Episode 55 of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast: (Rick McWaters)

For the fifty-fifth (and last episode for 2023) of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast, I had the privilege of interviewing former teacher, coach and friend Rick McWaters. I was lucky enough to be taught and coached by Rick as well as to coach volleyball with him. He was a very special teacher and mentor who inspired me to love learning and education. To say Rick is one of my favourite teachers is an understatement! 

Rick has been in education for over 40 years in various schools, teaching Physical Education in both primary, secondary and VCE settings. Rick has also had many leadership roles such as Head of House and Head of Pastoral Care/Wellbeing. 

Rick discusses the following:

- His teaching journey, why he became a teacher and his teacher role model/s.

- Greatest challenge and proudest moment as a teacher

- His leadership roles.

- Developing his leadership skills. 

- His role as Head of Pastoral Care.

- Challenges of dealing with serious situations and issues. 

- How to go about not taking work home with you.  

- Top tips when teaching VCE subjects. 

- Building a strong sporting culture within a school. 

- Having family members who are teaching. 

- Retirement 

- Todd’s Stock Exchange (Game).

Episode 53 of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast: (Kelly Chislett – Common Reader)

For the 53rd episode of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast I had the privilege of interviewing Kelly Chislett from the Common Reader. 

Kelly is a primary school teacher who has mainly been based in the early years. She has taken on leadership roles such as year level co-ordinator and transition co-ordinator. Kelly is currently on Family Leave however during this time Kelly founded Common Reader, which is an online resource designed to be a pillar for parents as they navigate early school life with their children.

Kelly discusses the following:

- Her teaching journey, why she became a teacher and her teacher role model/s.

- Greatest challenge and proudest moment as a teacher

- What is the Common Reader. 

- What motivates parents to be engaged in the school environment.

- Any common misconceptions made by parents or teachers regarding home reading practice.

- Top tips and ideas to support parents in getting their child reading at home.

- Why engage parents and so much more. 

- Todd’s Stock Exchange (Game).

You can get in contact with Kelly (Common Reader) below:  

Website –  https://www.commonreader.com.au/ 

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/commonreaderau/ 

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

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCte7Ty_DOePKAJdeac3gsTQ 

Discount Code – Use the following code - TODDCASTTREAT - at the checkout, and get $10 off the first payment to a Common Reader subscription.

Episode 54 of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast: (Andy Connick – Andy Connick Coaching)

For the 54th episode of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast I had the privilege of interviewing Andy Connick from Andy Connick Coaching. 

Andy is a teacher turned personal trainer. Andy has been involved in schools for over 10 years which includes various roles such as teacher assistant, pastoral support worker, teacher in a pupil referral unit, assistant head of centre, teacher in charge of primary and deputy head of centre. However last year Andy made the decision to take a break from teaching and requalified as a personal trainer and went on set up an online coaching business that starts from a point of fitness and how teachers can keep fit around the madness of a teaching schedule, but then also works more generally on health and wellbeing with the aim of trying to minimise burn out and keeping as many amazing teachers in the classroom as possible. 

Andy discusses the following:

- His teaching journey, why he became a teacher and his teacher role model/s.

- Greatest challenge and proudest moment as a teacher

- Teaching in a Pupil Referral Unit. 

- How having various roles helped him develop as a teacher. 

- How he realised he was burnt-out.

- Was it hard decision to take a break from teaching. 

- Why did he become a personal trainer. 

- What is Andy Connick Coaching. 

- What does Andy Connick Coaching offer teachers. 

- Importance of teachers being physically and mentally healthy. 

- Top tips for teachers to stay physically and mentally healthy.

I hope you enjoy this episode.

- Todd’s Stock Exchange (Game).

You can get in contact with Andy (Andy Connick Teaching) below:  

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/andyconnickcoaching 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084718088167 

Discount Code – Use the following code - TODDCAST when you sign up, and get 20% off the first month of Andy Connick Coaching. 

