Let’s sprinkle a little more kindness into our classrooms. With World Kindness Day on 13th November, now is the perfect time to create meaningful moments that teach students the power of compassion, community, and connection. In this episode, we’re sharing practical, heartwarming, and low-prep ways to promote kindness in your classroom. You may be tackling tricky end-of-year behaviours or just want to boost your classroom culture, these ideas are easy to implement and impactful for all age gr...
Teaching students with ADHD doesn't have to feel overwhelming. In this enlightening episode, ADHD coach Sharon Collon joins us to share practical, brain-friendly strategies to help these incredible learners thrive. With a warm, collaborative approach, Sharon explains how teachers can better understand ADHD, build strong relationships, and support executive functioning in the classroom. You’ll walk away with a toolkit of ideas to reduce overwhelm, manage behaviour positively, and create a lear...
In this inspiring episode, Ashleigh sits down with passionate educator and podcast host Mathew Green for a heartfelt conversation that reminds us why we teach. Together, we explore the deeper purpose behind classroom leadership, the power of meaningful student connections, and the evolution of teaching from compliance to care. Mathew shares his career journey, from questioning his own "why" to rediscovering it during a pivotal job interview. He opens up about classroom management strategies t...
Halloween isn’t just about costumes and lollies, it’s a golden opportunity to spark excitement and curiosity when it comes to learning in the classroom! In this episode, we’re sharing our favourite ways to weave Halloween magic into your math lessons. From board games to fluency fun, these activities are all about boosting engagement without adding extra workload. We walk through five Halloween-inspired math activities that help students practise essential skills while embracing the seasonal ...
STEM doesn’t have to be one more thing on your overflowing to-do list, it can actually make learning more fun, engaging, and hands-on (three things we are all about here at Rainbow Sky Creations). In this energising episode, Ash chats with educator and STEM advocate Dena Scoullos about how classroom teachers can easily integrate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) into everyday learning. Dena shares how she fell in love with STEM and discovered how it sparks creativity, pr...
We’re popping the confetti because Rainbow Skies for Teachers has hit 100 episodes! To celebrate this massive milestone, we are answering your burning questions in a special “Ask Us Anything” edition. From classroom chaos to content creation, we’re pulling back the curtain on our journey, favourite tools, and everything in between. This episode is filled with honest reflections, helpful tips, and heartfelt advice, perfect for early career and experienced teachers alike. Whether you’re curious...
Today we sit down with educator and tech thinker Matt Esterman to unpack the current and future role of AI in education. From low-risk ways to explore AI tools to fostering student AI literacy, they dive deep into how teachers can harness AI for planning, differentiation, admin support, and more. Together, we tackle big-picture topics like ethics, privacy, and school-wide policies, while keeping things grounded in practical classroom strategies. Whether you're AI-curious or alread...
In this rich and encouraging chat, we explore how teachers can meet the needs of every student, without feeling like they need to do everything. Dr Maggie offers real-life, research-backed strategies for creating inclusive, emotionally safe, and engaging classrooms with just a few thoughtful tweaks. In this episode, we explore: What diverse student populations really look like in primary classrooms todayEveryday, achievable ways to embed social-emotional learning (SEL) into your routine...
Ready to turn play into powerful learning? In this episode, we are diving into creative and cost-effective ways to repurpose familiar games for classroom learning. From Jenga to Connect 4, we explore how teachers can use everyday games to boost student engagement and reinforce essential skills across maths and literacy. Whether it's picking up second-hand classics at thrift shops or transforming old puzzles into number challenges, we are sharing ideas that are not only fun but also adaptable ...
Feeling overwhelmed by classroom clutter? In this episode, we're joined by classroom organisation expert Jamiela, who shares her powerful journey from chaos to calm. Once an unorganised teacher herself, Jamiela now empowers educators to embrace simplicity and function-first thinking through her FAVS principles: Functionality, Accessibility, Visibility, and Simplicity. Jamiela dives deep into resource management, the pitfalls of over-purchasing, and how to shift your mindset from "more is more...
