In this conversation, Ashleigh joins host Mat Green to reflect on the joys and challenges of teaching, resource creating, and creating space for wellbeing. From the importance of slowing down in the classroom to her evolving views on technology and her journey from teacher to education business owner.

You’ll hear candid moments about spelling struggles, teacher wellbeing, and how the most magical classrooms often leave the biggest imprint, not because of the content, but because of how students feel. Plus, Ash shares the story behind the most popular Rainbow Sky resource UNO card games!

In this episode, we talk about:

• How Ashleigh's views on technology have evolved
• Why she’s saying "no" to rushing and “yes” to herself in 2025
• The teacher who changed her life (and what happened when she met her again 20 years later!)
• How Rainbow Sky Creations began (spoiler: it started with iPad drawings and a pregnant coffee date!)
• The philosophy behind their wildly popular UNO card maths games
• Why differentiation in teacher PD matters just as much as in student learning
• The Rainbow Sky mantra every new teacher needs to hear

This episode is full of golden takeaways, encouraging reminders, and lots of laughter. A must-listen for every teacher who’s ever felt overwhelmed, rushed, or in need of a gentle reset.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Books mentioned: Untamed by Glennon Doyle, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt and 4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

View our UNO Card Maths Activities

Rainbow Sky PD Hub – On-demand, actionable professional development

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In this special replay episode, Alisha joins forces with the wonderful Giselle from Kids Yoga Stories to unpack one of the most common challenges teachers face - overwhelm during the back-to-school season.

Originally presented earlier in the year, this session is packed with practical strategies designed to help you walk into Term 1 (or any fresh start) feeling clear, confident, and calm. 

What You’ll Learn:

• Why feeling overwhelmed doesn't mean you're failing
• How to identify what really matters on your to-do list
• The power of building consistent routines early on
• Why setting boundaries is essential for sustainability
• How collaboration and community make teaching lighter
• The importance of connection in the first weeks of school

Whether you're tuning in during your holiday recharge or saving this episode for your new-year prep, you'll find simple, actionable tips to support your wellbeing and help you focus on what matters most - your students. Let’s work smarter, not harder… together.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Weekly Checklist Template

Classroom Detectives Activity

Giselle from Kids Yoga Stories

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Get ready to meet the principal who’s rewriting the rulebook - one hallway conversation at a time. In this energising chat, we’re joined by Jared Lamb (commonly known as @principal_lamb), the dynamic school leader known for ditching the principal’s office in favour of a rolling cart, 20,000 steps a day, and a relentless commitment to connection.

We dive into Jared’s bold decision to lead from the heart (and the hallways), why joy should be part of every school’s strategic plan, and how teachers can embrace servant leadership—no matter their role.

Key Takeaways with Principal Lamb:

• How to lead with your feet - Why Jared traded his office for a cart
• What servant leadership looks like in action.
• What teachers really need right now, and how schools can step up.
• How fun, laughter, and play build stronger school cultures.
• The power of perspective as a leader and teacher
• How social media helps Jared support educators globally.
• Jared’s non-negotiables for building a connected, thriving school.

Whether you’re an early-career teacher looking for a spark or a seasoned educator craving authentic school culture, this episode will leave you inspired to lead, teach, and connect in ways that truly matter.

If you loved this episode, please leave us a review!! OR if you have a principal with a rolling cart, send us a DM, we would love to hear about it!

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Jared on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube

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About Today’s Guest

Jared Lamb is a veteran educator with over 16 years of experience. Three years ago, he made a transformative decision to trade his traditional office for a rolling cart, aiming to increase his visibility and accessibility within the school. This innovative approach allows him to engage directly with students and staff throughout the day, fostering stronger relationships and a more connected school community. His commitment to being present has not only enhanced school culture but also contributed to a remarkable teacher retention rate.

Beyond his school, Principal Lamb has become a social media sensation, sharing his journey and insights on platforms like TikTok and Instagram under the handle @principal_lamb. His authentic and relatable content has resonated with educators worldwide, amassing a following of over 800,000 across his channels. Through his posts, he advocates for servant leadership, teacher support, and the importance of joy in education, inspiring a global community to rethink traditional educational leadership models.

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The countdown is on, the energy is high, and if you’ve ever looked around your classroom and thought, “We need a reset right now,” this episode is for you.

In this episode, we’re opening up our Brain Break Toolbox with eight quick and cheerful ideas to help your students reset, refocus, and release that festive season energy in a purposeful way.

