Empowering Classrooms
Professional Development Programs for Teachers
Core Programs: Empowering Classrooms
1. The Student Engagement Effect: Student Engagement
What Works and Why It Matters. Evidence-based practice that drives deep learning to improve student outcomes
2. Beyond Compliance, to Cooperation: Behaviour Management
Turn behaviour management into a culture of cooperation through relational classroom practices embedding tight routines with consistent implementation.
3. Forming Our Future Men: Teaching Boys & Relational Pedagogy
Explore strengths-focused approaches to effectively teach boys in today’s world.
4. Answer the Call: Leadership in Schools
Empower aspiring and new middle leaders through a journey of purposeful leadership.
Looking for individual Professional Development? Offsite external events can be found here:
Detailed Program Information
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Having students engaged. Every teacher knows it is important, everyone wants it, but what processes and practices actually achieve it? Join Ben from Empowerment-Ed for an empowering workshop that unlocks how teachers can foster high rates of student engagement, no matter the subject or grade. Designed for classroom context implementation, this session delves into evidence-based practices and techniques proven to enhance student engagement, foster deep learning with the intention of improved academic outcomes. Discover innovative, practical, high-impact strategies to harness your students' attention, foster a dynamic learning environment, and drive excellence in your classroom.
Through engaging workshops, hands-on activities, and collaborative discussions, you’ll gain practical tools to create an inclusive and stimulating educational experience for those that you teach. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with fellow educators, exchange ideas, and embark on a journey towards unlocking the secrets of your own authentic teaching to harness high student engagement.
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Are students really worse than 10 years ago? Is it harder to manage behaviour in 2025 than ever before? What is the right approach to creating the right classroom environment? The honest answer – it’s complicated and there is a lot to it! Join Ben as we navigate where our current students are at, the 'why' behind student behaviour, explore the differences present in 2025, and what teachers can do to influence and maintain the desired behaviour environment in their classrooms.
This workshop will explore research-informed practices that minimise disruptive behaviour, fostering a cooperative and respectful classroom environment. Practical by design and implementation, teachers will walk away with many key behaviour management techniques and their very own ‘playbook’ to respond to the variety of curveballs that a typical lesson may provide. No matter whether you have been teaching for 2 years or 20 years, this workshop will sharpen educators' focus on mastering their efficacy, harnessing their authenticity and increasing their autonomy in the field of classroom relationships.
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Teaching boys, a relational approach. “No factor is more important for the establishment and maintenance of a successful connection than the boy’s perception of the teacher’s attitude toward him” (Reichart, 2016).
Whether you teach in an all-boys environment, co-ed school, or work with boys in general, knowing how they operate and what they need is crucial to enacting improved holistic outcomes. This solution-focused workshop unlocks the potential of boys in the 21st century and how teachers can play their part. Educators will be provided with the latest research-backed methods and high-impact strategies to effectively engage, mentor, and teach boys; catering to their unique learning styles and needs.
Participants will gain insights on creating dynamic and supportive classroom environments that nurture curiosity, resilience, and a passion for learning. Through interactive workshops, practical activities, and thought-provoking discussions, you’ll acquire essential tools to inspire and guide boys towards becoming empathetic and confident young men. And boy don’t we need that in modern society.
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Just landed a leadership role, about to enter in a leadership role, or interested in a leadership role? This is the workshop for you. Answer the Call is a program specifically designed for teachers who are new to leadership or have intentions of entering leadership positions in the future.
From shaking imposter syndrome, fostering a dynamic solution-focused team, managing time, and handling the dreaded first ‘difficult conversation’ – participants will unpack what the research suggests leaders need to be across, but also workshop the lived ‘pinch points’ and other ‘wildcards’ that no leadership journal will cover. By the end of the day, leaders will have the self-confidence to bring their very best to the roles they are in, have a clear vision of where they still need to grow, and meet new colleagues to share their leadership journey with.
FAQs
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All workshops are aimed to help teachers develop their professional practice in improved student outcomes. Depending upon the type of group undertaking the session (whole staff, middle leaders, new staff) - content will be adjusted appropriately.
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We have worked with all sizes of groups - from a small workshop of 10-15 teachers, to all staff of over 200 in a P-12 setting.
Empowerment-Ed works hard to ensure each program is bespoke for the type of group being engaged.
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We appreciate schools are busy places and teacher time is precious, hence we try our best and cater to the needs of the school and craft a program that fits in with scheduling.
