Have you ever felt guilty for switching off after school hours? Like being a “good teacher” means always being available, always saying yes, and always putting yourself last?

In this honest and empowering episode, we sit down with veteran educator and author Erin Sponaugle to unpack the reality of teacher burnout, boundary setting, and why protecting your wellbeing is essential, not selfish.

Drawing on 23 years of classroom experience and insights from her book Teachaholic, Erin shares practical mindset shifts that help teachers step away from the martyr mentality and create healthier, more sustainable teaching habits.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Why teachers struggle to set boundaries without guilt
• The pressure of being seen as the “good teacher”
• The hidden costs of constantly overworking
• The “martyr mentality” and superhero syndrome in education
• Erin’s 7-day mindset shift framework from Teachaholic
• The importance of sustainable teaching practices
• Practical ways to be “closed for the day” after work hours
• How boundaries actually make teachers more effective
• Why self-care is necessary for career longevity

This conversation is a powerful reminder that you can be an incredible teacher without sacrificing yourself in the process.

Because together, we grow, and that includes protecting our peace, too.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Erin on Instagram, Facebook or YouTube

Erin’s website https://www.erinsponaugle.com

Watch Erin’s TEDx talk

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About Today’s Guest

Dr. Erin Sponaugle has taught grades 3-5 for the past 23 years and currently teaches visual art to students at Tomahawk Intermediate School in Hedgesville, West Virginia, USA. She is a former state teacher of the year and a National Board Certified teacher.

Erin recently gave a TEDx talk on teacher resilience and the global teacher shortage. She is the author of two children's books and recently published her first book for teachers, Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching.

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Looking for simple ways to get your students moving while reinforcing important math concepts?

In this episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers, we're taking maths learning outdoors with one of our favourite classroom resources: UNO cards!

After the incredible response to our outdoor learning episode, we wanted to share practical ways to combine movement, fresh air, and meaningful math practice. Inspired by a conference presentation we recently delivered, this episode is packed with easy-to-implement games that require minimal preparation and can be adapted across a range of year levels.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why movement and outdoor learning can improve engagement and participation
• How to use UNO cards to create meaningful maths games
• Simple ways to adapt classroom activities for outdoor spaces
• Lots of game ideas covering: Addition, subtraction, odd and even numbers, comparing numbers using greater than, less than and equal to symbols, rounding numbers, multiplication fluency and prime and composite numbers
• Brain break ideas that reinforce maths concepts while keeping students active

Outdoor learning doesn't need to be complicated.

Sometimes the most effective lessons come from taking a familiar classroom activity and giving it a fresh twist outside. By combining movement, collaboration, and hands-on learning, students can build confidence while developing important mathematical understanding.

The best part? Most of these activities require little more than a deck of UNO cards, some chalk, and a willingness to get outside.

There are rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

FREE UNO games to try

UNO Brain Break cards + presentation

Check out our other UNO card resources here.

Listen to Episode 88: Outdoor Classrooms

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Student wellbeing isn’t an “extra”… it is the foundation for everything else in education!

In this episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers, we sit down with Ashley McGrath from OurFutures Institute to explore why wellbeing needs to move from the sidelines to the centre of every school conversation.

Ashley shares practical insights into how student and teacher wellbeing directly impact learning, engagement, behaviour, and academic success. Together, we unpack what schools are getting right, where many are struggling, and how educators can create proactive wellbeing cultures that genuinely support students for the long term.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Why student wellbeing is the foundation for all learning
• The connection between teacher wellbeing and classroom success
• Early signs that students may be struggling emotionally
• Creating psychologically safe classrooms where students feel seen and heard
• Why reactive wellbeing approaches often miss the mark
• The importance of preventative mental health education
• Supporting students without teachers needing to “become counsellors”
• How peer influence impacts student decision-making
• Evidence-based wellbeing programs and what schools should look for
• Why long-term wellbeing strategies matter more than one-off initiatives

With experience supporting nearly 1,500 schools across Australia, Ashley brings evidence-based strategies, realistic advice, and an encouraging reminder that wellbeing work doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.

There are rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Ashley via email: ashley@rethinkcolelctive.com.au or LinkedIn

www.rethinkcollective.com.au

https://ourfuturesinstitute.org.au

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About Today’s Guest

Ashley McGrath is a founder, author, and systems strategist who works across philanthropy, business, government, and community. He's the author of Rethink - Thriving Young Futures Begin with Systems Change, and the founder of The Rethink Collective, which helps organisations align strategy and collaboration around real social impact.

