Educator Development

  2020

​Cracking the Student Code – (Academics)

Decode Differences, Unlock Connections, Communication, Confidence and a Thriving School Culture

“I don’t get them!” “They’re so different from me!” “Why won’t they just listen?”

In today’s classrooms, educator frustration and burnout are at record highs as generational differences in mindset, communication, learning styles, and personality create invisible walls between students and the educators who want to help them most.

What if you could decode those differences—and turn frustration into deep understanding, stronger relationships, and a more inclusive, high-performing culture?

As part of our award-winning research, and real-world impact in education, this high-energy, interactive, and transformative workshop using the proprietary Legacy Student Success System™ and Legacy Talent Optimization System™—proven tools that reveal the 5 distinct Student Types and 4 Educator Types.

Participants gain eye-opening awareness​ to:

• Identify and understand the 4 Educator Types—your own included—and how they influence daily interactions
• Gain deep appreciation for differences, turning potential conflicts into opportunities for connection
• Master the 5 Student Types, including their key strengths, limitations, motivators/demotivators, communication preferences, and learning styles
• Bridge generational divides with proven strategies that build trust and understanding
• Recognize at-risk students sooner and implement effective, proactive intervention practices
• Apply powerful coaching, engagement, and conflict-resolution techniques tailored to individual types
• Implement techniques to create and strengthen a truly inclusive, supportive school culture
• Discover strategies that improve student retention, engagement, and long-term success
• Walk away empowered and inspired to continue changing students’ lives with renewed confidence and clarity
  

Educators and school leaders will leave empowered, equipped, and excited to apply these insights immediately—creating classrooms where differences become strengths, burnout fades, and everyone thrives.

Perfect for full staff PD days, education teams, administrators, counselors, or leadership retreats ready to move beyond “they just don’t get it” to “we’re in this together” and watch your school culture and student outcomes transform.

Model of The Year

  "The Legacy 5A Model®" ​​

​2019

​​Never Lose a Student Again – (Academics)

Motivate, Engage, and Retain Today's Students

Creating the absolute best student experience isn't optional—it's the heart of education. When every student feels valued, understood, and inspired, they don't just succeed—they become lifelong advocates for your school.

Yet too many educators watch promising students disengage, drift away, or leave entirely due to unmet needs, outdated approaches, or invisible barriers.

What if you could flip that script—building a "student-first" culture of service that reignites passion in educators while delivering measurable gains in motivation, engagement, retention, and outcomes?

In this motivational, highly interactive workshop, drawing from over 30 years of transforming schools worldwide, you'll explore the psychology of today's students—their viewpoints, drivers, motivators, and expectations—then master proven strategies to meet those needs from the classroom to beyond graduation.

Central to the experience: infusing Legacy's Student Relationship Approach Model™ (SRA)—a proprietary framework designed to develop deeply engaged, empowered, and committed learners.

Through dynamic activities, real-world examples, and hands-on application, participants learn to:

• ​​Gain deep insight into today's students' self-viewpoints, expectations of education, and key motivators/drivers
  
• Discover students' top needs and how to align school experiences to meet them effectively
  
• Learn to integrate Legacy's Student Relationship Approach Model™ (SRA) into daily teaching and interactions to create engaged, empowered students
  
• Master techniques to gain and sustain student commitment to personal and academic excellence
  
• Apply leading-edge strategies for motivating, engaging, and retaining students in any setting
  
• Implement modern classroom management practices that transform potential chaos into a strong, supportive community
  
• Develop and instill a powerful vision and growth mindset in students that fuels lasting success and impact
  

Educators leave fired up, equipped with fresh tools, and renewed in purpose—ready to create environments where students thrive, stay, and evangelize their school experience.

Ideal for education teams, full staff PD, counselors, administrators, or campus-wide initiatives focused on combating disengagement and improving retention rates.

Start building the kind of school where students are empowered and never get lost again!

​​​​​Building, Leading & Retaining a World-Class Enrollment Team – (Admissions)

Hire Right, Reduce Turnover, Sustain Success

In today's higher education landscape, the admissions and financial aid roles have never been more critical—or more challenging. With enrollment pressures mounting, institutions can't afford instability: interview ghosting is rampant, turnover in admissions counselor positions hovers around 71% within two years (far exceeding broader higher ed averages), and replacing even one underperformer or departed rep can cost 50–200% of their salary in recruiting, onboarding, lost productivity, and disrupted pipelines.

The result? Strained teams, inconsistent recruitment, and missed enrollment goals that impact the entire institution.

