After the Bell with Teacher Sphere

This is a quick episode to discuss the new Victorian intiative that allows pre service teachers permission to teach in classrooms prior to fully qualifying. I have Wais Habib who is currently working as a CRT (casual relief teacher) while in his final year of Uni. This is a 'how to' episode where we discuss exactly how you can apply and get your permission to get into classrooms. Here is the additional information mentioned in the episode: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/careers/Pages/rol_help_applicants.aspx - link to PDF Very important 1300 338 738 - Vic education number to call in the first step 1300 888 067 - VIT number to call during the second step Ensure you head to @educatinglaura on Instagram to keep up to date with me and future episodes.

Thank you for coming back - I appreciate that you are having to wait a little longer for these episodes to arrive and I am very grateful for your patience. This episode is with Louka Parry - educator, ex school principal and now CEO of The Learning Future. We discuss the way the education is not broken, just outdated. We discuss what can be taken up NOW in education that is already available for us to move into the future of learning. We discuss the importance of education, innovation and redefining our generalisation around words such as 'results' when it comes to teaching. So much in this episode, hope you enjoy it. Louka also has his own podcast  so listen here. I reference my discussion with George Couros in this chat - if you would like to listen click here. Make sure you follow along with my on Instagram.

A very honest conversation with Rachael from Let's Grow - a private practitioner as well as a servicing a wellbeing role at a primary school in Melbourne. We discuss Rachael's challenges in the classroom Lacking inspiration as students How we hope to see wellbeing and self commitment becoming more mainstream As well as actionable steps to help take accountability of our own mental health day to day. Rachael is no nonsense, yet supportive and compassionate. A great conversation to get me back into the season after an unexpected hiatus.

Dr Mary Hemphill is an educator, a leader and an innovator. Her book 'The One Minute Meeting' is all about actionable ways to increase voice and agency in education in a real (not tokenistic) way. We discuss how she has built self trust, the value of being different as well as how she is constantly upgrading her own knowledge and viewpoint. I love this chat - so many take away ideas that will encourage deep thought. Make sure you listen to her previous chat on the podcast here.

I have Mel from Little Flies Hypnobirthing with me today to discuss all things birth and how to remove the fear for a more empowered birthing experience. Mel is a nurse, midwife and hypnobirthing practitioner and trainer. We discuss the perception of birth in mainstream society and how understanding your options can shift everything. To learn more about her courses go here: Website Literature recommended by Mel: Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering by Sarah Buckley The Positive Birth Book by Milli HIll Birth with Confidence by Rhea Dempsey Reclaiming Childbirth as a right of Passage (NEW) by Rachel Reed Why Induction Matters by Rachel Reed The postnatal depletion cure by Oscar Serralach Why breastfeeding matters- Charlotte Young The First Forty Days: The essential art of nourishing the new mother by Heng Ou

A fantastic chat around social justice curriculum that can be embedded into our Math classrooms to contextualise the world for our students. Jenna has just finished her Masters in Inclusive education and is deeply passionate about informing her students. If you want to know more about Jenna, head to her Instagram: Math4Change We discuss Our roles as educators The importance of discomfort in learning Where we feel the most empowered and so much more. This is the podcast I reference in our chat: My sister's secret. *Trigger it deals with child and adult sexual abuse

Emma and I met in 2013 when we taught at a school together. Emma was working part time as a Drama/English teacher while teaching singing outside of the traditional classroom. I have continued to follow along with her journey on socials and was thrilled to see she opened up her own vocal studios in 2021. We discuss the shift of the music industry since the introduction of streaming services. Why she is happier in a coaching role rather than pursuing her own stardom. The importance of following what makes you happy, even if others are concerned for you and so much more. If you want to know more about Emma check out her instagram here

Have you ever met someone that you have felt so completely aligns with your beliefs that the conversation is effortless? That is what I feel while I have this conversation. Kirsten Cobabe is literally a teen whisperer.  She works with families to support their teen in being heard, held, supported and truly understood. We discuss how she came up with the idea of shifting the paradigm regarding educating and raising our children. What she believes is a deeply empowering space for her. What education could look like as well as so much more. Also - we recorded a live together discussing how to be the 'spark' in the system. Click here to listen. This feels idealistic and hopeful - but we are primed for change post pandemic. Let's dream big! If you would like to get into contact with me, head to my instagram page: @educatinglaura Feel free to support me an dmy work by buying me a virtual coffee.

Welcome back to Season 3. I have Josh Reid Jones on the podcast who is the founde of the JUST BE NICE Project. If you haven't heard of it, this is their why:  Unique to the JBNProject is our mission to improve equality of opportunity. We believe that the best starting point is to ensure that everyone is housed, employed and has good mental health. We believe everyone deserves access to help, regardless of how they come to need it. Regardless if you are 15 or 50 you are unable to make the most of opportunities without being housed, employed and having good mental health. Josh is the perfect guest to kick off this season as I focus on educators that are working outside the conventional classroom to enact change and teach vital skills in this post pandemic landscape. If you would like to get into contact with me, head to my instagram page: @educatinglaura Feel free to support me an dmy work by buying me a virtual coffee.

