#178: What good support from senior leadership actually looks like when a teacher says I'm drowning, with Aaron Johnston
This is the final one. My last episode live here at EduTech 2026, and I cannot think of a better way to wrap it up. Joining me is my teachergram turned real life friend Aaron Johnston, who popped his head into the booth yesterday and got roped into coming back for an interview. If you don't already know Aaron, you should. He is a deputy principal at Talara Public School, now in his 18th year of teaching, and he is well known across the teacher podcast space for leading the way on Aboriginal education, so much so that in 2024 he was recognised as Primary Educator of the Year at the Koori Curriculum Awards. Many of you will also know Aaron through Mr J's Learning Space and the Teacher Takeaway podcast, where he interviews leading educational experts, including me, not that long ago. We get into classroom management from a leadership lens, including the biggest mistakes schools make when supporting teachers through behaviour challenges, why rescuing a struggling teacher too quickly can actually disempower them, and why "what's your approach to behaviour" needs to start long before the first warning is ever given. Aaron also opens up about the loneliness of school leadership, the unseen burden leaders carry every single day, and why he genuinely loves it when a teacher cries in his office, because it means they feel safe enough to be honest with him. We close out with a brilliant rapid fire win or bin round covering open door policies, whole school behaviour systems, reward systems, observations, unscheduled learning walks, staff meetings, and yes, the dreaded staff morning tea as a wellbeing strategy. What you'll learn: Why time, not more resources, is the thing teachers need most from school leaders right now The "pruning principle" and why letting go of something is often more powerful than adding something new Why rescuing a struggling teacher too quickly can actually disempower them and damage student relationships What good quality support from senior leadership actually looks like when a teacher says "I am drowning" Why compliance built on fear isn't the same as respect, and why it makes long-term classroom management harder The loneliness of school leadership, and why Aaron genuinely wants teachers to feel safe enough to cry in his office What teachers often misunderstand about the pressures and competing demands placed on school leaders Aaron's honest win or bin verdicts on open door policies, whole school behaviour systems, reward systems, observations, learning walks, staff meetings, and staff morning teas The most underrated leadership quality, and the one thing every teacher wishes their leader understood Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text! RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT: Shop all resources Join The Behaviour Club My book! It’s Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management The Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change' Connect with me: Follow on Instagram @the.unteachables Check out my website