The Well-being Classroom

14/09/2026

Why are adult relationships often the hardest part of school life?

Today, I'm delighted to welcome Jennifer Abrams, an international educational consultant, author, speaker, and self-described "voice coach" who has spent decades helping educators navigate some of the most challenging aspects of professional life. Jennifer is the author of several influential books, including Having Hard Conversations, Hard Conversations Unpacked, The Multigenerational Workplace, and her most recent release, Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work. She has worked with schools and organisations across the globe, supporting educators to strengthen communication, collaboration, leadership, and adult development.

In this episode, we explore why adult-to-adult communication remains one of the most overlooked challenges in schools, the emotional complexity of educational leadership, and why wellbeing is about far more than positivity and self-care. We discuss the importance of clarity before difficult conversations, the role of discomfort in professional growth, how leaders can develop feedback tolerance and emotional regulation, and why schools cannot achieve their goals without trust, strong relationships, and healthy adult cultures. We also dive into the concepts of resilience, self-awareness, and Jennifer's belief that adult development is not an indulgence but a necessity... and much more!

Welcome to The Well-being Classroom!

Check out Jennifer’s website: https://jenniferabrams.com

07/09/2026

Can Kindness and Accountability Coexist?

Today on The Well-being Classroom, I'm joined by Joanna Povall, Tes International Principal of the Year 2024, author of Kind Leadership, Principal of Wales International School, and creator of the CHASE Framework. Joanna is on a mission to transform school culture through communication, honesty, accountability, self-esteem, and ego awareness.

In this episode, we explore the difference between being nice and being kind, how toxic cultures develop, why difficult conversations matter, the role of accountability in healthy workplaces, and how the CHASE Framework is being adopted by schools around the world... and much more.

Get your copy of Kind Leadership: https://www.amazon.com/Kind-Leadership-Leading-Schools-Empathy/dp/178583780X

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-well-being-classroom/id1810586409?i=1000788218799
Podbean: https://thepastoralpainter.podbean.com/e/49-can-kindness-transform-school-leadership-with-joanna-povall/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4HJRG2R3vXxfCtilahkfIA?si=iYO-pYW0RHmVawWgSjlQOw
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07/09/2026

Can kindness and accountability truly coexist in leadership?

Today, I'm delighted to welcome Joanna Povall, an award-winning international school leader, author, and global education consultant with more than 30 years of experience across the UK, France, and the UAE. Joanna is the Principal of Wales International School in Abu Dhabi, a Lead Improvement Partner for COBIS, and the author of Kind Leadership: Leading Schools with Empathy, Honesty and Impact, which introduces her CHASE leadership framework. She was also named Tes International Principal of the Year 2024 for her work transforming school culture, community engagement, and student outcomes.


In this episode, we explore the critical distinction between being nice and being kind, how negative leadership experiences inspired Joanna to develop the CHASE framework, and why communication, honesty, accountability, self-esteem, and ego management are essential to creating healthy school cultures. We discuss toxic workplaces, the impact leadership has on teacher wellbeing and retention, the misconceptions surrounding kind leadership, and how schools around the world are adopting the CHASE framework to build cultures where people feel valued, supported, and challenged to grow... and much more!

Welcome to The Well-being Classroom!


Get your copy of Kind Leadership: https://www.amazon.com/Kind-Leadership-Leading-Schools-Empathy/dp/178583780X

31/08/2026

Can one act of kindness change the course of a life?

Today, I'm honoured to welcome Toby Gorniak MBE, culture transformation specialist, keynote speaker, founder of The Gorniak Method™, and recipient of an MBE for over two decades of service to communities and young people. Born into the Roma community in Poland, Toby endured severe racism, violence, and exclusion, including being beaten into a coma at the age of eleven. After arriving in the UK as a teenage refugee, he made a promise to become the person he needed as a child: a good human being.

In this episode, we explore Toby's extraordinary journey from trauma to transformation, the experiences that shaped his belief that every person possesses a unique genius, and the powerful moment that inspired the values at the heart of The Gorniak Method. We discuss why respect, peace, love, unity, and fun should be the foundation of every school and workplace, how authentic human connection can change lives, the importance of discovering the hidden potential in every child, and why culture should be built with people, not for them... and much more!

Welcome to The Well-being Classroom!

Get to know more about Toby: https://tobygorniakmbe.com

24/08/2026

What does authentic, reciprocal networking look like in education, and how can strong communities empower teachers to step into leadership with confidence?

Today, I’m thrilled to welcome Ben Hobbis, an Assistant Headteacher at a North London primary school, speaker, and social entrepreneur with a deep passion for developing people and building communities. Ben is also the Founder and CEO of Step Up Network CIC, a growing leadership movement dedicated to helping teachers and school leaders connect, learn, and thrive.