We usually have 3 options that best suit:
Keynote - 1-2hrs (advise at least 1.5hrs)
Half-day workshop (3hrs)
Full day workshop (5hrs)
Sequenced, longer programs are also available for longitudinal development and are broached on a case-by-case basis to ensure maximum efficacy in desired outcomes.
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Yes. We often have schools asking for a repeat offering to one of the programs due to how well the first one was received.
We tailor these to the type of group in attendance and objectives hoping to be achieved.
Multi-phase delivery options are available if schools wish to embed Empowerment-Ed into school professional learning plans.
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Simply a room to conduct the program, AV connectivity and a microphone (if the group size is above 50). We look after the rest.
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Absolutely. One page summaries, key points and follow up resources are shared with each school post program.
The General Details:
Empowerment-Ed’s Empowering Classrooms are teacher professional development workshops designed with one purpose: to enhance classroom and school outcomes while promoting teacher wellbeing. We have a range of workshops available that teachers and schools can choose to be a part of. Our point of differences are as follows:
Bespoke design: Every workshop has been designed by our Director, Ben, and is delivered by Ben, utilising his vast experience in school settings, coupled with his consultancy work across a range of schools in Australia - it is pitched and delivered in an engaging and thoughtful way.
Research informed, solutions focused: Teachers will walk away with clear, tangible strategies they can imbed in their practice. Workshops are conducted with the ‘facilitator mindset’ - no lectures here, simply an environment where educators can discuss and learn what is great practice that enhance outcomes. Teachers can rest easy knowing all workshops have been endorsed and supporting by the Australian Council of Education Research.
Atmosphere of collaboration, inclusion and welcome: No matter your experience, position or personality, everyone will have an opportunity to share perspective and learn from one another.
Key Benefits for Your School
Improves student engagement through hands-on, evidence-informed techniques
Shifts behaviour management from compliance to cooperation
Equips teachers with relational pedagogy for diverse learners
Develops confident middle leaders prepared to drive school improvement
Testimonials
“Ben was very knowledgeable and able to draw on his experience throughout the presentation to keep me engaged and also pose questions that made me question my own practice both positive and negative”
“Thanks for letting us take the time to discuss the stuff that really matters in the classroom”
“Great to hear and validate existing ideas and thinking about different ideas”
“Great discussion, cementing common thoughts, goals and processes, affirmations in an industry that is sometimes challenging and thankless”
“Venue great. Ben, thank you for your engaging presentation and insight.”
“It was very helpful and I will take away quite a few strategies that I am going to try in my class”
“Very good course!”
“Excellent - need all of my staff to see and hear you in person”
“Resonated with what I've experienced in a long career teaching boys”
“Engagement was great, deep content and discussion for us all to engage.”
“Ben’s expertise in Boys Education was well and truly evident. The presentation combined compelling data, Ben’s experience as an educator and a robust set of questions that stimulated discussion amongst the group. Grateful to have been taken on the journey and looking forward to seeing what can be done on the ground back at school.”
“Great PD in the sense it allowed me to reflect on my journey so far and how I can continue to progress and strengthen my abilities as a leader. Great time to reflect on some of my strengths/weaknesses.”
“I loved how engaging Ben was in his presentation, his professionalism and real life experiences really highlighted well what middle leadership looks like. Would highly recommend this PD.”
“Ben did an outstanding job at helping to explore how to navigate difficult conversations, to building solution-focused teams and developing clarity around personal leadership purpose. The day was full of practical strategies, deep reflection, and meaningful connection. It was thought-provoking, energising, and genuinely left me with a clearer vision of how I can continue to grow as a leader.
“This was fantastic! Definitely valuable knowledge and conversations from today. Thank you!”
Enjoyed hearing about different classroom scenario’s. Effective strategies to influence classroom engagement and content delivery.
Useful, relevant, realistic
Succinct information with a good mix of practical scenario based opportunities. Good to reflect on current practice
I loved all of it! It was very engaging, clear and a great reminder of how to stay cool calm and collected!
Behaviour scenarios and giving tangible strategies are very helpful.
Great delivery and engagement opportunities
Awesome session. Great length - not too much info for the time allocated.
Thanks for taking the time to have conversations post PD.
Great presentation - very engaging and felt like 30 mins on the whole when we were there for 3 hours. Top marks all around and highly recommended to everyone considering.
Get in Touch
For a friendly chat with our Director Ben, call 0422 066 281. For questions, bookings, and more info, please complete the contact form.