What if you could build and lead a committed, high-performing enrollment team that stays, thrives, and delivers sustained student-centered success?

Drawing from award-winning research—including recognition with the Joyce and Robert Hogan Award for excellence in personality and work performance—this targeted workshop equips admissions leaders, enrollment managers, and HR partners with our proprietary Talent Optimization Systems™. Participants gain deep insights into the 4 Enrollment Professional Types, revealing motivators, demotivators, communication styles, strengths, and growth areas to hire the right fit, develop them effectively, and foster a culture of retention and excellence.

Through interactive interpretation of the systems, real-world strategies, and hands-on application, you'll learn to:

• Uncover the top 5 reasons for turnover in enrollment roles—and proven ways to address them head-on
• Avoid key hiring pitfalls
  
• Quantify the real expense of turnover (including replacement costs up to 200% of salary) and the even higher price of retaining underperformers
  
• Master techniques to attract, identify, and hire top talent that strengthens school culture and drives enrollment results
  
• Ask key questions that reveal habits, attitudes, beliefs and leading tendencies
  
• Apply key leadership and management strategies to guide your enrollment reps toward consistent high performance
  
• Decode the motivators, demotivators, and communication styles of the 4 Enrollment Professional Types for better hiring matches, development, and daily interactions
  
• Implement best practices for effective onboarding, building team cohesion, and creating retention systems that keep talent committed and performing​
  

​Whether you're rebuilding after high churn, scaling a new team, or strengthening an existing one, this program delivers the tools to minimize costly turnover, enhance team culture, and create a stable, results-driven enrollment force ready to navigate today's challenges.

Ideal for admissions directors, VPs of enrollment, enrollment management teams, higher ed HR leaders, or campus-wide leadership retreats focused on talent strategy and retention.  Start building the world-class enrollment team your institution needs to thrive!

We've Cracked the Codes – And We're Sharing Them with You!

What started as a routine mystery shop exploded into a groundbreaking, 14+-year proprietary research journey that has reshaped how schools recruit, engage, retain, and inspire students and staff.

Consider the scale of what we've uncovered:

• Partnered with 194 career training schools, colleges, and universities across 3 countries
• Analyzed over 1.3 million new student inquiries
  
• Connected directly with more than 320,000 active students spanning four generations (Baby Boomers to Gen Z)
  
• Collaborated with over 4,100 school leaders
  
• Worked alongside more than 8,400 admissions and financial aid professionals
  
• Partnered with nearly 29,000 educators
  

The result? National and international recognition, multiple award-winning systems (including the Joyce and Robert Hogan Award for Personality and Work Performance), and a suite of transformative tools that have empowered over 750 institutions worldwide to exceed enrollment goals, boost retention, reduce turnover, and build thriving cultures of service and success.

We've cracked the codes to:

• Harness the profound influence of personality on marketing, recruiting, interdepartmental relationships, staff performance, engagement, and school culture
• Identify, understand, engage, and educate the 5 distinct Student Types for deeper connections and better outcomes
  
• Connect, motivate, and enroll today's prospective students with precision and heart
  
• Decode the 4 Enrollment Professional Types, 4 Educator Types, 4 School Leader Types, and 4 School Culture Types to align teams and celebrate uniqueness
  
• Slash turnover by hiring, developing, and retaining top talent across admissions, financial aid, education, and leadership
  
• Dramatically increase student retention through authentic relationships and purpose-driven environments
  
• Create and sustain a thriving, unified school culture where differences become strengths
  

In our relentless mission to support schools, students, and educators, we deliver a powerful lineup of high-energy keynotes, interactive workshops, and proprietary systems packed with research-backed insights, best practices, and immediately actionable strategies.

Whether you're battling enrollment challenges, staff burnout, generational disconnects, or culture gaps—or simply ready to elevate performance and reignite passion—there's a session (or series) designed exactly for you.

Explore the full lineup below and discover how Matthew Schmoker and the Legacy/empowerEd approach can help your institution move from surviving to thriving.

​​Cracking the Perspective Student Code – (Admissions)

Unlock Secrets to Engage, Motivate, and Convert Today's Prospects  

In today's hyper-competitive higher ed landscape, admissions teams often hear: "They're just not interested anymore," "We don't understand what they want," or "Our messaging isn't landing." Misaligned assumptions about prospective students' mindsets, drivers, and expectations lead to missed connections, lower response rates, and shrinking pipelines.

