%20(2).png)
🌈 Join the Movement for A Better Education System for ALL
Our education system has to change if we want to truly prepare our students to lead the future.
​
It has to change if we want to stop teachers leaving the system in droves.
And the time for that change is now.
​
We know that change isn’t going to come from ‘the top’, but from dedicated, passionate teachers willing to change the system from within.
​
And that’s what we are here to do at The Voice of the Student - support teachers with practical, science-backed strategies, better educational resources, and proven wellbeing tools, so you can create classrooms where both students - and you - thrive.
​
​
"If you want a seed to grow, you don't change the seed, you change the soil"
How It All Began...
When I was growing up, school was my haven—a safe space where I felt supported and empowered to be my authentic self, thanks to caring teachers and a welcoming environment.
​
But when my own children went to school, I noticed a shift towards more rigid, standardized approaches that often set teachers, parents, and students at odds.
​
The collaborative spirit that once defined the student, parent, and teacher relationship began to fade, replaced by a structure that often left students’ voices unheard and their unique and important needs unmet.
​
I felt like my kids - and all students - were missing out on what school could be, and became passionate about finding a healthier more balanced approach to education.
​
When my kids were around 10 and 12, I was embarking on my graduate studies in Integral Health and got curious about how we could use the principles of what I was studying to improve the overall experience of students.
​
I designed a research project to test how simple daily energy practices affected the flow of energy in the body and influenced a person’s daily mood and personal outlook (for better, worse, or not at all). I did the project with both my boys and several of their volunteer middle school friends (with their parents permission, of course) - and the results were striking!
​
After only two weeks, all the kids showed remarkable improvement. Test results confirmed their chakras (energy centers in the body) had aligned and expanded and according to their questionnaires, their overall sense of wellbeing improved as well. One student in particular who had the biggest energy change said in his final interview feedback (a slightly surprised): “Um…I feel pretty good actually (with a smirky smile).”
​
These results just reinforced my dedication to finding even more straightforward, effective methods to enhance student well-being and foster a calm, balanced learning environment.
​
​
During my doctoral dissertation, I interviewed dozens of current high school students from around the country to find out their true perspectives on their personal experience within our education system.
​
Their profound insights form the foundation of my 2024 book, The Voice of the Student, which calls for a fundamental shift in our education system—one that prepares young people with the life skills they need both during high school and beyond.
​
In particular, students shared that:
-
Teachers are the main influence on their classroom experience.
-
They crave lessons that feel relevant.
-
They want every peer to feel included.
-
And they need far more support to manage stress (including less stress in the first place).
Students want to be seen, heard and valued in the classroom. But too often, they are talked about but not truly listened to.
Real improvement starts when we value and include their voices (and yours) in reshaping education.
​
My mission at The Voice of the Student is to challenge the educational status quo, amplify real student and teacher voices, and champion a positive and inclusive school environment where every member of the community—students, teachers, and parents—has a seat at the table.
And as a result of my doctoral research, the Voice of the Student book, and my extensive training in wellbeing practices, the foundations of my work focus on:
-
Consulting with schools, teachers, and organizations to build lasting wellness cultures for both teachers and students.
-
Empowering teachers and educators to reduce stress and burnout, so we stop losing talented teachers who can lead the change we need.
-
Equipping teachers with mental, emotional, social, and personalized practices that work with, not against, adolescent brains.
-
Helping to integrate energy and mindfulness practices into the classroom to create more focused, calmer, and compassionate learning environments.
-
Spotlighting and addressing the urgent mental‑health challenges and engagement gaps facing today’s students.
I truly believe that, together, we can transform schools into safe, collaborative spaces that inspire the next generation to realize their full potential…while still learning and having some fun in the process.
And whether I’m working with school administrations through my consultancy work or helping teachers directly with my specialized courses, my aim is to empower educators in developing mindful, inclusive, and emotionally intelligent classrooms that nurture connection, creativity, and resilience.
​
​
​
If you’d like to talk through how I can help you to do that in your classroom or school, get in touch. Or take a look at my courses for teachers, enquire about my wellbeing consultancy services – (one-on-one or on-site, or speaker service), or buy The Voice of the Student book.
​
​
Together, we can change our education system to be a more sustainable, supportive place that builds a better future for our students, our teachers - and our society.
​
​
Dr. Kelley P. Spence, PhD
Education Advocate - Well-Being Specialist - Author
Dr Kelley P. Spence. PhD, is a leading education advocate, author of The Voice of the Student, and well-being specialist dedicated to transforming classrooms into inclusive, balanced spaces where both students and teachers thrive.
Her mission is to help schools bridge the gap between academic performance and authentic wellbeing with simple, science-based well-being tools for classrooms that help to improve focus, manage stress, promote inclusion, and spark a joy for learning in teachers and students alike.
She does that through her speaking presentations, her signature course, The Engaged Classroom, and her Well-Being Consultancy services listed at The Voice of the Student website.
​
Beyond her professional work, Kelley is a wife and proud mother of two young adults who have grown through the public school system—giving her a unique parent’s and well-being specialist’s insight into the realities of modern education.​
​
As part of her ongoing commitment to education and advocacy, Kelley has also:
​
Founded the Student Advisory Senate and Leadership Alumni Committee at her graduate school, CIHS, to bridge communication between academic leaders and learners.
​
Serves on the San Diego State University Parent Advisory Board as both an alumni and parent.
​
Completed extensive studies and has been certified in a variety of wellbeing modalities including:
-
Interpersonal neuropsychology for adolescents
-
Energy Medicine practices
-
Integral Psychology
-
Integrative Body‑Mind Therapy (IBMT)
-
NLP
-
AIT (Advanced Integrative Technique)
-
Mindfulness for adults and adolescents (Peace in Schools)
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities to help both teachers and students improve their well-being and school experiences!
Please reach out to discuss how I can support you and your students to thrive in your classroom and school environment and beyond!
