Ben Russell Ben Russell

The Power of Authentic Praise in the Classroom

The power of giving authentic praise to build relational capital with the students we teach and instill confiednece with our learners. When we get it right, it builds trust, belonging and motivation. When we get it wrong, it may have the opposite effect, eroding our credibility. If we want stronger classroom culture, we need to make praise specific, honest and meaningful.In one of the latest podcast episodes on praising in the classroom. Here’s how to do it well. Full episode here: Apple: https://lnkd.in/gMwT4s5bSpotify: https://lnkd.in/gzzrzpzn

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Ben Russell Ben Russell

The Honeymoon For Our Student Leaders Has Ended – Now What?

Supporting students leaders when the novelty wears off. The honeymoon phase is over for your student leaders.

Welcome to the messy middle. The part no one glamorises to them, but the part that matters most in terms of building leadership capacity for our current group of seniors.

How we guide them through this dip shapes the leaders they become through 2026.

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Ben Russell Ben Russell

Supporting Newly Appointed Student Leaders as They Step into 2026

A reminder for those mentoring student leaders for 2026, it is their Day 1.

Their current leadership experience in the new role: 0.

That's a lot of self-expectation, especially as we currently praise and farewell those currently in their role (the Seniors of 2025).

Badges don’t make leaders. Support, formation and the right mix of skills do.

In my latest blog, I explore how schools can support the 2026 student leadership cohort to achieve the hopes and dreams they set out achieve (and most likely wrote in an application... that is now sitting in a draw in someone's office 😁 )

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Ben Russell Ben Russell

Leadership Camp Essentials: Designing an Experience That Forms Your Future Senior Cohort

Leadership Camp season is here. Still running the same program from 2005? Looking for a refresh? Or simply wanting to ensure you have everything covered?

Check out "Leadership Camp Essentials" that assists those planning or in-charge of leadership camps ensure every base is covered. Enjoy the read.

Want a companion Leadership Camp planning Checklist that summarises everything into an easy guide – comment checklist or DM me to receive a free copy.

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Ben Russell Ben Russell

Beyond the Badge: Designing Leadership Journeys That Truly Matter

What if leadership formation wasn’t about choosing the few, but inviting the many? 🧭 💡

As leadership season kicks off in most schools over the next few weeks, some ideas that all schools can implement to ensure every young person can be involved in realising their leadership potential. Here are six key elements every educator should consider when building a student leadership program…

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