Empowered Problem Solving® Online Workshop

Registration for the next six-week Empowered Problem Solving online workshop opens on January 24, 2025, at 8 AM Pacific time. The workshop is asynchronous and self-paced, so there are no set meeting times.

You can choose:

  • Standard Access (4 months) for $345, ending May 30, 2025.
  • Extended Access (12 months) for $414, ending February 10, 2026.

The workshop runs from February 10 to March 22, 2025.

If you have questions or need to register at another time, email me at robert@robertkaplinsky.com.

Registration opens January 24, 2025 at 8 am Pacific time

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Step 1

Sign up for my emails by clicking the button below.

Step 2

Receive weekly ideas you can use with your students.

Step 3

Get notified as soon as registration opens.

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What This Online Workshop Has To Offer


Module 1: Why Is Problem Solving So Important?

How will this help me? I'll begin by taking you through a problem-based lesson where I break down the experience from both the student and teacher perspectives.  

What will I learn?

  • What does problem solving look like? 
  • How should students explain what they did? 
  • Why is this change needed?  


Module 2: How Would It Work With My Students?

How will this help me? Next, I'll help you envision what this would look like with elementary, middle, and high school students by using videos of the lessons in action.   

What will I learn?

  • How do students respond to these lessons? 
  • How do I support my students?  
  • Why can’t I use strategies like CUBES? 
  • What does it look like when students can’t apply math? 
  • What should I focus on when teaching? 
  • Where can I find problems to use? 
  • What questions do teachers frequently ask?
  • How do elementary (kinder) students respond?
  • How do high school (pre-calc) students respond?
  • How do I use a problem-based lesson digitally?  


Module 3: How Do I Prepare To Teach A Lesson?

How will this help me? Now, it's time to talk about practical implementation, so we'll discuss how to prepare for success so that you feel confident and ready-to-go.  

What will I learn?

  • Why should we prepare to teach these lessons? 
  • What’s a problem we can practice facilitating? 
  • How do I facilitate a discussion about the problem? 
  • What might that discussion look like? 
  • How can I practice facilitating this discussion?  


Module 4: What If It Doesn't Go As Planned?

How will this help me? I won't avoid the reality that lessons rarely go exactly as we plan. So, in this module you'll learn what to do when these issues happen.  

What will I learn?

  • How can I anticipate lesson failures in 60 seconds?
  • How to handle eleven of the most common worst-case scenarios when implementing problem-based lessons. (including “What do you do when a student comes up with a strategy for solving the problem that you do not understand?”)  



Module 5: How Can I Help Students Better Understand Math Concepts?

How will this help me? Students can also learn procedural skills and conceptual understanding through problem-solving, so we'll use Open Middle problems to make it happen.  

What will I learn?

  • How can students get correct answers yet not understand? 
  • How can I support both students who struggle and those looking for more challenge? 
  • How do I help students persevere? 
  • Where can I find more Open Middle problems to use?
  • How do I use an Open Middle problem digitally?



Module 6: How Do I Merge This With What I’m Already Doing?

How will this help me? We'll wrap up the workshop by making sure you feel comfortable integrating these ideas with your current workflow.  

What will I learn?

  • How do we make time for this? 
  • How do I fit this into my pacing plan? 
  • How do I assess problem-based lessons? 
  • What should I tell people who observe me? 
  • How do I stay focused on what’s important?  

My Guarantee

#1

If you complete my workshop and do not learn anything you can use with your students, email me at robert@robertkaplinsky.com within 10 business days of the workshop ending and I will give you a full refund.

#2

I estimate an average of ~3 hours of work each week for the six-week workshop. You have access to the workshop content for 4 months with standard access and 12 months with extended access.

#3

My workshop will be an engaging mix of actionable ideas, thought-provoking reflections, and kinda funny jokes.  

My Empowered Problem Solving workshop is compatible with any device.

About Me Hi, I’m Robert. I’ve been an educator since 2003 as a classroom teacher, teacher specialist for Downey Unified School District, instructor for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and presenter at conferences around the world. I’m also the author of Open Middle Math: Problems That Unlock Student Thinking and creator of the #ObserveMe movement.

