#26: Liam Wood, trauma-informed leadership and coaching in schools

Liam Wood is a parent, teacher, school leader, and Director at Cor Effect. Liam's career in education began as he was working in education support while writing a book and he realised he loved the time in the classroom more than the time spent writing. He dived right into teaching through the Teach For Australia (TFA) program, having real experience in the classroom while completing his studies. Since then, Liam has dedicated himself to supporting students most in need, working in schools experiencing disadvantage, coaching teachers in the TFA program, and then spending some years teaching and leading in the Alternative sector. Megan and Liam first met in 2019, working alongside each other in an alternative school. They talk about Liam's first group of students in an alternative setting and how Megan felt imposter syndrome being appointed as Liam's instructional coach. In this episode, Megan and Liam also discuss the importance of trauma-informed approaches to leadership, recognising the experience of staff when they are exposed to trauma in the workplace. Liam shares insights into instructional coaching and the importance of having time for 1:1 support. Megan and Liam both share their own experiences of managing their stress responses and the (effective or not so effective) strategies they have used along the way. Liam recommends the following 2 books: You're not listening, Kate Murphy https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/45892276 The checklist manifesto, Atul Gwande https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6667514-the-checklist-manifesto To learn more about the work happening at Cor Effect, you can visit their website: https://www.coreffect.com.au/ Host: Megan Corcoran, Wagtail Institute, https://wagtailinstitute.com/ Wagtail Institute empowers schools and complex settings to become trauma-informed wellbeing communities of practice where everyone can thrive. We work alongside leaders, educators, and practitioners to respond to wellbeing challenges, enhance trauma-informed practice, and navigate pathways to healing. The episode is brought to you by our sponsor, Teachers' Well. You can learn more about their work or purchase a compass journal here: https://www.teacherswell.com/ Music by Kabbilistic Village https://kabbalisticvillage.com/