Well-Led Schools Adrienne Hornby

In this episode of the Well-Led Schools Podcast, we welcomed returning guest Corey Tavella, principal of Thomas More College in South Australia— a large co-ed school with almost 1,100 students that has grown over 30% since his time as principal.

 

Corey recently completed his Master's degree, focusing on measuring effective school leadership using an autoethnographic method. In this method, he acted as both a researcher and used himself as evidence. As such, he’s had much time to reflect on his leadership approach from the time he first became deputy principal to now, with six years as principal under his belt. 

 

This episode's conversation centers on effective leadership approaches, with an emphasis on building and maintaining trust to cultivate a psychologically safe work environment.

 

In this episode, we cover:


The significance of knowing yourself, your values, and what you stand for and how that can guide everyday choices and decisions
The differences between an authoritative and authoritarian leadership approach
Corey’s honest reflections on who he was as a leader when he first started and how his approach has evolved since then
Why Corey values presence as a leader and how he integrates it as a guiding principle in his school
The difficult challenge of establishing but also maintaining a high-performing executive team and school culture despite the turnover of leaders and staff
What an environment of trust looks, sounds and feels like in a school
Common barriers to establishing and maintaining trust in schools
The importance of speaking up to the right people when you are unhappy with something at work
Ways to sustain trust as a collective
How principals can support new leaders and middle leaders to develop their knowledge and skills in effective leadership and trust-building  



About Corey:

Corey Tavella is currently the Principal of Thomas More College in South Australia, a relatively large 7-12 school of almost 1100 students from 7-12 (co-ed). This is his sixth year as Principal, having been a Deputy Principal at two schools, one all-boys and one all-girls. Corey has recently completed his masters degree with his main research focussing on measuring effective school leadership using an autoethnographic method where he acted as both researcher and evidence, given his focus on was measuring the effectiveness of his first five years of Principalship. 

 

One of his key tenets of leadership is presence, which, he believes, lends itself well to staff well-being. By aiming to be present for his staff, he wants to ensure they all know they are heard, valued, cared for, and respected. Corey has been in education for 24 years, and these last six years are the first in which he has not taught students. 

 

Links and Resources:

Thank you so much for listening. I’m so honoured that you’re here and would be so grateful if you could leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or on your preferred podcast app, that way we can inspire and educate even more people together.

 

Explore the Well-Led Schools Partnership Program: adriennehornby.com.au/school-partnerships/ 

 

Listen to S1 Ep. 7 With Corey Tavella: The Guiding Principles For Leading Your School With Wellbeing In Mind 

adriennehornby.com.au/the-guiding-principles-for-leading-your-school-with-wellbeing-in-mind-with-corey-tavella-episode-7/ 

 

Connect with Corey:

Coreys work with his Executive Team’s Leadership statement via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7027146166421114880/ 

 

On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corey-tavella-084160173/ 

 

Connect with me via:

My website adriennehornby.com.au 

Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-hornby-a4126a205/ 

Email hello@adriennehornby.com.au 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of diving into the world of Positive Psychology with our guest, Chris Daicos, an experienced educator and consultant with over 40 years of experience in the field of education. 

 

Chris's expertise lies in leveraging Positive Psychology interventions to foster personal and organisational flourishing. As she eloquently explains, Positive Psychology isn't merely about putting on a happy face or ignoring challenges; it's a paradigm shift from problem-focused to solution-focused thinking. 

 

Unlike traditional psychology, which often fixates on dissecting problems and finding ways to mitigate them, Positive Psychology seeks to identify moments of success, strength, and resilience. Through this lens, Chris shares insights on how schools can adopt Positive Psychology approaches to enhance wellbeing for students, staff, and the wider community. 

 

Join us as we explore the transformative potential of Positive Psychology in education and its practical applications for creating thriving school environments.