He co-founded Good in the Hood, a community initiative tackling loneliness in Sydney's Inner West, and Our Futures Institute, which partners with the University of Sydney to bring evidence-based wellbeing programs into schools. He also serves on the board of StreetWork.

Ashley's work is never abstract, it's grounded in a genuine belief that we can build something better, and a practical commitment to doing exactly that.

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Do your students freeze when faced with multiplication facts? Or perhaps they're relying solely on memorisation without really understanding what multiplication means?

In this episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers, we're diving into one of the most important building blocks of math: multiplication fluency. We unpack what fluency actually looks like in the classroom, why so many students struggle with multiplication, and how we can support them through engaging, hands-on learning experiences.

Rather than focusing on speed and rote learning alone, we're exploring how students can develop deep understanding, flexible thinking, and confidence with multiplication facts. From practical classroom strategies to game-based learning ideas, this episode is packed with simple ways to make multiplication practice meaningful and enjoyable.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What multiplication fluency really means (and why it's much more than memorising times tables)
• Common reasons students struggle with multiplication
• How mathematical language supports deeper understanding
• Hands-on activities that help students visualise multiplication concepts
• Why games are one of the most effective tools for building fluency
• Simple ways to incorporate short, consistent fluency practice into your daily routine
• Brain break activities that reinforce multiplication while boosting engagement
• How to build confidence by focusing on understanding before speed

Multiplication fluency isn't built through pressure, timed tests, or endless worksheets. It develops when students have opportunities to explore patterns, use a variety of strategies, and engage in regular practice that feels achievable and fun.

When we prioritise understanding first, confidence naturally follows.

There are rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Free Flip it Multiplication Game

Our fave Multiplication games blog post

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The wait is over… UNO Version 4 is officially HERE!

Today we are taking you behind the scenes of our brand-new UNO Version 4 math activity packs and sharing all the fun, engaging, and hands-on learning opportunities included in these brand new resources.

From our brand-new pre-primary pack for 3–4-year-olds to upper primary activities exploring Fibonacci sequences, elapsed time, multiplication, probability, and more, these packs are packed with meaningful math learning your students will LOVE.

We chat about some of our favourite activities across each grade band, the creative process behind designing Version 4, and why this collection may just be our most exciting release yet.

Plus, we share how teachers around the world are already using our UNO packs in their classrooms — and even translating them into different languages!

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Our brand-new pre-primary UNO pack
• Our favourite activities from Kindergarten through Grade 6
• How our UNO resources support differentiation
• Measurement activities using UNO cards
• Elapsed time, probability, multiplication, Roman numerals, Money and positional language activities
• How teachers are using these resources around the world

If you are looking for low-prep, highly engaging math activities that support differentiation, independent learning and last you the entire year, this episode is for you.

There are rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

UNO freebie to try before you buy

Preschool / Pre K UNO resource

Kindergarten UNO Version 4

Grade 1-2 UNO Version 4

Grade 3-4 UNO Version 4

Grade 5-6 UNO Version 4

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Ever wondered why some teaching strategies just seem to click… while others fall flat?

In this episode, we’re joined by Lisa Riegel, who brings a fresh and fascinating perspective on how the brain really learns, and how we can use that knowledge to become more intentional, effective, and empowered educators.

This conversation is packed with those “aha” moments that help you connect what you’re already doing in the classroom with the science behind it. From understanding how repetition, emotion, and experience shape learning, to exploring what truly drives student engagement, Lisa helps us see teaching through a whole new lens.

We also dive into the importance of creating safe, connected classroom environments where students are ready to learn, and why a stressed brain simply can’t engage. Lisa shares practical, easy-to-implement strategies that support both student learning and teacher wellbeing, helping you work smarter, not harder.

This is one of those episodes that will deepen your understanding, spark your curiosity, and leave you feeling inspired to reflect on your own practice.

Key Takeaways

• The brain learns best through repetition, emotion, and meaningful experiences
• Engagement goes beyond being “on-task” it’s about connection, purpose, and understanding
• Intrinsic motivation is key to long-term learning and student ownership
• Creating a sense of safety and belonging is essential for effective learning
• Practical, brain-aligned strategies can support focus, regulation, and productivity in the classroom
• Lisa’s 8C framework offers a powerful approach to building thriving, human-centred learning environments
• When we understand how the brain works, we can make small, intentional changes that have a big impact

If this episode sparked your curiosity, we’d love to hear from you! Send us a DM, share your biggest takeaway, or let us know what questions you still have about our big beautiful brains - we’re all learning and growing together.

