What's POWER Got To Do With It?

Humanity has come to a standstill in our evolution. While we have made unprecedented achievements with technological innovations such as Artificial Intelligence, we remain stuck in our learning and ability to teach Emotional Intelligence. We all have an innate need to feel confident, important, and powerful, but very few of us have been explicitly taught how to fulfill this need in healthy ways.

Think about the students in today's classrooms. Far too many students feel insecure and disempowered. And because all human beings have an innate need to feel powerful, far too many students learn harmful, toxic behaviors that provide them a temporary and inauthentic feeling of power. These behaviors often include "power struggles", physical abuse, and/or emotional abuse of their classmates and educators. Unfortunately, school is a place where many students become experts in gaslighting and avoiding responsibility, instead of taking accountability for these damaging behaviors.

The domino effect of these behaviors only perpetuates the disempowerment the student feels, while also leading to their classmates and teachers on the receiving end of the behavior experiencing burn out, depression and anxiety. Consequently, teachers are continuing to leave the education profession in droves.

When We Know Better, We Can Do Better

But what happens when we make students conscious of their need to feel powerful? What happens when we communicate to them how brilliant and powerful they already are? What changes will we see when the human need to feel powerful is normalized and students are given explicit instruction on how to not only empower themselves, but empower the community they are in?

"From Power Over to Power With: Classroom Edition" is a course that empowers educators to empower students. Educators are provided all of the resources they need to deliver instruction that teaches students self-awareness, human behavior, and accountability. This step-by-step, five lesson sequence tutorial will give educators the tools, strategies, and confidence they need to teach students how to change "power over" behaviors into "power with" behaviors.

Lesson 1: Introduction to Power Over vs. Power With


Students are introduced to the foundational concepts of “Power Over” and “Power With” through engaging discussions  in a Community Circle and reflection. They begin developing a shared vocabulary around power dynamics and classroom culture. This lesson sets the stage for deeper emotional intelligence and community building.

Lesson 2: Understanding and Responding to Gaslighting


In this powerful lesson, students explore the concept of gaslighting through real-world examples and define it in their own words. They engage in critical thinking, discussion, and a peer-led podcast to reflect on healthier ways to communicate. The lesson centers awareness and accountability in communication.

Lesson 3: Transforming Power Over Scenarios


Students collaborate in groups to identify harmful “Power Over” behaviors and reimagine them as “Power With” interactions. Through hands-on activities, presentations, and peer feedback, they deepen their understanding of how to build a more inclusive, respectful classroom. This lesson emphasizes empathy, critical thinking, and application.

Lesson 4: Practicing Vulnerability and Accountability


Students explore the meaning of vulnerability and practice taking ownership through thoughtful discussions and a powerful letter-writing activity. With guided reflections and real-life examples, they learn the emotional skills required for healthy conflict resolution and authentic connection.

Lesson 5: Building a Power With Classroom Culture


In the final lesson, students co-create community expectations grounded in shared power, trust, and accountability. They reflect on their growth and contribute ideas for a classroom that uplifts and supports everyone. This lesson reinforces lasting cultural change and student agency.