These aren’t time-fillers. They’re intentional, effective, and designed to help you maintain calm and / or connection in the final stretch before the holidays.

From silent snowflakes to Christmas countdown breathing, these tools will help you create balance, boost student focus, and support your own wellbeing as the end-of-year buzz ramps up.

What You’ll Learn:

• Simple movement-based brain breaks that promote calm
• Quick energy-burners to reset the vibe fast
• Festive activities that still encourage teamwork and focus
• How to use brain breaks as a proactive classroom management tool
• Why small resets can make a big difference to behaviour and learning

You’ve got this, teachers. Keep breathing, stay playful, and finish the term feeling proud.

Rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Episode 80: Brain Breaks That Work with James Robinson

Grab our favourite Christmas freebie here.

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The countdown to Christmas is officially ON, and if your classroom is starting to feel more festive frenzy than focused fun, this episode is for you!In this episode, we share 10 practical and playful classroom management ideas to help you keep calm, maintain learning momentum, while sprinkling in some festive joy as the year wraps up.

From creative countdowns to calm-down corners, gratitude circles to secret elves, these strategies are designed to bring structure and sparkle to your classroom, without exhausting you in the process.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to maintain classroom routines when festive chaos hits
• Fun and easy incentive systems that work
• Simple ways to keep learning purposeful in the final weeks
• Tips for protecting your teacher energy during the busiest time of year
• Why gratitude, calm, and connection are the real Christmas magic 

Let’s work smarter (not harder) this season and finish strong, together. You’ve got this!

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Sign up for the 7 Days of Christmas freebies here. 

Christmas Blooms Activities Grades 1-2

Christmas Blooms Activities Grades 3-6

Kindness Christmas tree (freebie)

Grades 1-2 Holiday Math Code Cracker

Grades 3-6 Holiday Math Code Cracker

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Something big is happening behind the scenes at Rainbow Sky Creations, and we couldn’t wait to share it with you! In this special bonus episode, we officially unveil our fresh rebrand of Rainbow Sky Creations, complete with a beautiful new website and a fun teacher-friendly Scavenger Hunt that’ll get you rewarded just in time for Black Friday!

Here’s what we’re celebrating in this bonus episode:

• The launch of our updated website designed with teachers like YOU in mind
• A fun Scavenger Hunt where you collect hidden letters to unlock a $10 store credit
  A sneak peek at our upcoming Black Friday sale 
• A reminder to sign up for our 7 days of Christmas Freebies

Whether you’re a loyal long-time fan or brand new to our community, this episode is your golden ticket to discover everything coming your way this season, including freebies, discounts, and awesome resources to help you finish the year strong.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Join the Scavenger Hunt here

Sign up for the 7 Days of Christmas here. 

Be sure to keep checking your inbox for all the goodies coming your way!

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This week on Rainbow Skies for Teachers, we’re taking you behind the scenes of something we’ve been quietly working on for months… our brand-new website! And because teachers deserve a little fun at this time of year, we’re celebrating the launch with an interactive scavenger hunt that ends in free resources for YOU!

In this episode, we’re sharing:
• Our fun, teacher-themed scavenger hunt
• How to join the hunt, find the hidden letters and claim your $10 voucher
• How to score our Christmas Mega Bundle (valued at $25) for free
• Teacher-favourite resources you can use your voucher on
• What to expect during our Black Friday weekend of flash deals, daily drops and surprise bonuses

Join the Scavenger Hunt

Explore our new website, hunt for the hidden letters, crack the code and claim your $10 voucher. The first 20 teachers to redeem will also receive our Christmas Mega Bundle for free.

This is one of our most exciting episodes yet because it is all about giving back to our amazing listeners. 

We know the end of the year is full, busy and often overwhelming. A little fun and a little treat can go a long way…. And this episode is your invitation to celebrate with us! Get ready to  treat yourself to resources that make classroom life easier.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Join the Scavenger Hunt here.

Check out our beautiful new website here.

Here are some teacher favourites you might want to grab with your $10 voucher:

• UNO Maths Games

• Flip It Games

• Word of the Day

• Multiplication Fluency Games

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Could undiagnosed vision issues be holding your students back? In this eye-opening episode, Ash chats with behavioural optometrist Amy Fortescue to unpack how children’s vision, far beyond just 20/20 eyesight, can deeply affect their learning, behaviour, and classroom confidence.

Amy introduces us to the world of behavioural optometry, where the eyes are seen as an extension of the brain. Together, Ash and Amy explore how visual challenges like eye tracking issues, visual processing delays, and undetected long-sightedness can impact everything from reading fluency to attention and even writing development.

