Empowering Creative Minds

Our mission is to deliver guidance and training to teachers and schools so they can support multilingual dyslexic and literacy-challenged pupils in the international mainstream classroom.

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 proprietary methodology 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/LSAs 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, ged@empoweringcreativeminds.com, admin@empoweringcreativeminds.com.

 

 Free Masterclass for Teachers!

How to confidently empower your dyslexic bilingual learners in just 75 minutes (1)

     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.

 

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Options for Parents.

Link to Parents Community
Testimonials 
"Shona’s support and positivity combined with her expertise has not only helped my daughter to recognise the strengths her dyslexia empowers her with, but also to be inspired to meet any challenges and overcome them. Shona`s insightful understanding of dyslexia and teaching methods make the lessons are fun, proactive and personalised, ensuring that at the end of each lesson my daughter has sense of achievement and progress. I have learned so much from her that I now use with my daughter at home".
Parent of 1-1 learner, Penny.
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We even have an ECM neurodiverse friendly teaching planner to help you stay on track and in the know all year round. 

Neurodiverse Friendly Teaching Planner

   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.

 

Unfortunately our planner is not yet available in Australia

Institutions, Universities and Schools we work with .

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Calpe School
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Dyslexia Show 2024
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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

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Hear from some of our very satisfied customers!

"I've had Shona as my teacher trainer while preparing for a job interview and she's proved invaluable throughout the process. She is extremely approachable and knowledgeable and has given me useful and effective advice about teaching. What I've found most beneficial is that she keeps up to date so she can suggest innovative methods and strategies especially with SEN and language support". 
 
Eleonora Provenzano, Trainee teacher, Italy.

 

"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. 

"Shona’s support and positivity combined with her expertise has not only helped my daughter
to recognise the strengths her dyslexia empowers her with, but also to be inspired to meet
any challenges and overcome them. Shona`s insightful understanding of dyslexia and teaching
methods make the lessons are fun, proactive and personalised, ensuring that at the end of
each lesson my daughter has sense of achievement and progress".
 
Parent of 1-1 learner, Penny.
Shona has helped me realise that my dyslexia is not a problem. I feel comfortable sharing with
her my doubts and challenges, she understands and always finds ways to help me overcome
them. The strategies she has taught me have been very useful in helping me meet the
challenges of my IGCSEs and helped me be more confident and successful.
 
1-1 Learner, Isabel. 

Best Course I’ve ever Done!! Thank you!! I’ve learned so much I'Vve reflected on so many things I do! Congrats!

Martina, Primary Leader at Kensington School Madrid

Extremely engaging and extremely useful information. THANK YOU!!

Primary Teacher.

High energy, very thorough and well planned/organised course, thank you Shona.

Primary Teacher.

Me gusta mucho el dinamismo y el conocimiento que transmite la profesora.

Primary Teacher (Spanish).

Loved the course – lots of very inspiring thoughts. Thank you so much Shona.

Primary Teacher.

Lots of information to take in but very interesting and lots of practical ideas, so thanks a lot Shona.

Primary teacher, Kensington School Madrid

Thank you very much for an insightful, practical and inspiring session! I can't wait to put these skills into practise!

Primary teacher

Great examples to use in everyday teaching to accommodate all learners!

Secondary teacher, Kensington School Madrid.

Great knowledge of the subject, informative session that met my objectives thanks Shona.

Secondary teacher, Kensington School Madrid

Modelling of good practise, information well structured, variety of activities, thank you.

Secondary teacher

Shona (the best )

Información muy clara, experiencias personales y un dominio de la diversidad! Gracias

Spanish secondary teacher

Very well explained, an eye-opener to neurodiversity. Thanks, and congratulations Shona.

 Secondary teacher, Spain 

Interesting new information for me. Energetic fun leader. Learn different classroom activities to help all and to make classes more fun thanks!

Secondary teacher, Spain

  La oportunidad de hacer un curso con Shona es lo mejor que como profesional de la educación te puede suceder. Dedicar un momento a reflexionar sobre lo que hacemos y lo que se puede hacer, activar tu mente y tu cuerpo y darte cuenta de que cada cosa que hacemos (o no hacemos) tiene una gran repercusión en los demás, es increíble. Con Shona aprendes éstas y muchas más cosas de manera divertida y ejemplificada. Mientras estás en la sesión tu cabeza no para de tener miles de ideas, de cómo aplicar lo que estás aprendiendo a tu práctica diaria, pero lo más importante es que te das cuenta de que pequeños gestos, que probablemente ya haces, tienen un impacto brutal. 

The opportunity to take a course with Shona is the best thing that can happen to you as an education professional. Taking a moment to reflect on what we do and what can be done, activating your mind and body and realizing that every single thing we do (or don't do) has a great impact on others is incredible. With Shona you learn these and many more things in a fun and exemplified way. While you are in the session your head is full of ideas of how to apply what you are learning to your daily practice, but the most important thing is that you realize that small gestures, that you probably already do, have a massive impact. 

British School of Valencia. 

Intensive Training for SEN Coordinators.

 Last Thursday 21st I finished my 'One to One SENCo coaching' related to Speech development, Dyslexia and Literacy and How to create an inclusive classroom for all. Together with Vanessa Nagy, Shona O'Callaghan is an exceptional duo. Having them to myself has been a luxury, as I have been able to make the most of the time. By presenting them with real cases from my day-to-day life, and that of my colleagues, they propose strategies and techniques adapted to the specific characteristics of the student with the aim of creating an inclusive classroom in which neurodiversity is an advantage and not a disadvantage. At every moment they showed their enthusiasm for what they do and you also perceive that everything is much easier than it seems and the most important thing is that EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE. Finally, I want to show my gratitude not only for all of the above, but also to both Vanessa and Shona who insisted that they will be there to solve any doubt or any challenge that comes up and I need their support and advice.

Director of SENCo British School of Valencia.