Around the Grounds January & February 2025
- Doug Barton
- Feb 28
- 15 min read
Updated: Mar 4
Welcome, fellow Elevators, to our first Around the Grounds of 2025!
We hope that everyone had a restful break over the holidays and that you’ve hit the ground running in 2025!
It has been a massive start to the year for our teams worldwide. We’ve jumped straight back into the classroom, running workshops and coaching sessions to #helpthekids.
Let’s look at some of the best highlights from the past two months and celebrate the wins from the start of the year. Let’s dive in!
Team Australia
After a very well-earned break over the summer holidays, it has been a HUGE start to the year. Thanks to everyone for their awesome effort so far this year – the early mornings, the commutes to schools, the preparation – it has all led to some phenomenal feedback from students and teachers.
Let's take a look at those Aussie team members who have really gone above and beyond:
Aus Presenter of the Month
Jake
Jake has had a stellar start to the year, helping more than 1,100 students across January & February with 98.59% stats and a very impressive 9.44 teacher feedback score across his workshops. A huge well done for a fantastic start to the year!
We asked Jake which skills he's honed whilst presenting with Elevate that help him crush every workshop he walks into:
What do you enjoy most about presenting?
My favourite part of presenting has always been that “halo” moment for the students – when they realise there IS something very valuable in what we present or there is something in school that calls to them. When they find value. It’s really common to get eye rolls or see a bit of resistance from students before a session starts; however, by engaging with students and pulling them in, I often find that they get so much out of a 1-hour session. Learning about different students and being a part of what they want to do is a real big privilege.
What skills has presenting helped you to develop?
I think problem-solving is a big one. You never know what you might get rocking up to a classroom in terms of the space, time, expectations of the seminar and, of course, the students. Being able to cater effectively under time pressure and ensure the value of what is presented is achieved has definitely been a great skill to pick up. Making sure all the students are engaged is my biggest focus there. I would say my new role in leadership has also allowed me to start developing some more ‘authority-like’ communication skills and ensure that for new presenters, I set clear expectations of what it is to be at Elevate.
What have you learned from presenting across the past year?
Definitely about how many students are keen to get to uni rurally. I have been lucky to travel to a few regional WA schools and sometimes it can be hard to visualise schools there as the way we do in suburban Perth. But to see how excited students are to potentially follow uni/TAFE pathways is really awesome. Even just immersing myself in regional parts of WA has taught me a lot about how life can be like (how rewarding and special it is) with smaller communities.
Standout Presenter Feedback
Kiara Tuimaleali'ifano
“Kiara was excellent. The boys were engaged with the content. She was very interactive with the boys and got them involved in the lesson/content for the entire session”
Zac Broeren & Eleanor Dunstan
“Excellent presenters. Students were receptive. Good use of resources. Zac and Eleanor did a great job”
Sophie Urquhart
“Sophie was wonderful in her presentation on study skills for Year 12 students. She was professional, engaging, and clearly knowledgeable about the topic. Her delivery was confident and well-structured, providing valuable tips and strategies that will help her peers with their studies”
Oscar Drew
“Oscar was an engaging and friendly presenter who the students really enjoyed listening to and learning from”
Nelson Howard
“Nelson was an engaging and warm presenter. Students immediately gravitated towards him and came out feeling motivated and prepared for this year’s studies. We greatly appreciate his expertise and will welcome him back in the future”
Lucas Teixeira
“Lucas presented the workshop well. Was enthusiastic and good with the students”
Kathryn Richards
“We just had Kathryn present at our school, and I'd like to express my gratitude to her. The students responded really well to her presentation, and we appreciate her coming today”
Kab Venkatasalam
“Kab is a fantastic presenter and he engaged our students (and staff!!) 110%”
Josephine Armstrong
“Josie was engaging and spoke well to the students. She used lots of relevant examples to help them reflect on things and gave helpful strategies. From a teacher's point of view, she was reinforcing our expectations or what is important in learning (e.g. knowing the syllabus) and the value in creating good study habits”
Jemma Campbell
“Jemma was amazing and she really got our students being a past student herself - she connected so well with all the age groups she worked with. thank you Jemma! :)”
Iyla Yekta & Daniel Allan
“Daniel and Isla were very friendly and engaging with both classes. The students seem to take away something and the response was positive”
Darius Dekker
“Darius was very engaging and interactive with our students. He covered the areas of the workshop thoroughly. Our Year 12 students truly found Darius engaging and funny. They felt his workshop was very helpful and are hoping he comes back in April for their next one”
Aus Coach of the Month
Ocea
Well done Ocea! You are our Coach of the Month(s) for January & February!