 

In this episode, we cover:


What Positive Psychology is and how it differs from traditional psychology
Why schools should adopt positive psychology approaches when looking to enhance wellbeing at their schools
The PERMA(H) model and its components
How a strengths exploration initiative can improve wellbeing across most areas of the PERMA(H) model
The importance of communication and unifying the team with a clear vision and expectations



About the Guest

Chris Daicos is a dedicated advocate for personal and organisational flourishing, leveraging her extensive background as a trained teacher, social worker, and facilitator. As a foundation graduate of Australia’s first Master Applied Positive Psychology program, Chris seamlessly combines her expertise in pedagogy with evidence-based practices to deliver tailored professional learning to leaders, teachers and parents on a range of topics including Positive Psychology, leadership, people management, parental education and more.

 

With over 40 years of experience in Education, 20 of which were spent consulting with schools, Chris specilises in implementing Positive Psychology interventions to enhance wellbeing in diverse contexts. With a focus on practical application and real-life scenarios, Chris's workshops are valued for their effectiveness in promoting confidence, engagement, and satisfaction among participants.

 

Her professional portfolio includes teaching Master's courses on wellbeing and positive psychology at Melbourne University, Victoria University, Australian Catholic University, and Deakin University. She has also spent three years working at Headspace, training professionals to identify and respond to young people at risk.



Links and Resources:

Blog Article: The PERMAH Model for Workplace Wellbeing

adriennehornby.com.au/the-permah-model-for-workplace-wellbeing/

 

Waitlist for the Well-Led Schools Partnership: adriennehornby.com.au/school-partnerships/ 

 

Identify your strengths with the VIA Character Strengths Survey: www.viacharacter.org/

 

Research Mentioned in The Episode:

 

Friedrich and Jane Dutton - High-quality connections/positive relationships:

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/four_ways_to_create_high_quality_connections_at_work

https://positiveorgs.bus.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/HighQualityConnections.pdf

 

Barbara Fredrickson - Positive emotions:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3122271/

 

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi - Concept of flow:

https://positivepsychology.com/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi-father-of-flow/#:~:text=In%20Csikszentmihalyi's%20words%2C%20flow%20is,doing%20it%E2%80%9D%20(1990).

 

https://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/history-of-happiness/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/ 

 

Bruce Tuckman’s model of team development:

https://hr.mit.edu/learning-topics/teams/articles/stages-development

 

https://www.wcupa.edu/coral/tuckmanStagesGroupDe

In this episode, I had the honour of chatting with Kathy Bowers, a parenting coach with over four decades of experience working with children and their families. 

 

Why a parenting coach on a teacher wellbeing podcast? Much of our work with students relies on the relationships we have with parents. In this partnership, they can often lean on us for advice for ways to connect with and engage their students. We don;t always have the answers as the classroom and school environment is very different to home.

 

Kathy's approach is deeply rooted in the belief that effective communication is the cornerstone of successful parenting. Through her guidance, parents are empowered to navigate communication challenges and foster meaningful connections with their children. She emphasises the importance of presence and active listening, helping parents develop the skills necessary to build rapport and trust with their children.

 

Join us as we explore Kathy's wealth of knowledge and experience, gaining invaluable tools and perspectives to enhance parenting practices and promote harmony within our families, but also in classrooms.

 

In this episode, we cover:


Common challenges parents face in parenting 
The importance of communication and being present to build rapport and trust with your children
The value of bridging the gap between our children’s home and school life
What parents can do to develop their communication skills at home
Steps parents can take to create routines and boundaries at home to establish expectations and respect
Strategies for communicating and maintaining a relationship with your independence-seeking teen
Effective ways to work with children and young people to achieve a desired outcome without the use of harsh discipline

 

About Kathy:

Kathy Bowers is a parenting coach with over 40 years experience. She works with families and supports parents on all things parenting, behavioural difficulties and the importance of communication.

 

Kathy’s journey spans more than 20 years as a family practitioner in social care, where she hones her expertise in understanding and addressing the complex dynamics of family life. Recognising the need for positive change and armed with a wealth of knowledge, Kathy transitioned to coaching parents and individuals where she now

 

focuses on supporting parents to find their own solutions to overcome communication and parenting difficulties aiming to Improve their relationship with their children and ensure harmony & balance are restored.

