{"id":6697,"date":"2025-08-26T15:09:39","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T15:09:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ebtd.education\/?page_id=6697"},"modified":"2025-12-14T10:39:35","modified_gmt":"2025-12-14T04:39:35","slug":"%e0%a6%86%e0%a6%ae%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%a6%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%b0-%e0%a6%97%e0%a6%b2%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%aa-%e0%a6%aa%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%b0%e0%a6%a4%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%b7%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%a0%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%a4%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%a6","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ebtd.education\/bd\/%e0%a6%86%e0%a6%ae%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%a6%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%b0-%e0%a6%97%e0%a6%b2%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%aa-%e0%a6%aa%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%b0%e0%a6%a4%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%b7%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%a0%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%a4%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%a6\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0986\u09ae\u09be\u09a6\u09c7\u09b0 \u0997\u09b2\u09cd\u09aa \u098f\u09ac\u0982 \u09aa\u09cd\u09b0\u09a4\u09bf\u09b7\u09cd\u09a0\u09be\u09a4\u09be\u09b0 \u09af\u09be\u09a4\u09cd\u09b0\u09be"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69dd222dceb37\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_raw_html wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<!-- EBTD | Person Schema (Founder) -->\r\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\r\n{\r\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\r\n  \"@type\": \"Person\",\r\n  \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.ebtd.education\/our-story-founders-journey\/#leon-walker\",\r\n  \"name\": \"Leon Walker\",\r\n  \"jobTitle\": \"Founder\",\r\n  \"worksFor\": {\r\n    \"@type\": \"Organization\",\r\n    \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.ebtd.education\/#organization\"\r\n  },\r\n  \"affiliation\": {\r\n    \"@type\": \"Organization\",\r\n    \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.ebtd.education\/#organization\"\r\n  },\r\n  \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.ebtd.education\/our-story-founders-journey\/\",\r\n  \"image\": \"https:\/\/www.ebtd.education\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/LWtraining.webp\",\r\n  \"description\": \"Leon Walker is the founder of Evidence Based Teacher Development (EBTD). He supports teachers and school leaders in Bangladesh (BD) by translating global educational evidence into practical professional development, leadership development, and implementation support.\",\r\n  \"knowsAbout\": [\r\n    \"evidence-based teacher development\",\r\n    \"teacher professional development\",\r\n    \"school improvement\",\r\n    \"instructional coaching\",\r\n    \"formative assessment\",\r\n    \"retrieval practice\",\r\n    \"metacognition\",\r\n    \"effective implementation\",\r\n    \"educational leadership\",\r\n    \"Bangladesh education\"\r\n  ],\r\n  \"sameAs\": [\r\n    \"https:\/\/linkedin.com\/company\/ebtd-eduction\/\"\r\n  ]\r\n}\r\n<\/script>\r\n\r\n\r\n<!-- ===============================\r\n  EBTD | Our Story & Founder\u2019s Journey \u2013 Bangladesh (BD)\r\n  URL: \/our-story-founders-journey\/\r\n  House style: hero, narrative bands, quote block, interlink CTA\r\n=============================== -->\r\n\r\n<section id=\"ebtd-our-story\" style=\"line-height:1.7; width:100%; margin:0 auto; padding:0;\">\r\n\r\n  <!-- Scoped styles -->\r\n  <style>\r\n    #ebtd-our-story * { box-sizing: border-box; }\r\n    #ebtd-our-story .wrap { width:100%; max-width:1100px; margin:0 auto; padding:1rem 1.25rem; }\r\n\r\n       \/* Hero *\/\r\n    #ebtd-our-story .hero { \r\n      position:relative; \r\n      min-height:340px; \r\n      display:grid; \r\n      place-items:center; \r\n      color:#fff; \r\n      text-align:center; \r\n      overflow:hidden; \r\n    }\r\n    #ebtd-our-story .hero img { \r\n      position:absolute; \r\n      inset:0; \r\n      width:100%; \r\n      height:100%; \r\n      object-fit:cover; \r\n      object-position:center 25%; \/* \ud83d\udc48 moves the image down so your face stays visible *\/\r\n      filter:brightness(0.55); \r\n    }\r\n\/* Put the text above the image *\/\r\n#ebtd-our-story .hero .inner{\r\n  position: relative;\r\n  z-index: 1;\r\n  padding: 2.4rem 1rem;\r\n  max-width: 960px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Optional: keep the nice readable styling *\/\r\n#ebtd-our-story .hero h1{\r\n  color:#fff;\r\n  text-shadow:0 2px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.45);\r\n  font-size:clamp(1.7rem,2.4vw,2.6rem);\r\n  margin:0 0 0.5rem;\r\n}\r\n#ebtd-our-story .hero p{\r\n  color:#f8fafc;\r\n  text-shadow:0 1px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.4);\r\n  margin:0;\r\n}\r\n\r\n    \/* Typography \/ utilities *\/\r\n    #ebtd-our-story