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Workshop Participant Testimonials

Workshop Participant Testimonials

“I felt confident this online workshop would be a solid, useful, and enjoyable experience. I wasn’t disappointed. The interactive format, readily applicable strategies and material, sharp production value, and the ability to hit ‘replay’ whenever I wanted, made Robert’s Empowered Problem Solving workshop a worthwhile professional development choice.” – Carole Seubert, Math Instructional Lead Teacher in Upper Marlboro, MD

"Often in a workshop, I hear 1 or 2 things that resonate with me, and, because I teach in a small, private school that has unique characteristics such as no grading, most of it does not apply to me. But every segment of this workshop had moments that resonated with me as a teacher and as a person. Your ideas can be implemented not just in Common Core states, which Virginia is not, not just in public schools, which mine is not, not just in certain types of classrooms, but in any classroom, for any teacher who wants to do a better job reaching and teaching students. You have expanded my sense of what’s possible and what’s necessary for problem-based learning." – Katrien Vance, Teacher in Afton, Virginia  

"This workshop is excellent. I worked on Three Act Tasks and I practiced anticipating outcomes and ordering work. I now use Open Middle Problems with all of my students. I appreciated your feedback and quick email responses. The site was also very easy to navigate and I did it on a cell phone on my commute." – Christina Howard, Teacher in Jackson Heights, NY  

“I’ve been doing a lot of problem based lessons over the course of my career, but it has been really great to see how this workshop is organized in a much more structured and comprehensive manner, where the vast majority of predictable scenarios have been examined and planned for.” – Richard Blatherwick, Teacher in Brooklyn, NY 

"Great job with the sound quality and captions. The audio was crisp and clear. The captions were fantastic. I especially loved how you made sure the audience comments were closed captioned and they had the microphone too! You, also, repeated back the audience comments when we could not hear what they said. These little details really help the Deaf and Hard of Hearing!" – Stephanie Disrude, Teacher in Crescent City, CA

"This is truly the most relevant and useful workshop I have taken. You have carefully thought through all we need to implement problem based lessons. You did a great job in making sense of the levels of Depth of Knowledge. I don’t think I’ve seen a better explanation. For me, this has been transforming. It's exciting and I have revamped the way I do things for my adult learners." – Dee Mallie, Teacher in Elgin, IL  

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How Participants Describe The Workshop

What My Peers Say About Me

"Robert is an engaging presenter who brings his work to life in a way that makes it interesting and informative for his audiences. His Open Middle problems are one of the best ways I have found to get students thinking deeply about mainstream math content while preserving a sense of play and fun."

– Peter Liljedahl, Author of Building Thinking Classrooms

"Robert is always one of my favorite presenters I like to go see at any conference I attend. He does not disappoint with Empowered Problem Solving. You get to learn from Robert in the comfort of your home and get practical strategies and classroom ideas to help you empower your students to become problem solvers, not just answer getters."

– Christina Tondevold, Online Math PD Facilitator

"I have seen how powerful Robert's Open Middle problems are with my future teachers. He mentions that one Open Middle problem can replace a worksheet and that is absolutely true. Not only does it replace a worksheet but there is so much more critical thinking and curiosity happening when students do these types of problems."

– Howie Hua, Lecturer 

"Robert understands the teaching skills necessary to help students learn challenging mathematics, as well as how to help teachers develop that exact same skillset. Robert is easygoing, empathetic, and he'll challenge you to become the best teacher you can be."

– Dan Meyer, TEDx speaker, Chief Academic Officer at Desmos

"Robert’s workshops are some of the most engaging, useful, and well designed math professional development I’ve ever been in. His workshops are ‘low floor, high ceiling’ math pd. They’re accessible to all math educators and allow us to productively struggle with new strategies and activities in order for us to shift our pedagogy and provide a fun, open, and challenging environment for our students."

– Ed Campos Jr., Educator, National Presenter

"Robert is an exceptionally dedicated educator, a thoughtful listener, and an powerful builder of community. He understands the challenges that math teachers face every day. Instead of hand-waving or confusing ed-speak, Robert offers teachers and admins concrete strategies for engaging students in meaningful ways. Robert is a math teacher through-and-through, and is one of my favorite people to learn with and learn from."

