Dr. Jewel Williams, a Doctor of Health Science, Nationally Registered EMT, and Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®), is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Bridgeport. With over 20 years as an educator and former principal, she is passionate about empowering educators to prioritise their well-being.

Dr. Williams integrates neuroscience with the eight dimensions of wellness—physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual, occupational, environmental, and financial—to help educators create sustainable wellness practices. Through workshops and her private wellness community, she provides strategies that connect brain health to holistic well-being, enabling educators to thrive both personally and professionally.

Takeaways:

• As educators, it is imperative to acknowledge and adapt to the cultural dynamics of the environment in which we teach.
• The manner in which we communicate significantly influences our overall well-being and mental health.
• Implementing a brief daily practice of mindfulness and breathing can substantially enhance one's emotional resilience and clarity.
• Teachers must recognise their own wellness needs in order to effectively support their students' learning experiences.
• Pursuing one's authentic aspirations, irrespective of external validation, is essential for personal fulfilment and professional growth.
• The holistic approach to wellness encompasses emotional, physical, and mental health, which are interdependent in fostering a thriving educational environment.

Connect with Dr. Williams at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jewelwhitewmsdhsc/

https://www.youtube.com/@jewelwhitewilliams

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Beyond its essential educational initiatives, The Be The Ladder Foundation also recognises those who make a difference through the Be The Ladder Awards. These prestigious awards shine a spotlight on individuals and organisations that embody the ethos of ‘being a ladder’ – helping others overcome obstacles and achieve greatness.

Every year, the awards celebrate 30 exceptional individuals or groups, known as The Ladder List, across ten categories. From these nominees, one deserving recipient in each category is honoured with the coveted Golden Ladder Award during a special awards ceremony. This recognition is not just about celebration; it’s about inspiring a movement of kindness and mentorship, encouraging others to step up and be the ladder for someone else.

The Be The Ladder Foundation provides vital support to young people who may not meet their potential due to their socio-economic status and require essential resources to reach their full potential. The foundation bridges the gap by offering school uniforms, educational equipment, tuition support, and funding for enriching experiences that build confidence and self-esteem.

Dr. Trevor D. Sterling (Hon.causa), Senior Partner at Moore Barlow, is the Founder of the Be The Ladder Foundation.

His unwavering commitment to social mobility and education drives our firm’s dedication to this cause. Through his leadership and vision, we are not only supporters but active participants in changing lives for the better.

Takeaways:

• The mantra of 'don't just aspire to climb the ladder, Be The Ladder' serves as a profound reminder that we should actively support others in their journeys to success.
• The Be the Ladder foundation is dedicated to providing opportunities for individuals from under-resourced backgrounds to fulfil their potential, thereby enhancing social mobility.
• Believing in oneself is crucial; a sense of purpose and motivation can significantly influence educational and societal outcomes for individuals.
• Trevor Sterling's journey exemplifies that extraordinary achievements can stem from ordinary backgrounds, demonstrating the power of self-belief and resilience in overcoming socioeconomic barriers.
• The foundation aims to bridge the attainment gap by offering support such as private tuition and workshops, ensuring that all individuals have access to necessary resources for success.
• Celebrating those who have 'been the ladder' helps to inspire future generations, creating a ripple effect of motivation and empowerment throughout society.

Website

https://www.betheladderawards.com

https://www.betheladderawards.com/our-mission

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Bobby Donohue is the founder of Planet Bonehead, an innovative educational platform helping schools teach kids about climate change and prepare them for environmental STEAM careers. Planet Bonehead provides teachers with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to effectively educate young learners about environmental issues. His work combines creativity, storytelling, and real-world solutions to inspire kids to think critically and take action. Planet Bonehead is used in classrooms across 86 countries, empowering the next generation to build a sustainable future.

Takeaways:

• The podcast emphasizes the importance of teaching children about climate change in an engaging manner that avoids overwhelming negativity.
• Bobby Donohue highlights that green technology offers viable solutions to climate change, yet remains largely unknown to the public.
• Through Planet Bonehead, children are encouraged to explore various career paths within green technology that they may not have previously considered.
• The podcast advocates for an educational approach that empowers children to take immediate action towards environmental stewardship and sustainability.
• The discussion underscores the necessity for collaboration between educators and green tech companies to effectively implement educational resources.
• Bobby Donohue expresses a commitment to making educational materials accessible for all students, regardless of their school's budget constraints.

Website

https://planetbonehead.com/

Social Media Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbydonohue/

https://bsky.app/profile/planetbonehead.com

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Martyn Cast is a distinguished musician and educator from Jenca Music School in Jersey. Martyn discusses the transformative power of music, particularly in educational contexts, where it serves as a medium for individuals—especially children—to express themselves and navigate their emotions.

He recounts his personal journey, beginning with a childhood steeped in musical influence, which culminated in the founding of the Jenca Music School in Jersey. Through this institution, he aims to cultivate a nurturing environment where students can explore their musical passions, develop resilience, and ultimately achieve personal growth through music.

Martyn Cast, owner/ guitar tutor at Jenca Music School, Jersey C.I.

Author of children's guitar songbook Mr Martie's Marvellous Melodies

Takeaways:

• Music serves as an empowering force in people's lives, enabling them to express their creativity and emotions.
• The journey of learning an instrument is often more about personal enjoyment than achieving formal grades or accolades.
• Inspiration is crucial in teaching, as it helps to foster a genuine love for music among students.
• Resilience is vital in the learning process; students must persist through challenges to achieve their musical goals.
• The connection between teacher and student can profoundly influence a child's engagement and growth in music.
• Music education provides not only academic benefits but also enhances social skills and personal development in learners.

