YXL Institute

Find your why to excel

YXL Purpose

At YXL we believe that education is the key factor in building a bright tomorrow for our young people of today. YXL wants educators, at all levels, to ensure remarkable learning occurs for the young people in their schools.  

YXL Mission

To coach educators and school leaders in their quest to deliver meaningful, purposeful, impactful and measurable outcomes for the students and teachers in their schools.

Y FACTS

YXL at all

Teaching is one of the most rewarding (and important) careers to engage in; there is no other job as varied, joyful and impactful. However, it is undeniable that the profession is also one of the most challenging- not only are veteran teachers reporting feeling overworked and overwhelmed, half of early career teachers leave the job within the first five years. YXL is here to help. We know that the antidote to overwhelm is support, and that successful people have skilled coaches. Our programs ensure that our teachers and school leaders are equipped to enjoy a successful career, delivering wonderful outcomes for students and teachers alike.

YXL for Schools

YXL understands that schools are more than educational facilities; they are communities. YXL provide benefits to all stakeholders within this community. Schools delight in the ‘ripple effect’ having YXL in their school creates: good practice is contagious and impacts not only the teachers and school leaders we work with, but the staffrooms they belong to and the students they teach.

YXL for Principals (and leaders)

If anyone understands the busy nature of school, it is the Principal. YXL is dedicated to one purpose; to inspire, support and coach educators and leaders in schools. Without the distractions a school day poses, YXL focuses on relentlessly delivering this service to the teachers and leaders we work with. We also understand that schools have their own set of values, ways of working and strategic agendas; that’s why we liaise directly with Principals and other lead educators to confirm we are focussing on school priorities during our feedback, coaching and professional development sessions.

YXL for Students

We put students at the centre of our discussions and importantly seek feedback and accountability on practice. Through coaching, teachers and school leaders will learn to thrive in an environment driven by stakeholder’s voices, allowing them to excel in their performance as well as delivering great outcomes for the students they serve.

YXL for Teachers

Isolation is the enemy of good practice. Just like all athletes thrive with good coaching, all teachers need ongoing support and inspiration to achieve their ultimate potential. YXL offers programs for teachers at all stages in their career as well as quality professional learning and a community of other educators to collaborate with. Most importantly, we work side by side with teachers to discover highly effective, measurable teaching practices that work for them in their setting.

View our upcoming

Workshops for 2024

YXL VISION

For all educators to discover their “why,”
execute their ability to excel, and create outstanding learning.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Early Career Program

The Early Career Program provides exceptional support and fast tracks the development and growth of teachers at the commencement of their career. The unique and comprehensive tailoring of reflection meetings, observations, professional development and networking is unparalleled with regard to the quality and quantity of support offered. Our program assists teachers to reflect on their practice, identify how to have an impact on student learning and continually develop their repertoire of effective and deliberate strategies. At YXL, our coaching team use their extensive experience from the classroom, educational leadership and working exclusively with early career teachers, to provide quality mentoring. Our Early Career Program provides teachers with the perfect platform to launch their careers and provide exceptional learning opportunities for their students.

Early Career Program Expanded

Y Discovery Workshop

Ensuring teachers feel a sense of fulfillment in their work is key to both longevity and effectiveness. This workshop focuses on guiding teachers to discover their “Y.” That is, what their moral purpose is in becoming a teacher, how this can transform the lives of others and how they ensure that their practice is built around this.

X-Factors Workshop

With over 1000 lesson observations per year, we know what good practice looks, feels and sounds like. We unpack three distinct qualities that allow teachers to excel and create a learning environment where students thrive. We model how Relationships, Execution and Reflection allow them to strive for continual improvement and excel in any educational setting and deliver learning outcomes they can be proud of.

Teacher Leadership Workshop

This workshop is collective teacher efficacy at its best. Teachers are empowered as they celebrate the most effective way they lead learning in their classrooms. YXL provides the perfect safe space for teachers at the same stage of their careers to collaborate and share their effective practices. We leverage the collective wisdom of the YXL community to improve their practice even further.

