Staffroom Stories of Australian Teachers

Staffroom Stories of Australian Teachers

Take a peek behind the staffroom door at what Australian teachers are talking about, and what they ought to know. Come for the advice (and sometimes controversy), stay for the lightbulb moments we all treasure in our students but tend to forget about in ourselves. Aussie teacher Emily picks a topic each episode that has come up in her own staffroom, or in our Facebook communities, and brings experts to the staffroom table to have a chat. Together they shed a light on the things that worry us, anger us, bring us joy, and make us laugh. Teaching is about the kids, but it’s about us teachers too. In collaboration with the Staffroom Stories blog.

Episodes

March 25, 2023 34 mins

This one is for all those teachers who have ever even remotely considered going remote!

Hakea joins me to shine a light on the realities of teaching away from metro areas, and shares actionable tips for making sure you're well prepared (even if you don't ever end up moving away).

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Are you like me and snack all. the. time when you're at school?

 

Coach Chris McMahon joins me to talk through the real reasons why we snack. We dive into emotional eating (hint: it's almost always emotional eating), the three forms of self-care, an...

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Ah, a controversial episode!

The use of screen time during school meals is on the rise - but is it really such a good idea? Francesca from Growing Early Minds shares her wisdom for the good, the bad, and the necessary when it comes to letting your students watch a show while they eat their morning/afternoon tea and lunch.

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This episode I welcome back (again!) Angela Wilson to talk about quiet quitting - when it's good, when it's toxic, and how to make sure you choose the right path.

Show notes and transcript on the website!

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January 28, 2023 32 mins

This episode I welcome back Angela Wilson to talk about job crafting - what it is, what it isn't, and the steps to follow to ensure your job actually brings you some joy this year!

 

Job crafting is all about tailoring your day-to-day experiences to bring forward your interests, passions, and whole self into your daily work (but still within the constraints of your role!). Angela steps us through how to do this effectively, while e...

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Welcome to Part 2 of a 2-part series, breaking down the year that was!

Reminisce with me as we look back at the breaking headlines of the year, and highlight what we have endured and celebrated in 2022.

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Welcome to Part 1 of a 2-part series, breaking down the year that was!

Reminisce with me as we look back at the breaking headlines of the year, and highlight what we have endured and celebrated in 2022.

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December 4, 2022 33 mins
Take a trip down memory lane with me!   This week I’m chatting with Sue Osmond, who is the Program Manager for Life Ed (QLD).   Find out the answers to your most burning questions:   1. Why a giraffe? 2. What was that body mannequin that had those light up sections? 3. What is the team up to these days, now that the van is a bit outdated and everything is turning digital and we have a push for respectful relationships ed...
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What do the Great Teacher Exodus, the media, and school culture have in common? Much more than you might first think...

Adam Voigt from Real Schools shares:

  • the real reasons teachers are quitting in droves (Hint: COVID isn't actually the thing to blame)
  • the impact that the media has and how we can proactively combat the regular teacher-bashing articles
  • the importance of school culture, what that actually means, and what you can...
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This is part three in a three part mini-series exploring my unconventional takeaways from the RELIT2022 cup-filling day!

Shelley Moore challenged perspectives about inclusion in the classroom (and in society). She shined a light on our selfish excuses, our alienating policies, and our one-size-fits-all approach. 

I provide real, actually achievable steps you can enact in your classroom today to work toward true inclusion for all of...

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This episode is a little different - I call out the notion that you are 'just' a teacher.

Screw that up, throw it in the bin. Yeet it, if you will. Far out the window.

There is nothing 'just' about being a teacher...

The messages in todays episode from the community should convince you otherwise!

Show notes and transcript on the blog!

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This is Part Two of my three part reflection on RELIT2022.   This week I take a dive into the talk from Nikki Sanchez - an incredibly powerful storyteller, decolonisation educator, and orca extraordinaire.   Her messages are deep, distressing, and so critically important for us as educators. Be warned, I cry in this episode. But the takeaways I had were a little off-point - the power of giving windows of resiliency, and ...
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This is part one in a three part mini-series exploring my unconventional takeaways from the RELIT2022 cup-filling day!

 

Part 1 takes a dive into the wisdom of Dr Jody Carrington. Her messages ring with such truth:

- If you're not ok, the people you're in charge of don't stand a chance

- All we want is to feel seen

- When you are acknowledged, you rise

 

Join me as I explore these topics and what they mean for us in our classrooms.

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October 1, 2022 18 mins

A new term is a time for refreshing and resetting!

In this episode, I give you a few helpful ideas for how best to prepare yourself and your classroom for a new term. Things like seating plans, classroom and hallway decorations, curriculum, and also your own expectations and connections with yourself, your colleagues, and your students. 

As always, full transcript and shownotes on the site!

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This is the first of our Anonymous Teacher Files, where teachers have asked for me to be their voice on a sensitive topic. 

In this episode, a teacher has reached out to discuss discrimination related to a hearing impairment. I delved into the statistics of teachers with disabilities, and offer advice for how to deal with discrimination that may be occurring in your workplace as a teacher.

Full transcript and show notes available o...

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This week in Aus is Teacher Aide Appreciation Week!

Holy dooly do I appreciate every single teacher aide I've ever worked with.

In this episode I want to highlight some of the key reasons why we cannot live without our TAs; how best to work together with a TA in your classroom; and how you can access the unique and invaluable knowledge our TAs hold.

Show notes and transcript on the blog!

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In this episode, Angela helps us to explore what our options are for when we are just unhappy with our jobs as a teacher.

We discuss a few different options for when you know you need a change, but you're not sure what is out there for you:

  1. You still want to teach, but need a change.
  2. You want to explore other options within education.
  3. You want out of teaching altogether.

This episode follows on from our previous conversati...

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This conversation is for every teacher who has toyed with the idea that perhaps they're not as happy as they'd like with their teaching. I don't mean all the *extra* we're dealing with, but deep down within your core.

Perhaps you need clarity and validation that teaching is absolutely still your thing. Perhaps you are on the fence. Perhaps you're ready to get out. No matter where you sit, this one is for you!

Head to the website ww...

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Seen the media reports lately claiming that teens actually tune out their Mum's voice? The reality is a little more complex. 

Clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioural sciences (and publishing author of the article that the media are referencing) Dr Daniel Abrams joins me to discuss his research on how voice activates the reward systems in neurotypical and neurodivergent brains. 

Transcript and Show Notes on the bl...

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I'm sure you've heard a plethora of things said about trans people lately, so I got in contact with the RCH Gender Service, and Dr Cate is here to provide you with the scientifically and medically accurate information needed to clear up those misconceptions.

Bottom line - you'll probably have a gender diverse or trans student in the near future (if you haven't already), and this will help you to understand them a bit better!

Show n...

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