– Karim Ani, Founder of Citizen Math

How Does My Workshop Compare?

Option Cost University PD Credits Choose your Instructor? Stay with Students? Access to Content
My workshop $345 + $62 per credit 2 to 4 Yes Yes 16 weeks
National math conference $585 + travel expenses 0 Yes No 4 days
University course $725 + materials 4 No Yes 8 weeks

Past Clients

Bonuses Only Available In This Workshop

Live Question and Answer Chat on 3/26/25 at 5 pm Pacific time

While I regularly reply to workshop participants on the message board, I'll also have a live chat that's free to everyone who registers. This will be your chance to ask any other questions you have. I'll also give you a way to ask questions early and I'll record it if you can't be there live.

Problem-Based Lesson Planning Checklist

If you wanted to use a problem-based lesson with your students tomorrow, would you know what’s essential to get done so you’re ready to go, or what would be very helpful to do if you have more time? I’ll break down everything you need to do in a two-page PDF you can have handy when you need it.  

Problem-Based Lesson Troubleshooting Guide

I’ve made a problem-based lesson troubleshooting guide for the eleven most common worst case scenarios when using a problem-based lesson. I realize that in those situations, you’re not going to want to look back at your workshop notes. So, it breaks down the issues that happen before students start working on their own and the ones that happen after they start working on their own.  

Empowered Problem Solving Workshop Overview

After the workshop's done, you're probably going to want to refer back to what you've learned. So, I've made an overview that has links to all the resources, blog posts, lessons, and videos we'll talk about.

Empowered Problem Solving Executive Summary

I’ve made an executive summary that breaks down the big ideas of what we covered so that you can share it with administrators or colleagues who want you to explain what you learned during the workshop.

Hybrid Implementation Guide

If you’re planning on having educators watch the workshop videos on their own and then discuss the workshop together, then this guide is for you! 

I include three facilitation options, general best practices, and the lessons I'd prioritize if you have limited time. It also comes with discussion questions you can ask to get conversations going.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Learning about the workshop


Great question! Think back to when you used your first real-world lesson or Open Middle problem. How did it go? If you're like me, there were probably some good moments--and maybe a few things you wished had gone differently. Over time, I'm guessing things improved: students got more engaged, discussions became richer, and spotting misconceptions got easier.

The truth is, the lessons and problems didn't change--you did. Your facilitation skills grew. My workshop focuses on helping you develop those skills even further so it feels like you've taught a lesson several times before trying it with students.

While the workshop may not introduce brand-new ideas, it's designed to help you implement the ones you already know in even more effective ways.



Math conferences can be hit or miss. Even with great presenters, 60--90 minutes often isn't enough time to feel ready to implement what you've learned. And when the sessions aren't great, it can feel like a lot of wasted time.

That's why my workshop takes a different approach. It's an extended experience focused on teaching math through problem-solving. If you're looking to implement real world problem-based lessons and explore higher Depth of Knowledge Open Middle problems, this workshop is likely a great fit. If those aren't your goals, it might not be the right choice for you.



When I was a new teacher earning credits to move up the pay scale, I took a couple of online courses from universities. While it was convenient to learn from home, the content often felt outdated or disconnected from what I wanted to do with my students. I didn't know much about the instructors or if they were really experts in their field.

With my online workshop, I want your experience to be completely different. You'll know exactly what to expect, with current, relevant learning that aligns with your goals. My aim is to help you confidently implement the strategies you're looking for in your classroom.



My workshop focuses on strategies to help students deeply understand and make sense of mathematics--not just the content standards. These strategies work for all grade levels, from kindergarten through high school and beyond.

Participants in past workshops have ranged from early elementary to high school and even college instructors. I use video examples from lessons with kindergarten, eighth grade, and pre-calculus students, so you'll find strategies you can apply at your grade level. If you complete the workshop and don't agree, I'll gladly give you a full refund.

If you're less comfortable with math outside your grade level, don't worry. The problems I use as examples mostly come from upper elementary and middle school. Feel free to email me at robert@robertkaplinsky.com if you'd like to discuss this further.



Since this is an online workshop, you'll need an internet-connected device and feel comfortable browsing websites. Most devices--like computers, tablets (e.g., iPads), or phones--should work just fine.

