Phyl Teaches How to Embrace Tools and Resources That Are Straightforward to Use, Time-Efficient, & Produce Results

Skill-Building Training

"Results-Oriented Professional
Development: In-Person
and Online Options"

Research shows that instructor quality is the most significant influence on a learner's achievement.

Professional development that is most effective in improving any practice is results-oriented.

Make A Difference, Inc. provides practical, action-plan oriented courses that get you "off the bench" and "in the game" - using proven methods that produce measurable outcomes.

All Educational Sessions are available in an In-Person or Online format.

All In-Person Full-Day Trainings are available through a series of online classes - with the exception of the hands-on Make & Takes.

Comprehensive Courses on T.H.E. P.A.C.T.
– Both In-Person and Online Options

In-depth courses that will take "good ideas" and put them into a "Can-Do" action plan
Gain detailed insight into foundational principles, the important connection between language tasks, and learner case examples

All In-Person Full-Day Trainings are available through a series of Online classes – with the exception of the hands-on Make & Takes.

Keynote Speaker: Phyl T. Macomber

Author, Trainer, and Curriculum Strategist, Phyl T. Macomber is known for her empowering, practical, and "action-plan" oriented programs.


Phyl Delivers a Powerhouse Address as the Keynote
Speaker of the Tools for Schools Conference

Phyl provides dynamic keynote addresses and customized breakout sessions - that are combined with creative and research-based approaches - for people who want to move beyond the limitations of their work and day-to-day problems and on to realistic "solutions."

Roundtable Training Discussions

"On-the-Spot Problem-Solving"


Customized Problem-Solving Linked to the
Common Core Initiative

In this interactive series of conferences - offered online or in-person - a group of participants brings their questions "to the table" regarding systemizing instruction and communication.

Get your questions answered "on-the-spot" when differentiating instruction, tying to the Common Core Initiative, and learning new technology tools.

Leave with immediate solutions to your problems - in "real-time" - so that you can put them into a practical starting action plan for T.H.E. P.A.C.T.

A minimum of 4 Roundtables are scheduled in this training package.

NOTE: Completing the free introductory webinar on T.H.E. P.A.C.T. is a prerequisite to participating in the Roundtables.

Conference Appearances

Phyl's work has been nationally and internationally recognized at leading conferences in the field of education, special education, augmentative communication, speech and language, and assistive technology.

Her conference appearances have been in the form of teaching educational sessions, instructing pre-conference workshops, and giving keynote addresses.

Clinical Feedback

Marcia Zurich-Thompson, Speech-Language Pathologist from southern New Hampshire, comments:

"Phyl’s presentation style was beautifully organized, delivered with dynamic fervor, and of course, a great deal of heart gleaned from her extensive knowledge base and years of field and research experience."

Linda Murphy, Educational Assistant from Edmonton, Alberta, shares:

"Phyl was an amazing presenter! There was never a dull moment and I got a rainbow of ideas. Phyl is very positive and energetic and provides a lot of visual examples along with apps and multimedia tools to use within the framework."

Mary Asper, President of Codding Hollow & Associates in Vermont, remarks:

"Phyl, you did an OUTSTANDING training. The SLPs who attended were very pleased with all the information you shared. T.H.E. P.A.C.T. is perfect for what we do at 'any' grade level. It is such a wonderful tool to use - as well as to explain to teachers and staff that will then help carry-over activities SLPs implement."

Steve Bender, Special Educator, took a course in North Branch, New Jersey and shares:

"It was so helpful to see how many components of T.H.E. P.A.C.T. could be created on a shoe-string budget!"

Deirdre Pierce, parent of a child with a disability from New England, remarks:

"Phyl, YOU AMAZE ME! I am so happy to have shared the day with you.  Congratulations on an inspiring successful day!"

Meagan Moakley, consultant from Crick Software, shares:

"Phyl, you did a fantastic job, and everyone was completely in awe of your enthusiasm and dedication to your field - myself included!

Mary Sue Crowley, Learning Specialist, who attended a course in Central Vermont, states:
“Phyl's training sessions are extremely informative, exciting, and above all, everyone leaves with skills that can be immediately put to use. She always communicates her goals clearly and states her expectations in a way that leaves no questions."

Ann Bailey, Special Educator, took a course in Boston, Massachusetts and states:

"I am able to begin immediately implementing these ideas from the wealth of resources presented. And, I learned more about resources that I already utilize!"

Carrie Peterson, Classroom Teacher from the province of Alberta, says:

"Phyl is a strong presenter who explains information thoroughly for a variety of technology to apply in the classroom setting using T.H.E. P.A.C.T."

Jane Duffy, Occupational Therapist from Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union in Vermont, explains:

"Phyl, you have taken your many years of experience and put it into a comprehensive program that can be used from a very basic level to a high level. T.H.E. P.A.C.T. can be implemented from low tech to high tech and can be adapted to ALL levels of cognitive ability. The training was EXCELLENT and it makes sense!"

Debbie Sawyer, Classroom Teacher, who was at a training in Sherwood Park, Alberta feels:
“Phyl, you are personable and so full of knowledge! T.H.E. P.A.C.T. is a practical and sensible approach to instruction and I love that you are a practicing professional in the field."

Laura Houle, Special Educator from northern New England, comments:

"What an inspiring day it was! I am blessed to meet people like you in my life's journey who share tools to help me make a difference.

Connie Ryan, Speech-Language Pathologist from Massachusetts, explains:

"We've been asking the wrong question in Special Education! We have been asking 'How do I teach this thing?' Instead, we should have been asking is 'What activities and tools does this student need to learn anything?' T.H.E. P.A.C.T. is practical and user-friendly which may make it easier to get regular education teachers to buy in. Thank you for creating this approach and thank you for sharing it so effectively through this workshop."

Amy Shaw, Speech-Language Pathologist, who attended a workshop in Killington, Vermont, remarks:

"Phyl is a fantastic presenter and has a gift. She is so good at making each person 'on the train' feel valuable. Everyone got a compliment and recognition from her at some point in the training. We all left, parents and providers, with high self-esteem and confidence and renewed energy for the work that lay ahead."

Educational Sessions

Receive concentrated information in a short period of time
Easily fit training into your existing work day
Sessions are either 1 hour or 1.5 hours in length

All Educational Sessions are available In-Person or Online in a live Webinar format. A listing of archived recorded webinars coming soon.


Phyl Hits the Ground Running & Delivers Creative
Teaching Lessons in an Educational Session

FREE Recorded Intro
Webinar on T.H.E. P.A.C.T.

The Power Of T.H.E. P.A.C.T.
Webinar Library

Coming in 2013

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