What if you could decode those differences—and turn generic outreach into personalized, resonant engagement that motivates action and drives conversions?

Built on award-winning research and 30+ years transforming enrollment at over 750 institutions, this targeted workshop leverages the proprietary Legacy Talent Optimization System™ and Legacy Student Success System™ to reveal the

4 Enrollment Professional Types and 5 Student Types.

Participants complete the Talent Optimization Questionnaire to discover their own Admissions Professional Type—uncovering core strengths, limitations, motivators, and growth opportunities to become more impactful admissions professionals and communicators.

Busting popular myths and confirming (or disproving) long-held beliefs about today's prospects, the session delivers game-changing tools that:

​

• Identify and master your Admissions Professional Type (including strengths, limitations, motivators, and demotivators) via the Talent Optimization Questionnaire for greater personal and team impact
  
• Decode the 5 Prospective Student Types, understanding their core traits, communication styles, motivators/demotivators, and how they shape enrollment decisions
  
• Gain accurate insights into today's students' perspectives, market positioning, and key influencers (both limiting and driving action)
  
• Discover the top 15 motivating words/phrases that resonate with prospects and their support systems—and how to integrate them for stronger engagement
  
• Eliminate the top 15 disconnect-causing words/phrases that push prospects away
  
• Refine marketing, social media messaging, and value propositions to align with what truly motivates today's students
  
• Apply targeted strategies to improve communication, build rapport, and significantly increase enrollment conversion rates

​​

​Admissions Reps, leaders, and administrators leave equipped, energized, and ready to apply these insights immediately—creating more authentic connections, stronger pipelines, and higher yields.

Perfect for admissions teams, enrollment management retreats, campus-wide PD, or leadership sessions focused on reversing enrollment trends and building a student-centered admissions culture that converts more prospects into committed students.

   Programs for Conferences, Schools & Organizations​​

Delivered in-person or live, interactive, virtual experience

​​​​Request More Info​​​

​​​Mastering The Legacy 5A Model® – (Academics)

Turn Conflict into Connection & Build a Thriving Coaching Culture

Do you dread conflict like it's the dark side calling? Do students (or colleagues) have Jedi-level skills at pushing your buttons straight to frustration overload? Do small concerns escalate into full Jerry Springer drama in minutes?

It's time to flip the script.

With the internationally recognized and award-winning Legacy 5A Model®—the proven "communication DNA" powering schools and organizations worldwide—educators gain a scientifically-backed, practical system to transform obstacles into opportunities. This model doesn't just resolve conflict; it minimizes drops, boosts student retention, strengthens one-on-one and team bonds, and shifts entire cultures toward coaching and growth.

In this dynamic, interactive workshop, we guide participants through the psychology of conflict, understanding mindset influences, and hands-on mastery of the Legacy 5A Model® and C.L.E.A.R. framework. You'll practice turning triggers into teachable moments, listening actively, communicating responsively, and coaching instead of controlling—creating classrooms and teams where challenges build connection, not chaos.

Educators leave with renewed confidence, ready to:

• Understand the psychology of conflict, common triggers, and how mindset shapes effective responses
  
• Recognize the powerful role of mindset in coaching, addressing issues, and preventing escalation
  
• Master the Legacy 5A Model® and C.L.E.A.R. framework to resolve conflicts constructively, discover solutions to student challenges, and cultivate a true coaching culture
  
• Elevate active listening, responsive communication, and empathy skills for deeper understanding
  
• Strengthen connections in one-on-one interactions, team dynamics, and educator-student relationships
  
• Explore the proven benefits of a coaching culture—plus leading strategies to implement it and drive higher student retention and engagement
  

A perfect program for education teams, full staff PD, administrators, counselors, or any group ready to move from "avoid or explode" to "connect and grow."  Watch conflict become your school's greatest strength!

Personality and Work Performance

  2019

​Cracking the School Culture Code – (Leadership & Teambuilding)

Decode Differences, Build Unity, and Transform School Culture 

“I don’t understand them.” “They’re not like me.” “That’s not how I’d do it.” “They just don’t get it.”

These frustrations echo through hallways, staff rooms, and admin offices every day—as administrators, educators, support staff, and leaders grapple with clashing mindsets, personalities, communication styles, and generational gaps that erode trust, collaboration, and overall school culture.

What if embracing those differences could become your school's greatest strength—creating deeper connections, reducing turnover, boosting student performance and retention, and fostering a vibrant, unified environment where everyone thrives?

