After the Bell with @educatinglaura

This is a conversation that I have with my very first mentor teacher from my teaching rounds all the way back in 2007.

Karen's education has spanned from her high school days in the 1960s to 1987-2012 teaching senior English and Australian Studies to now, where she is currently studying a Masters of Theology.

Education has been an important part of her life as a vocation, a way to lift her out of challenging times as well as affording her a sense of direction in retirement.

We talk about our time together as colleagues as well as our love of the classroom and the students we have taught.

If you haven't listened to her blog episode: Education Appreciation, make sure sure you check it out.

A really personal conversation close to my heart that I know you will love.

Trigger warning: teen suicide is mentioned

Also, my small business shout out to The Sweet Smash Co. Katie from the episode Inspired and Nervous, Pre Service side hustle.

Check out the business on Instagram . Highly recommend!

This is a conversation that I have with my very first mentor teacher from my teaching rounds all the way back in 2007.

Karen's education has spanned from her high school days in the 1960s to 1980-2012 teaching senior English and Australian Studies to now, where she is currently studying a Masters of Theology.

Education has been an important part of her life as a vocation, a way to lift her out of challenging times as well as affording her a sense of direction in retirement.

We talk about our time together as colleagues as well as our love of the classroom and the students we have taught.

If you haven't listened to her blog episode: Education Appreciation, make sure sure you check it out.

A really personal conversation close to my heart that I know you will love.

Also, my small business shout out to The Sweet Smash Co. Katie from the episode Inspired and Nervous, Pre Service side hustle.

Check out the business on Instagram . Highly recommend!

Here is the blog written and read aloud by one of my educational mentors, Karen.

She will be on the podcast Monday for a full conversation - check out her episode: Forever My Mentor.

This is the blog read today: Education Appreciation

Also - as part of my Victorian small business support I would like to do a shout out to Bunny Street sleepwear.

Click here for their website or instagram.

FREE PD CERTIFICATE - click on the link to get a professional development certificate for listening to Part 1 and Part 2 of Megg's conversation on this podcast. How AMAZING!

This is the continuation of my conversation with Megg Thompson from Megg Thompson Behaviour.

We continue our discussion about kindness based strategies to meet needs rather than shame a sympton. We discuss neurodiversity, shifts in curriculum and the way educators are no longer teaching in the ways that education has been modelled to them.

Also - a reminder about my giveaway with Each Day diaries.

If you are interested in purchasing Artisinal Wines from a business that would really appreciate your support please head to:

https://www.cloud9farm.com.au/

My conversation with Megg Thompson was eye opening.

Her hashtag: Be loud for love encompasses everything she stands for.  She is an advocate for removing fear and denigration to control and discipline our youth in schools, preferring kindness and compassion always in our strategies.

She pulls no punches, speaks from the heart and is armed with a lot of research and life experience.

This is the first part of a two part episode.

To find out more about her head to: https://meggthompson.com/

ALSO -

I discuss a giveaway that I am running with Each Day teacher diaries.

Head to the post to ENTER to win a free teacher diary valued at $50.

My shout out to a small Melbourne family business: Sweet Dispostion - for all of your lolly box and grazing plate needs now and for the festive season.

My conversation today is with Reuben Cullen. 

He is a tradie by day who writes poetry as a form of expression in his spare time. 

He has just published his first childrens book and is writing a script for a short film on the more challenging experiences in his life. Reuben talks about being lost in the education system, confusing happiness with drugs and alcohol consumption. The importance of true connections and having to hit rock bottom in order to come back home to himself.

One of the more authentic conversations I have had and I know Reuben's story is not necessarily a unique one, but one that needs to be heard so that we can shift the outcome of these normalised, yet detrimental behaviours in our society.

Trigger warning: drug abuse and suicidal ideations are mentioned in this episode

To find out more about Reuben and his content go to:

- Website: https://reubencullenkids.com/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reubencullenkids

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reubencullenkids/

- YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq-EbtydQ6JBtkWlTXIeF5Q

Welcome to the blog episode. I read out my blog: Losing Touch all about how we begin to reframe adolescent issues through an adult lens and how detrimental that can be.

I also introduce my desire to inject back into small businesses now that Melbourne is opening up again. I will be doing some shout outs to recommended businesses that you can support. I also wanted to get behind a fantastic initiative by @mrvandermonde in Melbourne. See his post here to get involved in his Melbourne small business give away. 

What happens if you qualify as a teacher, get into your own classroom and it doesn't feel right?

In the first five years of teaching there is a mass exodus of educators. Teacher burn out is real as well as the stark realisaion by those that used teaching as a back up job, that it is anything but.

Today I talk to one of those people that left the profession and what roles she was awarded based on her background in education.

We discuss the importance of listening to that nagging voice within that tells you you're not being true to yourself and having the courage to follow even though you don't know where it will lead you.

Sarah is honest, wise and taught me so much about the lessons of life. She is truly extraordinary.

I follow up on the classroom issues I was having with my classes post remote learning.

I share some of the support I received from Megg Thompson, a behaviour consultant from the US, who will also be coming on the podcast soon!

I then read out my blog: The teacher I needed.

If you like the podcast please share it on social media or with someone you think would enjoy it.

Thank you again for being here.

This is a conversation with Jo, who has held many roles in education including student management, head of curriculum as well as Assistant Principal positions.

Jo is intelligent, passionate and well researched, offering advice and insights for pre service, classroom teachers as well as educational leaders.

Great conversation.