Face-to-Face Coaching

Our YXL coach comes to your school, when it suits you, for mentoring and coaching sessions. With a duel focus on support and growth, these sessions provide an opportunity for teachers to seek advice, celebrate success and create goals around their practice. Teachers feel empowered, know they have solid support and are challenged to get even better.

Lesson Observation

Feedback on practice is an essential step in ensuring students are learning in classrooms. Our YXL coaches know what great teaching looks, sounds and feels like and we want to ensure teachers do as well. With the total safety of no judgement, our aim is to seek out reality in the classroom, praise it, confront it and tackle it together so learning increases.

Video Observation Feedback

Participants film a lesson segment of focus. A dedicated session follows with the YXL coach to dissect and reflect on the lesson together. Video observations will ensure teachers know what their practice looks like and, most importantly, how to reflect on it.

YXL Thursdays

These are facilitated networking sessions where teachers collectively address challenges. Expert guest coaches feature throughout the year engaging participants to “up to date” educational perspectives and practice through YXL Webinars.

Invest In Me Series

Just like a classroom, differentiation is critical in teacher development. Our Invest In Me series allows teachers to select professional learning that appeals to them and is relevant for what they need “right now.” The Invest In Me series is a suite of webinars run over two terms, teachers choose  the webinar that is the best learning for them in their setting. With 12 to choose from across a number of the professional standards, teachers will be spoilt for choice.

After Hours Support

YXL takes support to a new level by offering assistance, guidance and advice, outside school hours, for those times where a little extra help is needed.

Y Reflect Program

Do you have effective teachers looking to become even more effective? At YXL we put teachers in the driver’s seat to determine their WHY to improve and HOW to do it. The Y Reflect Program assists teachers to improve practice by empowering them to assess their teaching, set goals to improve, co design actions with a personal coach to address goals, and finally, to measure their impact. We ensure teachers are fully supported through the reflective process, inspiring confidence to grow. We do this with a multi layered approach of 1 on 1 personal coaching, video feedback sessions, workshops and leveraging the YXL community. Take advantage of the facilitated collaboration YXL creates by linking participants, in person and online, with other like-minded teachers. Educators take ownership of their own growth through the Y Reflect Program where the person they are most accountable to is THEMSELVES!

Y Reflect in Action

Y Discovery Workshop

Ensuring teachers feel a sense of fulfillment in their work is key to both longevity and effectiveness.

This workshop focuses on guiding teachers to discover their “Y.” That is, what their moral purpose is in becoming a teacher, how this can change the lives of others and how they ensure that their practice is built around this.

Face-to-Face Coaching

Our YXL coach comes to your school, in your environment for coaching sessions. The Y reflect coaching focuses on identifying the problem or passion of practice and co-constructing a plan to implement, measure and reflect on during the coaching cycle.

Lesson Observation

These lesson observations are designed to give explicit feedback around the participants’ problem or passion of practice. Our coaches focus specifically on the area identified by the teacher. We seek feedback from students and offer insight into the reality of implementation, collating their thoughts and ideas.

Video Observation Feedback

Video observations help teachers know what their practice looks like and, most importantly, how to reflect on it. Participants film a lesson segment of focus. A dedicated session follows with the YXL coach to dissect and reflect on the lesson together.

Y Reflect Workshop

YXL provides the perfect safe platform for teachers to discuss, celebrate and pivot their ideas. We facilitate collaboration at its finest: teachers present their practice, receive constructive feedback from their peers and gain insights into other effective strategies outside their immediate school setting.

XL Program

Even the greatest athletes and professionals recognise the need for a coach. Coaches help identify blind spots, refine techniques, encourage persistence and challenge thier people to get even better. Teaching is no different. YXL recognises that many teachers want to get even better at their craft, they understand that not only should students experience at least one’s year worth of growth- teachers should too. The XL program helps teachers self-identify areas of practice that they wish to focus on. We also recognise how the teaching profession has changed over time, sometimes without support, and we want to help. The XL program caters for all teachers in their quest to reach their potential, as the TEACHER is the author of this change. Through one on one coaching sessions, 24 hour support, a lesson observation, optional video observations and teacher collaboration, we have teachers feeling empowered to deliver even better learning in their classrooms.