Episode 52 of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast: (Carmel Hamilton)

For the fifty-second episode of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast I had the amazing privilege of interviewing my Grade 6 PE teacher and friend Carmel Hamilton. I was lucky enough to be taught by Carmel and she has been a very special teacher who inspired me to love learning and education and become a PE teacher. Carmel’s greatest strength was building positive relationships with every student she taught. To say Carmel is one of my favourite teachers is an understatement! 

Carmel has been in education for over 40 years in various schools, teaching Physical Education in both primary and secondary settings. 

Carmel discusses the following:

- Her teaching journey, why she became a teacher and her teacher role model/s.

- Greatest challenge and proudest moment as a teacher. 

- Where her passion for PE teaching came from.

- Key teaching tips and strategies when teaching PE.

- Best way to structure a PE lesson. 

- How to organise and structure term and yearly PE program. 

- How students’ physical abilities have changed over the years. 

- How to build positive relationships with students. 

- How to improve your PE teaching. 

- Todd’s Stock Exchange (Game).

I hope you enjoy this episode.

Episode 51 of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast: (Georgia Bell)

For the fifty-first episode of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast I had the wonderful opportunity of interviewing Georgia Bell.

Georgia has been teaching for seven years all of which have been in Special Education in the Shepperton area. Recently Georgia studied and completed her Masters in applied behaviour analysis to now be a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) at her school which is a wonderful achievement. 

Georgia discusses the following:

- Her teaching journey, why she became a teacher and her teacher role model/s.

- Greatest challenge and proudest moment as a teacher. 

- Where did the passion for Special Education come from

- Key teaching tips and strategies when teaching in Special Education. 

- Key ways and strategies to find out how to best cater for each student’s individual needs. 

- Does the curriculum prepare her students for 18+. 

- Importance of life skills and what they do at her school. 

- What is a behaviour analyst. 

- What do behaviour analysts do.

- How do behaviour analysts support schools, students and teachers.

- What does the behaviour analyst role look like in her school. 

- Top tips to make changes and modifications in a student’s behaviour

- Goals for the future. 

- Todd’s Stock Exchange (Game).

Episode 50 of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast: (Tayla Junor)

For the fiftieth episode of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast I had the fabulous opportunity of interviewing a very special guest - my partner Tayla Junor.

Tayla has been teaching for seven years all of which have been in the Catholic Education System. During her career to date Tayla has been a Grade 5/6 teacher and this year she is the Grade 5/6 team leader.

Tayla discusses the following:

- Her teaching journey, why she became a teacher and her teacher role model/s.

- Greatest challenge and proudest moment as a teacher.

- The differences between Catholic Education and State Education.

- Why she enjoys teaching Grade 5/6 so much.

- Different teaching tips for the upper primary area.

- Resources, books, online tools that are a must in the upper primary area.

- What does team teaching look like in her school.

- The benefits and negatives of team teaching.

- What it is like having a partner who is a teacher as well.

- Advice for graduates.

- Goals for the future.

- Todd’s Stock Exchange (Game).

Episode 49 of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast: (Sam McCloud)

For the forty-ninth episode of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast I had the wonderful opportunity of interviewing a colleague and friend in Sam McCloud.

Sam is into his 8th year of teaching and after working at a couple of different schools, he is now currently teaching a Grade 3/4 class and is also our Literacy Learning Specialist.

Sam discusses the following:

- His teaching journey, why he became a teacher and his teacher role model/s.

- Greatest challenge and proudest moment as a teacher. 

- Teaching tips for the upper primary area. 

- About his new role as Literacy Learning Specialist. 

- What he has learnt so far in his role. 

- Resources, books and online tools which are a must in Literacy. 

- Moving into a leadership role. 

- Positives and challenges of moving school. 

- Todd’s Stock Exchange (Game).

Episode 48 of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast: (Sue Webb)

For the forty-eighth episode of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast I had the wonderful opportunity of interviewing Sue Webb. 

Sue has been a high school teacher for over 30 years and has various teaching and leadership positions during her teaching career. 

