EMpowered

Today, we're joined by Dr. Amie Fabry, an early childhood educator, academic, researcher, policy consultant, and Director of Early Childhood at The Learning Future. Amie's work focuses on building the confidence, knowledge, and skills of early childhood educators and leaders to create responsive and trusting cultures where both educators and children can thrive. She is also the author of Lead with Intention, the first leadership framework designed for early years education.

Leadership isn't about titles or power, it's about developing potential in others. In this episode, Amie shares how to cultivate a strong team culture, lead with self-awareness, and build trust so that educators feel confident, valued, and supported.

Here's what you'll learn in this episode:

→ Why leadership isn't just about titles, it's about impact.

→ How to develop self-awareness as a leader.

→ The power of knowing your 'why' and using it to guide decision-making.

→ How to foster collaboration and build shared values within your team.

→ Practical ways to create psychological safety so educators feel valued and empowered.

→ Why real leadership happens in the small, everyday moments not just in formal roles.

Want to go deeper?

If today's conversation resonated with you, Amie offers several ways to support your leadership journey:

Lead with Intention Framework – A practical guide breaking down these ideas with actionable steps.

1:1 Coaching – Work with Amie to build clarity and confidence in your leadership.

Professional Learning Programs – Join a cohort of like-minded leaders for deeper growth.

Find all the details at The Learning Future.

Connect with Dr. Amie Fabry:

Instagram: @thelearningfuture

LinkedIn: Amie Fabry

Email: [email protected]

Resources for You:

Inspired by this episode? If you're ready to start developing your self awareness and leading with purpose, check out The EMotionally Intelligent Educator

Connect with Em

Website: ⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠

Instagram: ⁠@em_gentle⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠Emma Gentle

Some student behaviours feel harder to handle than others. Some classroom management strategies don't sit right with you, even though they're supposed to "work." Ever wondered why?

Your mindset shapes everything about how you teach, how you see behaviour, how you respond to challenges, and even how you feel at the end of the day. But most of us have never stopped to think about where those beliefs come from.

In this episode, I'm talking about
→ Why certain behaviours get under your skin more than others
→ How your own school experience shapes the way you teach
→ How your subconscious beliefs might be keeping you stuck in outdated classroom management approaches
→ Simple shifts that can change the way you respond in the classroom

The way you see behaviour shapes how you deal with it. When you start noticing the beliefs behind your reactions, you can handle things with more confidence and less stress.

Shifting how you see student behaviour changes everything. When you move from control and compliance to curiosity and connection, your whole classroom dynamic shifts.

If you're ready to go further, The Emotionally Intelligent Educator gives you the tools to break old patterns and feel more in control. Find out more HERE

Connect with Em

Website: ⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠

Instagram: ⁠@em_gentle⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠Emma Gentle

On the EMpowered Podcast Takeover Series, psychologist Jacquie Ward joins us to talk about something every teacher needs to know. How to support highly sensitive children in the classroom.

Some children feel things more deeply, notice the smallest details, and get overwhelmed more easily.

These students aren't being "too sensitive" or "overdramatic". They're wired this way. Up to 20% of kids are highly sensitive, and when we understand them, we can support them in ways that actually work.

Jacquie Ward is a Psychologist who works with Children, Adolescents & their Families.

It was a deep love of learning, combined with a fascination for developmental psychology and attachment theory that led Jacquie to pursue a career change after the birth of her first child.

She returned to University and almost 10 years, another two babies, and approximately 5,000 textbooks later, found herself immersed in her dream job. For Jacquie, working with children, teens and their families as they navigate challenges with mental health and wellbeing, is the ultimate privilege.

In this episode, Jacquie explains:

→ What high sensitivity really is (and what it's not)

→ How to recognise highly sensitive children in your classroom

→ Why they get overwhelmed and struggle with change or noise

→ The power of connection, safety, and predictable routines

→ Simple ways to help them self-regulate and build confidence

When you support highly sensitive children the right way, they feel safer, happier, and more able to learn. And let's be honest, it makes your job easier too.

Connect with Jacqui Ward

[Course] Helping your highly sensitive child to thrive

If this episode resonates, check out Jacquie's online course "Helping Your Highly Sensitive Child to Thrive" at www.jacquieward.com.au.

Connect with Em

Website: ⁠⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@em_gentle⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Emma Gentle⁠

If you've ever felt like something is missing in your school community, whether it's student engagement, teacher retention, or just a general sense of belonging, this episode is for you.

Guest host Matt Pittman is talking about one of the most overlooked solutions in education.

Instead of sticking with bandaid fixes for disengagement, behaviour, or burnout, Matt shares how prioritising connection can shift your entire school culture and actually make teaching feel good again.

Matt is the Head of Senior School at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs, a Catholic secondary school in the western suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, and the author of The Connection Curriculum.

An experienced educational leader and a doctoral student researching connections across school communities, Matt's experience is varied, from the leadership of curriculum teams and programs to student wellbeing, student improvement and community engagement portfolios.

He has led Positive Education and student support programs and has a passion for working with students, parents, and staff to develop new understandings of the needs of young people in the 21st century.