Feeling like you're constantly running on empty or that everything is falling on your shoulders? You're not alone, and teaching was never meant to be a solo performance. In this episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers, we’re sharing five empowering strategies to help reduce teacher overwhelm and protect your well-being. From curating your very own “glam squad” of resources and support to setting realistic priorities and boundaries, this conversation is packed with practical advice to help you s...
What happens when a psychologist and a seasoned teacher team up to support neurodivergent learners? Insight, experience, and heart—all rolled into one conversation. In this episode, Ashleigh sits down with Lisa and Lianne, the passionate duo behind Elevated Teachers, to explore the powerful ways educators can better support neurodiverse students—without burning out. Together, they unpack common myths, tackle IEP challenges, and share practical strategies to help teachers create more inclusive...
In this episode we’re showing you how a deck of UNO cards can become one of your most versatile teaching tools, especially for measurement! From comparing lengths in Kindergarten to converting units in Year 4, we’re sharing fun, hands-on activities that make maths more meaningful and less worksheet-heavy. We also take a trip down memory lane with some of our own data lesson experiences (remember those eye colour graphs?) and explore how we can create more memorable and nurturing moments in ou...
Today we’re joined by the fabulous Julia - an experienced classroom teacher who brings a calm, clear-eyed approach to differentiation that will leave you feeling capable, confident, and ready to make small changes with big impact. Together we explore what differentiation really looks like in action, and spoiler alert, it doesn’t have to mean rewriting your entire lesson plan! From math warm-ups to the powerful “bump it up” wall strategy, Julia offers super practical tips for meeting students ...
This week Ashleigh flips the script as the guest, chatting with Kelsey Sorenson from Educate & Rejuvenate about all things maths, mindset, and making learning joyful. Ashleigh opens up about her personal maths journey (yes, her dad was a maths teacher!), shares easy ways to bring creativity into the classroom, and offers teacher-tested strategies to help all students feel confident and included. From using UNO cards in the maths block to the importance of mindset and differentiation, this...
In this episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers, we’re sharing practical, fun ways to take your maths lessons outside. From number relays to times table soccer, we talk through simple activities that help students move, collaborate, and build confidence in their mathematical thinking. We also dive into the benefits of outdoor learning—from improving focus and creativity to supporting emotional regulation—and offer tips for setting expectations and routines before heading outside. Whether you're...
In this special collaborative episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers, we honour NAIDOC Week 2025 by exploring this year's theme: The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy. We are joined by five inspiring educators, each sharing their unique perspectives on how these pillars can be acknowledged and celebrated in the classroom. Our guests delve into what strength, vision, and legacy mean to them, and how we can guide our students to embrace these values. Whether you're planning NAIDOC W...
This week we venture beyond the traditional classroom with Victoria Hackett from Outdoor Classrooms, an expert in weaving nature, play, and purpose into everyday teaching. With over a decade of experience championing outdoor education, Victoria shares how learning gardens and nature-based activities can do wonders for student wellbeing, regulation, and overall engagement—and just as importantly, how they can reignite a teacher’s sense of joy and curiosity too. From the science behind nature’s...
Think playdough is just for the early years? Think again! In this episode, we explore how playdough can become your secret weapon for teaching maths concepts in Grades 3–6. From creating number lines to measuring angles, they share 8 classroom-ready ideas that will make your maths block more hands-on, differentiated, and downright irresistible. This episode was inspired by a content planning session where we explored how to bring more fun and engagement to maths groups. What came out of it? A...
Get ready to meet the principal who’s rewriting the rulebook - one hallway conversation at a time. In this energising chat, we’re joined by Jared Lamb (commonly known as @principal_lamb), the dynamic school leader known for ditching the principal’s office in favour of a rolling cart, 20,000 steps a day, and a relentless commitment to connection. We dive into Jared’s bold decision to lead from the heart (and the hallways), why joy should be part of every school’s strategic plan, and how teache...