For the thirty-fifth episode of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast I had the wonderful opportunity of interviewing Caitie McWaters who I actually went to school with and we also coached volleyball together.

Caitie has been teaching for 12 years in various roles and schools such as residential boarding schools and teaching VCE subjects Outdoor Education, Physical Education and Health and Human Development. Caitie has a wonderful passion for teaching and seeing her students achieve their best results possible.

Caitie discusses the following:

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

- Her experiences in residential boarding school as a teacher.

- Positives and challenges for staff and students in residential boarding schools.

- Advice for teachers moving schools

- Teaching VCE and the pressures for results.

- Advice for teachers about how to get the best VCE results possible.

- Balancing Mum life and being a teacher.

- Todd’s Stock Exchange (Game).

Episode 34 of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast: (Kate Korber – The Inquiry Project)

For the thirty-fourth episode of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast I interview Kate Korber.

Kate has been teaching for 20 years in various roles as a Deputy Principal, Learning and Teaching Leader as well as ICT and Maths leadership and many years as a classroom teacher in Catholic Education. 

Kate has a passion for curriculum design, Inquiry, technology innovation and high impact teaching strategies. She has worked with hundreds of teachers to help enhance their capacity about what we as educators can do in the classroom to improve student learning.

Kate has recently just started her own consultancy called the “The Inquiry Project” which is based on supporting and mentoring teachers and schools to ignite passion for Inquiry learning in your school.

Kate discusses the following:

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

- The reason why she went down the leadership path.

- Important qualities of a strong leader.

- Building a strong school culture.

- Discussion about her new own consultancy “The Inquiry Project”.

- Why Inquiry learning is so important

- Importance of student voice and agency and how to implement in your classroom.

- Todd’s Stock Exchange (Game).

You can get in contact with Kate below:

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

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

Episode 33 of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast: (Wendy Jackson)

For the thirty-third episode of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast I interview my Principal Wendy Jackson.

I have been lucky enough to have Wendy at my school since I have started my career and her mentoring and support has helped to make me into the teacher I am today.

Wendy has been in education for over 40 years and has various teaching experiences such Classroom Teacher, Numeracy Coach, School Improvement Officer, Acting Assistant Principal and Principal before being a Principal. Wendy is retiring at the end of the year.

Wendy discusses the following:

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

- The reason why she went down the leadership path.

- Her greatest challenge and greatest strength as a leader

- Important qualities of a strong leader.

- Is being a leader in a school a lonely place?

- How to keep your finger on the pulse to truly know what is happening in a school.

- Advice for pre-service teachers with job applications.

- Discussion about retiring at the end of the year.

- One Word Association with Todd (Game).

Episode 32 of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast: (Liz Tobias)

For the thirty-second episode of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast I interview my amazing Grade 6 teacher and friend Liz Tobias.

I was lucky enough to be taught by Liz and she has been a very special teacher who inspired me to love learning and education. Liz’s greatest strength was building positive relationships with every student she taught. To say Liz is one of my favourite teachers is an understatement!

Liz has been in education for over 40 years and has various teaching experiences in both primary and secondary settings, covering many different subject areas as well. Liz is currently retired from teaching however still working as a CRT most days.

Liz discusses the following:

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

- Her greatest challenge and proudest moment as a teacher.

- Was it a hard decision to retire from her permanent job and move into CRT work.

- Keeping the motivation going over a long career.

- How to build positive relationships with students.

- How to build positive and constructive relationships with parents.

- Teaching in both a primary and secondary settings and if it was a difficult transition.

- Top teaching tips

- One Word Association with Todd (Game).

Episode 31 of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast: (Em Gentle)

For the thirtieth-first episode of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast I interview Em Gentle.

Em has been in education for 11 years and is currently teaching a Stage 2 class in New South Wales. Em has had various teaching experiences in both upper and lower primary schools in both Victoria and New South Wales, as well as being a Relieving Assistant Principal.

Em has recently just started her own business call the “The Grad Guide” which is based on supporting and mentoring Graduate teachers through an online membership community.

Em discusses the following:

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

- Challenges of coming back from maternity leave.

- What schools can do to support Mums coming back into the workplace.

- Advice for teachers on maternity leave.

- Importance of building a positive relationship with students, importance of personal development for teachers.

- Being a Relieving Assistant Principal and what qualities, experiences, PD do they need to have or undertake.

- Discussion about her new business venture “The Grade Guide”.

- Tops tips for Graduate teachers.

You can get in contact with Em below:

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

Website – www.thegradguide.com.au

Linktree - https://linktr.ee/thegradguide

Episode 30 of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast: (Tarun Stevenson)

For the thirtieth episode of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast I interview Tarun Stevenson.

Tarun is an educator with over 15 years’ experience in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary settings. He is the founder of Calmer Classrooms which provides professional development that is both relevant and engaging.

Tarun is an established consultant who works with teachers and school administration teams in the area of Behaviour Management and Leadership Development. He is passionate about providing teachers and school leadership teams with tools to effectively connect, communicate and manage students with confidence, care and socially just practice.

