Here’s what some recent workshop participants have said:

“I really enjoyed the workshop.  It gave me a lot of guidance.  As a new teacher it was very helpful and useful!” – C. S. (teacher – Mississauga)

“I really enjoyed Mark’s presentation style” – T. M. (teacher – Toronto)

“It is great to have a common foundation from which our school can approach community building through effective classroom management.” – L.M (principal, Mississauga)

Mark is first and foremost a teacher.  He shares with his audiences a wealth of wisdom gained from his experience in teaching and educational leadership.

Having taught at all levels from grade one to university, in public and private school settings both in Canada and abroad, Mark’s teaching philosophy is simple- what’s most important in our classrooms today is a “connection” with the kids.  He agrees with Madeline Hunter that “Kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!” Sometimes the subject matter in our classrooms can’t compete with the “drama” in students’ lives. The research is clear:  when students know you value them as human beings, they will work harder for you and challenge you less.

Mark knows firsthand that K-12 educators have the toughest job in the world, as they are asked every day to wear so many different hats – parent, nurse, counselor, teacher, coach, advisor, judge, lawyer …and on and on.  They don’t need any more professional development that forces impractical theory and new, trendy programs with catchy names on them!

Instead teachers need to be given simple, research based, proven, practical strategies and applications that they can start implementing immediately to enhance what is already working in their classrooms.

Mark understands that students come into our classrooms and schools with widely different backgrounds and cultures and their cognitive abilities, assets and experiences are just as wide ranging.  Sometimes the only thing students in our classes have in common is their age! The “one size fits all” approach simply does not work anymore.

Mark also feels the biggest unchallenged assumption about education by many today (particularly politicians) is that kids are coming to school willing and ready to learn. As educators, we know this is not the case. 

There’s not much we can do from 4:00 PM until 8:00 AM but there is a lot we can do from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM.  Mark is dedicated to helping educators be successful through motivation, inspiration, humor, and a common-sense approach to instruction. Most importantly, he leaves educators with as many proven, practical strategies as he can!