Discover how recognising and leveraging individual strengths not only empowers educators but also enhances the overall learning experience for students, fostering a culture of continuous growth and success in the classroom.

In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Alison Mitchell, a high-impact leadership and career coach with over 30 years of experience in international and UK school leadership and teaching. Teaching across primary, secondary and now higher education, Alison understands the needs of teachers and the system they work within.  

Her strengths-based approach empowers educators and school leaders to achieve their goals. She is  passionate about positive psychology and the link between coaching and wellbeing speaking about these areas. With a focus on positive communication, she helps individuals and teams improve their relationships, communication skills, and job satisfaction.

Alison and I discuss: 

• How teachers identify their own strengths and recognise them within themselves
• The role self-awareness plays in helping teachers leverage their strengths 
• How school leadership can support teachers in identifying and utilising their strengths 
• Strategies for collaboratively leveraging the strengths of teachers within a team or department 
• The role of ongoing reflection and feedback in optimising the use of strengths in teaching
• And much more!

Thank you for coming on this journey to create a better future for our life long learners!

Listen here:
Apple - https://apple.co/3OAl10C
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Pyuxmg
Amazon Music - https://amzn.to/3z9fmcb

Connect with Alison:
Website - www.acoachingculture.com
LinkedIn: Alison Mitchell

The most important asset in any organisation is… the brains of your people!

In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Dr Mark Williams, a Neuroscientist, Author, International Speaker and Facilitator and Director of Rethinking the Brain. Mark’s passion lies in  improving learning, productivity, and wellbeing. 

He is an internationally recognised professor of cognitive neuroscience, with over 25 years experience conducting behavioural and brain IMAGING research focusing on our social skills. He has taught the fundamentals of neuroscience to a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as publishing more than 70 scientific articles. Mark has been awarded numerous high profile fellowships and grants, and worked both at MIT in the USA and at universities in Australia.

Mark and I discuss: 

• How cognitive load resulting from excessive administrative tasks impacts educators' ability to engage in innovative teaching methods 
• What strategies or cognitive adjustments help mitigate the negative effects on creativity and problem-solving
• The neuroscience behind how constant time pressures affect educators' cognitive functions
• Ways we can use this understanding to help teachers use their energy better for both their regular tasks and for thinking creatively
• And much more!

Thank you for coming on this journey to create a better future for our life long learners!

Listen here:
Apple - https://apple.co/3OAl10C
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Pyuxmg
Amazon Music - https://amzn.to/3z9fmcb

Connect with Mark:
Website - https://www.drmarkwilliams.com/
LinkedIn: Mark Williams
Email: [email protected]

Educators, are you emotionally exhausted?

What strategies do you have in your toolkit to support your emotional wellbeing? 

In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Madhavi Nawana Parker, the Managing Director of Positive Minds Australia, an Author, Coach and Speaker. Madhavi is one of Australia’s leading experts on Wellbeing and Resilience. Madhavi is known for her warm, optimistic, and compassionate attitude towards others. She is a passionate supporter of young people, their families, and schools, and as a widely published author, Madhavi’s books and programs are implemented in schools, homes, and allied health care settings around the world.

Madhavi was proud to recently launch Thriving Minds, an online wellbeing program, the first of its kind in South Australia. Thriving Minds equips Teachers, Students and Parents with practical tools to support their Mental Health, Wellbeing and Connection to each other, through an online program that fits in with the Australian Curriculum and meets the Professional Standards for Teachers.

Madhavi and I discuss: 

• The complex layers involved in our wellbeing
• Reset, recharge and recover; why and how 
• Coping with emotional exhaustion
• And much more!

Thank you for coming on this journey to create a better future for our life long learners!

Listen here:
Apple - https://apple.co/3OAl10C
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Pyuxmg
Amazon Music - https://amzn.to/3z9fmcb

Connect with Madhavi:
Website: http://positivemindsaustralia.com.au
Facebook: Positive Minds Australia
Instagram: Positive Minds Australia
LinkedIn: madhavi-nawana-parker
YouTube: MadhaviNawanaParker

Focusing on student mental health is vital for holistic development. By supporting parents, teachers and the collective school community, we create a nurturing environment that fosters wellbeing, academic success and lifelong resilience.

