Linking Unconditional Positive Regard and Teacher Wellbeing

How can Unconditional Positive Regard support student healing as well as enhance teacher wellbeing? There is evidence to suggest that Unconditional Positive Regard (UPR) not only supports students’ healing and learning at school, but also leads to enhanced teacher wellbeing. So what is Unconditional Positive Regard? It was originally developed by psychologist Carl Rogers in… Continue reading Linking Unconditional Positive Regard and Teacher Wellbeing

Research Project: ‘Stories of Whole School Wellbeing: Exploring narratives of experience’

I recently completed a research project as part of my Masters degree at Deakin University's School of Education. Here is the abstract: Researchers talk about whole school approaches to student wellbeing in a variety of ways, yet little work has been done to understand how different stories of wellbeing impact school wellbeing staff. To inform… Continue reading Research Project: ‘Stories of Whole School Wellbeing: Exploring narratives of experience’

Reflections on the Berry Street Education Model: Part 3

It has now been over a month since completing the Berry Street Education Model course. It stands as one of the most valuable professional development opportunities I have had to date. A huge credit to Tom Brunzell and the education team at the Berry Street Childhood Institute. Hundreds of strategies were offered during the course… Continue reading Reflections on the Berry Street Education Model: Part 3

Reflections on the Berry Street Education Model: Part 2

It has now been over a month since completing the Berry Street Education Model course. It stands as one of the most valuable professional development opportunities I have had to date. A huge credit to Tom Brunzell and the education team at the Berry Street Childhood Institute. Hundreds of strategies were offered during the course… Continue reading Reflections on the Berry Street Education Model: Part 2

Reflections on the Berry Street Education Model: Part 1

It has now been a month since completing the Berry Street Education Model course. It stands as one of the most valuable professional development opportunities I have had to date. A huge credit to Tom Brunzell and the education team at the Berry Street Childhood Institute. Hundreds of strategies were offered during the course but… Continue reading Reflections on the Berry Street Education Model: Part 1

Are we teaching to survive or teaching to thrive?

Imagine a school where teachers and students tend to each other’s wellbeing on a daily basis. A school where everyone is aware of the conditions that create thriving learning communities. A school where teachers and students alike openly discuss their strengths, weaknesses, hopes and dreams for themselves and the world. Being a teacher is the… Continue reading Are we teaching to survive or teaching to thrive?

A chance to be of value

The end of the year brings opportunities to pause and reflect. I am reflecting on one particular student who challenged and changed me more than any other. He was not at all easy to teach. In fact, we had frequent clashes; there were many days he would leave the classroom in anger, resulting in more… Continue reading A chance to be of value

Mindsets, inner-voice and literacy learning

When we read we cultivate an inner-voice to make meaning, comprehend and engage with the text. The mind of a proficient reader will often fire with connections when reading a text that challenges and engages. At a major climax, their inner voice will be full of excitement. They will sometimes need to pause, re-read and… Continue reading Mindsets, inner-voice and literacy learning

Letting go for learning

I have been reading lately about positive education and feel pulled to integrate its ideas and theories into my practice. Recently, in my junior English class, we watched the film Inside Out: a spirited Pixar animation that playfully explores the emotional tensions experienced in adolescence. I had a clear plan: introduce the ideas of kindness,… Continue reading Letting go for learning