XL Program In Action

Face-to-Face Coaching

Our YXL coach comes to your school, at a time that suits you for coaching sessions. The XL program coaching focuses on guiding teachers to focus on something important to them, linked to the school agenda, and co-constructing goals and actions that will achieve tangible outcomes in the classroom.

Lesson Observation

These lesson observations are designed to give explicit feedback around the teacher’s identified area for growth. Our coaches focus specifically on this area to ensure feedback is directed where they want it. We seek feedback from students and offer insight into the reality of implementation, collating their thoughts and ideas.

Video Observation Feedback (optional)

Participants film a lesson segment of focus. A dedicated session follows with the YXL coach to dissect and reflect on the lesson together. Video observations help ensure teachers know what their practice looks like and, most importantly, how to reflect on it. Plus they are great even after the program has concluded.

Workshop

YXL provides the perfect safe platform for teachers to discuss, celebrate and pivot their ideas. We facilitate collaboration at its finest: teachers present their practice, receive constructive feedback from their peers and gain insights into other effective strategies outside their immediate school setting.

Y Leadership Program

The Y Leadership Program provides aspiring and existing middle leaders with a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills specific to schools. Influencing change related to strategic agendas, fostering a positive culture and building capacity in people are qualities of exceptional leaders. These qualities are not developed in the classroom, so many exceptional teachers who transition into leadership positions are faced with new challenges. Y Leadership provides middle leaders with an extensive mentoring and coaching process that is explicitly linked with the school priorities and the challenges that exist in their current role. YXL’s coaching team utilizes their own experience as Administrators and leaders to provide development and growth for participants of the Y Leadership Program.

Y Leadership Program Expanded

Leadership Profile

We want to know WHY the participant became a leader and what they want to achieve. During this initial meeting we explore the goals, actions and values that they hold as a leader and unpack what they are trying to achieve. Of course, we want to know how this links to the school agenda! At the outset we want to know where we can have the most impact.

Face-to-Face Coaching

During the coaching meetings our YXL coach will help plan actions linked to long term and short term goals. We provide support and growth for the participant as they embark on the leadership journey. One of the Pillars of leadership is ACCOUNTABILTY and this forms a large part of the coaching meetings. Our coaches will ensure they feel supported to deliver on what they said they would do.

Leadership Observation

Unlike any other leadership program we want to observe the participant in action. Whether this be leading a faculty meeting or having a performance conversation, we will provide feedback. We know that lesson observations are a highly effective for teachers and it’s no different as leaders. Feedback on your communication and culture building is essential in the growth of a leader.

Workshop

YXL provides the perfect safe platform for leaders to discuss, celebrate and pivot their ideas. We facilitate collaboration at its finest: leaders present their journey in leadership practice and receive constructive feedback from their peers as well as gain insights into other leadership stories.

SFD & Twilight PD Offerings

Whether you’re looking to start the year off with a buzz or stimulate growth and motivation at the end of the day with twilight PD, YXL knows what educators want! Uniquely, our work is in schools with educators, not outside it. Our sessions are highly interactive, most certainly thought-provoking but most of all actionable. We guarantee educators will be able to make an immediate change, in or out of the classroom, having them feeling empowered to make a difference. Have something in mind but need some help with facilitation? YXL is happy to tailor workshops and afternoons to your school agenda.

X Factors Workshop

The X Factors workshop will inspire teachers to create exceptional learning experiences in their classrooms. This workshop is focused on the Why and How of teaching, with an emphasis on practical strategies that teachers can use immediately. This session is jam packed with a range of fun, practical, evidence based ideas and strategies that will provide teachers with a tool kit for enhancing learning in their classroom. Included in the session are ideas for lesson starters, introducing new knowledge, using information effectively, retrieval strategies, checking for understanding and incorporating ICTs. New teachers and experienced teachers alike will be inspired to  create their own X factors!

