Star Students | Where Curiosity Drives Learning
Kimberly Gawne is an educator and founder of Star Students, a program that creates personalized learning plans driven by each childโs interests. Starting as a tutor during COVID-19 school closures, she now supports families with homeschooling, curriculum guidance, and real-world learning experiences, helping students develop critical thinking and a love of learning.
Guest host Kathryn Collins dives into the key topics with Kim:๐ฅ Why did Kim leave the public/private school systems and begin tutoring?
๐ฅ How does Star Students work to support parents who home school?
๐ฅ What are the age ranges, daily instructional time and choices for parents?
๐ฅ What are the challenges of homeschooling and some solutions?
๐ฅ Why is critical thinking so important?
๐ฅ How can parents prepare themselves to begin?
๐ฅ World Schooling - How families travelling the world are educating their children.
Holiday Magic Without the Meltdown
Laurel Crossley joins us again with guest host Kathryn Collins to explore how small, thoughtful decisions can make a huge difference for families during the holidays. From keeping little ones comfortable and predictable to helping older kids engage in meaningful ways, we cover boundaries, calm moments, and simple strategies to create lasting memories without the overwhelm.
Key Points:
๐ฅ Keeping young children settled and comfortable, even when routines are challenged.
๐ฅ Setting clear expectations with extended family to reduce tension and stress.
๐ฅ Creating calm spaces and rhythms that support babies, toddlers, and new parents.
๐ฅ Reimagining gift-giving and holiday activities to boost connection, not clutter.
๐ฅ Involving older children in planning, budgeting, and traditions that teach life skills.
๐ฅ Recognizing when itโs time to pause or step back to protect your childโs well-being.
Before Birth and Beyond: The Lasting Power of Calm Beginnings
๐๐ข๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ค๐ง๐จ๐ฐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ญ๐ก ๐ฌ๐ก๐๐ฉ๐๐ฌ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ญ๐จ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ซโ๐ฌ ๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ? ๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฉ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ญ๐จ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ซ ๐จ๐ซ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ซ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ?
Educator and wellness expert Laurel Crossley shares insights from 30 years of supporting families, and the science behind calm beginnings that lead to confident kids.Laurel Crosby shares how a motherโs emotional state, even before birth, can shape a childโs development for years to come.
๐ฅ She explains the importance of supporting maternal mental, emotional, and spiritual health
๐ฅ How early calm and connection lay the foundation for resilient, empathetic children.
๐ฅ From mindfulness in everyday life to modelling emotional regulation during tantrums
๐ฅ Practical strategies for parents and educators
๐ฅ The power of outdoor play, sensory tools, and storytelling to help children manage their emotions.
Rewiring the Brain: Neurofeedback for Kids and Teens
How can non-invasive neurofeedback can help children and adolescents struggling with ADHD, learning differences, anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, and more?
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and neurofeedback specialist Lisa Cramer explains how brainwave patterns influence focus, behavior, and emotionsโand how neurotherapy can gently guide the brain toward healthier, more functional states.
Key topics:
๐ฅ What happens during a neurofeedback assessment
๐ฅ When it should be considered, and why itโs becoming an increasingly trusted option for families
๐ฅ Real-life success stories
๐ฅ The science of brainwaves and neuroplasticity. What does the research say?
๐ฅ How to find a qualified practitioner.
๐ฅ Safety and contraindications parents need to consider
๐ฅ Emotional regulation can be brain based
๐ฅ Neurofeedback in training, not treatment
Beyond Flashcards | Turning Everyday Moments Into Opportunities for Language Growth
Did you know that the questions we ask children should change as they develop? Asking the right questions at the right time helps childrenโs communication flourish.
Paula LaSala-Filangeri is a Speech-Language Pathologist who has been supporting children and families for over 25 years.
How can parents move beyond flashcards and start turning everyday routines, like walking in nature or baking a cake, into powerful opportunities for language growth?
Here are a few of the key insights weโll explore:
๐ฅ Parents as the Primary Language Facilitators
๐ฅ Following Your Childโs Lead & Building on Motivation
๐ฅ Creating Communicative Temptations
๐ฅ Modeling, Not Testing
๐ฅ Building Blocks of Sentences: Nouns + Verbs
๐ฅ The Power of Questions (and the Right Order)
Parenting and Teaching Through Soul Connection
What if we stopped trying to โfixโ children and started listening to their souls instead?
