Michael Lawrence and Dr. Fabio D'Agostin | Creating Schools…
Creating Schools Where Students and Teachers Want To Be.
Professional Development Programs
Creating Schools Where Teachers and Students Want To Be
The first of its type in Australia and produced in conjunction with the Tampere University of Applied Sciences in Finland, this program will transform the wellbeing and school satisfaction levels of staff and students.
Designed to take place over a single day, it includes lessons especially put together by the University of Applied Sciences’ Education Faculty for Australian teachers to demonstrate elements such as:
- Secrets of Finland’s Success
- Forward Looking Approach to Learning
- Trust Throughout the System
- Student and teacher autonomy
- Collaboration
- Competence-based and Flexible Learning
- STEAM Education
- Applying research and neuroscience-based techniques in Australia
If your school has found itself in a rut of ever increasing standardisation, compliance and loss of identity in following the pack; it might be time to find out how this cycle can be broken, teachers and students inspired, and meaning returned to learning for the sake of learning.
Find out how the most successful education systems in the world do it, and how elements of the Finnish system can be introduced to the Australian system without changing the framework within which we operate. And how to create a school where teachers want to be, and students want to learn.
Real changes that you can implement today based on the techniques used to lead the world in education and teacher satisfaction for decades.
“On behalf of John Paul College, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your invaluable contribution to our recent Professional Learning Day: Around the World in Ed Trends.
Your presentation was instrumental in fostering a dynamic environment of learning and growth for our teachers. Your insights, expertise, and experiences provided a rich tapestry of perspectives that will undoubtedly influence our approach to teaching and learning. “
Michael O’Keeffe, Vice Principal, John Paul College, Frankston.
EDUCATION TOURS
‘It’s hard to be something you cannot see’
is more than just a nice quote. There is no substitute for witnessing the world’s most successful education system, Finnish teachers and students in person.
In 2023 we sent a couple of award-winning principals to Finland, followed in October by a group of Australian educators (with a few from elsewhere too). This tour filled within a week. A March 2025 tour of Finland and Estonia (March 10 -17) is being planned to coincide with Tampere University’s International Educational Leadership Forum with the theme Dare to Care.
I am delighted with the school tour organised by Michael. His professionalism and enthusiasm added to the richness of my experience in Finnish schools. Michael demonstrated a thorough grasp of the Finnish education system and enthusiastically shared his insights. The guidance he provided was well-structured, and he showed a genuine interest in the group members and their learning experiences. Overall, Michael made the tour both rewarding and memorable. I strongly recommend him to anyone interested in delving deeper into Finnish education under the guidance of a knowledgeable and friendly educator.
Theodora Bogiou, Award Winning Curriculum Design Strategist, Gold Award in Innovation in Teaching 2020, EFL Teacher Trainer
For anyone interested in how school teaching and learning can be done well, the exploration of Finnish education organised by Michael Lawrence was an invaluable event. Michael is a passionate advocate of the wonderfully student-oriented educational approaches and structures that characterise schooling throughout Finland. His comprehensive tour included school and university visits, classroom observations, briefings from teachers, lecturers, principals and administrators and opportunities to talk with students about their experiences. Within a two week period, our deep immersion within all strata of Finnish schooling fostered a strong awareness of the qualities and characteristics that generate the strengths of their education system.
Dr. Fabio D’Agostin, Maths, Physics and Science Educator, The Geelong College, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
The itinerary is below.
Michael Lawrence and Dr. Fabio D'Agostin | Creating Schools... 