You'll also need to be able to watch videos. Some school districts block video websites, so if you can see the video at the top of the page, you're likely all set.

Finally, make sure emails from info@grassrootsworkshops.com don't end up in your spam folder.



Yes. You can download the flyer here and share it with others.



Registering for the workshop


To register with a purchase order, click any "Yes, I want to register!!" button and proceed through the checkout process. Select "Purchase Order" as your payment option, list the contact person Grassroots Workshops should follow up with, and complete checkout.

If you have the purchase order number, enter it during checkout. If not, you can leave it blank and provide it later.

The contact person you list will receive a receipt email with a link to submit the purchase order number or pay via check or credit card.

Checks should be made payable to Grassroots Workshops and sent to:
3217 Carson Street
Suite #1016
Lakewood CA 90712



I understand that a two-week registration window can be tricky when you need approval from administrators or your school district. In most cases, we can work something out. Just email me at robert@robertkaplinsky.com with your situation, and we'll figure it out together.



To register multiple people, all you'll need are their email addresses. Here's how:

  1. Click a "Yes, I want to register!!" button.
  2. In the "Order Summary," adjust the number of registrations to the total you need.
  3. Enter your "Contact Information" and click "Continue."
  4. On the next page, type or paste the email addresses of everyone you're registering. You can separate them with commas, spaces, semicolons, or returns.
  5. Complete the registration process as usual.



I want this workshop to be accessible to everyone. If cost is a concern, please email me at robert@robertkaplinsky.com, share your situation, and we'll figure something out.



After you register, you'll receive two emails:

  1. A receipt from Grassroots Workshops (where the workshop is hosted).
  2. An email from me with everything you need to get started, including a button at the bottom to access the workshop.
If you already have a Grassroots Workshops account, you can log in right away. If not, you'll set up your account first. Once logged in, you'll find the welcome video, downloadable resources, and bonus materials to help you get ready for the workshop's start.



The workshop experience


This isn't a workshop where you sign up and never hear from the instructor again. I'll be actively engaged--sending emails and videos about what to expect and interacting on the message board to respond to your questions and comments.

If you ever feel like you're not getting the support you need, don't hesitate to email me at robert@robertkaplinsky.com. I'm here to help!



Yes, all workshop videos include hand-entered closed captions. I've personally reviewed every minute to ensure the captions are accurate.



No, this workshop is completely asynchronous and self-paced, so you can work through it anytime--day or night. The only exception is an optional live Q&A chat, which will be recorded and available for you to watch later if you can't attend live.



The workshop includes just under five hours of video, spread over six weeks. While the workshop lasts six weeks, you'll have access to all the content for four months with standard access or 12 months with extended access.

My personal estimates are:

  • Module 1: ~3 hours
  • Module 2: ~3 hours
  • Module 3: ~4 hours
  • Module 4: ~3 hours
  • Module 5: ~2 hours
  • Module 6: ~1 hours



There's no required homework or extra assignments for this workshop, but I do provide valuable math problems to work through. We'll explore these problems from both the student's perspective and the teacher's role in facilitating them. You'll also have an article to read, optional activities to try alone or with colleagues, and a message board for discussions. No papers, reports, or essays are required. The only exception is if you're earning graduate-level professional development credits. In that case, any required work will be submitted directly to the University of Massachusetts Global or the Universit of the Pacific, depending on which university you register for credits with.



After the workshop ends


Yes, you can earn 2--4 graduate-level professional development credits through either the University of the Pacific or the University of Massachusetts Global. Learn more about the process on the Grassroots Workshops website.



If you need professional development for your teaching credential, license, or certificate, this workshop might meet your requirements. Visit Grassroots Workshops to find information specific to your location.



Yes. After the workshop, you can download an electronic certificate of participation (or completion, if you finish the workshop). It will include the date, your name, the workshop title, my name, and the number of professional development hours earned.

If you need additional details on your certificate, email info@grassrootsworkshops.com with your request.



If you complete my workshop and do not learn anything you can use with your students, email me at robert@robertkaplinsky.com within 10 business days of the workshop ending and I will give you a full refund.


#epsworkshop