Show Notes
In this episode of the Well-Led Schools podcast, we explore the crucial aspects of educational leadership with Dr. Paul Teys, an inspiring leader in the education space with over four decades of experience in the field.
As a seasoned mentor, coach, and expert in educational leadership, Dr. Paul brings a wealth of insight to our discussion. Join us as we explore Dr. Paul's profound wisdom on effective educational leadership.
In this episode, we cover: The importance of mentoring and coaching for new leaders The guiding principles of educational leadership What it means to be an authentic leader and the positive benefits that come from it The importance of knowing and living by your values as a leader What an effective approach to leading staff and building school culture entails Why involving staff in problem-solving and change processes is key to managing change and building trust Why we should be investing more in the development of middle leaders How effective communication is central to building a school culture of wellbeing The transformations we can witness when we focus on professional development for senior and middle leaders
About Paul
With a career spanning over four decades, Dr. Paul is an expert in the educational leadership space. His journey of 36 years in middle and executive leadership roles, crowned by 24 transformative years as Principal across diverse schools in three states, has shaped the educational experiences of countless learners and educators.
Paul‘s profound impact stems from his deep commitment to excellence in leadership and his commitment to fostering the growth and success of schools, principals, and their teams.
A seasoned mentor and coach, Dr Paul empowers educational leaders to excel by harnessing their unique strengths, nurturing their potential, and guiding them through the complexities of leadership in dynamic learning environments. His strategic approach to professional development is tailored to the needs of executive teams and leaders, ensuring that their growth translates into tangible results for their schools and communities.
Dr Paul also works in executive leadership recruitment as an Associate of Slade Group. With unparalleled insight from living the experience himself, he excels in recruiting executive leaders and principals for schools, offering a depth of understanding and a tailored approach that sets Dr Paul apart as the go-to expert in educational leadership placements
Links and Resources: Explore our 12-month Well-Led Schools Partnership Program adriennehornby.com.au/school-partnerships/
Thank you so much for listening. I’m so honoured that you’re here and would be so grateful if you could leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or on your preferred podcast app, that way we can inspire and educate even more people together.
Connect with Paul via: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/paulteys/?originalSubdomain=au His website: www.paulteys.com
Connect with me via: My website http://adriennehornby.com.au Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-hornby-a4126a205/ Email [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Women make up 72% of Australia's school workforce, and every one of them will navigate perimenopause and menopause. Many do so during peak leadership years, carrying symptoms easily mistaken for burnout. With one in two educators reporting burnout and fewer than half feeling encouraged to discuss health at work, this is a psychosocial safety issue, not just a health conversation. If you are a male leader or early career educator, do not skip this. Building sustainable, psychologically safe schools requires understanding what impacts nearly three-quarters of our colleagues. To open Term 4 and mark Menopause Awareness Month, I am joined by Mary Coustas. Best known for her iconic character Effie, Mary is also an acclaimed author and advocate. After a decade-long IVF journey, Mary met menopause immediately upon entering motherhood. It didn't just hit her; it king hit her. She wrote MaryPause to make sense of it, then co-founded UnPause, a digital health platform connecting women with menopause-literate doctors, now partnered with Teachers Health. In this episode, we explore: Mary's story navigating IVF, motherhood, and sudden menopause The three biological phases and when to pay attention Symptoms beyond hot flushes, from rage to imposter syndrome Why women are misdiagnosed with depression when depleted How burnout and perimenopause work in cahoots What genuine organisational support looks like in schools Streamlined clinical care via UnPause and Teachers Health About Mary Mary Coustas is an iconic Australian actor, writer, and comedian, celebrated for her Logie Award-winning character Effie, who debuted in Wogs Out of Work before headlining the television sitcom Acropolis Now. Alongside her extensive stage and screen career, Mary is an accomplished author. Her memoir, All I Know, documented her decade-long journey through 23 rounds of IVF, the loss of her daughter Stevie, and her path to motherhood. In 2025, Mary published MaryPause, transforming her experience into an open, national resource. That same year, she co-founded UnPause, a digital health platform that gives women direct access to specialised clinical care, symptom tracking, and ongoing midlife support. Mary continues to tour nationally, currently performing in her stage show Frigid to Feral, using comedy, candour, and lived experience to dismantle systemic stigmas. LINKS AND RESOURCES UnPause: Telehealth Menopause Care, Australia-wide: unpause.com.au/?srsltid=AU7gw4U4aYsznwkcQbC1DqoW2qCZr-cUvrYox_hO1QSRsKsJFI4lEpNz Book: MaryPause by Mary Coustas: unpause.com.au/marypause?srsltid=AU7gw4WF_tP9kOwEzuNzrM_F_cL3zqJFqF65ihU1yNQi-PE08aC3iNTD Connect with Mary Websites: www.maryandeffie.com unpause.com.au LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mary-coustas-43347938b/?isSelfProfile=false Instagram www.instagram.com/mary_coustas/ www.instagram.com/unpauseposse/ www.instagram.com/effiegoodthanks/ www.instagram.com/unleashed.show/ Connect with Adrienne: Website: adriennehornby.com.au LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adrienne-hornby-a4126a205 Staff Wellbeing Survey: adriennehornby.com.au/staff-survey Well-Led Schools Partnership Program: adriennehornby.com.au/school-partnerships
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