Michelle Harris has almost 30 years in the field of healing, well-being, and empowerment. She is the founder of the innovative Draco Dragon System of Healing & Master Healer/Teacher.
She helps us explore what it means to truly see, hear, and honour todayโs sensitive, intuitive, and highly evolved children. From conscious parenting to energy healing in schools, Michelle shares a holistic approach that helps children feel safe, empowered, and emotionally aware.
๐ฅ Why traditional systems often miss the mark
๐ฅ The impact of soul frequency and energy on a childโs well-being
๐ฅ Empowerment strategies that meet kids where they are
๐ฅ Conscious parenting through boundaries, empathy, and emotional modelling
๐ฅ Consequences instead of punishment
๐ฅ Breathing, visualization, and mindfulness tools kids actually enjoy
๐ฅ How schools can start small and still create big change
Saving Lives With Text Messaging | The SchoolPulse Approach to Teen Mental Health
After a series of tragic teen suicides in his community, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Iuri Melo knew the old ways werenโt working. So, he co-founded SchoolPulse, a text-based mental health support system now used in over 300 schools across North America.
SchoolPulse, a powerful, text-based support system now used in over 300 schools across 25+ states.No apps. No extra workload for staff. Just proactive, ongoing support, delivered right to where teens already are.
Iuri shares how SchoolPulse is:
๐ฅ Delivering real-time support to students, parents, and educators
๐ฅ Grounded in research and designed to reach teens where they are
๐ฅ Focused on growth mindset, optimism, and belonging
๐ฅ Helping shift school culture toward proactive emotional support
๐ฅ Backed by Iuriโs own insights as a father of five, therapist, author of Know Thy Selfie, and developer of Adventure-Based Therapy.
๐ฅ Involved parents right from the beginning with weekly videos and positivity.
Video Gaming Addiction | A Mother's SOS and the Mission that Followed
When Elaine Uskoski received a chilling email from her son, she knew something was deeply wrong. He had stopped attending university classes, missed deadlines, was sleeping all day, barely eating, and had been gaming for up to 16 hours a day. What began as a fearful drive to pick him up from campus became the beginning of a life-altering journey, not just for her sonโs recovery, but for Elaineโs new purpose: helping families across the world understand and address video gaming addiction.
Now an internationally recognized coach, speaker, and author of Cyber Sober, Elaine joins us to share her story of heartbreak, healing, and hope, offering insight into a modern addiction that many still donโt recognize.
Highlights:
๐ฅ The red flags of gaming addiction
๐ฅ What recovery looked like at home
๐ฅ Why "just take it away" doesnโt work
๐ฅ Whoโs most at risk (and why)
๐ฅ What parents and educators can do
๐ฅ Harm reduction strategies and prevention
๐ฅ How Jake is thriving today, and helping others
๐ฅ The modules now available for post-secondary schools and residences to raise student awareness
Behaviour Breakdowns and the Tools to Turn Things Around in Homes and Classrooms
Whether you are navigating tantrums or teacher burnout, this week's guest on Taking the Helm, Dr. Teri Rouse offers real-world strategies that are practical, heartfelt, and deeply human. ๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ก๐๐ง ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ฏ๐ข๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐จ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ก๐จ๐ฆ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐งโ๐ญ ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง, ๐ฅ๐๐ญ ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐?
Join Dr. Teri, Women Changing the World Award winner, as she shares her journey with her step-son and how it led her to a doctorate in behaviour management. She unpacks the emotional and professional challenges educators and parents face today, with solutions!
๐ฅ Her unique BARC system for tracking behaviour.
๐ฅ The importance of asking "What are you feeling now?", and how to co-create a plan that works for both child and adult. ๐ฅ She opens up about her REAL Peaceful Parenting Framework, the power of communication in identifying root issues, and why early intervention is non-negotiable. ๐ฅ From her Snuggle Bunny Time to her book ๐จ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ผ๐, her tools and strategies are born from both academic expertise and lived experience. ๐ฅ New autism research and practical ways to reconnect with your childโstarting with one outdoor moment at a time.