In this high-energy, entertaining, hands-on workshop, draws from award-winning, research-based tools—including the Legacy systems and the exclusive School Culture "Types" Identifier—to reveal:
- The 4 School Leader Types
- The 4 Admissions Professional Types
- The 4 Educator Types
- The 5 Student Types
- And crucially, the 4 School Culture Types that define your school's overall dynamic

Participants complete the School Culture "Types" Identifier for eye-opening self- and school-awareness, then gain practical, leading-edge strategies to:

• Develop deeper appreciation and acceptance for personality and mindset differences among staff and students
• Understand the cultural strengths, limitations, and ideal activities of the 4 School Culture Types—and identify your school's current type for targeted improvement
  
• Master the motivators, strengths, limitations, and communication styles across the 4 School Leader Types, 4 Admissions Professional Types, 4 Educator Types, and 5 Student Types
  
• Explore the proven benefits and leading practices of building a coaching culture to bridge generational/communication gaps
  
• Minimize turnover by applying best practices for hiring, developing, and retaining top talent in admissions, financial aid, education, and leadership roles
  
• Gain insights into key student characteristics (including learning styles and targeted growth areas) to enhance performance and retention
  
• Implement powerful strategies to improve team dynamics, foster unity, and create a stronger, more positive school culture
  
• Leave empowered to celebrate uniqueness daily and continue evolving to positively impact more students' lives
  

Schools that invest in this program see immediate shifts: stronger relationships, lower frustration/turnover, higher engagement, and a renewed sense of purpose for changing lives.

Perfect for full staff PD days, administrative retreats, leadership teams, or campus-wide culture initiatives ready to move from "we're not on the same page" to "we're stronger together!"  Unlock the unified, high-impact school culture your staff and students deserve.

​​​Becoming Pyramid Builders – (Leadership & Teambuilding)

Hands-On Team Building to Create Unbreakable Unity & Victory

Just as the ancient Egyptian and Mayan pyramids have stood tall for thousands of years—defying time, nature, and every force thrown their way—your team can become an enduring powerhouse: strong foundations, precise alignment, collective vision, and unbreakable bonds that deliver extraordinary results.

In today's fast-paced, high-pressure environments, teams often struggle with miscommunication, siloed talents, unclear vision, low trust, and dysfunction that erodes performance and morale. What if one powerful, fun experience could transform that?

This high-energy, extremely interactive, and wildly hands-on workshop puts your team to the test: creative challenges push everyone beyond comfort zones, collaborative construction reveals hidden strengths, and shared triumphs build lasting appreciation for each person's unique contributions. You'll laugh, sweat, strategize, and celebrate together while constructing your own "pyramid"—a tangible symbol of what true teamwork can achieve.​ 

This program delivers real, lasting impact: stronger trust, clearer communication, amplified individual talents, a unified mission, and the inspiration to aim far beyond perceived limits. Teams leave energized, connected, and equipped to perform at elite levels—whether in classrooms, admissions offices, administrative teams, or across the entire organization.

Throughout the experience, participants learn to:

• Master the 5 Core Components of Becoming a Pyramid Builder—the essential elements for constructing strong, enduring teams (foundations, alignment, vision, collaboration, resilience).
  
• Learn to identify, harness, and capitalize on the unique talents, strengths, and perspectives of every team member—turning individual differences into collective superpowers.
  
• Celebrate and leverage diversity (personality, skills, viewpoints) to strengthen team dynamics, foster innovation, and build a more inclusive, high-energy culture.
  
• Build unbreakable trust and open, effective communication through shared challenges and reflection—eliminating barriers that cause dysfunction.
  
• Understand the key pillars of high-performing teams (e.g., clarity, accountability, commitment) and actively avoid the top influencers of dysfunction (e.g., absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment).
  
• Develop and implement a powerful, shared mission and vision that aligns everyone toward common goals and inspires sustained effort.
  
• Explore the profound impact of expansive vision on team success—pushing boundaries, overcoming obstacles, and achieving results far beyond initial expectations.
  
• Apply practical strategies to sustain momentum post-workshop: turning insights into daily habits for ongoing unity, performance, and cultural strength.
  
• Walk away with renewed energy, deeper appreciation for teammates, and the tools to create environments where everyone contributes at their best—driving lasting organizational victory.
  

Expect tons of fun, profound "aha" moments, and a renewed sense of possibility. Perfect for staff retreats, leadership offsites, student leadership programs, admissions/enrollment teams, or any group ready to build something extraordinary.  Start constructing the unbreakable team you school/organization deserves!