Rainbow Skies for Teachers
Hey there, amazing teachers - this podcast is for YOU! Whether you’re just starting your teaching journey or you're a seasoned educator seeking inspiration, Rainbow Skies for Teachers is here to help you thrive in and out of the classroom.
We’re Ashleigh and Alisha, your enthusiastic hosts and co-founders of Rainbow Sky Creations. With 20+ years of combined experience in primary education, we’re dedicated to sharing practical advice, supercharged tips, and game-changing strategies to help you succeed as a teacher.
Whether it’s crafting engaging lessons or perfecting your classroom management, we’ve got your back. We're on a mission to lead an education revolution; one inspired teacher at a time….
There are rainbows ahead, and together, we're unstoppable!
You can follow us on Instagram or TikTok @rainbowskycreations
To discover more helpful tips + tricks for teachers, head to http://www.rainbowskycreations.com
Rainbow Skies for Teachers
146. They'll Forget the Lesson... But They'll Never Forget How You Made Them Feel
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
What do your students remember most about their time in your classroom?
It's probably not the math lesson or the spelling test. It's how you made them feel.
This week, Ashleigh sits down with James to explore one of the most powerful aspects of teaching: building genuine relationships that help every student feel seen, valued and connected.
From creative morning roll calls and fun call-and-response routines to greeting every child at the classroom door, James shares the simple strategies that have transformed the culture of his classroom. Together, Ashleigh and James unpack why the smallest moments often have the biggest impact, and how making time for connection doesn't mean sacrificing learning.
They also dive into leadership, discussing how school leaders can encourage fun and creativity without adding pressure, and why giving teachers permission to build relationships in ways that suit their own style is so important.
In this episode, we chat about:
- Why students remember how you made them feel long after they've forgotten the learning
- Creative ways to transform routines into a relationship-building opportunities
- Simple greeting rituals
- How listening to students' interests can completely change engagement, behaviour and confidence.
- Practical classroom ideas
- Why teachers need permission to have fun without feeling like they're creating extra work for everyone else
Relationships aren't something you fit in around the curriculum, they're the foundation that makes great learning possible. If you've ever wondered whether those little conversations, silly moments or personalised gestures really matter, this episode is your reminder that they absolutely do.
Rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Listen to our previous episode with James about brain breaks here.
APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY | AMAZON
About Today’s Guest
James is an innovative educator and passionate primary teacher with over 12 years of experience in education, including 6 years in senior leadership. Throughout his career, he has specialised in curriculum implementation, coaching, innovation, creative arts, and wellbeing—always striving to inspire and engage both students and teachers through creative and out-of-the-box approaches.