Whether youโre a teacher, parent, or professional working with kids, this episode is a must-listen.
Rooted in Love | a Familyโs Unbreakable Bond and the Road to Independence With Autism
When Rita Miceli received her son Giaciโs autism diagnosis, her world shifted - but it didnโt break. In the second part of this heartfelt conversation on Taking the Helm, Rita shares how her family navigated the uncertainty, fear, generational and cultural beliefs by building an unshakable foundation of love, support, and understanding.
Rita also reflects on sibling connection, self-care, the steps they took to build their son's independence and how she found peace knowing her son will always be supported. Itโs a conversation filled with honesty, hope, and the powerful reminder that love can truly light the way.
๐ฅ How do parents cope when they hear the diagnosis?
๐ฅ How do we take care of ourselves and find strength rather than working at it from a point of weakness?
๐ฅ Giaci's siblings adore him. What made this possible and how has he has made them better people?
๐ฅ Giaci did not go to traditional high school. What did he do as an alternative that introduced him to the work world?
๐ฅHow did one TikTok post go viral and how does Giaci's social media posts give families a light at the end of the tunnel?
๐ฅ How did his family prepare Giaci for his sister's wedding and the dance he had with her?
Hope in the Hard: Autism, Advocacy and the Lessons Her Son Taught Her
Rita Miceli is the proud mother of three daughters and her autistic son. A TikTok video of her son became viral and sparked a community with over 600,000 followers. It was the catalyst for a platform, a message, and eventually, her book ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ ๐ฒ: ๐ ๐๐จ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซโ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐.
For her manuscript, "Giaci and Me: Life Lessons on Raising an Autistic Child, " the Word Guild awarded her the Best New Canadian Manuscript award. With over three decades of educational experience, Rita teaches in the Autism and Behavioural Science Graduate Program at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario.
๐ฅ What were the first indicators that caused concern?
๐ฅ How did Giaci gain independence, and how effective was Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) in Giaci's development?
๐ฅ Rita's journey as a mother of four, navigating the early signs, delayed diagnosis, and emotional toll of parenting a child with autism.
๐ฅ Rita opens up about the grieving process parents often go through, mourning the life they imagined for their child and the one they must now build together.
๐ฅ What is the latest research connecting genetics to autism and the groundbreaking work from Toronto Sick Kids Hospital?
๐ฅ What are some early interventions?
Her family's journey has been highlighted in The Drive Magazine, on CTV News, and CBC National News. Rita is the past president of Autism Ontario (Windsor/Essex Chapter) and has published works on multiple platforms related to special needs and autism, including "A Call to Action" (Autism Matters) and "Words that Connect Us" (Canadian Authors Association). Additionally, Rita's short story "Going to the Dance" has been featured on Spillwords Press.
CELEBRATING Our 150th guest! From Classroom to Home | Unlocking Learning for Every Child with Assistive Technology
Assistive technology is more than just a toolโitโs a game-changer for students of all abilities, helping to bridge gaps in learning and create equitable opportunities.
Erin Plumb is a leader in assistive technology with 20+ years of expertise in accessibility, accommodations, and inclusion. Passionate about accessibility, she advocates for equitable education and empowers educators to adopt best practices in assistive technology, shaping a more inclusive future.
Key Points:
๐ฅ What is assistive technology?
๐ฅ Why is it so important globally in this digital world?
๐ฅ Reading, Writing, Math and STEM programs (Text Help Read and Write, Equatio as examples)
๐ฅ What are the pros and cons of using tech in the classroom? How does it support educators, inclusivity and those with special needs?
๐ฅ What programs or apps can we use to access books and resources that are already formatted?
๐ฅ Tips for parents on how to choose and use the right apps/tools.
๐ฅ AI is here to stay. How do we embrace it safely in schools?
๐ฅ What will assistive tech look like in the future and how should we support educators with universal design for learning?
Beyond Boundaries: How Brain-Computer Interfaces Are Transforming Possibilities for Kids
Dr. Christine Daigle is a child and adolescent clinical neuropsychologist and clinical psychologist whose work includes brain-computer interface, translating brain signals into commands to control technology.