h2 { margin:1.6rem 0 0.6rem; font-size:clamp(1.25rem,2vw,1.7rem); }\r\n    #ebtd-our-story h3 { margin:1.1rem 0 0.5rem; font-size:clamp(1.05rem,1.6vw,1.2rem); }\r\n    #ebtd-our-story .muted { color:#475569; }\r\n    #ebtd-our-story .band { background:#f8fafc; border:1px solid #e2e8f0; border-radius:12px; padding:1rem; margin:1rem 0; }\r\n    #ebtd-our-story blockquote {\r\n      margin:1.25rem 0; padding:1rem 1.2rem; background:#f0fdfa; border-left:4px solid #0f766e; border-radius:8px;\r\n      font-style:italic; color:#0f172a;\r\n    }\r\n    #ebtd-our-story .cta-row { margin-top:1rem; display:flex; flex-wrap:wrap; gap:.6rem; }\r\n    #ebtd-our-story .btn { display:inline-block; padding:.6rem .9rem; border-radius:10px; border:1px solid #0f766e; background:#0f766e; color:#fff; text-decoration:none; font-weight:600; }\r\n    #ebtd-our-story .btn.alt { background:#fff; color:#0f766e; }\r\n    #ebtd-our-story a { color:#0f766e; text-decoration:underline; text-underline-offset:2px; }\r\n    #ebtd-our-story hr { border:0; border-top:1px solid #e5e7eb; margin:1.1rem 0 0.6rem; }\r\n  <\/style>\r\n\r\n  <!-- HERO -->\r\n  <div class=\"hero\" aria-label=\"Our Story hero\">\r\n    <img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ebtd.education\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/LWtraining.webp\" alt=\"Leon Walker \u2013 training session Bangladesh\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1536px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1536\/1024;\">\r\n    <div class=\"inner\">\r\n      <h1>Our Story &amp; Founder\u2019s Journey<\/h1>\r\n      <p>How Evidence-Based Teacher Development (EBTD) began \u2014 and why collaboration with teachers in Bangladesh drives everything we do.<\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"wrap\">\r\n\r\n    <!-- ORIGINS -->\r\n    <section aria-label=\"The story behind EBTD\">\r\n      <h2>The story behind EBTD<\/h2>\r\n      <p>Evidence-Based Teacher Development (EBTD) was founded to support teachers and school leaders in Bangladesh with evidence-based professional development that is credible, practical, and proven to improve classroom practice. The organisation grew from a simple belief \u2014 that great teaching, supported by evidence, can transform lives everywhere.<\/p>\r\n      <p>Rather than importing ready-made programmes or reinforcing exam-driven routines, EBTD was built through listening \u2014 to teachers, leaders, and local researchers \u2014 and by connecting global evidence to the day-to-day realities of Bangladeshi classrooms.<\/p>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n\r\n    <!-- MESSAGE FROM FOUNDER -->\r\n    <section class=\"band\" aria-label=\"Message from founder\">\r\n      <h2>A message from our founder<\/h2>\r\n      <blockquote>\r\n        \u201cThroughout my career, I\u2019ve seen how powerful teaching, supported by evidence, can change lives. But I\u2019ve also seen how often teachers are expected to rely on outdated or disconnected training that doesn\u2019t last.  \r\n        EBTD was founded to close that gap \u2014 to make high-quality research usable, and to work <em>with<\/em> teachers in Bangladesh to turn that evidence into everyday practice. That means being independent, evidence-led, and honest about what helps learning \u2014 even when that\u2019s uncomfortable.\u201d\r\n      <\/blockquote>\r\n      <p><strong>\u2013 Leon Walker, Founder of EBTD<\/strong><\/p>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n\r\n    <!-- ABOUT LEON -->\r\n    <section aria-label=\"About Leon Walker\">\r\n      <h2>About Leon Walker<\/h2>\r\n      <p>Leon Walker is an education leader with more than two decades of experience in professional development, school improvement, and research translation. His work combines strategic leadership in the UK with long-term collaboration in Bangladesh.<\/p>\r\n\r\n      <h3>Experience in the UK<\/h3>\r\n      <p>As a senior school leader and former Director of Research within the UK\u2019s Research School Network, Leon led initiatives that improved outcomes for thousands of students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.<\/p>\r\n\r\n      <h3>Contributions to educational research<\/h3>\r\n      <p>He has contributed to major <abbr title=\"Education Endowment Foundation\">EEF<\/abbr> publications and designed professional development models that have been adopted across multiple schools and networks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n      <h3>Collaboration in Bangladesh<\/h3>\r\n      <p>Leon has worked alongside Bangladeshi teachers and school leaders to design and deliver training that reflects both global evidence and local wisdom. His approach values the expertise already present in schools \u2014 building from it, not replacing it.<\/p>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n\r\n    <!-- WHY EBTD -->\r\n    <section class=\"band\" aria-label=\"Why EBTD\">\r\n      <h2>Why I founded EBTD<\/h2>\r\n      <p>Professional development should never feel imposed or abstract. It should build on teachers\u2019 strengths, fit the classroom context, and make visible improvement over time. EBTD blends global research with Bangladeshi experience to ensure training is:<\/p>\r\n      <ul>\r\n        <li><strong>Practical:<\/strong> Centred on what teachers can apply immediately.