We asked Ocea about her experience working as a coach so far:
"It’s a pleasure working at Elevate because I have the opportunity to make a positive impact on students’ growth and development. Helping kids feel more confident and happier in their studies is incredibly rewarding. The moment their faces light up, whether it’s when they use a new skill or realise their progress, is what makes all the hard work worth it. Beyond academics, I truly value the personal connections I form with the students, getting to know them as individuals and watching their growth is a unique and fulfilling part of my job. The community at Elevate is also very special, where you are surrounded by a team that truly cares, creating an atmosphere where you can grow both personally and professionally."
Amazing work, Ocea; thanks for all of your work so far in 2025!
Standout Coach Feedback
Charlotte Lacey
“Eva loved meeting Charlotte and I think they got on really well and made a bit of progress in that very 1st meeting. So we're looking forward to what else Eva and Charlotte can achieve together. Looks like it's already an improvement on what Eva was doing”
Adam Burridge
“We absolutely loved Adam and he did a great job with Harry”
Sebastian Outh-Aut
“Sebastian was great, had a chat with him at the end. Antoine found it really helpful”
Naveesha Aratchige
“Kate really liked her. Very good at getting to know Kate at the beginning. Very professional and did really well at explaining. She had her first day of school and already adopting the skills that Naveesha recommended”
Harinee Balaji
“He feels that he learnt something and he will practice the skills this week”
Elaine Ye
“She was lovely and was so engaging and Sasha thought she was really nice. I thought she was very engaging and thought she was very good”
Slack Channel Highlights
Team NSW
Last month, Team NSW shared: A "heart"felt image from Trinity & Lenny; a photo of Wes as the odd-one-out; a great snap of Keisha's first sem; a 'first-sem-back' photo from Zac; and a celebratory cinnamon roll with Emilie!
Team VIC
From Team VIC, we've got: Zac's first seminar; a train trip to Traralgon from Ames; a great photo of training day in action; an awesome pic of Kartiya and the squad; and another first sem photo, this time for Alex!
Team QLD
For QLD, we have: a great snap from Huddo and the gang in Iona; the "treebrief" from Will; Haniyah's first seminar; and a great image of Isaac & Lucas beachside!
Team WA
In WA, we have: Sophia's first sem; Sanjay and the squad with a plea to everyone on Slack; a great shot of the gang in Mt Lawley by Daniel; Jesse's first sem; and a capture of the "dream team" at work!
Team SA
In SA, we have Kab over at St Mark's, and Adele over at Adelaide International!
Team South Africa
We’ve also had a fantastic start to the new academic year in South Africa, getting straight back into workshops, coaching sessions, and running our CSI programmes at schools across the country. On top of this, our presenters have had the opportunity to run sessions in Kenya, Namibia and Zambia, and deliver our workshops online to schools in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mauritius - and feedback has never been better!
South African Presenter of the Month
Tumelo
A huge shoutout to a familiar face, Tumelo, for getting SA Presenter of the Month again for January & February. Tumelo has kept her seminar standards high as always with a 9.26 teacher feedback score and 9.52 stats across 56 sems in January & February. Fantastic work!
We asked Tumelo how she continues to develop as a presenter, here's what she said:
"Working with students is the most rewarding part of presenting; they truly bring a breath of fresh air. Coming from a long line of educators, I see this as an opportunity to continue a family legacy in my own way.
Presenting has allowed me to develop my confidence, transitioning it from something I had to "put on" to something that feels intrinsic. I've learned the value of putting myself out there and practicing patience (the Grade 4s definitely help with that). Most importantly, I've come to understand that this is a team effort. For that hour and a half, you are part of the team - leading by sharing skills while also listening carefully to ensure that what you offer is tailored to their needs.
As I enter my fifth year with the company, these are the key lessons that have helped me grow both as a presenter and as an individual. My favourite takeaway has been learning from the incredible team around me, whose support and collaboration have truly sharpened me."
Great advice there from an outstanding presenter whose impact resonates far and wide. We’re lucky to have you on the team, Tumelo, thank you for another awesome month of presenting!
Standout Presenter Feedback
Osama Salim
“Thanks so much for yesterday. The workshops went very well. The students were delighted after the session. Osama stood out as a friendly and professional presenter”
Wenzel Grobler
“The Grade 8's really enjoyed Wenzel’s presentation and he engaged with them really well. They thought it was really good to have Elevate come and help them with studying. In some of the comments they actually asked for more time with him”
Tumelo Thamaga
“Tumelo has been an excellent trainer! The students loved her and the feedback from the workshops was all positive. Thank you!”
Samkelo Mvelase
“The girls loved Sam as their presenter :) They've asked if we can book him for their sessions later this year, please”
Anesu Jahura
“He has come to the school more than once and he was so brilliant and he stands out. Very personable with the students and very organised. Only ever had great conversations with the man”
Lara Visagie
“Lara is incredible”
Candice Vorster
“Although it was her first time here, I did not have to do anything to get her up to speed! The kids specifically mentioned her”
Anika De Beer
“Anika was incredible from the moment she walked into the school until she left. She had the students' attention right from the beginning, and they said they had learned so much after the session ended”
South African Coach of the Month
Lara-Lynn
Continuing where she left off last year, Lara-Lynn takes the first coach of the month award with an average student feedback rating of 9.9. One comment that highlights this from a student was, “Just wow”.
