Welcome to Your Teacher Village and Friends Podcast, a warm, honest and conversational podcast for primary school practitioners.
Hosted by Vicki Yadav, Founder of Your Teacher Village and Assistant Headteacher at an inner London school, this podcast brings together teachers, leaders, specialists and passionate educators from across the sector to share practical ideas, real experiences and authentic conversations about school life.
From Early Years to leadership, wellbeing to classroom practice, we’ll be talking about the things that really matter in education: the challenges, the successes, the funny moments, the frustrations and the ideas that help make a difference for children and the adults supporting them.
Expect friendly conversations, useful takeaways, relatable stories and a strong sense of community, because teaching is too important to do alone.
It takes a village to support a teacher.
Episode 21 - Life as a Special School Teacher with Sarah Brown
In this podcast episode, Vicki Yadav interviews Sarah Brown, a teacher with extensive experience in both mainstream and special education settings. They discuss the unique challenges and rewards of teaching in a special school, emphasizing the importance of inclusion, communication, and tailored educational strategies for children with special needs. The conversation focuses on the importance of teamwork and communication in early childhood education, particularly in special needs settings. It highlights strategies for managing transitions and emergencies, emphasizing the need for individualized approaches to support children's learning and emotional well-being.
Takeaways
Teaching in special schools differs significantly from mainstream
Effective communication is key for special needs education Teamwork enhances early education
Individualized support is crucial
Chapters
00:00 Exploring Special Education
02:32 Sarah's Journey into Special Schools
04:54 Understanding Classroom Dynamics
07:02 Diverse Needs in Special Education
09:10 Classroom Structure and Learning Pathways
12:31 Teamwork and Support Staff Dynamics
16:24 Building Relationships with Students
18:49 The Importance of Adaptability
25:01 Building Strong Teams in Early Education
26:51 Managing Emergencies with Care
33:01 Navigating Transitions Smoothly
41:03 Personalizing Learning for Every Child
44:13 High Expectations for All Learners
Find Vicki at:
www.yourteachervillage.co.uk (http://www.yourteachervillage.co.uk/)
Instagram (https://riverside.com/www.instagram.com/yourteachervillage)
Facebook (https://riverside.com/www.facebook.com/yourteachervillage)
TikTok (https://riverside.com/www.tiktok.co.uk/@yourteachervillage)
LinkIn (https://riverside.com/www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-yadav)
Join the Early Years Leaders' Village here (https://cpd.yourteachervillage.co.uk/offers/2WNc4xwr/checkout).
Find Sarah at:
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/thedyslexicleader)
11 Oct 2026
Episode 20 - Being an EYFS Lead with Sophie Greenaway
In this episode, Vicki Yadav speaks with Sophie Greenaway about her experiences and challenges as an early years leader. They discuss the importance of community support, the evolution of leadership roles, and the balance between career and family life. In this conversation, Sophie and Vicki discuss the challenges and rewards of being an early years leader, emphasizing the importance of professional relationships, trust, and reflection. They share personal experiences and practical advice for navigating leadership roles in early childhood education.
Takeaways
Leadership challenges in early years
Importance of community support Importance of professional trust
Value of reflection in leadership
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Early Years Leadership
01:51 Sophie’s Journey in Education
06:25 Navigating Leadership Roles
09:57 Experiences with Multi-Academy Trusts
13:05 The Evolution of Early Years Leadership
19:40 Balancing Career and Family Life
24:54 Reflections on Leadership Growth
25:04 Navigating Early Years Leadership Challenges
31:04 The Importance of Professional Relationships
35:03 Time Management in Early Years Leadership
40:52 Advice for Aspiring Early Years Leaders
46:03 Reflecting on Progress and Trusting Yourself
Find Vicki at:
www.yourteachervillage.co.uk (http://www.yourteachervillage.co.uk/)
Instagram (https://riverside.com/www.instagram.com/yourteachervillage)
Facebook (https://riverside.com/www.facebook.com/yourteachervillage)
TikTok (https://riverside.com/www.tiktok.co.uk/@yourteachervillage)
LinkIn (https://riverside.com/www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-yadav)
Join the Early Years Leaders' Village here (https://cpd.yourteachervillage.co.uk/offers/2WNc4xwr/checkout).
Find Sophie:
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mrsg_eyfs)
6 Oct 2026
Episode 19 - Battling the Imposter Syndrome with Clare Welsh
In this podcast episode, Vicki Yadav and Claire Welsh discuss the challenges faced by educators, particularly focusing on stress, burnout, and imposter syndrome. They explore the importance of self-awareness, seeking help, and the impact of teaching culture on mental health. In this conversation, Clare Welsh discusses strategies for managing stress and imposter syndrome, particularly in the context of teaching. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, supportive communication, and practical techniques to shift negative thought patterns.
Takeaways
Importance of mental health support
Understanding imposter syndrome Manage stress with self-compassion
Shift negative thoughts effectively
Chapters
00:00 Welcome and Introduction to the Podcast
01:23 Claire's Journey from Teacher to Therapist
04:19 The Pressure of Teaching Culture
08:01 Opening Up About Personal Experiences
12:42 Understanding Imposter Syndrome
18:30 The Impact of Stress on Educators
26:57 Coping Mechanisms and Moving Forward
27:41 Understanding Stress Responses
30:31 The Power of Imagination in Coping
31:58 The Importance of Seeking Help
33:22 Navigating Imposter Syndrome
36:21 Releasing Stress Through Expression
39:44 Transforming 'Must' into 'Choose' and 'Get'
42:45 Shifting Perspectives in Teaching
45:48 Creating Positive Thought Pathways
50:02 Embracing Our Humanity
Find Vicki at:
www.yourteachervillage.co.uk (http://www.yourteachervillage.co.uk/)
Instagram (https://riverside.com/www.instagram.com/yourteachervillage)
Facebook (https://riverside.com/www.facebook.com/yourteachervillage)
TikTok (https://riverside.com/www.tiktok.co.uk/@yourteachervillage)
LinkIn (https://riverside.com/www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-yadav)
Join the Early Years Leaders' Village here (https://cpd.yourteachervillage.co.uk/offers/2WNc4xwr/checkout).
Find Clare at:
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/selfingwithclare)
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Spotify
5.0 / 5
26 ratings
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