You can also connect with Lisa using the links in the show notes to learn more about her work and how she supports educators and leaders around the world.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Learn more about Lisa here

Connect with Lisa via email here: lisariegel@epinstitute.net

Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn

Lisa’s books: Neurowell and Aspirations to Operations

60 Brain Break Ideas you can use in class today!

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About Today’s Guest

Lisa Riegel started her career in education, driven by one goal: to help people reach their potential. Over time, she realized that fulfillment, whether in a classroom, company, or community, comes from understanding how the brain drives behavior and how systems shape success.

That discovery became the foundation for her life’s work. As an educator, researcher, and author, she has spent two decades helping schools, leaders, parents, and organizations align brain science with human systems - creating cultures where people feel connected, capable, and in control of their growth.

Dr. Riegel earned dual bachelor's degrees in English and Secondary Education from Kent State University. She holds a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Otterbein University and a Ph.D. in Education Policy and Leadership from The Ohio State University. Her work has appeared in peer-reviewed journals and she has authored five books, including her two latest books, NeuroWell, and Aspirations to Operations, focused on brain science and how we can leverage it to help people become happier, healthier, and more successful.

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This is a very honest (and slightly spicy!) episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers! We are sharing our biggest hot takes about teaching and education right now. From report cards and staff meetings to screen time, teaching slides, homework, and math textbooks, nothing is off limits!

We’re diving into the practices we think need a rethink, the systems that may be adding unnecessary pressure to teachers, and the changes we’d love to see in schools moving forward.

Whether you completely agree, strongly disagree, or sit somewhere in the middle, this episode is designed to spark conversation, reflection, and maybe even a few laughs along the way.

Our teacher hot takes include:

• Staff meetings
• School newsletters
• A–E reporting
• Homework
• Teaching slides
• Technology and screen time in classrooms
• Math textbooks

Whether you completely agree, strongly disagree, or sit somewhere in the middle, this episode is designed to spark conversation, reflection, and maybe even a few laughs along the way.

Because together, we grow (and sometimes growth starts with challenging the way things have always been done).

There are rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Join our email list and get a special FREEBIE here.

Follow up on Instagram

Follow us on TikTok

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Burnout in teaching is real and if you’ve ever felt constantly exhausted, overwhelmed, or like you’re running on empty, this episode is for you.

In this honest and eye-opening conversation, Ashleigh sits down with burnout coach Filly to unpack what burnout actually looks like in teachers, why it happens so often in our profession, and the practical ways you can start protecting your energy today.

Together, they explore the physical, emotional, and mindset patterns that contribute to burnout and why simply “resting more” often isn’t enough to truly recover.

Filly shares powerful insights about adrenal fatigue, the hidden stress patterns many teachers carry, and the small daily habits that can make a big difference to your wellbeing.

Key Takeaways

• Burnout doesn’t happen overnight.
• Rest isn’t always recovery.
• Your body isn’t working against you.
• Small changes can create powerful shifts.
• Teachers deserve support too.

If you’ve been feeling drained, stretched too thin, or stuck in survival mode at school, this episode will help you understand what your body is telling you, and how to start listening.

Because taking care of yourself as a teacher isn’t selfish. It’s essential.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

FREE Ending Body Burnout book

Free Ending Body Burnout Assessment

Ending Body Burnout Method program

Check out Filly’s Website - www.chrisandfilly.fm

Connect with Filly and Chris on FaceBook, Instagram, or LinkedIn

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About Today’s Guest

Filipa Bellette is Co-Founder of multi award-winning health practice Chris & Filly Functional Medicine - and author of Ending Body Burnout. She is an accredited Clinical Nutritionist, Functional Medicine Practitioner, Coach & Trauma Therapist. She is also a PhD Scholar & regularly featured in the media, such as the Today Show, nine.com.au, Forbes and Body+Soul.

Together with her husband Chris Bellette, Filipa has worked with over 3,500+ burned-out clients in the past combined 30+ years. Their practice is best known for ending body burnout (for good!) in “busy” people with energy, mood & gut issues, with their ROOT-root-cause approach. They were awarded as the Tasmanian State Winner & National Finalist for the Telstra Best of Business Awards, as well as Winner for the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards.

Filipa’s own passion for helping “busy” people have more energy, productivity and connection, came from her own personal experience of body burnout, after juggling the demands of business, family, and her failing health.

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