In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Toni Medcalf, an integrative psychotherapist and the Director and Founder of the Schools Counselling Partnership. Since qualifying at a psychotherapist, she has worked for ASCA (Adults Surviving Child Abuse), The Open Door Project in Feltham and the Brit School for Performing Arts. She is also a Mindfulness Teacher, Mentor and Group Leader for BASE Babywatching, a trustee of Dream Arts and on the advisory board of BASE Babywatching.

Toni and I discuss: 

• Support teachers need when it comes to supporting the impact of trauma on the brain development of their students 
• The main stressors/concerns teachers are addressing in 'drop in' sessions
• How to ensure confidentiality and privacy for clients, especially in a school setting
• Vulnerable but powerful stories 
• And much more!

Thank you for coming on this journey to create a better future for our life long learners!

Listen here:
Apple - https://apple.co/3OAl10C
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Pyuxmg
Amazon Music - https://amzn.to/3z9fmcb

Connect with Toni:
Website: School's Counselling Partnership
LinkedIn: Toni Medcalf

The importance of building a culture where teachers and students work together, and where student voice, agency and leadership are understood as inter-related factors that contribute to the notion of empowerment and sense of school pride.

In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Lennon Rego, Head of Positive Education at The Australian International School in Singapore. He who works within the Wellbeing Team to create dynamic programmes to foster greater school spirit. Having lived in 5 countries and going to close 10 schools in Asia as well as in Australia, Lennon always felt a connection to the classroom and to teachers who would create a space for belonging and acceptance. As an ambassador for student and staff wellbeing,  Lennon aims to create a positive and uplifting school culture where students and teachers may explore, collaborate and find the fun in learning.  

Lennon and I discuss: 

• What Positive Education looks like at the Australian International School in Singapore
• What Lennon does as a teacher to foster greater personal wellbeing
• How to create a Student Leadership team which empowers students within the school community to take charge, lead events and develop school pride
• And much more!

Thank you for coming on this journey to create a better future for our life long learners!

Listen here:
Apple - https://apple.co/3OAl10C
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Pyuxmg
Amazon Music - https://amzn.to/3z9fmcb

Connect with Lennon
LinkedIn: Lennon Rego

The Launch of Well-Nest | Episode 50!

I have some exciting news to share... thank you so much for your support.

It truly means so much to me!

Visit our NEW website: www.well-nest.com.au
LinkedIn: aimee-parkinson
Instagram: well_nest_collective_co

"The purpose of my work is to help all humans understand themselves better and be inspired to live the life they desire" - Lael Stone. 

In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Lael Stone, an educator, TEDx speaker, author, mother and parenting counselor who has been working with families for over 20 years. Her work as a birth educator, post-natal trauma counselor and parenting educator has seen her work with thousands of families consulting about newborns all the way to the teen years. She spent over 5 years in secondary schools working with teens around sexuality, wellbeing and relationships and her great aim is to empower parents to create connections and stronger relationships with their children.

She is the co-creator of Woodline Primary School, an innovative new school based on emotional wellbeing and connection. Lael was the co-host of The Aware Parenting Podcast and a sought-after public speaker who talks candidly about her experiences and her great passion; creating wellness in adults through connection and communication.

As well as sitting on a few advisory boards and consulting with organisations around emotional awareness and trauma-informed practices, she has teamed up with The Resilience Project to deliver presentations about raising resilient children all over Australia. Lael’s first book ‘Raising Resilient and Compassionate Children' has just been released, debuting on many best sellers list. Lael's work has now extended to working with adults in the corporate space where she addresses the impacts of imprints and trauma and how that affects all relationships and stepping into our potential. She is currently writing her second book which focuses on healing our pasts so we can thrive in our future.

Lael and I discuss: 

• What resilience is and the significance of it in workplaces 
• Which strategies can be used to build resilience and we can foster a culture of resilience amongst staff  
• How staff can support one another when it comes to resilience
• The influence of limiting beliefs on an individual's resilience 
• How people can identify their limiting beliefs and what steps can they take to overcome them to build resilience
• And much more!

Thank you for coming on this journey to create a better future for our life long learners!

Listen here:
Apple - https://apple.co/3OAl10C
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Pyuxmg
Amazon Music - https://amzn.to/3z9fmcb

Connect with Lael:
Website: http://www.laelstone.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laelstone/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laelstone/
Woodline Primary Website: https://www.woodlineprimary.com.au/
Podcast: The Aware Parenting Podcast - over 2 million downloads
Book: Raising Resilient and Compassionate Children
Tedx Talk: How to Raise Emotionally Intelligent Children - over 3 million views

Saying yes is a finite resource; as is your time. When you say “yes” to one thing you are inevitably saying “no” to another. 