In 2016 Sue suffered a debilitating panic attack and for the next four years, her life spiralled out of control. Feeling lost and burnt out, Sue began writing and her book “Teachers Cry Too”, was released in November 2022 It captures the challenges and joys of teaching in a world that is becoming increasingly more complex. Sue also launched a Facebook and Instagram account (Teacher’s Cry Too) which is a space for advocacy, lived experience and emerging research about teacher wellbeing.

Sue discusses the following:

- Her teaching journey, why she became a teacher and her teacher role model/s.

- Greatest challenge and proudest moment as a teacher. 

- Her story about struggling with her mental wellbeing and health. 

- Why is teacher wellbeing so important.  

- Top tips for teacher wellness and wellbeing.  

- If someone is struggling with their teacher wellbeing the advice she would give. 

- What schools can do to enhance? teacher wellbeing. 

- About her book “Teacher’s Cry Too”. 

- Her Instagram page. 

- Advice for graduates. 

- Goals for the future. 

- Todd’s Stock Exchange (Game).

You can check out and listen to the on the links below:  

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075248274668&mibextid=LQQJ4d 

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

Email - [email protected] 

Purchase Book “Teacher’s Cry Too” - https://linktr.ee/teacherscryto

Episode 47 of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast: (Mitch Leyton)

For the forty-seventh episode of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast I had the wonderful opportunity of interviewing Mitch Leyton. 

Mitch is into his 5th year of teaching and is currently teaching a Grade 5/6 class. Throughout Mitch’s career he has taught in either the Grade 3/4 or 5/6 area. 

Mitch is extremely passionate teacher who loves to learn and develop and continue to improve his teaching. Mitch also has an Instagram page called Mr. Leyton’s Little Learners where he shares his teaching journey. 

Mitch discusses the following:

- His teaching journey, why he became a teacher and his teacher role model/s.

- Greatest challenge and proudest moment as a teacher. 

- Teaching tips for the upper primary area. 

- Canva Education. 

- His Instagram page (Mr. Leyton’s Little Learners) 

- Resources, books and online tools that are a must in the upper primary area. 

- Being a teacher during the day and yoga instructor at night; 

- Importance of having something outside of school to assist your wellbeing. 

- Goals for the future. 

- Todd’s Stock Exchange (Game).

You can get in contact with Mitch below:  

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/mrleytons_littlelearners/ 

Resources (Mitch mentioned during the podcast):

English 

Oz Lit Teacher 

Science in Reading School Facebook Page 

Maths 

Mathigon - https://mathigon.org/polypad 

Toy Theater - https://toytheater.com/category/teacher-tools/ 

Maths 360 - https://www.maths300.com/ 

Re Solve - https://www.resolve.edu.au/ 

MAV Maths -  https://www.mav.vic.edu.au/Home 

NRich Maths - https://nrich.maths.org/ 

GFletchy - https://gfletchy.com/ 

Which doesn’t belong - https://wodb.ca/ 

Slow Reveal Graphs - https://slowrevealgraphs.com/  

Episode 46 of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast: (Crystal McIntosh)

For the forty-sixth episode of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast I had the wonderful opportunity of interviewing Crystal McIntosh.

Crystal is an Early Childhood Educator who has undertaken various roles during her 8 year career to date and is currently an Early Years Advisor at Shine Bright Kindergarten.

Recently Crystal has also launched a podcast with another two work colleagues called Shine On, which focuses on Early Childhood Education.

Crystal discusses the following:

- Her teaching journey, why she became a teacher and her teacher role model/s.

- Greatest challenge and proudest moment as a teacher.

- Why she enjoys Early Years Education so much.

- Top tips when teaching Early Childhood Education.

- Main focuses and aims in getting children ready for school.

- What can schools do to support children for a smoother transition to school.

- Her leadership roles in Early Childhood Education.

- Their new podcast called Shine On.

- How the podcast all came about and what can listeners expect to hear.

- Goals for the future.

- Todd’s Stock Exchange (Game).

You can check out and listen to the Shine On Podcast on the links below: 

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

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/shine-on-an-early-childhood-education-podcast/id1698419250

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/42Zq768CK8hZAp7gkOWl8p?si=d64d972aeae94226