Episode Details

Joining me is Avril Waite, a secondary science teacher from regional New South Wales who is leading the integration of artificial intelligence across her school, while also being a strong advocate for trauma-informed practice and student wellbeing. Avril also coordinates the New Marine Pathways program, helping create university access opportunities for students pursuing marine studies across New South Wales. She does so much, and at the heart of it all is a commitment to equity, opportunity, and helping young people see what's actually possible for their futures.

We start with something I had honestly never heard before, using AI as a reflective practice tool for teachers. Not for lesson planning or worksheets, but as a non-judgmental sounding board after a lesson that completely fell apart. Avril walks through the exact prompts she uses, why it's lowering cortisol levels and cognitive load for her staff, and why it's never a replacement for professional judgement, just a faster way to find your own solution.

Then we go somewhere much deeper. Avril shares the story of becoming a guardian to a 14-year-old girl she met at a party, who was sleeping on benches at McDonald's, and how that experience completely shaped the way she shows up for students today. We talk about what trauma-informed practice actually looks like day to day, beyond the buzzword, including the small, consistent things her whole school does together that genuinely change outcomes for kids doing it tough.

We also get into Avril's experience teaching in a fully open learning environment, the real challenges of that model, what it took to get it working well, and why she's actually come around to loving it. And we close out with something every teacher, leader, and school exec needs to hear about regional education, opportunity, and why a free conference ticket doesn't mean access when the flights alone cost thousands.

What you'll learn:

• How teachers can use AI as a non-judgmental reflective practice tool after a tough lesson, including the actual prompts Avril uses
• Why reflecting with AI can lower cognitive load and cortisol levels for teachers, without replacing professional judgement
• The personal story behind why Avril is so passionate about student wellbeing and trauma-informed practice
• What trauma-informed practice really looks like in the day-to-day, beyond the buzzword, including the Berry Street model
• Why greeting students by name is one of the most powerful, low-cost relationship-building tools a teacher has
• What it's really like teaching in a fully open learning environment, including the early chaos and what fixed it
• Why "you can't be what you can't see" matters so much for students in regional and disadvantaged communities
• The hidden cost barriers that mean a "free" opportunity for low socioeconomic or regional schools often isn't free at all

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• Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change'

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