This is my conversation with Ebonie - once my student, now my colleague. We talk about our time together as teacher and student. The reason she wanted to become a teacher and how that journey looked. Big life lessons. Support for graduate teachers. The students that have made a big impact on her and much more. This will be the last episode for 2021, Season 2. Thank you for every listen, download and share. It means the world to me. Also - here is the link to my chat with Ellen on the Teacher Wellbeing podcast

Another great episode with Dan Jackson discussing his new book:  Work Less, Teach More: How to be an effective teacher and live a life you love. We discuss his 'why' and what he is hoping readers get out of reading his strategies behind being more effective as a teacher. Dan is relatable and has had first hand experience of feeling genuine burn out and doesn't want this to continue being almost an expectation in education. Dan's website: https://www.teacherspd.net/ Dan's previous episode on After the Bell: https://anchor.fm/laura4712/episodes/Effective-teaching-with-Dan-Jackson-e127j2s

The world feels like it is in good hands. Jin and Sabina are two recently graduated high school students from New South Wales who wanted to see change. As students of colour that felt comfortable in the activist space, they wanted to do more. For them, it's not okay to not be racist, we need to be anti racist and making changes both individually and societally to overcome this insidious issue. We talk about how they got into this space, how they hope their kit will be used and their ultimate why as young people of colour. This episode is a must listen. Important links: ARK Website ARK Instagram Pedagogy of the oppressed The social dilemma Feel free to support me an dmy work by buying me a virtual coffee.

This is my discussion with Clare Mackie We originally connected through her podcast: Teachers Talk Texts; an incredible show to support VCE English students. She is now on After the Bell to discuss: Teaching English and Literature Favourite texts Evolution of pedagogy Leadership Tutoring The wish for more flexibility in this job The hustle of teachers outside of the 8-4, including side/passion projects This really feels like a natural conversation you may overhear in the staffroom. I must admit, the best part of this podcast as an educator is to expand my staffroom into this virtual space.  Feel free to support me an dmy work by buying me a virtual coffee.

George Couros is an inspiring educator and leader from Edmonton, Canada. He is a father to young children as well as a writer, publisher and speaker. He challenges us as educators, as the system, to make the difference we want to make without feeling like a victim to the things we cannot change. I highly recommend that you check out his website and sign up to his newsletter. He is thought provoking and also very solution based if we are willing to take the leap and shift our perception of what things have always looked like. I know that you will love this episode.  Enjoy the interruptions from my children :) Also - this is my episode with Dr Mary Hemphill - must listen. Feel free to support me an dmy work by buying me a virtual coffee.

This is my conversation with Suzanne, an AP with many years in charge of HR at a secondary school in Melbourne. We discuss - What a good CV and cover letter look like How to answer the dreaded Key Selection Criteria The importance of a referee and who you should ask Interview suggestions What you should expect from your interview panel and much more I hope this is a big warm hug of support for all educators in the job search right now. Feel free to support me an dmy work by buying me a virtual coffee.

This is my discussion with Kristie; I Drama/English teacher passionate about inclusive education. Kristie has also experienced burn out which manifested in physical ailments and required her to leave the profession for a period of time to heal. We discuss that journey as well as many other big questions about education and life long learning. Kristie references an episode of the podcast, to listen click on the link: We need to have the talk. Feel free to support me an dmy work by buying me a virtual coffee.

This is the most chaotic episode I have ever recorded. We have children interrupting the recording (mine) and power outages (not mine) and we perservered. I made the conscious decision to leave most of the chaos in because it is a true reflection of what my teaching life (and I am sure many others) has been like this year. I interview a colleague of mine, Brendan and a student, Michaela, who I not only teach but is president of the Eco Team at our school. We discuss big topics like:  The impact of algorithms and social media on our youth The role of educators in student run groups Investing in who we vote for Small changes for maximum impact for our environment  What is REALLY is like teaching and learning remotely for over 200 days in Victorial And much more. To find out more about hte 2040 documentary Michaela mentions go to this website. Feel free to support me an dmy work by buying me a virtual coffee.

This episode I get to chat to Hunter Hansen, the man behind The Life Autistic. Hunter is incredibly accessible and supports both neurodiverse and neurotypical in breaking down some stereotypes and offering up solutions. He discusses how autism fits in his life, the strategies he has found that have supported him over the years and why he 'busted the top off' his diagnosis and how his YouTube channel and blog have supported him in no longer comparmentalising his life.  He is a family man, a dad to three daughters and has a successful job with a love of writing. His metaphors are my favourite part of this episode - wait for the one about empathy and climbing the summit. Brilliant. Feel free to support me and my work by buying me a virtual coffee.

If you do not follow Ellen on Instagram - you must! We discuss this crazy job that we all love. The fluctuation of pressure and stress on educators throughout the term. How to prioritise ourselves and be consistent with our self care. Ellen speaks about her own health challenges and how she has come to be such an active advocate for teacher wellbeing. If you would like to hear more from Ellen, she has her own podcast. Alternatively have a look at her website to work with her as a wellbeing coach. Feel free to support me an dmy work by buying me a virtual coffee.

Just like an English class, my colleagues Jen and John (JR) use the important Indigenous play 'The 7 Stages of Grieving' by Wesley Enoch and Deborah Mailman as a spring board for discussion. Not only do we discuss the play that we are currently teaching alongside ‘The Longest Memory’ by Fred D'Aguiar, but we also discuss our own Australian identities. Jen in particular discusses the trauma around not fully having her own identity (potentially Indigenous) really clarified for her and her family.  John discusses the importance of history in our curriculum and how he became such a strong ally and advocate for oppressed voices, including Aboriginal and Torrest Strait Islanders. We also talk about the teaching of empathy through the English curriculum our favourite texts to teach and why the importance of storytelling the controversy surrounding Bruce Pascoe's 'Dark Emu'  The conversation is not just for educators and students in VCE English, but also a wider audience because the themes are truly universal. Feel free to support me an dmy work by buying me a virtual coffee.