What is the best way to teach reading? Today, literacy specialist Malia Hollowell talks to us about best literacy practise.  Malia firmly believes that you don’t need to be a reading specialist to be an exceptional reading teacher. In this episode, she shares tools and strategies that will help all teachers (and therefore students) achieve success.  During our chat, we talk about: Why is the Science of Reading something teachers need to be paying attention toHow SOR doesn’t mean we need...

Ok, we admit it: Report Writing isn’t the most interesting topic in the world of teaching… but we can promise you that once you have listened to this episode, you will be armed with the best productivity hacks that will see your reports being written and completed in record speed! Managing your time and working productively is the key to writing your reports in less time. Today we are going to talk about these 12 strategies that have helped (and still help) us get those reports written and...

What is the key to success as a beginning teacher? Today we are talking with Vanessa, and she strongly feels that asking for help will propel you forward to become a confident first year teacher (and we agree). It isn’t always easy asking for help but as Vanessa says, progress is the goal and getting the support we need is a much quicker way to get closer to that goal. Vanessa sees any challenge she has faced so far in her teaching degree as an adventure, and we love this mindset. She talks...

The benefits of music in education have been scientifically proven. Today, we will talk about the practical ways to use this research to create a bigger impact in your classroom.  Ricky from Amplify Music Education joins us and talks us through all the ways Music is beneficial to the students sitting in your classroom as well as some practical ways we can implement it. We talk about: How does prior experience in Music (for the teacher) impact teaching and learning in the classroom?What is...

We are dropping this episode a little early to help you get organised - What are some fun ways I can start the new school term on that first day after the holidays?  The first day back after a school break can be challenging for everyone – teachers and students! We are, more likely than not, in holiday mode. The first day is the perfect time to reconnect with your class, find out about their holidays, reestablish the expectations of learning/working habits, and have a bit of fun together. In...

Classroom routines and procedures can be the magic link that can help your classroom run smoothly. They not only help build your class community and get your students working as a team, but they can save you so much time in your day when done well. Today, we chat with Heidi and Emily from the Teacher Approved Podcast. They are passionate about helping teachers set up classroom routines and procedures to help with classroom management success. In this episode we talk about: How can teachers...

As teachers, we know engaging our students is key to enriching their learning experiences. That's why we're here to lend a helping hand with five practical strategies for revving up your classroom vibe: Incorporating student choiceInviting a little friendly competitionConnecting to the real world (life outside the classroom)Utilising technologyUsing open-ended questions and activities Incorporating these five strategies into your teaching toolkit can increase student engagement and...

Harmony Week (previously known as Harmony Day) is celebrated in Australia during March. It is about celebrating cultural diversity, tolerance and inclusiveness of all Australians. The main message of Harmony Week is, everyone belongs in our Australian society. The message of Harmony Week is such an important one to teach the next generation, and it is no surprise that teachers all over Australia are looking for ways to implement lessons about this message in their classrooms.  Need more...

Have you heard people online, around the staffroom, in teacher friend circles talking about the Science of Reading? It is a hot topic right now and for good reason. Today, we are joined by literacy specialist Sara Marye from the Stellar Teaching Company. Sara dives into the Science of Reading and what makes it relevant in our classrooms in 2024.  We discuss:  What is the Science of ReadingThe 5 pillars of Literacy instructionThe Balanced Literacy Approach vs The Science of Reading The...

How can you fit everything into the school day? Time is the one thing ALL teachers battle, but we are here to help you make the most out of the hours in your teaching day. Let’s talk about changing our “Time Mindset” and how less is often more with our 7 strategies: Managing your expectationsBeing flexible and open to making adjustmentsUtilising small groups as a teaching methodIdentifying events in the term to help with planningLooking at your program as a wishlist instead of a must do...

Ever wondered about the superpower of an Occupational Therapist or OT? Today, we enjoyed talking to Dave Jereb, a trailblazer as a paediatric occupational therapist in Australia. With over two decades of experience, Dave is an accomplished practitioner and a true visionary in his field. His unwavering passion for delivering transformative solutions for challenging behaviour alongside his holistic approach has earned him recognition as a thought leader. From his award-winning ‘Move About...

Math anxiety can be a significant barrier for many students, causing feelings of fear, stress, and avoidance when it comes to math-related tasks.  Children may suffer from math anxiety for various reasons, including past negative experiences, pressure to perform, a lack of confidence in their abilities, or a perception that math is too difficult or uninteresting. This anxiety can impact their academic performance and overall attitude towards mathematics, making it essential for educators...

