It’s an understatement to say Australia’s school principals are juggling a lot in 2024. Whether it’s navigating their school through the youth mental health crisis, rapid advancements in AI, or the worsening teacher shortage, it’s clear to see principals have their hands full.
For leaders and teachers, access to quality professional development can connect them with the knowledge and the tools to more easily manage these complex issues, and in turn, reduce the stress and anxiety that they often cause.
Next month, several keynote presentations will gather in Adelaide for The Youth Connect Education Forum 2024, organised by Life Ed South Australia. The forum will cover a range of thought-provoking topics, such as empowering anxious kids and teens, improving student behaviour, navigating the impact of pornography, and embracing ChatGPT in schools.
One of the speakers at the event will be Dr Jodi Richardson, an anxiety and wellbeing specialist, who will share insights on how to shift anxiety to resilience.
She says many well-meaning wellbeing programs and presentations equip teachers and students with insights, skills, and strategies, but overlook the foundations these practices rely on for meaningful and sustained positive change.
“At the heart of mental health and wellbeing in any school community are a felt sense of psychological safety and interconnectedness between teachers, colleagues, and students,” Dr Richardson told The Educator.
“These are underpinned and strengthened by a whole-school biopsychosocial approach to stress, change, challenges, opportunities, emotional dysregulation, and genuine resilience. When staff and students are attuned to and understand their autonomic nervous system and are skilled in the application of regulation techniques, wellbeing is significantly enhanced for all.”
Matt Dunn, Head of Automation at Missing Link will speak on the topic of how schools can embrace AI, including ChatGPT. Inspired by his mother, a dedicated teacher, Dunn believes technology can transform learning.
Dunn worked with UTS to help them to implement AI to refine their course descriptions and learning outcomes and trained the participants in their newly formed AI team.
“With over 20 years of experience in technology and consulting, I advise top Australian organisations, including some in the education sector, on using AI,” Dunn told The Educator.
“As the author of several books on AI, I've explored how generative AI can improve educational outcomes. These insights make me a leading voice, advocating for AI's use to create dynamic and effective learning experiences.”
Another one of the forum’s speakers, Dr Mark Dowley, Associate Head of the Crowther Centre, said perhaps the biggest factor influencing teacher wellbeing and student learning is whether students are calm, focussed, and attentive in the classroom.
“Despite this, most teachers feel that their teacher training allocated far too little time to the fundamental principles and practical strategies that form the foundation of effective classroom management," he told The Educator.
"The most effective approach to behaviour management incorporates knowledge from a variety of fields. Educators benefit from understanding the importance of connection, routines and conversational skills."
Dr Dowley said the most effective classroom managers he hees have a set of well-rehearsed, evidence informed tools and routines for common classroom situations.
"These provide a baseline for the adaptive expertise required in the fluid classroom environment. By maintaining a calm and productive classroom, teachers give their students the best chance of success."
In his session on student behaviour, Dr Dowley will revealing key principles and routines that will set you up for classroom management success.
The Youth Connect Education Forum 2024 will be held at Hectorville Sports and Community Club on Friday 9 August 2024.