Bienvenue au podcast d’ASCY: Can We Talk: Conversations in the Early Years. Nous sommes ravis que vous nous rejoigniez pour l’épisode 62 — merci de faire partie de cette communauté d’apprentissage réflexive.

Dans l’épisode d’aujourd’hui, Nancy Baverstock d’ASCY est jointe par sa collègue et collaboratrice de longue date Anna Minniti, leader pédagogique au Little Peoples Daycare à Hamilton, pour une conversation réfléchie sur la transformation des réunions du personnel en espaces intentionnels et significatifs pour la connexion, la collaboration et la pratique réflexive.

Ensemble, elles explorent comment s’éloigner des réunions guidées par des listes de contrôle et se tourner vers des « moments de rassemblement » intentionnels peut renforcer les relations, valoriser les voix des éducateurs et aligner les équipes autour de valeurs et d’une vision partagées. S'appuyant sur des années d'expérience, elles discutent des moyens pratiques pour que les dirigeants puissent créer des réunions qui deviennent respectueuses, engageantes et pertinentes, des espaces où les éducateurs se sentent vus, entendus et valorisés.

Cette conversation invite les auditeurs à faire une pause et à réfléchir à une question importante : Pourquoi nous réunissons-nous ? Et comment pouvons-nous nous assurer que notre temps ensemble soutient réellement la croissance, le bien-être et l'apprentissage professionnel ?

Nous espérons que vous prendrez plaisir à écouter.

In this episode, ASCY’s Nancy Baverstock is joined by colleague and long‑time collaborator Anna Minniti, pedagogical leader at Little Peoples Daycare in Hamilton, for a thoughtful conversation about transforming staff meetings into intentional, meaningful spaces for connection, collaboration, and reflective practice.

Together, they explore how shifting away from checklist‑driven meetings and moving towards purposeful “gathering times” can strengthen relationships, elevate educator voices, and align teams around shared values and vision. Drawing from years of experience, they discuss practical ways leaders can create meetings that feel respectful, engaging, and relevant, spaces where educators feel seen, heard, and valued.

This conversation invites listeners to pause and reflect on an important question: Why do we gather? And how can we ensure our time together truly supports growth, wellbeing, and professional learning?

If you’re interested in further support, be sure to explore ASCY’s Stepping Side by Side modules, connect with your ASCY PLC for more guidance and resources.

In this episode, ASCY’s Nicole Colterman is joined by Aaron Bailey, Aaron is a certified ADHD Life Coach, educator, and advocate with both professional and lived experience in ADHD and neurodiversity. With over a decade of work across education, mental health, and coaching, including running his own practice, Aaron brings deep insight and practical support to the ADHD community

Together, Nicole and Aaron explore what ADHD truly is: a neurodevelopmental difference, not a behavioural choice or a character flaw. Aaron clearly explains how differences in brain chemistry, particularly dopamine, impact attention regulation, impulsivity, emotional expression, time perception, working memory, and executive functioning. The conversation reframes behaviour as communication, encouraging educators and caregivers to shift from asking “what’s wrong?” to “what’s happening in the brain?”

Aaron also shares practical, developmentally appropriate strategies that support children in early learning settings, such as visual supports, movement, predictability, novelty, interest‑based approaches, and reducing cognitive load. Many of these approaches benefit all children, which is especially important given that ADHD is often undiagnosed in the early years and children may not yet have the language to describe their needs.

This episode is a strengths‑based, compassionate conversation that reminds us: when children struggle, it’s not because they won’t, it’s because they can’t yet. With understanding, empathy, and brain‑based support, we can remove barriers and help children show us who they really are.

Guest Bio: Aaron Bailey is a certified ADHD Life Coach with advanced training from the ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA). He holds a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential from the International Coaching Federation (ICF), as well as his Professional Certified ADHD Coach (PCAC) designation from the Professional Association for ADHD Coaches.

Aaron also holds a Diploma in Child and Youth Services and a Bachelor of Human Services. Over the past decade, he has worked extensively in the ADHD, learning disabilities, and mental health field, including roles at Queen’s University, as an Educational Assistant in the Yukon, and as the owner of his own coaching and education‑based practice.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• ADHDfolk on social media: @ADHDfolk
  Created by Aaron Bailey, ADHDfolk shares strengths‑based, educational content on ADHD, brain chemistry, motivation, executive functioning, and everyday strategies.
  
• ADHDfolk YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDFolk
  Short, accessible videos that explore ADHD through neuroscience, lived experience, humour, and practical supports.