Lara-Lynn said about her coaching experience thus far:
“Each student is unique, but I’ve learned that a little laughter goes a long way. Creating a comfortable, welcoming environment helps students feel at ease, and that’s where true learning can flourish. I’m grateful for the countless opportunities I’ve had to help and "elevate" students in their studies. Those moments when the light bulb clicks on for them—that’s when I know I’ve done my job to #helpthekids."
Great stuff Lara-Lynn, keep up the awesome work!
Special shoutout to Onkarabile who has had an incredible start to the year as a consultant ensuring that we can have a coach of the month.
Standout Coaching Feedback
Logan Smith
“I wanted to express my gratitude for the valuable sessions with Wanani. While I feel that it’s important for him to apply the skills he’s learned during these sessions, I truly appreciate all your efforts in guiding him”
Lori-lee Hermetz
“Daniel enjoyed his session with Lori and has said he feels less sceptical about coaching now. I think he could see the merit of time planning and being given an actual framework/process to use helped him”
Leshego Mothibi
“I give the previous sessions a 10. Everything went great and my child is looking forward to the next lesson”
Divan Laing
“Ty has thoroughly enjoyed his session and eager to share with me what he has learnt”
Team Photos
From Team South Africa this month we have some great snaps of our teams over at Lavender Hill, Clifton, DPHS, KSP, and Broadacres Academy!
Team UK
As the days start to get longer, the study skills start to get stronger, as students approach exams and our presenters have been dropping grand slams…
We’ve been all over the country helping students as they come up to exam season. With Town Halls taking place this week, it’s been an awesome two months from everyone in the UK team. Well done!
UK Presenter of the Month
Jack
Massive well done, Jack, on becoming our UK Presenter of the Month! We asked Jack a couple of questions about is presenting style and development - here's what he had to say:
What do you enjoy most about presenting?
"It’s got to be that every day is different. Every school, year group, or space provides different challenges and that variety keeps you on your toes, forcing you to constantly grow your presentation and performance skills."
What skills has presenting helped you develop?
"Definitely scheduling and time management. The first year at this job, for me was a crash course in actually structuring your time effectively and that learning curve has had really positive effects on a lot of other aspects of my life."
What have you learnt from presenting across the past year?
"Since becoming a TL it has to be team development. The other UK TLs are such incredible examples of how to do this, and I am constantly trying to learn from them (which is very humbling as one of the oldest presenters on the team)."
Standout Presenter Feedback
Stephanie Seidman
“I thought Steph was great as a presenter. Really good projection and pace and handled a big group really well. She had great energy and kept the boys engaged throughout”
Yvonne Dragnevska
“Yvonne was full of energy and managed to carry a potentially difficult crowd for their second activity of the day”
William Clark
“The presenter (Will) was very good and engaging. The session provided students with a number of practical strategies that they could use in order to improve their exam preparation”
Talib Mirza
“Talib was excellent. PowerPoint was very useful in helping the students keep pace with the information”
Sunaan Malik
“Sunaan was really engaging and knowledgeable for this session. He had lots of positive feedback from other teachers who were in on the sessions as well, who thought the delivery of the session was really good”
Renee Nassozi Kiggundu
“Really good to have Renee back as she went to the school. Very positive feedback from the students”
Jack Hardman
"Jack was especially good - he's phenomenal. His second time in, did a briefing as well. Ended up with the same class and remembered their names and responses from last time. The kids were saying it felt really good having someone that knew what was going on”
Nathaniel Rehman
"Nathaniel was amazing, kids responded so well to him. Kids have come back stressed, and this helped, it is really real but here you can help”
Duke Ansah & Joseph Ansah
"Duke and Joseph were a breath of fresh air for the year group. They were personable and reiterated all of the messages we have been telling the students. They did this on the students’ level and engaged them with their own experiences with school and exams”
James Islip
“James was one of the best presenters we have had - really engaged the students, got them involved. Great”
David Cook
“David was excellent - engaging, energetic and really landed with the pupils”
Annabelle Martinowsky
“Annabelle was excellent with the boys! Thank you”
UK Coach of the Month
Eliza
Huge congratulations to Eliza, our well-deserved UK Coach of the Month for Jan & Feb!
We asked Eliza how she's been finding being a coach at Elevate:
"Coaching is a very rewarding job with so many enjoyable aspects. My favourite thing though is seeing how inspired students get once they start to implement the skills. I’m always so happy when a student will tell me how well a certain skill has worked for them and to see their excitement at feeling like they can reach their goals.
