• Praising Students: The Power of Authentic Praise
    Feb 11 2026

    In this episode of Empowering Educators, Ben Russell discusses the importance of authentic praise in building relational pedagogy skills for teachers. He emphasises that genuine praise strengthens the teacher-student relationship, while insincere praise can damage it.

    Ben outlines some common pitfalls of praise, such as fake praise, sympathy praise, and blanket praise, and provides a four-step formula for delivering effective praise.

    He concludes by highlighting the role of authentic praise in fostering trust, belonging, and motivation among students, ultimately enhancing classroom culture.

    Keywords: praise, relational pedagogy, authentic feedback, student engagement, teacher-student relationship, motivation, classroom culture, effective communication, educational strategies, trust

    Takeaways

    • Praise can either strengthen or undermine teacher-student relationships.
    • Authentic praise is crucial for building trust with students.
    • Students can easily detect insincerity in praise.
    • Fake praise can feel manipulative and erode trust.
    • Sympathy praise does not provide the honesty students seek.
    • Blanket praise can make hardworking students feel unseen.
    • Effective praise should be specific and timely.
    • Most students prefer one-on-one praise for its authenticity.
    • Authentic praise fosters a sense of belonging in students.
    • Praise should recognize students for who they are and who they are becoming.

    Socials:

    IG: Empoweringeducatorspodcast

    Facebook: Empowering Educators Podcast

    LinkedIn: Ben Russell

    Want to connect with Ben?

    Email: hello@empowerment-ed.com.au

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    9 Min.
  • Addressing low level behaviours in the classroom: why ignoring doesn't work
    Feb 9 2026

    In this episode of Empowering Educators, Ben Russell discusses the importance of addressing low-level behaviors in the classroom to maintain an effective learning environment. He emphasises the significance of non-verbal redirection techniques, such as eye contact and proximity control, to manage student behavior without disrupting the flow of teaching.

    Ben also highlights the need for teachers to adapt their strategies based on the classroom dynamics and to correct behaviors early and calmly to protect teaching time and enhance student outcomes.

    Takeaways

    • Low-level behaviors can snowball if left unchecked.
    • Inattentive and disruptive behaviors are common in classrooms.
    • Non-verbal redirection is crucial for effective classroom management.
    • Eye contact can communicate awareness and redirect students.
    • Proximity control helps maintain classroom order without interruption.
    • Silence can be a powerful tool in correcting behavior.
    • Teachers should adapt their strategies based on classroom dynamics.
    • Predictable routines can help manage student behavior effectively.
    • Non-verbal cues can signal attention and engagement.
    • Early correction protects the learning environment for all.

    Keywords: classroom management, low-level behaviors, non-verbal redirection, teaching strategies, student engagement

    Socials:

    IG: Empoweringeducatorspodcast

    Facebook: Empowering Educators Podcast

    LinkedIn: Ben Russell

    Want to connect with Ben?

    Email: hello@empowerment-ed.com.au

    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    8 Min.