Welcome

This website is inspired by the wisdom of educators and parents I have worked alongside over the years.

It celebrates the real heroes in education; the teachers who dig deep everyday to inspire and regenerate the spirit within kids so they can stay connected to school, to learning and to their dreams. Those who enjoy being with students, who value forging relationships with them and see potential in young people. Who know how precious it is to nurture their developing spirit. You have awakened me to how fortunate I am to be part of an exceptional profession who strive to make a difference for kids. Your enthusiasm is responsible for mine.

You have also lead me to see that sometimes the best we can do is to provide a soft place for our "tough kids"™ to fall. These are the kids whose lives are compromised by the unpredictability of their temperament or by the capricious nature of their home lives. As a result, they find life much tougher than most and make life tougher for those who care for them and educate them. They do in fact comprise a worrying and growing population of students. At times school is the only place they receive security, consistent care and hear the kinds of messages kids need to receive. Here, something much bigger is at stake; as we get our thinking and practice right with the "tough kids"™ we will reach many more kids, and schools will become better places for everyone.

My work has also immersed me in the lives of countless families whose children learn and behave differently. You have shared with me many ideas to cleverly manage the challenging behaviours of children and adolescents, despite it being 'tough going'. Your persistence and resourceful initiatives are also responsible for the information and sparkling ideas contained within the website.

I, along with many others, see that young people who make it from difficult situations have often had just one significant adult outside of the family take a steady, empathic interest in them. From the moment they connected with their mentor, changes in their thinking, optimism and cooperation unfolded. There is now a growing awareness that mentoring is a stabilising and revitalising treatment for individuals battling a variety of issues.