 

Links and Resources:

Student Management Pilot Program: adriennehornby.com.au/behaviour-pilot/

Download Kathy’s FREE parenting ebook: Download here

 

Connect with Kathy via:

Her website: www.life-change-coaching.co.uk

Email: kathy@life-change-coaching.co.uk 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kathybowers50/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-bowers-43555b176/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083422956915

 

Thank you so much for listening. I’m so honoured that you’re here and would be so grateful if you could leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or on your preferred podcast app, that way we can inspire and educate even more people together.

 

Connect with me via:

My website: adriennehornby.com.au    

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-hornby-a4126a205/ 

Email: hello@adriennehornby.com.au 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I am joined by the fabulous Dr. Tori Ellis, a Transformational Life and Business Coach and author based in New York City. I had the pleasure of asking Dr. Ellis some thought-provoking questions about her work and insights about her unique approach to working with young people, individuals and organisations, blending the worlds of hip-hop and positive psychology to create a lasting impact within schools, communities and businesses. 

 

In this episode, we cover:


The benefits and transformations that can be seen from introducing a dedicated youth program in schools
The importance of community in shaping young people’s lives
Common challenges young people are facing or struggling to overcome in their lives and in learning
How involving, relating to and listening to young people can help them overcome some of those challenges
What educators can do to ensure they show up authentically so they can truly connect with their students 
The importance of filling your cup first before pouring into others as an educator
Strategies to help educators support their wellbeing from a positive psychology standpoint

 

About Dr. Tori Ellis

Dr. Tori Ellis is a Transformational Life and Business Coach with a mission to empower and guide others in education and the workplace. 

With over 7 years of educational management experience, she now coaches using innovative techniques to drive personal and organisational development for individuals and businesses to excel at their highest capacity.

Tori additionally focuses on wellness, positive psychology, and entrepreneurship, showcased in her Best-Selling book "The Sound of Business: Seeing Entrepreneurship through Hip Hop." Tori shares impactful stories to inspire children and young people worldwide, encouraging them to pursue their passions in various life aspects. 

She has a background in Psychology and Criminal Justice, a Masters in Industrial-Organisational Psychology and a PsyD. in Human and Organisational Psychology.

 

Thank you so much for listening. I’m so honoured that you’re here and would be so grateful if you could leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or on your preferred podcast app, that way we can inspire and educate even more people together.

 

Links and Resources:

Well-Led Classrooms: A Student Management Pilot Program: adriennehornby.com.au/behaviour-pilot/

 

Connect with Dr. Tori Ellis:

Her website https://thesoundofbusiness.org/services/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tori-ellis-psyd-1a170a166/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/always_drtorii/

Purchase her book on Amazon: The Sound of Business: Seeing Entrepreneurship Through Hip-Hop

https://shorturl.at/auAIJ

 

Connect with me via:

My website http://adriennehornby.com.au

Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-hornby-a4126a205/

Email hello@adriennehornby.com.au
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of connecting with Megan Corcoran, the Founder and Director of Wagtail Institute. Her mission is to empower schools and complex settings to become trauma-informed wellbeing communities where everyone can thrive. She works alongside leaders, educators and social workers to respond to wellbeing challenges, enhance trauma-informed practice and navigate pathways to healing. 

 

Megan brings a wealth of expertise and passion to the table as a dedicated advocate for the wellbeing of educators and leaders working in challenging environments.

 

Throughout our conversation, we explore the significance of trauma-informed practices beyond student-focused approaches, uncovering their benefits for staff, families and the wider community.

 

In this episode, we cover:


How to deeply embed trauma-informed practices into the tapestry of our schools
What trauma is and how our unique lived experience impacts how we respond to traumatic events
Why trauma-informed practices are beneficial and should be considered as a protective measure
How trauma-informed practices can help students and staff in complex settings thrive
The importance of having a shared sense of belonging in settings like schools or workplaces
Practical strategies to promote a sense of belonging in schools, with an emphasis on teens
What we can do to transfer our training in student-focused trauma-informed practice to meet the needs of staff
Recommendations for how leaders can encourage their staff’s wellbeing when working in complex settings
The most effective ways to support staff who’ve been involved in or witnessed a critical incident at school or work
Ways to support your wellbeing if you are experiencing trauma, or work in a complex setting



About Megan:

Megan Corcoran is a passionate advocate for the wellbeing of educators, social workers and leaders in challenging environments. She draws inspiration from her upbringing in Wiradjuri Country and the profound influence of her grandparents. 