<\/li>\r\n        <li><strong>Collaborative:<\/strong> Designed through partnership and peer learning.<\/li>\r\n        <li><strong>Sustainable:<\/strong> Focused on building capacity, not dependency.<\/li>\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n\r\n    <!-- LOOKING AHEAD -->\r\n    <section aria-label=\"Looking ahead\">\r\n      <h2>Looking ahead<\/h2>\r\n      <p>Our work continues through new courses, leadership pathways, and research collaborations \u2014 always guided by the same principle: improvement through partnership. The future of education in Bangladesh will be shaped by the teachers within it, and EBTD\u2019s role is to help turn their expertise and effort into lasting impact. This work is guided by the principles set out in our <a href=\"\/about-us\/\">mission<\/a> and the evidence approach explained in <a href=\"\/why-evidence-based-teacher-development\/\">Why Evidence-Based Teacher Development<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n\r\n    <!-- CTA -->\r\n    <section class=\"band\" aria-label=\"Get in touch\">\r\n      <p>We\u2019d love to connect with schools, teachers, and organisations who share our commitment to practical, evidence-based improvement. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebtd.education\/contact\/\">Get in touch<\/a> to start a conversation.<\/p>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n\r\n    <!-- Newsletter -->\r\n    <section aria-label=\"Newsletter\" class=\"small\">\r\n      <p>If you found this useful, join the EBTD newsletter for monthly, research-backed tips, free classroom tools, and updates on our training in Bangladesh\u2014no spam, just what helps. Sign up to the newsletter and please share this page with colleagues or on your social channels so more teachers can benefit. Together we can improve outcomes and change lives.<\/p>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69dd222dd1bdd\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"light\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row full-width-section vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex vc_row-o-content-middle\"  style=\"padding-top: 70px; padding-bottom: 70px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop using-bg-color\"  style=\"background-color: #000000; \"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 light left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-5 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding force-tablet-text-align-center force-phone-text-align-center inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"nectar-split-heading \" data-align=\"default\" data-m-align=\"inherit\" data-text-effect=\"default\" data-animation-type=\"line-reveal-by-space\" data-animation-delay=\"0\" data-animation-offset=\"\" data-m-rm-animation=\"\" data-stagger=\"\" data-custom-font-size=\"false\" ><h2 >Empower your Teaching, Transform your Future<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-1 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding force-tablet-text-align-center force-phone-text-align-center inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-6 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding force-tablet-text-align-center force-phone-text-align-center inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"fws_69dd222dd463a\" data-midnight=\"\" data-column-margin=\"default\" class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row inner_row\"  style=\"\"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\"> <div class=\"row-bg\" ><\/div> <\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12_inner col span_12  right\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col child_column no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"   data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"nectar-cta  alignment_tablet_default alignment_phone_default display_tablet_inherit display_phone_inherit \" data-color=\"accent-color\" data-using-bg=\"true\" data-style=\"arrow-animation\" data-display=\"inline\" data-alignment=\"left\" data-text-color=\"custom\" ><h4 style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span class=\"link_wrap\" style=\"padding-top: 20px; padding-right: 40px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 40px;\"><a  class=\"link_text\" role=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ebtd.education\/register\/\"><span class=\"text\">Register your interest<\/span><svg class=\"next-arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\" width=\"20px\" height=\"25px\" viewBox=\"0 0 50 80\" xml:space=\"preserve\">\n  <polyline stroke=\"#ffffff\" stroke-width=\"9\" fill=\"none\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" points=\"0, 0 45, 40 0, 80\"\/>\n  <\/svg>  <span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"line\"  style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><\/span> <\/a><\/span><\/h4><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Our Story &amp; Founder\u2019s Journey How Evidence-Based Teacher Development (EBTD) began \u2014 and why collaboration with teachers in Bangladesh drives everything we do. 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