Plus, Amy shares practical signs for teachers to look out for, classroom strategies to support visual learners, and why a standard preschool screening often isn’t enough.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What behavioural optometry is and why it matters in education
• How to spot hidden vision problems in your classroom
• How eye tracking affects reading—and what can help
• The surprising overlap between vision issues and ADHD symptoms

Key Takeaways:

• Vision is more than sight - it’s how the brain processes what the eyes see.
• Children with learning challenges may have undiagnosed visual issues, even if they pass standard screenings.
• Classroom strategies like deep breathing, and seating can boost reading and focus.
• Visual perceptual skills, not just fine motor, may impact handwriting, OTs and optometrists both play a role.
• A collaborative, whole-child approach is key: “It’s not always either vision or attention, it can be both.”

From personal stories to professional insights, this episode is packed with knowledge that could make a world of difference for the students in your care.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Amy on Instagram @amyfortescueoptom

Learn more about behavioural optometry here

Find Amy’s eye exercises here

Listen to an episode about The Science of Reading here. 

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About Today’s Guest

Amy Fortescue is a behavioural optometrist based in Southern Sydney with a passion for paediatric eye care. She completed her Bachelor of Optometry and Bachelor of Science in 2010, earning top honours in children’s vision and binocular vision, an early sign of the career path she was destined to follow.

Amy’s journey into optometry began in her father’s practice in Ramsgate Beach, where she started helping out as soon as she was old enough to file record cards and fold newsletters. She continued working there until August 2025, building years of hands-on experience and deep community ties.

Since graduating, Amy has pursued extensive additional training in behavioural optometry and is now preparing to open her own practice in Autumn 2026.

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year… especially when you’re a teacher with FREE Christmas resources up your sleeve!

In this merry little episode, we unwrap all the goodness inside our 7 Days of Christmas celebration - a free, festive giveaway packed with engaging, educational, and totally classroom-ready activities for the end of the school year or countdown to winter break.

Whether you're teaching in Australia or the Northern Hemisphere, these resources are made for YOU. They are all print-and-go, adaptable across year levels, and designed to boost learning through creativity and fun.

From Christmas-themed Code Crackers to the Kris Kringle Kindness Tree, we’ve thought of everything to help you wind down the term while still packing in purposeful learning.

Inside this episode, you’ll discover:

• The 7 types of Christmas resources we’re gifting you (yes, for free!)
• How to integrate festive learning without the fluff
• Simple ways to build in student choice, teamwork, and differentiation
• Our favourite tips for making the most of these activities
• How to sign up and start receiving your festive freebies!

Sign up for our 7 Days of Christmas and you will get:

• Code Crackers to build problem-solving and teamwork
• Christmas themed UNO games
• Creative Thinking Prompts (perfect for calming that pre-holiday energy!)
• MultiplicationFlip It & Friends to 10 games for hands-on maths fun
• Christmas Number of the Day (differentiated across year levels!)
• Chatterboxes to revise number facts and multiplication
• Kris Kringle Kindness Tree to spread joy and connection

We are excited to be gifting all of our wonderful listeners with these free Christmas resources! Don’t forget to sign up so you don’t miss out.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Sign up for our 7 Days of Christmas

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Today, we’re popping the confetti, lighting the birthday candles, and getting real about our personal truths behind teaching and education. 

To celebrate our second podcast birthday, we’re bringing you an extra special format: 2 teachers, 2 things we’ve learned, 2 things we’ve changed our minds about.

From rethinking teaching strategies to embracing a more relaxed classroom culture, we’re sharing the moments (and guest episodes!) that shifted our perspectives, reignited our passion, and made us better educators, and humans.

We’re also giving some love to the guests who’ve left a lasting impact on our journey, including episodes on the Science of Reading, outdoor learning, and building school community.

In This Episode You Will Discover:

• The power of adapting (not overhauling) your teaching practice
• Why slowing down in the classroom can be your secret weapon
• Letting go of the hustle and embracing joy in the everyday
• How your local community can enrich student learning
• What we’ve learned from some of our most-loved episodes

If you’ve been with us from the start or just found us this term, thank YOU for being part of this growing teacher community. There are rainbows ahead, and together we’re unstoppable!

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Episode 29 with Malia about the Science of Reading

Episode 52 with Kylie Atlier about your Teaching Village

Episode 88 with Victoria about Outdoor Learning

Episode 57 with Ash Curmi about Behaviour and Connection

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