Empower Learning Center

Professional Development Workshops & Products

Let us help you on your literacy journey to improve your students' knowledge, scores, and understanding of the English writing system.

Class: Morphology & More

$150.00

Spend time learning how you can incorporate the 5 pillars of literacy into studying one word at a time while also connecting that word to others in its family. Tackle phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, comprehension, and build vocabulary knowledge in short lessons. Influence grammar, phrasing, and sentence writing at the same time. Build your knowledge of how the English language is structured while increasing your students' critical thinking skills!

Bring the art and science of teaching & learning into your classroom!!

Participants will:

Learn about the structures of our spelling system via morphology, etymology, & phonology.
Connect related words and their orthographic denotation, providing shorter links to association and memory (esp for our struggling students).
Understand how this method works across all tiers of the MTSS diamond, allowing differentiation naturally.
Practice techniques to engage your students' learning.
Work with others on hands-on activities and take-home materials.

Register: https://forms.gle/D6nTMfkmLmRVhdLZ7

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Class: Making Words Make Sense: The Power of Morphology in Teaching

$150.00

Making Words Make Sense: The Power of Morphology in Teaching

A practical workshop that makes English orthography clear, consistent, and teachable.

Unlock the power of morphology and gain ready-to-use strategies to boost reading and spelling success. Explore how word structure brings clarity and confidence to literacy instruction.

You’ll learn how to:

Uncover the building blocks of English words—bases, prefixes, and suffixes.
Guide students in investigating word meaning and structure.
Bring “word wonder” into your classroom with inquiry-based word study.
Use practical routines and ready-to-go activities for any grade level.

Whether you teach early readers, striving learners, or curious word lovers, you’ll leave inspired—and equipped—to make spelling make sense.

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Etymology Class

$25.00

Etymology Class

1 virtual session (over Zoom) – 60 minutes (but it may run longer ….plan for up to 90 min)

Saturday, May 25, 2024

Class runs approximately 9:00 AM -10:00 AM EDT –Time zone converter link (choose Detroit or Flint, MI for my time zone)

In this class you will:

learn terms: etymology, etymon, root, base
read a basic etymology entry
identify the PIE root
search for the most recent etymon
choose embedded links to click on
words to watch for in an entry
make a timeline of a couple of entries
accept that at times, the etymology is unclear– may not have an answer
meet people from around the world!
and likely so much more

Cost for the class is $25 US dollars. Payment accepted via Square, PayPal, Venmo (see website: https://www.seethebeautyindyslexia.com/swi-classes.html). If paying from a foreign country, please pay any fees/exchange rates on your end or if you are unable to do that, kindly include additional money to cover those if those occur on my end.

Contact info: Lisa Barnett l [email protected]

Zoom link will be sent to the email address you register with on this form: https://forms.gle/fyd7zWSQYixj7TnaA

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Beyond the Bounds Class

$40.00 - $80.00

This class is for those who have introductory knowledge of English orthography and SWI and want to go take their learning to the next level. This class will explore Bound Base elements: alternates/twins; associated bases and dig deeper into etymology and phonology than what you'd find in an introductory course. While we will have a list of words to study, we will focus on words from the participants to help you figure out words of your own interest.

Each of the 3 Beyond the Bounds sessions last up to 90 minutes in length. Session dates will be scheduled with me.

Sign up with a group of 3 or more, use discounted pricing option -- Each participant must complete registration and payment (add your group's names at the bottom of the form in the appropriate space).

All times posted are on Eastern Time (ET) based on Detroit, MI/New York, NY time zone. This link will help you convert to your time zone.

Please note: Michigan observes Daylight Savings Time in Spring & Fall. We turn our clocks back/forward 1 hour. Please keep this in mind as you make plans especially if the class is during March or November as some areas of the world change to DST on various dates within this time period.

Registration and payment are expected and appreciated in advance of the first class session. Refunds will be permitted if cancelled 1 full week in advance. If participant cancels 3-6 days in advance of the class, then 50% of the class fee will be refunded, no refunds if cancelled within 48 hours of the class. Refunds after class begins are not permitted. There is also an option to reschedule the class or attend a future offering of the class.

After you've taken this Beyond the Bounds class, you are welcome to sit in on future Beyond the Bounds sessions at a 50% discount of the current price as space is available. There is always something new that occurs in each class that we can learn from "You can't step into the same river twice."

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Coaching Sessions

$30.00 - $120.00

Coaching Sessions offered for people who have introductory knowledge of SWI and want to learn more about implementing SWI into their classrooms and/or tutoring practices.

Now you know a bit or a lot about teaching English orthography, how do you do it?

We will investigate your words, graphemes, phonemes, questions, problems your class/student ran into, discuss lessons that went super (as well as those that did not), brainstorm best practices, lessons, etc.

Coaching for implementation with students of all ages and ability levels, specializing in special education resource room students and those with dyslexia.

Our knowledge base includes SWI, English orthography, General Education, Special Education, Executive Functioning, changing habits training, Formative Assessment for Michigan Educators Coach (FAME), Cognitive Coaching certified.

Whatever you need, we'll help!

Dates and times will be scheduled with you individually. If something cannot be arranged, you will receive a full refund.

Small group pricing available for groups of 3 or more -- please contact to arrange

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Coaching -- 30 minute session

$30.00

Coaching Sessions offered for people who have introductory knowledge of SWI and want to learn more about implementing SWI into their classrooms and/or tutoring practices.

Now you know a bit or a lot about teaching English orthography, how do you do it?

Coaching for implementation with students of all ages and ability levels, specializing in special education resource room students and those with dyslexia.

Our knowledge base includes SWI, English orthography, Executive Functioning, changing habits training, Formative Assessment for Michigan Educators Coach (FAME), Cognitive Coaching trained.

Whatever you need, we'll help!

Dates and times will be scheduled with you individually.

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Intro to SWI (Structured Word Inquiry) Class

$0.00 - $120.00

This class is for beginners to help you gain an understanding of what SWI is, get started with using SWI to enhance your current lessons or to begin a journey to developing a whole new approach to teaching literacy skills.

This class is a total of 6 clock hours, often completed in four sessions lasting 90 minutes each OR two sessions lasting 3 hours each. Class offerings are dependent upon the choices made between the current participants and myself. There will be a 15 minute break with the 3 hour sessions.

Class dates & times:

... Eastern Time
... Eastern Time.

All times posted are on Eastern Time (ET) based on Detroit, MI/New York, NY time zone. This link will help you convert to your time zone.

Please note: Michigan observes Daylight Savings Time in Spring & Fall. We turn our clocks forward/back 1 hour - please keep this in mind as you make plans.

Sign up with a group of 3 or more, use discounted pricing option of $105 each -- must email me with details of your group after completing payment.

CLASS OUTLINE AND GOALS:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IJZn-exsZcsmEoXK85iKE4sOo--0F5aYbpMDGLobKwA/edit?usp=sharing

REGISTRATION FORM MUST BE COMPLETED AT THE TIME OF PAYMENT: https://forms.gle/deKeSVTQMfnEuKSx9

Registration and payment are expected and appreciated in advance of the first class session. Refunds will be permitted if cancelled 1 full week in advance. If participant cancels 3-6 days in advance of the class, then 50% of the class fee will be refunded, no refunds if cancelled within 48 hours of the class. Refunds after class begins are not permitted. There is an option to apply your payment to a future offering of a class or to reschedule with the presenter. Your receipt for the class is your electronic payment method, please bookmark it or print it for your records.

In honor of the experts in this field, after you've taken this Intro to SWI class, you are welcome to sit in on a future Intro to SWI session free of charge as space is available. There is always something new that occurs in each class that we can learn from "You can't step into the same river twice." The depth of this statement continues to astound me with every conference or presentation I attend and offer.

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Professional Development, Classes, Speaking Engagements

Products supporting SWI

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Activities for Teachers and Tutors

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Lesson Plans

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Let us provide you with evidence...

of the connectedness of English Language Spelling & Vocabulary through MORPHOLOGY & MORE!

e + vide/ + ence --> evidence
e + vide/ + ent --> evident
e + vide/ + ent + ly --> evidently
pro + vide --> provide
pro + vide + s --> provides
pro + vide/ + ed --> provided
pro + vide/ + ing --> providing
pro + vide/ + ence --> providence
pro + vide/ + er --> provider
pro + vide/ + er + s --> providers

check out our Educator Workshops offered in the Tab
under Classes & Products

TUTORING SERVICES NOW OPEN FOR REGISTRATION:

Empower Learning Center has openings in our elementary through adult learning tutoring services for Spring & Summer 2026 session; also taking registrations of interest for the 2026-27 school year.

Tutoring Inquiry Form

tutoring services -- Building Skills, Confidence, and a Love of Learning

Empower Learning with Expert Tutoring
Unlock your or your child’s potential with personalized, one-on-one or small group tutoring from a Learning Specialist with over 30 years of experience in both general and special education. Whether you’re a child, teen, or adult, our mission is to make reading, spelling, and writing not only stronger skills—but meaningful, enjoyable experiences.
We specialize in helping:

Struggling readers, spellers, and writers
Individuals with dyslexia or learning differences
Students who want to challenge themselves academically
Learners who want a deeper understanding of English spelling and structure
High school students preparing for the SAT with targeted vocabulary building

How We Help You Succeed
Our approach is rooted in Structured Literacy—tailored, student-paced lessons that focus on the building blocks of language:

Morphology (word parts and their meanings)
Etymology (word histories and origins)
Phonology (how sounds and spelling patterns work together)

By mastering these, students strengthen every pillar of literacy: phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. We also teach oral and written grammar, sentence structure, paragraph and essay writing, and foundational math skills (up to 5th grade). Because much of math success depends on vocabulary and language processing, even older students benefit from targeted instruction in the language of math and other academic subjects.

Why It Works
When students understand how language is structured and see evidence of it in action, they gain more than literacy skills—they build critical thinking, confidence, and a lifelong ability to learn.
We work with learners of all ages and abilities, designing each lesson to meet the individual’s needs and pace.

Professional Development -- individual & small groups

Professional Development that Transforms Literacy Instruction
Ready to begin your journey into teaching the structures of the English language? One of the most effective ways to do this is through Structured Word Inquiry—a scientific approach to exploring how words are built, what they mean, and why they are spelled the way they are.

Our Introductory Structured Word Inquiry courses give teachers the tools to:

Deepen their own understanding of English spelling and structure
Strengthen students’ reading, spelling, and vocabulary skills
Address the needs of both typical and struggling learners
Make literacy instruction richer, more logical, and more engaging

We also offer specialized information sessions on working with struggling learners and understanding dyslexia, equipping educators with strategies they can implement immediately.

Bring this training to your school or organization—in person or online, for small groups or large audiences.
Contact us today to schedule your session and start empowering your students through evidence-based literacy instruction.

Professional Development Inquiry Form

speaking engagements & large trainings

Speaking Engagements & Large-Group Training
Inspire, inform, and transform your audience’s understanding of the English language. Whether you’re hosting a conference, professional learning day, or community event, we deliver dynamic, engaging presentations that bring the structure of English to life.

Our talks and workshops are grounded in Structured Word Inquiry—a scientific, inquiry-based approach to exploring word origins, meanings, and spelling patterns. Sessions can be tailored to:

Educators seeking fresh, evidence-based literacy strategies
Parents and community members wanting to support struggling learners
Professionals & University Programs looking to deepen their literacy & language knowledge
Organizations interested in understanding dyslexia and other learning differences

From keynote addresses to interactive training sessions, we combine research-based content with practical strategies your audience can use immediately.

Available in-person or online for audiences of any size.
Contact us to book an engaging, high-impact session that will leave your participants informed, inspired, and ready to act.

Professional Development Inquiry Form