 

With twelve years of experience in teaching and leadership roles within alternative schools for young people who have experienced trauma and significant disadvantages, Megan is deeply grounded in trauma-informed practice and wellbeing science. 

 

She shares her expertise as a lecturer of positive psychology at Monash University, specialising in post-graduate education. Her dedication to fostering belonging as a means of healing, particularly for those who have experienced childhood trauma, is evident through her research and practical initiatives, such as the Berry Street Education Model. 

 

Megan's commitment extends beyond academia. She actively engages in leadership development and coaching, notably through the Teach to Lead fellowship. Her diverse experiences, from volunteering in Palestine to training in boxing, reflect her holistic approach to personal growth and wellbeing. Megan's journey exemplifies a relentless pursuit of empowerment and resilience, both in her professional and personal endeavours.

 

Links and Resources:

Explore our Student Behaviour Pilot Program: https://adriennehornby.com.au/behaviour-pilot/ 

 

If you’re interested in diving deeper into the concept of ‘belonging’, check out Dr. Kelly-Ann Allen, an expert on the topic:  https://www.drkellyallen.com/ 

 

Thank you so much for listening. I’m so honoured that you’re here and would be so grateful if you could leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or on your preferred podcast app, that way we can inspire and educate even more people together.

 

Connect with Megan via:

Her website: https://wagtailinstitute.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-corcoran-a5ab1738/ 

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wagtail.institute/ 

 

Connect with me via:

My website http://adriennehornby.com.au

Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-hornby-a4126a205/

Email hello@adriennehornby.com.au
See omnystudio.com/list

Social events, morning teas and the one-off wellbeing workshops can only do so much to improve staff wellbeing and school culture. While they’re well-intentioned, these initiatives only target the very surface of the daily challenges school staff face. We need to take a deeper look at the underlying and systemic reasons why staff may be suffering from chronic stress and burnout. Once identified, solutions and actions can be put in place that directly address the issues while considering various elements that, when improved upon, can create a positive and long-lasting change in how your staff and school culture feel. 

 

In this episode of the Well-Led Schools podcast, I am once again joined by School Principal Rob Lans where we discuss the six-step framework for improving staff wellbeing and school culture. This framework considers elements of Positive Psychology, current educational leadership research and the recommendations from leading Australian wellbeing organisations like Beyond Blue, Be You and the Black Dog Institute. 

 

The 6 steps to improved wellbeing in schools are


Scan your school and pinpoint the wellbeing needs of your team
Establish a culture of wellbeing beginning with a co-created school vision for wellbeing
Agree on the joint responsibilities of staff wellbeing
Upskill and train leaders and staff in effective ways to promote, support and improve staff wellbeing and school culture
Tailor a ‘Wellbeing Action Plan’ for your school
Follow through on your Wellbeing Action Plan and check in on your progress



In this episode, we cover:


Why tokenistic approaches to wellbeing don’t work
The 6-step framework for improving staff wellbeing and school culture
Actions you can take to carry out each step

 

Links and Resources:

Explore the Well-Led Schools Partnership - adriennehornby.com.au/school-partnerships/

Download the 6 steps PDF guide

Anonymous Staff Wellbeing Surveys

 

Blog article: A 6-Step Staff Wellbeing Framework to Beat Staff Burnout and Improve School Culture https://adriennehornby.com.au/a-staff-wellbeing-framework-to-beat-staff-burnout-and-improve-school-culture/ 

Blog article: The PERMA(H) model for workplace wellbeing

Blog article: What is Positive Psychology and How to Apply The Principles to Your Own Wellbeing

Blog article: The Wellbeing Action Plan: An Essential Tool For Ensuring Staff Wellbeing In The Workplace

 

Thank you so much for listening. I’m so honoured that you’re here and would be so grateful if you could leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or on your preferred podcast app, that way we can inspire and educate even more people together.

 

Connect with me via:

My website

Linkedin

Instagram 

Email
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.