Education is a core skill of an effective health care provider. From teaching patients and families about clinical issues, to training the next generation of physicians and other health care providers, effective and efficient educational skills are critical for all health care providers. This Symposium will review the foundational processes of how humans think and how to leverage those concepts for effective teaching in a variety of settings. Educating patients will be specifically emphasized, including considerations for teaching adherence and active participation in one’s own medical care, with the goal of improving patient outcomes.