Tarun discusses the following:

- His teaching journey, why he became a teacher.

- The Calmer Classrooms consultancy and courses available.

- His new book “Behaviour Management Essentials”.

- Practical ways that teachers can establish and maintain a calm classroom environment.

- The importance of self-reflection when it comes to behaviour management.

- Behaviour management strategies for students with trauma.

- How to engage boys in the classroom and curriculum.

If you would like to purchase Tarun’s new book “Behaviour Management Essential” here is the link below:

Behaviour Management Essentials

You can get in contact with Tarun below:

Website - https://calmerclassrooms.today/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TarunStevenson

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

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

Episode 29 of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast: (Tam – Mrs. Learning Bee)

For the twenty-ninth episode of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast I interview Tam aka Mrs. Learning Bee.

Tam has been teaching for 12 years particularly in the Junior Area as well as being an Assistant Principal. Tam is currently out of the classroom running her business Mrs. Learning Bee.

Tam has a huge presence on Instagram sharing her knowledge, experiences and especially resources.

Tam discusses the following:

- Her teaching journey, why she became a teacher.

- Discussion about her business Mrs. Learning Bee and her new venture “The Hive”.

- Discussion about leaving the classroom to run her business (Mrs. Learning Bee)

- Advice on how to organise an effective learning space.

- Being an Assistant Principal and what experiences will assist you in this role

- Teacher Wellbeing.

- Instagram.

- One Word Association with Todd (Game).

CONNECT WITH TAM:

Episode 28 of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast: (Nathan Van De Monde)

For the twenty-eighth episode of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast I interview Nathan Van De Monde.

Nathan has been teaching for 13 years in both secondary and primary schools in various teaching and leadership roles. Nathan is currently an Acting Principal in Victoria .

Nathan also has a huge presence on Instagram sharing his teaching and leadership journey.

Nathan discusses the following:

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

- The difference between teaching in secondary and primary schools.

- How to go about moving to a new school.

- His leadership journey and experiences, PL and reading required to be a leader.

- Building positive relationships with parents.

- Balancing his teaching career and being a Dad.

- Instagram

- One Word Association with Todd (Game).

During the podcast Nathan mentioned a couple of books based around Leadership.

Here they are below:

Dare To Lead by Brene Brown - https://brenebrown.com/book/dare-to-lead/

Thrive by Arianna Huffington – https://www.booktopia.com.au/thrive-arianna-huffington/book/9780753555422.html 

Make sure you also check out Nathan’s Instagram account @mrvandemorde - https://www.instagram.com/mrvandermonde/ 

Episode 27 of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast: (Dr. Russ Fox – Behaviour Management)

For the twenty-seventh episode of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast I interview behaviour management expert Dr. Russ Fox.

Dr. Russ Fox is a lecturer in applied behaviour analysis at Monash University. He is a trained primary school teacher with experience teaching and working in mainstream primary and secondary schools. Russ’ direct teaching experience has predominantly been in alternative education settings, specifically supporting primary and secondary students exhibiting behaviours of concern and at risk of school disengagement. He has worked extensively with teachers in a capacity building role delivering in-school teacher consultation and coaching to improve behaviour support in classrooms.

Russ discusses the following:

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

- Where did the passion for behaviour management come from.

- Importance of building relationships with students in regard to behaviour management.

- Is self-reflection important when it comes to behaviour management.

- Importance of praise in the classroom to improve behaviour management.

- Is classroom organisation and transition important in classroom management.

- Best behaviour management strategies and tips.

- Do you need to work out where behaviour is coming from.

During the podcast Russ mentioned several books based around Behaviour Management. 

Here they are below:

- Running the Room: The teacher's guide to behaviour 

- Implementing classwide PBIS: A guide to supporting teachers

- Supporting successful interventions in schools: Tools to plan, evaluate, and sustain effective implementation 

- Classwide Positive Behaviour Interventions and Supports: A Guide to Proactive Classroom Management 

Russ also mentioned Qld DoE Behaviour Function Tool.

https://autismhub.education.qld.gov.au/resource/fba-tool 

You can get in contact with Russ below:

Email - [email protected]

Twitter - https://twitter.com/rsslfx?lang=en

Episode 26 of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast: (Joe Hartney)

For the twenty-sixth episode of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast I had the wonderful privilege of interviewing close mate and colleague Joe Hartney.

Joe is into his 6th year of teaching and is currently teaching a Grade 3/4 class, having taught both in the junior and senior area during his career to date.

Joe is also a huge driver of our school’s social committee which is all focused on staff wellbeing, social events and functions and building staff morale.

Joe discusses the following:

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

- Teaching tips and musts in the senior primary area.

- Importance of having a social committee and having social events in a school.

- Social events and functions we’ve organised at our school.

- Importance of staff wellbeing and staff morale for the culture of your school.

- Advice for student teachers and graduate teachers.

- One Word Association with Todd (Game)