She's been doing children's psychology for 17 years, specializing in developmental disabilities, autism, learning challenges, and mental health.
Key points.
๐ฅ Conditions that affect your brain also affect your life.
๐ฅ What is Brain Computer Interface or BCI?
๐ฅ Noninvasive headsets are being researched for children with neuromotor disorders, most of who are nonverbal. Children who have limited motor capabilities learn to use something in their environment.
๐ฅ Imagine a child at home or in school making a character in a video game jump with their thoughts! With a few sessions of 20 minutes of training, students can turn their lights on and off, turn the pages of a virtual book, start and stop a motorized wheelchair, and more.
๐ฅ Research is now being done in classroom environments with tremendous potential for independence, play, socialization, and inclusion.
๐ฅ Anything that can be done with a switch adaptor can be done with a BCI. Communication is beginning to be researched with great potential using headsets.
๐ฅ A current research study is underway. Can the headsets work in classrooms with noise, distraction, and movement? They are working in the current trials.
๐ฅ What are the challenges?
Heart Matters: Transforming Education From the Inside Out
Lindsey Frank, M.Ed., CEO of The Butterfly Within and President of the Coalition of Schools Educating Mindfully (COSEM), joins us to explore how cultivating presence through heart-centered practices can transform schools and communities. With over 13 years of experience as an educator and now a global changemaker, Lindsey shares her courageous journey of stepping out of the classroom to embrace a broader mission of empowering others to unlock their โbutterfly within.โ
We dive into:
๐ฅ Why presence is essential in our rapidly evolving, often disconnected world.
๐ฅ The HEART strategyโa powerful tool to unlock presence and foster emotional regulation.
๐ฅ The importance of mindfulness-based social and emotional learning (SEL) as a way of being, not just something to do.
๐ฅ How COSEM is creating an evolving educational ecosystem that starts with adults and ripples into school communities.
Lindsey also leads a guided mindfulness practice to help you assess and deepen your own level of presence. Whether youโre an educator, parent, or leader, this episode will leave you inspired to create courageous, calm, and connected communities through heart-centered mindfulness.
Building a Mindful Generation: From the Classroom to the Family Room
Guest Host Kathryn Collins continues the conversation with Jackie Savi-Cannon.
How do we help children build resilience and emotional literacy through mindfulness, yoga, and meditation? These practices can empower the next generation to cope better with lifeโs challenges. How can shifting our focus to states of peace and well-being can transform classrooms and families alike?
Learn how programs like Generation 1 Kids are equipping teachers, parents, and students with strategies to recognize and nurture emotional health, creating lasting habits that benefit both physical and mental well-being.
Highlights:
๐ฅ Tools and techniques that integrate seamlessly into the school day through the Generation 1 program (from click-and-play video lessons to cross-subject applications, with training and support.
๐ฅ How focusing on the three Cs of compassion, creativity, and collaboration changes classrooms.
๐ฅ The science behind mindfulness and its instant results.
๐ฅ Why relaxation is a state of beingโnot just an activity.
๐ฅ How the "I" in team can be rebooted through emotional literacy.
๐ฅ Real-world examples of integrating emotional well-being into classrooms and homes.
๐ฅ Practical tips for creating a mindful family culture and fostering emotional awareness.
Navigating the New Emotional Landscape of the Classroom
Jackie Savi-Cannon has specialized in stress management education for over 30 years, providing services to corporations such as CIBC, TD, RBC, BASF, Windsor Regional Hospital, and the City of Windsor.
Key points of this show include:
๐ฅ ๐ป๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐๐
๐ ๐ด๐๐๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐๐๐ for elementary school age children which assists in developing emotional literacy and tools to manage their stress as young individuals.
๐ฅ What's the impact of emotional literacy on school culture?
๐ฅ What are the wellness techniques for classrooms that are adapted from corporate, contributing to a calmer classroom environment?
๐ฅ How do we develop emotional vocabulary and self-awareness so children can navigate them rather than getting "stuck"?
๐ฅ Emotional states affect learning readiness including function, focus, and learning.
๐ฅ The importance of proactive support for teachers so they have the tools for students, allowing them to focus on academics while creating a healthier classroom dynamic.