In this episode, we dive into his early career struggles that inspired him to create a supportive space for educators. We discuss the realities of moving beyond surface-level social media connections, the power of coaching and mentoring, and how building genuine professional networks directly benefits students and school communities—and much more!

Welcome to The Well-being Classroom!

Check out Step Up Network: https://stepupnetwork.uk

24/08/2026

What does authentic, reciprocal networking look like in education, and how can strong communities empower teachers to step into leadership with confidence?

Today, I’m thrilled to welcome Ben Hobbis—Assistant Headteacher, social entrepreneur, and Founder/CEO of Step Up Network CIC.

In this episode, we discuss his journey from early career struggles to building a thriving, supportive space for educators. We explore how genuine connections, coaching, and meaningful networks combat teacher burnout and directly elevate student success—and so much more!

Welcome to The Well-being Classroom!

Catch up with Ben: https://stepupnetwork.uk

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17/08/2026

Strategic Strategy, Real-World Action: Setting Up Staff for the Year Ahead

As we launch into a new academic year, prioritizing staff well-being is essential for building a thriving school environment. In this compilation episode of The Well-being Classroom, we bring together insights from two exceptional leaders to explore both the theory and practice of supporting educator health:


Dr. Helen Kelly — Author, researcher, former international school principal, and former workplace health and safety lawyer, who breaks down the research-backed "why" behind strategic, data-driven leadership well-being.



Dr. Mary Pilant — Director of an international school, former UAE Vice Principal, U.S. Navy veteran, and experienced educational leader, who shares the practical "how" of using servant leadership, transparency, and recognition to build trust and boost staff morale on the ground.


Tune in to discover how bridging high-level strategy with real-world practices can transform your school’s culture from day one.

17/08/2026

Strategic Strategy, Real-World Action: Setting Up Staff for the Year Ahead

Prioritizing staff well-being is essential for a thriving school environment. In this compilation episode of The Well-being Classroom, two exceptional leaders share how to bridge theory and practice to support educator health:

Dr. Helen Kelly (Author, Researcher, former Principal & Lawyer) unpacks the research-backed "why" behind strategic, data-driven leadership well-being.

Dr. Mary Pilant (International School Director & U.S. Navy Veteran) shares the practical "how" of using servant leadership, transparency, and recognition to build trust on the ground.

Discover how connecting high-level strategy with real-world practice can transform your school’s culture from day one.

🎧 Listen now:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-well-being-classroom/id1810586409?i=1000783889354

Podbean: https://thepastoralpainter.podbean.com/e/46-from-research-to-reality-elevating-staff-well-being-this-academic-year/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0k38TGCvAC6klRiDSOnRIX?si=0YvYXrnJRwiBKr8t1_VOwA

iHeart: https://iheart.com/podcast/297224888

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11/08/2026

This special compilation episode brings together the core of two standout discussions: Episode 5 featuring Dr. Helen Street and Episode 24 featuring Xavier Woods. Centered on what students really want from teachers, Helen speaks in regard to older, secondary school students with thoughts derived directly from research, whilst Xavier focuses on younger ones by bringing his former students directly onto the podcast to share their experiences. While this compilation highlights the heart of both conversations, there is so much more to listen to on the individual podcast episodes.
Dr. Helen Street brings an academic perspective to Episode 5, with all her thoughts on student motivation and flourishing derived from research. Drawing on her background as an education consultant in applied social psychology and mental health, the published author, co-founder of the Positive Schools initiative, and creator of the 'contextual wellbeing' model bases her advice on evidence-based studies.
In Episode 24, Xavier Woods shares his extensive experience as an educator with nearly 25 years across the U.S. and the Middle East. A two-time Teacher of the Year in Metro Atlanta and a candidate for America’s Favorite Teacher 2026, Xavier is also a painter, music artist, and author of The Powerful Book of Positively Powerful Poems and Keep God 1st and Go to Therapy. Note that all student participation in his episode was conducted with full parental consent in accordance with professional privacy and safeguarding protocols.

11/08/2026

As the new academic year approaches, what do students—both young and old—actually need from us to thrive?

In this special back-to-school compilation episode, we bring together the core highlights of two standout discussions to help you set the tone for the year ahead:

Episode 5 (Dr Helen Street): Delivers research-backed insights on motivation and 'contextual wellbeing' tailored specifically for older, secondary school students.

Episode 24 (Xavier J. Woods Ed.S): Draws on nearly 25 years of teaching experience, bringing his former students directly to the mic to share authentic perspectives from younger learners.

While this episode captures the heart of both conversations, there is so much more to discover in the full individual episodes—including classroom culture tips, deep dives into student agency, and much more!

(Note: All student participation was conducted with full parental consent following professional safeguarding protocols.)



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