What you'll get from this episode:

→ Why connection is the actual foundation of behaviour, well-being, and engagement.

→ How relationships, belonging, and meaning work together to create a thriving school community.

→ What empathic curiosity looks like in practice (and how to ask better questions).

→ Why emotional intelligence isn't just a buzzword.

→ The difference between inclusivity as a policy vs. inclusivity as a practice (and why most schools get this wrong).

→ How school leaders can create real, lasting culture change (without burning out their staff).

Teaching should feel good. Connection is how we get there.

A huge shoutout to Matt for taking over the podcast. If this episode resonated with you, make sure you hit follow or subscribe. We are just getting started.

Connect with Matt Pittman

LinkedIn: mattlukepitman

Instagram: mattlukepitman

Bluesky: @mattpitman.com.au

[BOOK] The Connection Curriculum - Igniting Positive Change in Schools Through Sustainable Connection

Upcoming events Matt will be speaking at

→ NEAA Staff Conference, Melbourne: 15 May

→ EDUtech, Sydney: 11-12 June

→ National Education Summit, Melbourne: 28-29 August

Go to his website and social media for more information

Resources for you

Check out my Creating Conscious and Compassionate Classrooms bundle, which is a 10-part guide to behaviour support grounded in connection and empathy. It's packed with resources to help you create a trauma-informed, neuro-affirming classroom that supports students holistically. Just $47 and full of actionable, real world strategies.

Connect with Em

Website: ⁠⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@em_gentle⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Emma Gentle⁠

Behaviour is communication and children act out when their needs aren't met.

But what does that actually mean? And how do we meet their needs in the classroom in a way that helps them feel safe, connected, and engaged?

In this episode, I'm talking about what it really means to meet children's needs (beyond the buzzwords) so you can shift from reacting to behaviour to understanding what's underneath it.

If you've ever wondered why certain students seem to be in constant meltdown mode, why some avoid tasks or disrupt lessons, or why connection is such a big deal, this episode will give you a clear framework to start working with.

Here's what you'll learn:

→ Why children's behaviour is often linked to unmet needs or skill gaps.

→ The five core needs that drive behaviour

→ How to shift from seeing behaviour as "good" or "bad" to recognising what children are trying to communicate.

→ Why focusing on connection and safety first leads to fewer behaviour challenges.

→ Practical ways to create a classroom culture where children feel safe, capable, and seen.

Free Resources for Teachers

Download the FREE Back to School Checklist here. A customisable checklist that walks you through setting up your classroom step by step.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

Check out my Creating Conscious and Compassionate Classrooms bundle—10 comprehensive guides (including one on meeting needs) plus bonus resources like brain break guides and behaviour scripts. It's packed with actionable strategies to create a trauma-informed, non-punitive classroom.

Connect with Em

Website: ⁠⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@em_gentle⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Emma Gentle⁠

Boundaries are often misunderstood, but when done right, they create safety, structure, and predictability. The key ingredients for a classroom where children feel secure and engaged.

If you've ever struggled with feeling like kids are walking all over you or wondered how to hold firm boundaries without resorting to control or punishment, this episode is for you.

This episode is part of the EMpowered Podcast Take Over Series, where incredible educators take the mic to share their expertise on creating conscious and connected classrooms.

Danica is an early childhood educator, university lecturer, practicum supervisor and mama of two. She is also the owner of Little Bloom, a platform that shares a multitude of information about child development, social-emotional learning and, most significantly, supporting children's behaviour and big feelings for early childhood professionals who support young children.

After working in the early childhood space for over 16 years, Danica has recognised a fundamental need for a shift in the way that we support children's behaviour - people are seeking help with how to effectively support young children's behaviour and emotional development but are unsure of where to find this information.

Through Little Bloom, Danica has made it her mission to bridge the divide between theory and practice by bringing evidence-informed information to early childhood educators by sharing personal anecdotes, camaraderie, current research and strategies.

Here's what you'll learn in this episode:

→ The difference between boundaries and limits (and why most people get this wrong).

→ Why firm and fair boundaries create emotional safety for children.

→ How to hold a boundary without yelling, shaming, or threatening.

→ What to do when children push back against a boundary

→ How boundaries actually support self-regulation and emotional growth.

→ A simple framework to help you set boundaries effectively.

Want more support with boundaries? Danica is running a workshop in April on limits, boundaries, and consequences, helping you use each of them as a tool to support behaviour, not control it. You'll walk away with a whole toolkit of practical strategies and a clear plan to make boundaries work in your classroom or home. Find the links on her instagram below!

To keep in touch, you can find Danica here:
Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy
Website – https://www.littlebloomconsultancy.com.au/
Email – [email protected]

Resources for you

Check out my Creating Conscious and Compassionate Classrooms bundle, which is a 10-part guide to behaviour support grounded in connection and empathy. It's packed with resources to help you create a trauma-informed, neuro-affirming classroom that supports students holistically. Just $47 and full of actionable strategies.