Coaching has also taught me how to adapt the content and often think on my feet so that we can bring solutions to their problems together. Each student has entirely different set of struggles, but coaching has taught me how to tailor the content to each student’s needs, a skill that is so important in all aspects of education.
Since starting coaching in September 2024, I have gained a new appreciation for the content we teach and have implemented the skills into my own learning. Although being a presenter made the transition to coaching relatively smooth, I have learnt a lot from coaching one-on-one that makes my presenting seminars so much better. Seeing the content work in real time with students has only made me more passionate about what we deliver in schools. "
Thank you, Eliza, for your outstanding work last month!
Standout Coaching Feedback
Ammal Shahid
“I think this programme was really useful. After the first few sessions Estella seemed much more focused and confident in how to spend her time revising”
David Cook
“David was lovely. Rishi has been using the skills this week!”
Elisha Male
“Elisha's sessions are fun, interesting, and a good way of introducing new ways to memorise things”
Ruchika Thapar
“I really enjoyed this and I would absolutely recommend this to a friend! Ruchika is a very nice sweet person!”
Abbie Barber
“Abbie is super lovely, she is similar to me in terms of the way she learns, which is really nice. I would definitely recommend this to a friend, because I learn so much every session”
Eliza Wappat
“Eliza is lovely and easy to learn from. I am enjoying the sessions”
“Lucy really enjoyed the sessions with Eliza!”
Slack Channel Highlights
This time we have a ton of photos from the UK (and a lot of them food-based!). So from top to bottom we have: Yvonne & Renee at Millfield; Parth & the gang on the train; Suprabha celebrating becoming West Mid's TL Choice; Lunch-To-Go by Joshua; Breakfast with Will & Duke; Fish & Chips with Steph, Annabelle & Liliana; and finally a stunning shot from Beth on her travels.
Team US
It’s been an awesome start to the year in the US, with some really exciting things happening all over the place: we’ve been meeting with some interesting people to look at how we can continue to expand our program to more students; we’ve had presenter boots on the ground in all 5 boroughs; and now presenters in New Jersey and Pennsylvania too!
US Presenter of the Month
Josiah
Big congrats to Josiah, our US Presenter of the Month!
We asked Josiah a few questions about his time as a presenter so far:
What do you enjoy most about presenting?
"Definitely the shenanigans. I love a lot of the facets of the presenting life, from the ability to deeply impact the people I teach to all the new places I see. However, my favorite parts of any work day are the stories I can take with me afterwards!"
What skills has presenting helped you to develop?
"Is it cheating if I say all the study skills we teach? In truth, the skill I believe I developed the most with Elevate Education is my adaptability. Being forced into many unique situations has helped me grow tremendously in my ability to take control of a situation and find a great outcome for everyone involved. It doesn't hurt to have amazing help from our amazing Staff Team (Shoutout to Kaira Pacheco for holding things down) and legendary presenters like Winy Garcia Duarte and Hillary Brito to help you along your way either."
What have you learned from presenting across the past year?
"As a relatively young man with only 21 years of experience under my belt, Elevate has given me the amazing opportunity to understand perspective. Every time I enter a classroom, I ask myself, “What should be the main focus for today? What would these students like to hear from this presentation?” Those two questions only scratch the surface of the depth I was able to obtain while working with myriads of perspectives on a daily basis. These experiences have also bled into my personal life, allowing me to be a better brother, son, peer, and partner to my amazing girlfriend. I will always be grateful to Elevate Education for giving me the chance to listen, understand my audience, and deliver presentations in the most effective way possible!"
Standout Presenter Feedback
Sadie Schwartz
“Yesterday the event was very successful. Sadie is amazing!”
Pedro Gonzalez
“The workshop went very well. Pedro was energetic and thorough throughout! We loved this presentation”
Paige Miller
“Paige was amazing and very engaging with the students. She is very personable and connected with our students. We would love to have her for future sessions”
Martina Machado
“Everything went great. Martina was awesome, everyone (teachers and students) raved about her”
Maria Paulino
“Wanted to let you know that we loved Maria. She was so helpful and engaging!”
Jamie Glasheen
“Sitting in on Jamie's session right now and it is amazing. Love it and excited for the rest”
Hillary Brito
“Hillary is AMAZING. Such an asset for Elevate. I would give her 25 stars out of 10 if I could”
Denisse Medina Flores
“Denisse was great, session was really informative”
Slack Channel Highlights
From Team US we have: the team representing in PA; Martina making light work of the rondo table; the "early birds" by Munsura; a snap of James out in the cold; a great photo of the squad by Maria, a photo of Annette and the gang at a school; and a Valentine's Day Treat from Kelly!
And that's it from Around the Grounds for this month! We'll see you again for our March update soon!
Looking for some more Notes from HQ content in the meantime? Check out the blogs below!
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