Leading Voices in Education

S2E30: Dr. Deborah MacNamara - Nourishment, Belonging and Emotional Care

Dr. Deborah MacNamara shares insights on the deep connection between nourishment, relationships, and child development. Discover how understanding attachment and creating relational spaces can transform parenting, education, and food practices.

S2E29: Nicholas Ferroni - Compassion, Connection and the Heart of Teaching

In this discussion, Nicholas Ferroni shares his journey as a passionate educator, emphasizing the importance of building relationships, fostering empathy, and maintaining well-being in teaching. Discover practical strategies for new teachers, the power of positive communication, and the irreplaceable human element in education.

S2E28: Surrey SEL Teachers - Creating Conditions for Students to Flourish

In this conversation, social emotional learning advocates Sarah Dekerf and Jennifer Boudreau share their journeys from classroom teachers to leaders in social emotional learning (SEL) within Surrey Schools. They discuss the importance of building relationships, defining SEL, and the resources available for educators. The conversation also highlights exemplary practices in schools, strategies for teachers on call (TOCs), and the significance of self-care for educators.

S2E27: Dr. Dan Siegel - From Me to MWe: Rethinking Mind, Brain and Relationships in the Classroom

In this conversation, Dr. Dan Siegel discusses the intersection of neuroscience, mindfulness, and education. He introduces the Wheel of Awareness, a tool designed to enhance mindfulness and emotional intelligence in both educators and students. The discussion delves into the importance of integration in mental health, the dynamics of the upstairs and downstairs brain, and practical strategies for teachers to connect with their students. Dr. Siegel emphasizes the concept of Mindsight, which encompasses insight into one's own mental processes, empathy for others, and the integration of self with the relational world. He concludes with personal practices that promote well-being, highlighting the significance of connection in fostering a healthy mind.

S2E26: Dr. Sabre Cherkowski - Flourishing in Education

In this episode of Leading Voices in Education, we sit down with Dr. Sabre Cherkowski to explore what it truly means for educators and school communities to move from simply surviving to genuinely flourishing. Grounded in her research on teacher well-being and positive organizational practices, Sabre invites us to rethink how we approach well-being in schools—not as something extra to add on, but as something already present that we can notice, nurture, and grow. She introduces the idea that flourishing is not about ignoring challenges, but about holding space for both struggle and possibility at the same time. Through practical examples and powerful stories, we explore how small, intentional shifts—like pausing to notice moments of connection, sharing stories of success, or creating space for reflection—can transform school culture. Sabre emphasizes that well-being is deeply relational, shaped by how we show up for one another, and built through everyday interactions that foster belonging, trust, and care. This conversation is a reminder that flourishing isn’t a destination—it’s something we cultivate together, one small step at a time.