Connect with Em

Website: ⁠⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@em_gentle⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Emma Gentle⁠

Trauma affects how children learn in the classroom. When children don't feel safe, they cannot access the part of the brain required for learning. If you've ever wondered why some students seem constantly dysregulated, reactive, or withdrawn, this episode will give you the missing piece.

What you'll learn in this episode:

→ Why trauma leaves a lasting impact on a child's behaviour, emotions, and ability to learn.

→ The difference between simple, complex, and developmental trauma and why it matters.

→ How trauma keeps children stuck in fight, flight, freeze, or fawn states.

→ Why traditional behaviour management strategies (like rewards and punishments) don't work, particularly for children with trauma.

→ How to create a safe, predictable classroom environment that supports regulation.

→ Why your own emotional regulation is key to helping students feel safe.

Free Resources for Teachers

Download the FREE Back to School Checklist here. A customisable checklist that walks you through setting up your classroom step by step.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

Want to learn how to implement trauma-informed practices step by step? Check out my Creating Conscious and Compassionate Classrooms bundle for practical strategies to support students holistically.

If you're ready to focus on your own regulation and stress management, my Signature Online Program 'The Emotionally Intelligent Educator' will teach you how to stay grounded, balanced, and responsive in the classroom. Check it out here

Connect with Em

Website: ⁠⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@em_gentle⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Emma Gentle⁠

Rewards and punishments might seem like an easy way to manage behaviour, but do they actually work?

In this episode of the Beyond Behaviours series, I'm talking about why extrinsic rewards and punitive consequences don't create long term behaviour change, and what to do instead.

If you've ever relied on sticker charts, prize boxes, or detentions but found they don't really shift behaviour, this episode will give you a new way to think about it.

What you'll learn in this episode:

→ Why rewards and punishments control behaviour in the short term but don't teach long-term skills.

→ How extrinsic rewards undermine intrinsic motivation and create a "what's in it for me" mindset.

→ Why punishments don't address the root cause of behaviour and often leads to shame and disconnection.

→ How understanding stress responses, unmet needs, and skill gaps changes the way we support behaviour.

→ What to do instead—effective feedback, setting boundaries, and holding space for emotions while keeping the classroom safe.

Free Resources for Teachers

Download the FREE Back to School Checklist here. A customisable checklist that walks you through setting up your classroom step by step.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

Need step-by-step guidance on replacing rewards and punishments with approaches that actually work? Check out my Creating Conscious and Compassionate Classrooms bundle. Only $47.  It's packed with practical tools to help you build a connected, non-punitive classroom.

Connect with Em

Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@em_gentle⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠Emma Gentle⁠

In this episode, I'm focusing on how you can set up your classroom and learning environment for 2025. It's not about Pinterest-perfect displays but creating a purposeful, functional space where children feel emotionally, physically, and mentally safe.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to balance aesthetics with practicality or you're unsure how your classroom setup impacts behaviour and learning, this episode is for you.

Here's what you'll learn:

→ How to avoid overstimulating classrooms that overwhelm neurodivergent learners.

→ Why clutter impacts focus and behaviour and how to create a calm, organised space.

→ The importance of co creating your classroom setup with students for connection and ownership.

→ Practical tips for incorporating flexible seating, clear pathways, and sensory tools.

→ Why setting up for safety, functionality, and intention is the key to a successful school year.

Free Resources for Teachers

Download the FREE Back to School Checklist here. A customisable checklist that walks you through setting up your classroom step by step.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

If you're ready to learn everything about creating a classroom that's trauma-informed, non-punitive, and built on connection, Check out my Creating Conscious and Compassionate Classrooms bundle. Only $47.

Connect with Em

Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@em_gentle⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠Emma Gentle⁠

Welcome to the first episode of the Beyond Behaviours series, where I'm sharing quick and actionable steps to help you create a conscious classroom that feels safe, structured, and supportive from day one.

This episode is all about routines and expectations—the essential building blocks for a classroom where children feel secure and ready to learn.

If you've ever struggled with behaviours spiralling out of control or felt like your classroom just wasn't flowing, this is where you need to start.

Here's what you'll take away from this episode:

→ Why routines and expectations are the backbone of every successful classroom.

→ How to create consistency and predictability to help children feel safe.

→ The difference between routines and expectations—and why you need both.

→ Why co-developing expectations with your class builds connection and engagement.

→ How revisiting and practising routines all term long sets your classroom up for long-term success.

→ Simple ways to get clear on your routines before the school year starts.

Free Resources for Teachers

Download the Back to School Checklist here. A customisable checklist that walks you through setting up your classroom step by step. From routines to displays, lesson planning, and classroom organisation, this checklist will save you time and stress.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

If you're ready to dig deeper into creating a classroom that's trauma-informed, non-punitive, and built on connection, Check out my Creating Conscious and Compassionate Classrooms bundle. It's packed with 10 guides (including one on routines and expectations) and bonus tools to help you implement strategies that actually work. Only $47.

See you next week for episode two, where we'll focus on setting up your classroom and learning environment.

Connect with Em

Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@em_gentle⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠Emma Gentle⁠