Rainbow Skies for Teachers

Ashleigh and Alisha

Hey there, amazing teachers—this podcast is for YOU! Whether you’re just starting your teaching journey or you're a seasoned educator seeking inspiration, Rainbow Skies for Teachers is here to help you thrive in and out of the classroom.

We’re Ashleigh and Alisha, your enthusiastic hosts and co-founders of Rainbow Sky Creations. With 20+ years of combined experience in primary education, we’re dedicated to sharing  practical advice, supercharged tips, and game-changing strategies to help you succeed as a teacher.

Whether it’s crafting engaging  lessons or perfecting your  classroom management, we’ve got your back. We're on a mission to lead an education revolution; one inspired teacher at a time….

There are rainbows ahead, and together, we're unstoppable!


You can follow us on Instagram or TikTok @rainbowskycreations

To  discover more helpful tips + tricks for teachers, head to http://www.rainbowskycreations.com

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EducationEducation
Self-ImprovementSelf-Improvement

Episodes

59. The Great Equaliser in Classrooms with Kate Minehan
1w ago
59. The Great Equaliser in Classrooms with Kate Minehan
In this episode, we chat with Kate, a passionate educator and author who writes decodable readers. We dive into the importance of reading as a life skill and explore how it acts as a 'ticket' to broader opportunities. Kate shares her non-negotiables when teaching literacy and walks us through the process of writing engaging decodable books. We also discuss the debate between digital texts and physical books, weighing the pros and cons of each.Kate addresses a common criticism of decodable books—that they can be boring and lack a storyline—and offers her perspective on how to make these texts more engaging for young readers. She also provides valuable tips on selecting the best decodable texts for your students and shares innovative ways teachers can use these resources in the classroom beyond just reading them.Finally, we wrap up with Kate’s thoughts on what she would change in education if given the chance. This episode is a must-listen for any educator looking to deepen their understanding of literacy and improve their approach to teaching reading.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Your feedback will help us improve and reach more educators like you! Until next week…There are rainbows ahead,Ashleigh and AlishaThank you to ePlatform Digital Libraries, the sponsor of today’s episode. Visit www.eplatform.co to learn more about Decodable Readers and Digital Libraries for schools.Resources mentioned in this episodeFor a free sample, email ebooks@eplatform.co with your name, school, and postal address.Learn more about eplatform’s decodable texts hereScience of Reading Podcast Episode 21 with Sara MaryeScience of Reading Podcast Episode 29 with Malia Hollowell Join the waitlist for our exciting new membership HERE. APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFYLet's hear from you! Text us!
57. The Teacher TikToker That is All About Classroom Management
17-11-2024
57. The Teacher TikToker That is All About Classroom Management
Introducing the “Basketball classroom" - Ash is a teacher of 11 years who focuses on not only academic success, but also importantly personal and social success! Ash aka @mrcurmisclassroom on TikTok is passionate about embedding real-life experiences into his lessons, such as using the Olympics to teach decimals or incorporating Wordle into language activities. He discusses why this approach is effective and how he comes up with his innovative ideas. With a significant presence on TikTok, Ash uses his platform to share his teaching experiences and offer opinions on various educational topics. He addresses common misconceptions that teachers may encounter on social media and why it’s important to get the message right. We also chat about one of his passions, classroom management, and how it underpins all learning. Ash gives three pieces of advice when managing your classroom:Prevention is better than cureBe the speed cameraDifferentiate for your learners If you want to know what he means by these things, you will have to listen to the episode! Whether you’re a new teacher looking for inspiration or a seasoned educator interested in fresh ideas, this episode is packed with practical advice and relatable insights. You can access more teacher strategies, classroom inspiration and a wealth of resources by visiting our website  www.rainbowskycreations.com. Rainbows ahead,Ashleigh and AlishaResources mentioned in this episodeFollow Ash @mrcurmisclassroom on Tiktok and Instagram APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY About today’s sponsor: Mrs EdgarMrs Edgar’s is a teacher-founded business dedicated to making planning easier—and happier! Their vibrant, high-quality planners are crafted just for Australian teachers, with term dates, public holidays, and thoughtful pages of practical tools like assessment trackers and classroom setups. Plus, with inspiring artwork and thoughtful touches, Mrs Edgar planners are designed to bring a little joy to every day. Ready to empower your teaching and stay focused on your goals? Grab your 2025 teacher planner, stickers, lanyards are more from mrsedgar.com.auLet's hear from you! Text us!
54. Unlocking 9 Differentiation Strategies
27-10-2024
54. Unlocking 9 Differentiation Strategies
“Help! How do I differentiate?”—It’s the number one question we hear from teachers time and time again.Gone are the days when teaching was a one-size-fits-all approach with students simply following along. Now, we understand so much more about how the brain works and how students learn in their own unique ways. That's why differentiation is absolutely essential in today’s classroom. It’s all about ensuring every student can thrive, no matter where they’re starting from!But we know, it isn’t as easy as clicking your fingers and your lessons are differentiated. It takes time, skill and a toolkit of ideas and strategies.  Today we are here to share the strategies. Some you may tick off in your mind because you are already doing them, others might inspire you to give them a go! We breakdown these 9 strategies to help differentiate in your classroom:ContentProcessProductPacingLearning EnvironmentGroupingChoice / Choice BoardsInterestReadiness You can’t possibly implement all these differentiation strategies at once, so think of these ideas like a menu that you can pick and choose from! If this episode was helpful and you would love to hear more about differentiation in the classroom, write us a review and let us know! We value the feedback we get from our awesome teacher listeners. Rainbows ahead,Ashleigh and AlishaResources mentioned in this episodeJoin our exciting Membership WaitlistEpisode 52 - It Takes a Village to Educate a Child with Kylie AltierChristmas Blooms activities for Grades K-2 and Grades 3-6APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFYLet's hear from you! Text us!
53. Navigating Teacher Burnout with Kelsey Sorenson: A Life Coach's Perspective
20-10-2024
53. Navigating Teacher Burnout with Kelsey Sorenson: A Life Coach's Perspective
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Kelsey Sorenson, a teacher, homeschool mama, certified life coach and author, to dive deep into the issue of teacher burnout. With educators leaving the profession at an alarming rate, we explore what's driving this exodus and how teachers can protect their well-being.A recent Gallup panel shared that 44% of teachers said they are “always” or “almost always” burned out, outpacing all other professions. Perhaps a more shocking statistic than this is most teachers are surprised this statistic isn’t higher!Kelsey shares everything she has learned about teacher burnout and how to stop ourselves getting to that place before it actually happens. And here’s a hint… it starts with self-compassion and curiosity.Throughout this conversation we talk about:The burnout crisis in educationFactors contributing to the current burnout epidemic Common patterns in burned-out teachersHow to become an observerSelf-advocacy for teachersWe need more of Kelsey’s message in the world for teachers. It is time to educate and rejuvenate ourselves to start to reverse the trend of teachers burning out. If you know a teacher that is going through any of the things we talked about in this episode, please share it with them - we need to keep our amazing teachers in classrooms. Rainbows ahead,Ashleigh and AlishaResources mentioned in this episodeConnect with Kelsey via email- hello@educateandrejuvenate or on Instagram @educateandrejuvenateWebsite: www.educateandrejuvenate.comPurchase Kelsey’s bookAPPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY Let's hear from you! Text us!
52. It Takes a Village to Educate a Child with Kylie Altier
13-10-2024
52. It Takes a Village to Educate a Child with Kylie Altier
You have probably heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child” but what if we applied this to teaching? Kylie Altier has explored this exact idea of it taking a “village” to educate a child and what she discovered was career changing!Throughout today’s episode Kylie shares how she has gone about this transformation of building a village outside the four walls of her classroom and sprinkles through some amazing stories of how doing this has impacted her and her students. Not only that, Kylie shares 5 ways that you can also follow her lead and start to build your own village. We talk about:Asking for helpLook near and far for villagersVarying requests of potential ‘villagers’Be an open doorExpressing gratitudeThe passion and fire for creating lifelong learners in her classroom is so compelling throughout this episode. It is one that will get you feeling pumped up and inspired (it did for us!)If you want to join Kylie’s village, the links are below.You can join the Rainbow Sky village on Instagram, TikTok or through our private podcast Facebook Group.Until next week, there are rainbows ahead!Alisha and AshleighResources mentioned in this episodeTransform your First Years, join our village for New TeachersFind our podcast village here: Podcast FB groupConnect with Kylie on Instagram @mrs.altiersvillage or on her website www.readwithkylie.comAPPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFYLet's hear from you! Text us!
50. Mark Student Work in Half the Time with These Tested Tips!
29-09-2024
50. Mark Student Work in Half the Time with These Tested Tips!
Looking for ways to mark student work faster and in a more effective way? You have come to the right place!Marking or grading work can be extremely time consuming and let’s face it, as teachers we can often feel very time poor. At the end of the day, marking/grading is all about giving students adequate feedback about their learning and for you as the teacher to monitor their progress. Too often we get caught up in the ‘rules’ our admin gives us, such as: You must mark every piece of work, written feedback needs to be detailed or bookwork is the only way to truly assess your student’s progress…Well, we are calling out all of these things today! Stick with us as we talk about the true purpose of marking/grading student work and how you can save time as a teacher in the process. We share our top 10 tips to help you mark / grade your students work in less time:Keep everything you need in one organised placeMark work as you go, giving immediate feedback to your studentsHave a designated spot in your classroom for books or worksheets to go if they need to be markedGroup students to provide more detailed feedback when markingSkip the bookwork and marking altogetherMark as a classMake an investment in a personalised stamp to save timeTry batching your grading / markingMini marking keys are helpfulSet homework that require no marking (if you need to set homework at all)Finally, treat yourself for a job well done! If you loved these time saving ideas, then you should check out our mini course Transform Your Teacher Time.Thank you for joining us for another episode of Rainbow Skies for New Teachers.Rainbows ahead,Ashleigh and AlishaResources mentioned in this episodeLearn more about saving time here: Transform Your Teacher TimeCheck out teacher stamps by Miss Honey TeachersAPPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFYLet's hear from you! Text us!
47. Back to Prac - Essential tips for preservice and mentor teachers
08-09-2024
47. Back to Prac - Essential tips for preservice and mentor teachers
Today’s episode has 2 parts, the first is 5 essential tips for preservice teachers embarking on a prac and want to make the best impression from the get-go. The second is for mentor teachers and our advice to help you give your preservice teacher the most valuable learning experience.5 Essential Tips for Preservice Teachers:Manners aren’t just for kidsFirst impressions are a thingGet involved in the classroom and school lifeBuild relationships respectfully and professionallyPhones need to go away while you are on the jobHosting a Prac Student 101:Communicate your expectations clearly Establish a mentorship relationshipPlan and involve your prac student in lesson preparationObserve and provide constructive feedback (think 3 stars and a wish)Encourage reflection and self-assessmentSetup times for regular meetingsModel effective teaching practices and provide opportunities for the prac student to try them Celebrate successes and provide encouragementWe need great teachers in the classroom, so both preservice teachers and mentor teachers alike have a responsibility to get the most out of a prac for the future students that will be sitting in our classrooms. If you know a preservice teacher OR a mentor teacher, share the love and this episode with them.Rainbows ahead,Ashleigh and AlishaResources mentioned in this episodeFreebie for Preservice TeachersFree lesson plan templates Mentor Teacher Guide Today’s episode is sponsored by The Hive an all-in-one online hub for your classroom - Get your 7 day free trial here. APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY Let's hear from you! Text us!
45. The Speech Pathologist Popstar!
25-08-2024
45. The Speech Pathologist Popstar!
Dennis Matthew is a Speech Pathologist by trade, but he doesn’t only work alongside teachers in schools, he is also an author, songwriter, poet and musician with purpose! Dennis travels around to schools all over USA sharing his passion for the underdog to feel seen and heard. We talk about a lot in the episode, including:What an in-school speech pathologist does and how do they support students and teachersDennis’s mission is to help every child find their voice and how he does that through his workHow it is our job as the adults in our students' lives to advocate for them and care for their wellbeingThe power of music and storytelling to support SEL in the classroomHow schools are a village that we all contribute toDennis is a blast and has so much to share. Towards the end of the interview I try to get him to choose his favourite book that he has written and he shares how each of them is close to his heart because they all contain a piece of his story. This month in Transform your First Years, we are diving into how Allied Health professionals, like Dennis, can help us support our students. Join us here. Rainbows ahead,Ashleigh and AlishaResources mentioned in this episodeShop Dennis’s books here.Find Dennis on You Tube here.Connect with Dennis on Instagram.This episode was brought to you by Transform your First Years, our membership that supports new teachers. Learn more here. APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFYLet's hear from you! Text us!
44. Stop for this Important Conversation about Teacher Wellbeing With Amy Green
18-08-2024
44. Stop for this Important Conversation about Teacher Wellbeing With Amy Green
This episode is an important one. We sit down with Amy, a renowned expert on teacher wellbeing, to debunk myths and provide actionable insights into how educators can improve their wellbeing. Amy shares wisdom from her book Teacher Wellbeing: A Real Conversation for Teachers and Leaders. She discusses the deeper aspects of well-being and common mistakes schools make in addressing this crucial issue. Whether you're a teacher or a school leader, this episode is packed with valuable advice on fostering a healthier, more productive environment.In today’s episode we break down:Common myths about Teacher WellbeingHow ‘outsourcing’ our wellbeing isn’t helping us as teachers Micro-stresses that teachers faceSubjective and psychological wellbeingMistakes we often make when it comes to wellbeing and what we can do as individuals to make a changeThe connection between productivity and wellbeingMoving away from reactionary environments in schools to being proactive and how this small change can have a massive impactAmy offers crucial advice that will help us take back our power and control over our wellbeing as teachers because at the end of the day teacher wellbeing impacts student wellbeing and we are there for the kids!This is the perfect episode to share with a teacher friend, especially one who may be struggling in this area of wellbeing and balance right now. You can access more teacher strategies, classroom inspiration and a wealth of resources by visiting our website  www.rainbowskycreations.com.Rainbows ahead,Ashleigh and AlishaResources mentioned in this episodeLearn more from Amy at www.thewellnessstrategy.com.auConnect with Amy on socials @_thewellnessstrategy  Find Amy on Linked in here.Amy’s book: Teacher Wellbeing: A Real Conversation for Teachers and Leaders  Let's hear from you! Text us!
43. This is How Kids will Learn their Times Tables Once and For All!
11-08-2024
43. This is How Kids will Learn their Times Tables Once and For All!
Have you ever been that teacher who has complained or been frustrated by the fact that your students don’t know their times tables? As Grade 3 and 4 teachers, we feel you! Building up your students’ times table fluency is so critical in helping develop their numeracy skills.In today’s episode, we are going to share 10 fun ways to engage your students in learning their multiplication facts which in turn will build their fluency and overall confidence as little mathematicians. Big promises? No way! All these games and activities have been tested in our own classrooms over the years.Here are 10 games we love to help build multiplication fluency:Building blocksPop stick skip countingUno card multiplication gamesColoured rice or bean searchEgg carton gamePlaydough arraysAsk me badgesGone fishing times table gameMultiplication FlowersGuess Who game for multiplicationBonus: Our FREE Flip it game We hope you are ready for your students to become more fluent and confident in recalling their multiplication facts!If you know a teacher that struggles with this same problem, share this episode. As they say, a problem shared is a problem halved!Rainbows ahead,Ashleigh and AlishaResources mentioned in today’s episodeTypes of beans: Dried kidney beans, black beans, borlotti beansNeed a visual? See all today’s ideas in action here.Board games for learning blog post Episode 33: Our favourite Maths resource, UNO Cards Uno card activities to use in your Maths GroupsGuess Who Multiplication gameFree Ask Me badgesFree Flip it gameThis episode is sponsored by Transform your First Years – A membership for new teachers that will fast-track your expertise + confidence  – because teacher life is a team sport!APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY Let's hear from you! Text us!
42. Small but Mighty Classroom Management Strategies for New Teachers
04-08-2024
42. Small but Mighty Classroom Management Strategies for New Teachers
Let’s talk about classroom management to help facilitate calm and compassionate classrooms. Today our guest, Claire English from The Unteachables, shares how she believes education is a powerful cycle breaker. Claire is a classroom management expert who is working to shift perceptions about behaviour. She helps teachers all over the world empower themselves by learning about regulation and how our energy impacts the classroom environment. Claire openly shares her own classroom struggles as well as the things she has learned in order to create these calm and compassionate classrooms, including:Noticing your own energyNon-verbal communicationMutual respectThe messages we are giving our students on the daily. We also discuss the 3 key pieces of advice Claire would give herself about classroom management as a new teacher. These ideas are absolute gold. Without giving too much away her 3 top tips are based on:Expectations Confidence andModelling Claire is all about holistic education and this chat is one you will probably want to listen to again or share with a teacher friend. Rainbows ahead,Ashleigh and AlishaResources mentioned in this episodeListen to Claire’s Podcast - The Unteachables PodcastFollow Claire on Instagram @the.unteachables Learn more at: www.the-unteachables.com Join us inside Transform your First Years, our membership that supports new teachers here. This episode was brought to you by Schools for change, an initiative created by Street Smart Australia. Access free resources for your classroom here. APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY Let's hear from you! Text us!
41. See ya Later Fatigue! Tools for Teacher Wellness and Motivation
28-07-2024
41. See ya Later Fatigue! Tools for Teacher Wellness and Motivation
As a new teacher, hitting the midpoint of the school year can feel like hitting a solid brick wall. The initial excitement and energy that carried you through the first few months may start to wane, leaving you feeling fatigued and overwhelmed. But don't worry, this is totally normal! In this episode, we share five effective strategies to help you overcome teacher fatigue, regain your enthusiasm, and finish the school year strong (or start out strong if you are one of our teachers in the Northern Hemisphere). 5 Strategies to Conquer Teacher Fatigue:Reflect and Celebrate Small WinsReconnect with Your PassionPrioritise Self-Care and Well-being.Build a Support Network around you Utilise Resources for New Teachers (start by getting this freebie)Remember, mid-year fatigue is a common challenge for any teacher, but with the right strategies, you can overcome it and continue making a positive impact in your students’ lives. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review, your feedback helps us improve and reach more educators like you! Until next week…Rainbows ahead,Ashleigh and AlishaResources mentioned in today’s episodeGrab our freebie: Surviving your First Year of TeachingThis episode is sponsored by Transform your First Years – A membership for new teachers that will fast-track your expertise + confidence  – because teacher life is a team sport!APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY About Schools for Change:Schools for Change is on a mission to take action on homelessness through education and advocacy! The initiative by charity StreetSmart Australia, offers educators free, curriculum-aligned classroom resources and activities to help kick-start conversations about homelessness and social change. The free resources help create flexible and engaging opportunities to introduce tricky topics like homelessness and poverty, build empathy and curiosity through storytelling, and dispel stigma with facts and evidence.How to connect with the team at Street Smart Australia:On Instagram via @schools.for.change Online via https://streetsmartaustralia.org/schools-for-change/ OR Email at schoolsforchange@streetsmartaustralia.orgLet's hear from you! Text us!
40. The Easiest and Most Effective Way to Differentiate Maths Lessons
21-07-2024
40. The Easiest and Most Effective Way to Differentiate Maths Lessons
Catering for all your student’s needs when teaching Maths is a daunting job! It can feel like you need a clone (or two) of yourself to make it all happen. In this episode, we dive into one of the most common challenges teachers face: effectively differentiating math lessons to meet the diverse needs of their students. The good news is we have the best solution! Math groups, also known as math centres or workshops, offer an engaging and flexible approach to personalised learning. We share how we run math groups and 10 reasons why we think you should give them a try in your classroom.We love Maths groups because:They make differentiation easyThey build student confidenceKids love themThey are an easy way to integrate technologyIncrease engagement in maths lessonsStudents can work collaboratively as problem-solversYou can build mathematical fluencyThey allow you to create hands-on learning experiencesThey encourage Independent learnersThey provide a safe learning spaceWhether you're a new teacher looking for effective differentiation strategies or an experienced educator seeking fresh ideas, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you make the most of math groups in your classroom.If you know someone who would benefit from this episode, please share it. Here at Rainbow Sky, we are all about teachers helping teachers. Rainbows ahead,Ashleigh and AlishaResources mentioned in today’s episodeGrab our freebie: 6 ways to create maths lessons students loveLearn about our mini-course Transform your Maths GroupsUno card activities to use in your Maths GroupsToday’s episode was brought to you by Second Story Window. Join the FREE Back to School Audio Summit here. Let's hear from you! Text us!