So often, we only touch base with parents when there is a problem, whether it be academic, social, or behavioural. Today, we chat about how could we make time to communicate with parents about what their children are doing well outside the regular parent-teacher interviews and reports. We know teacher life is hectically busy and this may seem like just another thing to fit in! So, keeping this in mind, we have put together a few simple ideas for you to communicate with parents to celebrate...

We have an awesome BONUS episode that you will not want to miss! Today, we are talking with Brittany, a teacher who has been in the classroom for two years. Brittany is so open and genuine in sharing her struggles and wins - we think you will relate to many of them, too (we certainly did).  In this episode, we dive into the many struggles of new teachers, how it is absolutely normal to feel that way and some pearls of wisdom that can help overcome some of these difficulties. Brittany also...

In this episode, Ashleigh chats with Maddi, a teacher who has just finished her first year teaching in a Year 1-2 class. We wanted to ask Maddi how she found her first year, her struggles, and if she had any advice for those who will walk in her shoes as a first-year teacher this year. Maddi shares so many insightful ideas, including her powerful ‘why’ that explains why she became a teacher in the first place.  Maddi’s enthusiasm and passion shine through, and we are sure you will love this...

The back-to-school season brings teachers an endless list of considerations. If you are like us, you've got lists, ideas, and school things buzzing in your head most of the time! Beyond the classroom setup and all the back-to-school admin,  it is also super important to spend time planning fun and helpful lessons for your students in the first week. Because, as you know, the students are the heart of our classrooms! Here are 5 FREE back-to-school activities you can use during that first...

Imposter syndrome is a real thing! But it is time for you to kick that train of thought to the curb because it isn’t doing you any favours. The good news is you are in the right place to do just that! Have you ever felt like you don’t know what you are doing? Do you feel you aren’t qualified or have enough experience for your job? Do you think soon enough my colleagues are going to discover you're not doing an excellent job and it is all going to be over?  THIS IS IMPOSTER SYNDROME. Today,...

As we head into the new year, an attractive and welcoming classroom environment is often top of mind. But, the thing you have to remember is that it is you, as the teacher, that makes the classroom. For some teachers, it is important to set up their classroom in a certain way at the beginning of the school year.  The urge to go all out in your first few years of teaching may be strong. If that is your personality type, go for it! If you are more the low-key type, embrace it, and if you feel...

Teaching is an exciting ride, but it comes with its fair share of worries, especially for newcomers. From connecting with students to balancing work and life, these concerns can be daunting. New teachers often grapple with common worries that can impact their confidence in and out of the classroom. But we are here to help that… During the show, we discuss the following new teacher worries (that we hear most commonly from new teachers) PLUS we share some of our top solutions to help you with...

We know how overwhelming teaching can feel when you’re just getting started. That’s why we’re on a mission to help as many new teachers as possible to conquer all the biggest challenges encountered at the start of the school year. Join our annual New Teacher Workshop!  During the workshop, we will be going live on January 9th, 10th, 11th of January on Instagram and inside our secret Facebook Group to help you: Plan your  first day in the classroomCreate a classroom management planGet access...

There are not many jobs out there where someone who steps out of university is expected to do and achieve exactly the same thing as someone who has been in the industry and role for 40 years.  That is why we need to support each other when teachers are just starting out (even after teaching for over a decade, things can get daunting and hectic at the best of times). Perfection is a unicorn – meaning you can’t be the perfect teacher. The perfect teacher doesn’t exist. Even teachers with all...

The myriad of choices and factors to consider when thinking about setting up your classroom can be overwhelming.  Every teacher shares the common goal of establishing an inviting environment that fosters a sense of welcome and comfort for their students. Additionally, considering the substantial time you'll spend in the classroom throughout the day, it's crucial that the space brings you joy as well. Today, we talk about the things you SHOULD include in your classroom setup, the things you...

Christmas is a time of giving. Kindness is a wonderful way to give to others without costing a cent. Here are 7 helpful and simple ideas outlining how you can promote Christmas kindness in the classroom: Daily RemindersDedicating a specific lesson about KindnessKindness Advent CalendarMake Kindness BaublesCreate Kindness Compliment WreathsRun a Kindness Kris KringleKindness Campaign FlyersChristmas is the perfect time to explore and reflect upon how our students can contribute to the world by...

It's beginning to look a lot like chaos leading to the end of the school year. For us in Australia, the weather is warming up, and summer holidays are on the horizon, but there are assessments to complete, reports to finalise and Christmas activities to organise. Let’s talk about effective activities and strategies to help you make it to the finish line. Teacher strategies Make a master list and tick 1-2 things off per dayChoose an area of the room to tackle each day Map out all the extra...