Our Aims
By providing courses and resources that make a difference to achievement and practice in an approachable, caring, friendly and helpful manner. Together we can help all children achieve their potential in school and in life. We aim to positively change the lives of teachers, learners and parents through a holistic approach to learning for all with focus on multisensory learning and playing to our strengths!
Making teaching more efficient, effective while growing attainment and motivation for all. Just pivot, ECM style.
A Word from our Founder.
"My name is Shona. I am dyslexic, a fully qualified secondary teacher (in the British system) with over 20 years’ experience from both public and private classrooms. Many of which had large numbers of bi/multilingual learners (English as an additional language learners). I am also a dyslexia specialist teacher with the British Dyslexia Association, a multilingual specialist and PhD researcher! Very importantly, I'm a parent of a multilingual, multicultural child.
Why did I found ECM?
Teaching at secondary school level for many years, gave me the ability and insight to see the difference between a language learning challenges and cognitive differences. Through my studies and exploration of a wide range of methodologies I came to see how we can pivot, drawing on many different strategies to teach more efficiently and effectively growing attainment without overwhelm or extra work!
Knowing the signs and bringing in early intervention is a great starting point.
Knowing how to support help and motivate ALL learners is key.
After working pro bono with learners, parents and countries with limited resources over the last two years, the process became clear.
I’ve found taking a uniquely integrated multisensory approach together with a range of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), Second Language Acquisition (SLA) and many other strategic strategies for our children and teenagers to use at home and in classrooms, is extremely beneficial to progression and self-esteem.
Our unique method brings out the improved understanding and learning experience for all learners where everyone benefits, improves and progress together, while being challenged to reach their potential. We teach efficiently, effectively challenging all learners, neurotypical, neurodiverse and EAL simultaneously. Growing independent learners ready for the new digital age while raising attainment and reducing teacher and learner stress combined".
Shona O'Callaghan BA PGCE MA ATS BDA PhD Researcher.
Some advantages of our combined methodological approach:
- It is easy, that’s why it motivates all learners!
- It is just pivoting our teaching, NOT extra work but more efficient for less stress on teachers.
- It can be used throughout the curriculum and in combination with a fun approach to homework!
- It is a teaching method that is available as: in personal CPD training, through our online courses and Q&A sessions, small group coaching for leaders, teachers, TAs and ECTs.
- We also provide guidance in our 'Parents support Community' so teachers and parents are in line with one another and no confusion is caused.to the learner.
- We work in collaboration with FUNDEA Bonificaciones for subsidised professional development in Spain.
We have completed the research so your school, class, child can receive the benefits quickly.
Use WhatsApp or Calendly (here on our website), to get you started with a free consultation so we can tailor the support individually for you. Additionally, you can reach us at shona@empoweringcreativeminds.com or ged@empoweringcreativeminds.com.
We want everyone to have access to training and support. Here are some of our services you can access right now!
NEW!
SOLD OUT! We'll let you know when it runs again!
SOLD OUT! We will let you know when it runs again!
Free Masterclass for Teachers!
Testimonials
"I'm really glad I did this course! It has changed how I see my teaching practice and I have implemented changes to our department right away. Thanks Shona".
Alice, Social Science Department Head UK.
"Thank you, Shona. This course has been so helpful. I am eager to get back to work on Tuesday to put your suggestions/thoughts to SLT".
Emma, EAL Coordinator, UK.
Options for Parents.
We even have an ECM neurodiverse friendly teaching planner to help you stay on track and in the know all year round.
Testimonials
Essential tool for the present day teacher … Also a great gift! 5 Stars!
Very impressed with this planner . The forward thinking approach and original detail sets this apart from the usual planners! The short quotes throughout , from professionals and neurodiverse students , were the icing on the cake for me! Really supporting and inspiring the user daily.
An organised teacher! 5 Stars!
Great product at a really competitive price, my daughter has started teaching and has found this planner so useful in helping her structure her day. This is brilliant for helping teachers also track the students performance with its various options for observational and performance based recording, allowing you to maintain a constant overview of any development needs a child may have.
Really well designed and produced, will certainly be buying again.
ECM is affiliated with Amazon.
Unfortunately our planner is not yet available in Australia
Institutions, Universities and Schools we work with .
A teacher educated about dyslexia can be the one person that saves a child and his/her family from years of frustration and anxiety. That teacher can play a whole pivotal role in changing the culture of a school.
Dr Kelli-Sandman-Hurley
"Thank you Shona. This course has been so helpful. I am eager to get back to work on Tuesday to put my suggestions/thoughts to SLT".
Emma, EAL Coordinator, UK.
"Thanks Shona, I'm starting a new job on Monday where I will be supporting bilingual learners with dyslexia so this course was a Godsend. I'm starting with some decent background info on dyslexia and some solid ideas for support that I can use and pass on to mainstream teachers. If you decide to do anything more like this in the future please let me know".
Christine, SEN/EAL Coordinator, UK.
"Thank you for all your time and effort, Shona. The sessions were very enlightening".
Sara, Teacher, UK.
"I don't think that I have ever spent more time reflecting on my own teaching methods after attending this course. Thanks so much Shona".
Ged, Business Studies teacher HND, Spain.