Y Discovery + Connection to School Vision

If you are looking for a great start to the year or a twilight session that will keep your team engaged and feel empowered then this workshop won’t disappoint. When educators define their ‘why’, they will be motivated to deliver exceptional education. This workshop focuses on educators discovering their “why.” That is what is their purpose in their work, how this can change the lives of others and how to ensure their practice and (more importantly) their actions will allow them to feel fulfilled in their work. In the second half of this workshop, participants see where their personal why fits into the school vision and values and most likely the school strategic direction. We look at how simply by committing to actions linked to what they believe (their why) they can contribute and bring the school vision to reality. 

Y Discovery Workshop

We know that WHY is important. We know that when we live our why we are at our best. It is no different in your workspace. This that know their Why and more importantly ACTION it will be more motivated and deliver better outcomes in their work. This workshop guides you through the “Why” discovery process from start to finish. By the conclusion of this workshop you will be able to clearly articulate your personal “Why,” and identify the actions that will have you living your “Why” and finding more purpose in your work.

Register here at a venue near you. https://yxlinstitute.arlo.co/w/

YXLing it Workshop

Want a workshop that just focuses on quality teaching practices. Want to be able to implement them in classrooms tomorrow! This is the workshop for you. At YXL we have done over 2000 lesson observations and conducted over 3500 coaching meetings with teachers. This means we know what teachers want and we know what works for students.

With all our time in classrooms, we get  first hand experience at what is and sometimes what isn’t successful for educators in the 21st century. This workshop is built by teachers for teachers and will have you improving your lessons the very next day. We challenge you to come and experience 100 strategies in a day!

Register here at a venue near you. https://yxlinstitute.arlo.co/w/

Get both for a discount

Take advantage of our 2 day deal and get a reduced rate to attend both workshop!

Register here at a venue near you. https://yxlinstitute.arlo.co/w/

We are approaching 6000 lesson observations. We know what good practice looks, sounds and feels like. With more than 2000 one on one coaching meetings each year, we empower Teachers and Schools to create the best learning for their students.

 MEET THE YXL TEAM

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Liam Exelby

Liam Exelby

Director

Liam Exelby is an educator with over 14 years’ experience in schools. He has developed an extensive range of coaching skills through his portfolio as a lead teacher, Head of Department and Deputy Principal in schools. His passion is for all teachers to understand that they have a responsibility to know what quality teaching is, recognise how learning occurs best, and execute this in every lesson. Liam has delivered in schools for over a decade and now his why, “to empower and inspire people, so that they excel” has led him to expand his influence, beyond one school setting, to ensure the sustainability of the workforce and have equitable classrooms regardless of teacher experience.

  Stacey Crausaz

Stacey Crausaz

EXECUTIVE COACH

Stacey Crausaz describes teaching as, ‘the best job in the world- there is no other profession as rich, varied and rewarding as this one!’  She has been working in education for 12 years, both in the UK and in Australia; supporting teachers and students in her capacity as a Year Co-ordinator, a Lead Teacher and a Head of Department.  These experiences have all prepared Stacey for her new role as an Executive Coach at YXL. Her passion is to support teachers in their early careers- she strives to ignite joy in the teachers that she works with: empowering them to grow, explore, take risks in their practice and thus deliver the best education possible for their students. Stacey has had outstanding success at YXL with her teachers often referring to her as “their saviour.” Stacey is the epitome of living her why, “to ignite joy and cultivate connections so that people feel inspired to make the world a better place.”

  Chris Niven

Chris Niven

Executive Coach/Blended Learning Expert

Chris has worked in both the UK and Australia looking to empower teachers’ journeys serving as a Pedagogical Coach, Head of Department and Head of Professional Practice. From your questioning and behaviour consequences to a blended classroom and a connection made, he is passionate about the support of teachers embracing technology and teaching both online and face to face, of which he has a history of building capacity, future leaders and continuous learners. Chris was the recipient of the AMSI Choose Maths: Teaching Excellence Award in 2019, recognised also on the 2019 Educator Hot List and with one of The Educator’s Rising Star awards 2018 for leadership. 2021 also saw Chris delivering his take on technology and blended learning in the Maths classroom as the overseas Outstanding Educator-In Consultancy for the Academy of Singapore Teachers. With students at the heart of what we do – his why commits “to empower and supportively challenge others so that they can do the same in their setting”.

Success Starts Here

YXL Institute

Find your why to excel