In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with David Bott, a sought-after speaker, author and education consultant who works with government organisations and some of the world’s leading schools to help guide wellbeing vision and strategy. As an expert in applied wellbeing science, David has supported thousands of educators from hundreds of schools around the world in designing and implementing system-level approaches to wellbeing and cultural change.

David is the Co-Founder and Director of The Wellbeing Distillery, based in Melbourne, Australia. David sits on the UAE Government’s Dubai Future Council for Education, is a Director on the PESA (Positive Education Schools Association) board. David’s bestselling book, 10 Things Schools Get Wrong: And How We Can Get Them Right was published in 2020.

David has led significant projects, partnering with government and non-government organisations, to embed wellbeing science in school systems in the UAE and Hong Kong. His current work is informed by his five years as Associate Director at the Institute of Positive Education and his 15 years of practical teaching experience in Australia and the UK where he held senior pastoral and academic leadership positions.

David and I discuss: 

• What boundaries are different types of boundaries 
• Why it is important to maintain personal and professional boundaries 
• What challenges people face when enforcing their boundaries 
• How people can balance the need for boundaries with the desire to be flexible and accommodating
• The launch of The Wellbeing Educator, an online professional learning course 
• And much more!

Thank you for coming on this journey to create a better future for our life long learners!

Listen here:
Apple - https://apple.co/3OAl10C
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Pyuxmg
Amazon Music - https://amzn.to/3z9fmcb

Connect with David:
LinkedIn: David Bott
Twitter: @davidbott
Website: www.thewellbeingdistillery.com

Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one "right" way of thinking, learning and behaving and differences are not viewed as deficits. 

In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Dr Claire Hepworth, an HCPC Accredited and Chartered Clinical Psychologist. She additionally holds an MSc in Health psychology, a PhD in Psychology and is Co-Lead for CPD on the Division of Coaching Psychology committee BPS.

Claire has twenty years of experience in psychology research and clinical practice in the UK, working in NHS services, private practice and the Education sector. She provides consultation, assessment and psychological therapy, to individuals, families and professionals. Claire provides strategic consultation, coaching, supervision and training to schools and education professionals, with a particular focus on whole school wellbeing through inclusion and trauma informed practice.

Claire and I discuss: 

• The different types or neurodivergence
• The biggest challenges neurodivergent students are facing at school
• How schools are supporting neurodivergent students and what needs to be done to create more supportive environments 
• The future of neurodivergence
• And much more!

Thank you for coming on this journey to create a better future for our life long learners!

Listen here:
Apple - https://apple.co/3OAl10C
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Pyuxmg
Amazon Music - https://amzn.to/3z9fmcb

Connect with Claire:
LinkedIn: Dr Claire Hepworth
Website: https://www.dowhatworks.co.uk/ and https://www.drclairehepworth.com/
Email: [email protected]

An important element of addressing educator and school leader burnout is to foster a positive school culture and create a staff wellbeing action plan.

In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Adrienne Hornby, a Health and Wellbeing Consultant who works alongside school leaders and their staff to build and embed a tailored ‘Staff Wellbeing Action Plan.’ Each plan is specifically designed to nurture a positive school environment and address teacher burnout, so that they can improve school outcomes and performance in each school.

As a school leader, Adrienne was once unhappy, unhealthy and overworked - and, it wasn't long before she burnt out. By prioritising her health and wellness, she started to feel healthier, happier, and more engaged at work. Before long, her leadership evolved and her staff's performance skyrocketed. Since then, she's made it her mission to help schools put their people first in order to build more positive staff and school cultures. Adrienne offers a range of tailored school wellbeing consulting services to suit the needs, budget and nuances of each specific school.

Adrienne and I discuss: 

• How schools know if and/or when they need to conduct a wellbeing survey? 
• What the benefits are of conducting an anonymous survey?
• How schools create the right questions to ask for their context?
• How schools prepare for what the data will tell them and what the process once the data has been collected? 
• And much more!

Thank you for coming on this journey to create a better future for our life long learners!

Listen here:
Apple - https://apple.co/3OAl10C
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Pyuxmg
Amazon Music - https://amzn.to/3z9fmcb

Connect with Adrienne:
LinkedIn: Adrienne Hornby
Website: www.adriennehornby.com.au
Instagram: adriennehornby_coach
Facebook: adriennehornbyconsulting
Email: [email protected]