The Teacher's Lounge: teach, lead, inspire
The Teacher's Lounge: teach, lead, inspire Podcast with Ben Heckathorn offers educators and leaders a blend of entertainment and professional insights to help teach, lead, and inspire. Join Ben as he explores the unspoken challenges and celebrates the incredible work of teachers across Australia.
Episodes
11 episodes
201 Podcast Update 2025, Pathway out of the Classroom, Encouragements
We’re back for 2025! In this episode, we catch up on a refreshed vision for the podcast and hear what’s been happening behind the scenes, including Ben’s detailed transition from classroom teaching to instructional coaching for initial t...
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23:44
109 Christmas Gift Giving and budget freindly classroom gift ideas
In this festive episode, we explore the joy of giving Christmas gifts to students and why it’s a meaningful way to 'wrap up' the school year. We’ll dive into how gift giving not only brings happiness to your students but also boosts your own me...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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30:05
108 Toilet and Bathroom Breaks During Classtime
In this episode, we dive into the often overlooked issue of toilet breaks for teachers (needing to go during class time) and why it’s more than just an inconvenience. Teachers are seemingly denied a basic human right as they stru...
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32:04
107 Teacher Shortage, Burnout, AI, Student Behaviour - campfire chat with Cass Pendlebury from Alphacrucis
In this campfire-style chat, we sit down with Cass Pendlebury from Alphacrucis University College to unpack effects of the ongoing teacher crisis and the rising burnout rates among educators and leaders - including AI in tertiary and the growin...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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42:06
106 'School Holidays' or 'Term Break': semantics and mindsets
In this episode, we dive into the semantics of "school holidays" versus "term break" and how the language we use can shape our mindset during these periods. We'll explore the impact of each term on how teachers approach rest, productivity, and ...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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32:09
105 Tidy Classroom links to Student Behaviour and Focus
In this episode, we share three simple hacks for creating a tidier classroom that can significantly boost student focus and behavior. We’ll explore the difference between being tidy and organised, and how reducing clutter can create a more opti...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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26:05
104 Morning Routine SAVERS Hal Elrod
In this episode, we explore how a structured morning routine can set the foundation for a productive and fulfilling day as a teacher. We'll dive into the SAVERS framework — silence, affirmations, visualisation, exercise, reading, and scribing —...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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37:15
103 Yard Duty
In this episode, we take a fun look at yard duty and why it's more than just supervision — it's a great opportunity to build relationships with students outside the classroom. We’ll talk about how connecting during these moments can st...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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23:00
102 Top 5 Qualities of a Teacher
In this episode, we explore the top five qualities (out of 800 voters) that define an excellent teacher. We'll dive into how these qualities shape effective teaching and create impactful learning experiences. Learn why adaptability and...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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33:12