities. She is the creator of One to the First Power Education Consulting Company and is an Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona Global Campus. She is the co-host of the nationally recognized ‘Early Childhood Chatter’ podcast, co-host for the Early Childhood Education Virtual Conference, and co-developer of a virtual learning community bringing over 50K educators together annually. Stephanie Heald has a PhD in Education, a MS in Education, a BA in Elementary Education, and an AAS in Early Childhood Education. She also holds a dual advanced certificate in Building and District Level Educational Leadership from St. John’s University, where she graduated Kappa Delta Pi.
Dani Gehle
InstructorDani Gehle has a diverse educational and professional background. She holds a Master’s degree from Duke University in Graduate Liberal Studies, and a BFA from William Peace University in Musical Theatre where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She is a professional actor and has appeared in national and regional commercials, industrials, and print work while also working as a Standardized Patient for several medical schools and boards. Additionally, she works as a Data Processor for a law firm, and occasionally enjoys substitute teaching for all grades and ability levels in the public school system when her schedule allows. Most recently, Dani had the opportunity to return to Peace as an Adjunct English Professor; teaching is a true passion of Dani’s and she hopes to continue. Dani enjoys reading and learning as much as possible, and is looking forward to sharing this excitement with her brainHQ classes.
Amin Shakhawat
InstructorAmin Shakhawat is a neuroscientist with extensive expertise in cellular and molecular level mechanisms underlying learning and memory. His research interest is in discovering computational principles that our brain uses to implement learning and memory. He is currently working as a staff scientist in the neurobiology department at Stanford University. He is also a consultant for a San Francisco based biotech company that is developing a drug for Alzheimer’s disease. Amin Shakhawat holds a PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada. He did his MSc in Organic Chemistry and BSc in Chemistry from Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Bangladesh. Before pursuing his PhD, he worked in the research & development sector of the pharmaceutical industry. Amin Shakhawat enjoys teaching and loves to talk about the brain with anyone who is interested to learn more about our amazing brain!
Dena Bahmani
InstructorI’m a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Epidemiology at Stanford University and an adjunct lecturer at Santa Clara University. I’m further a clinical psychologist and earned my doctoral degree from the University of Basel in Switzerland. My research agenda is focused on psychological characteristics, and dimensions of well-being and ill-being in the context of neurodegenerative diseases. Using mixed methods, I develop complementary interventions aimed at enhancing well-being and mitigating ill-being of persons with a neurodegenerative disease. My contribution in research and academic activities has been awarded by national and international scientific communities, research foundations, and publishers.
Tiffy Nguyen
InstructorTiffy Nguyen is an assistant professor and researcher at Mesa College in San Diego, CA, where she specializes in teaching human anatomy and physiology. She is passionate about getting students excited to learn about the human body. She received her Master’s of Science in Human Physiology and Behavior at San Francisco State University, and investigated the language instructors use to shape their learning environments. Tiffy is particularly interested in how to improve cognitive function over time and how to maintain brain health. She considers herself a lifelong learner and is currently learning the art of interior design, sewing, and coding. In addition, she loves to spend time outside, do yoga, and spend time with her family.