Website

https://www.jenca.co.uk/

Social Media Information

Facebook: MarvellousMrMartie

Instagram: MarvellousMrMartie

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Today's podcast features Mike Robbins, who delves into the intricate dynamics of teamwork, human connection, and the evolving landscape of education. Mike reflects on his experiences as both an athlete and an educator, emphasizing the paramount importance of fostering genuine relationships within teams. He articulates that when individuals care for one another and cultivate a supportive environment, performance inevitably improves.

Furthermore, Mike addresses the pressing need for educational systems to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world applications, asserting that many students often grapple with the relevance of their studies to their personal and professional lives.

Mike Robbins is the author of five books, including, Bring Your Whole Self to Work and We're All in This Together. He's a former pro baseball player whose playing career ended due to an injury. For the past 25 years, he's been a sought-after motivational speaker who delivers keynotes and seminars for some of the top companies in the world.

Takeaways:

• The importance of caring for one another on teams is fundamental to improved performance.
• Recognizing our shared humanity is essential for effective communication and collaboration.
• Many aspects of education fail to connect with real-world applications, causing disinterest among students.
• Effort is the only aspect of our actions fully within our control, regardless of the outcomes.
• The best AI cannot replicate the depth of human emotion and empathy which is vital in education.
• The educational landscape must adapt to the changing nature of work and technology, emphasizing emotional intelligence.

Website

https://mike-robbins.com/

Social media Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrobbins/

https://www.instagram.com/mikedrobbins/

https://www.facebook.com/mikerobbinspage

https://x.com/mikedrobbins

https://www.tiktok.com/@mikedrobbins

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Lenora Edwards, Board Certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Chief Knowledge Officer at Better Speech, is a communication expert with over 15 years of experience specializing in pediatric and family-centered speech therapy.

Her expertise spans improving speech intelligibility, nurturing language development, and working with neurodiverse individuals, employing evidence-based techniques to help children of all abilities communicate more effectively. At Better Speech, Lenora leads initiatives to make quality speech therapy accessible to all families, empowering them to support their child's communication journey and unlock their full potential.

Takeaways:

• Children require a safe environment to express their thoughts and emotions effectively.
• Non-verbal communication plays a crucial role in conveying emotions and understanding others.
• Online speech therapy provides accessible support that can help children develop their communication skills.
• Parents often feel uncertain about their child's language development and require expert guidance.
• Observations from teachers and caregivers are valuable in identifying children's communication challenges.
• The pandemic has impacted children's social interactions and communication development significantly.

Website

https://www.betterspeech.com/

Social media Information

https://www.betterspeech.com/blog

https://www.youtube.com/@Better.Speech

https://www.facebook.com/yourbetterspeech

https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-speech/mycompany/

https://www.instagram.com/betterspeech

https://www.tiktok.com/@better.speech

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Ben Brown Is currently Head of UK and Ireland for Optoma Ltd, having previously been head of market development for Promethean and the education businesses lead for Hewlett-Packard, Samsung and XMA in the UK. He has worked in the education technology sector for over 20 years and has developed a real passion for advancing the use of technology to support teaching and learning.

Now the Chair of Trustees at Astrea Academy Trust, he previously sat on the Board of Trustees at the David Ross Education Trust. Recently he has also been a trustee at the Tackley Education Trust. Ben has, throughout his career, looked at the challenges in education and how technology is best placed to resolve them, this has led to him working closely with the DfE as well as Academy Trusts such as ARK, Reach2 and United Learning.

Takeaways:

• Effective implementation of new technologies in education requires concise, easily digestible training materials for teachers.
• The duration of instructional videos should ideally range from one to two minutes to accommodate teachers' busy schedules.
• Investments in technology during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly advanced the integration of digital tools in educational settings.
• The challenge lies not merely in providing technology but ensuring its effective utilization within educational frameworks.
• A focus on empowering teachers through tailored training is crucial for maximizing the benefits of new technology in classrooms.
• To foster engagement, technology must solve existing educational challenges rather than simply being used for its own sake.

Website

www.optoma.co.uk

Multi-award-winning interactive displays, professional displays, LED displays, projectors and software to suit every education environment.

Social media Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brown-a017b621/

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The Oxford School of Thought (OST) is the primary education think tank – the first of its kind

in the UK. They regard learning as a continuum, and we recognise the powerful and enduring

influence of primary education across a lifetime of learning.

OST proposes a distinct model of school inspection for primary schools, highlighting the

need for a framework that reflects the unique nature of primary education.

The current inspection model, which primarily caters to secondary schools, fails to address

the developmental and educational needs of primary school children. This has led to a lack

of focus on the holistic, child-centered approaches necessary for young learners.

The document emphasises that primary education fosters curiosity, relationships, and a

broad, engaging curriculum, factors critical to the early stages of lifelong learning.

To improve outcomes for students and to support teachers, the proposed inspection model

should focus on these aspects, providing a more supportive, collaborative, and

developmental approach to school evaluation.

The paper outlines some key components for a primary-specific inspection framework, such

as the importance of cross-curricular links, teacher-pupil relationships, inclusivity, and the

integration of the school within its community and primary teaching experience for

inspectors.

By calling for a developmental and collaborative inspection model the paper aims to shift

away from punitive measures and towards a system that encourages continuous

improvement, addresses the well-being of both students and staff, and contributes to the

broader goal of fostering lifelong learning.

This new approach is seen as essential for enhancing the education system, teacher

retention, and children's mental health, and is framed as a necessary step in responding to

recent government reviews on curriculum, assessment, and inclusion.

Full details at https://www.oxfordschoolofthought.org/ost-report-primary-inspection

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