SUMMARY

This one feels like a deep breath. Sharon Bradley lets us into the story that made her an educator, teaching her brother what school hadn’t, and how that love widened into a career of pulling kids in instead of pushing them out. She shows us why “take care of the big people so they can take care of the little people” isn’t a slogan; it’s a strategy.

We talk about practical care for adults (the kind that actually fits in a school day), her S.E.L.F. check-in, Start, Experiment, Let go, Finish, and the moment a stage-three cancer diagnosis at 36 made “health is wealth” non-negotiable. Sharon names the boundary work, the permission leaders must give, and the simple changes (leave on time, ask stay-interview questions, build community care) that make classrooms calmer and lives lighter. If you’re running on fumes, this conversation is a hug and a nudge: you are allowed to be well, and when you are, everyone in your care benefits.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
02:48 Sharon Bradley's Journey in Education
05:47 The Importance of Social-Emotional Learning
08:56 Supporting Educators' Well-Being
11:54 Creating a Supportive Environment for Students and Staff
14:40 The Impact of Personal Health on Professional Life
17:27 The Role of Community in Education
20:48 Practical Strategies for Educators
23:46 The Power of Pause and Reflection
26:37 Stay Interviews and Teacher Retention
29:33 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

************************************************************************************************

Oxygen for Educators is proudly sponsored by Tacky Box.

Follow on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/oxygen-for-educators/id1775510846

Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2i21QueuqVqmEPmI7gzFfQ?si=1bef3354bff2402c

Follow on Audible: https://www.audible.co.uk/podcast/Oxygen-for-Educators/B0DKL68DLX?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEdbuPy-L7p4RZKZ_VWKCXwK_j8vbjZF2&si=7SHeSWZRllrseygs

Website: https://www.tackybox.com/podcast

Thank you to our sponsor, Tacky Box!

Website: https://tackybox.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacky_box/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTackyBox/

X: https://x.com/thetackybox

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thetackybox/