6 Ways to Improve Teacher Wellbeing and Beat the Stress

on March 16, 2017

Simple ways to care for your wellbeing before it's too late. When I ran over Clover I knew things had to change! Have you ever had a wake up call? I was teaching full-time, had 4 children of my own, and a husband who was a 7 days a week, sometimes 24 hours a day, workaholic. I ran from one thing to another: soccer training, tennis lessons, swimming training, guitar lessons; grocery shopping, trying to put healthy meals on the table every night, pack healthy lunches every day; spend time with my own kids as well as turn up every day for my 30 Kindergarten students and give them my best.

How School Culture Impacts Teacher Wellbeing

on March 9, 2017

There is no doubt that in schools where there are high levels of harmony and a positive outlook, staff usually experience greater job satisfaction; improved sense of belonging; stronger loyalty; greater commitment; less absenteeism; and higher levels of job performance.

Self-Talk And Teacher Wellbeing

on March 2, 2017

The talk in your head impacts your wellbeing. Gandhi said, ‘I will not let anyone walk through my mind with his dirty feet.’ Sometimes we are the ones with the dirty feet in our own minds! Have you ever had Imposter Syndrome? Have you ever taught something important to your students and then thought ‘Hey, who am I to sprout about all of this? or ‘Hey, I don’t do that!’

The ‘Musts’ of the Classroom For NEW Teachers

on February 23, 2017

It’s your first teaching gig! How ridiculously wonderful and absolutely terrifying at the same time! At last you get to put into practice all that you have learnt for your very own students.

Mentally Preparing For Going Back To School

on January 27, 2017

If you are feeling apprehensive about going back to school after the summer break, you are not alone. Many teachers find it daunting returning to school after a break to face the whirlwind demands of planning, managing, teaching, marking and reporting.

A Letter To All Teachers

on December 8, 2016

Teaching is one of those rare occupations where you never feel as though you have actually achieved anything. There is always the vague feeling that if you just had a bit more time, or an extra set of hands or some inspired thinking you would be a better teacher.

How To Be A Great Teacher

on December 1, 2016

Becoming a great teacher doesn’t happen overnight. It is the combination of experience, passion and self-reflection that makes a successful teacher.

How To Win The Oscar For Best Teacher

on November 24, 2016

There are many times throughout the day, week or year that teachers have to put on their best acting suit to get through certain situations. For example when you are a new teacher, when you are hungry or tired, when you are substitute teacher, when you lack confidence; the list goes on.

5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Teaching

on September 22, 2016

Every time I meet a teacher in their first few years of teaching, my heart goes out to them! Nothing can prepare you for that first year when you feel like you will never remember all the things you are supposed to do... If I could go back and speak to my young, eager, new-teacher self, here is what I would say:

How To Get Students To Do What You Want

on September 15, 2016

We cannot control another person’s behaviour, but when we change what we do, we can increase the likelihood that students will do what we want. Here are the top 11 mistakes teachers make with behaviour management.

How To Get Students To Like You

on September 8, 2016

It is not necessary for your students to like you, but it is very important that they think you like them! Relationships are the cornerstone of your work as a teacher; kids will work harder for you when they know you care about them. The Top Ten Mistakes Teachers Make with Student-Teacher Relationships....

5 Reasons Why Restorative Practices Supports Effective Behaviour Management

on July 21, 2016

Schools often struggle with how to teach students to be accountable for their actions and to take responsibility when they have acted inappropriately. Howard Zehr, the restorative justice pioneer, coined the three “restorative questions” that guide restorative practices.

What Are Logical Consequences?

on July 14, 2016

Have you ever felt that it didn’t matter what the consequences were for a student’s behaviour, they didn’t make any difference? If a behaviour management strategy isn’t working, it may be time to change and perhaps that means taking a completely different approach. Despite all our best efforts at prevention, there will be times when students do not always follow directions or comply with our expectations. So how do we respond in a way that will help students learn appropriate behaviour and maintain positive relationships?

How To Help Your Child Be Successful At School

on July 7, 2016

For teachers and schools to be able to do the best job possible with students, partnering with parents and caregivers is ideal. You are the parents, the first educators of their children. As such, you often hold the key to many issues that may arise for your child at school. In addition, when you and your child’s school are singing from the same hymn book, your child will achieve greater results socially, emotionally and academically. Here are 5 ways you can help your child be more successful at school:

5 Ways To Reduce Off Task Behaviour

on June 30, 2016

Do you ensure you have these 5 easy teaching strategies done to help reduce the off-class behaviour of your students?

10 Evidence-Based Approaches To Better Behaviour Management In The Classroom

on June 23, 2016

Read about our top 10 evidence-based teaching strategies to better behaviour management in the classroom

How To Use The Happiness Advantage To Your Advantage

on June 16, 2016

If I told you there was a research-based, well proven strategy that was low cost, took little time and energy to implement that would greatly improve student concentration, focus and achievement, would you do it? The answer seems pretty obvious, yet the approach may be controversial and challenge your long held beliefs and attitudes.

10 Non Verbal Ways For A Student To Gain Teacher Attention

on May 19, 2016

Have you ever heard your name called so often in class you threatened to change your name just so no one could call on you? Teaching your students alternative ways of accessing your attention will contribute to smooth running of the classroom, help manage behaviour problems and save your sanity! Teach and model non-verbal ways of communicating to your students.

Marking Tips To Reduce Your Work Time

on May 12, 2016

How many times have you taken that tub of books or assignments from the classroom to the car, into the house, back to the car, back to the classroom and still not completed the marking? In your search for a balance between home and work, improved marking strategies could give you more flexibility and time… time that could be better spent doing other things!

Developing A Consistent Approach

on April 1, 2016

Developing consistency in your teaching, strangely, does not mean being exactly the same all the time. Nor does it mean being a robot and not reacting to circumstances, or showing your real feelings. Consistency does mean that students are fairly certain what they can expect from you. They know for example, that you will not get angry with them today, about something you laughed at yesterday. Here are 6 ways to develop consistency in your teaching