Could undiagnosed vision issues be holding your students back? In this eye-opening episode, Ash chats with behavioural optometrist Amy Fortescue to unpack how children’s vision, far beyond just 20/20 eyesight, can deeply affect their learning, behaviour, and classroom confidence.

Amy introduces us to the world of behavioural optometry, where the eyes are seen as an extension of the brain. Together, Ash and Amy explore how visual challenges like eye tracking issues, visual processing delays, and undetected long-sightedness can impact everything from reading fluency to attention and even writing development.

Plus, Amy shares practical signs for teachers to look out for, classroom strategies to support visual learners, and why a standard preschool screening often isn’t enough.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What behavioural optometry is and why it matters in education
• How to spot hidden vision problems in your classroom
• How eye tracking affects reading—and what can help
• The surprising overlap between vision issues and ADHD symptoms

Key Takeaways:

• Vision is more than sight - it’s how the brain processes what the eyes see.
• Children with learning challenges may have undiagnosed visual issues, even if they pass standard screenings.
• Classroom strategies like deep breathing, and seating can boost reading and focus.
• Visual perceptual skills, not just fine motor, may impact handwriting, OTs and optometrists both play a role.
• A collaborative, whole-child approach is key: “It’s not always either vision or attention, it can be both.”

From personal stories to professional insights, this episode is packed with knowledge that could make a world of difference for the students in your care.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Amy on Instagram @amyfortescueoptom

Learn more about behavioural optometry here

Find Amy’s eye exercises here

Listen to an episode about The Science of Reading here.

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About Today’s Guest

Amy Fortescue is a behavioural optometrist based in Southern Sydney with a passion for paediatric eye care. She completed her Bachelor of Optometry and Bachelor of Science in 2010, earning top honours in children’s vision and binocular vision, an early sign of the career path she was destined to follow.

Amy’s journey into optometry began in her father’s practice in Ramsgate Beach, where she started helping out as soon as she was old enough to file record cards and fold newsletters. She continued working there until August 2025, building years of hands-on experience and deep community ties.

Since graduating, Amy has pursued extensive additional training in behavioural optometry and is now preparing to open her own practice in Autumn 2026.

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year… especially when you’re a teacher with FREE Christmas resources up your sleeve!

In this merry little episode, we unwrap all the goodness inside our 7 Days of Christmas celebration - a free, festive giveaway packed with engaging, educational, and totally classroom-ready activities for the end of the school year or countdown to winter break.

Whether you're teaching in Australia or the Northern Hemisphere, these resources are made for YOU. They are all print-and-go, adaptable across year levels, and designed to boost learning through creativity and fun.

From Christmas-themed Code Crackers to the Kris Kringle Kindness Tree, we’ve thought of everything to help you wind down the term while still packing in purposeful learning.

Inside this episode, you’ll discover:

• The 7 types of Christmas resources we’re gifting you (yes, for free!)
• How to integrate festive learning without the fluff
• Simple ways to build in student choice, teamwork, and differentiation
• Our favourite tips for making the most of these activities
• How to sign up and start receiving your festive freebies!

Sign up for our 7 Days of Christmas and you will get:

• Code Crackers to build problem-solving and teamwork
• Christmas themed UNO games
• Creative Thinking Prompts (perfect for calming that pre-holiday energy!)
• MultiplicationFlip It & Friends to 10 games for hands-on maths fun
• Christmas Number of the Day (differentiated across year levels!)
• Chatterboxes to revise number facts and multiplication
• Kris Kringle Kindness Tree to spread joy and connection

We are excited to be gifting all of our wonderful listeners with these free Christmas resources! Don’t forget to sign up so you don’t miss out.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Sign up for our 7 Days of Christmas

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Today, we’re popping the confetti, lighting the birthday candles, and getting real about our personal truths behind teaching and education.

To celebrate our second podcast birthday, we’re bringing you an extra special format: 2 teachers, 2 things we’ve learned, 2 things we’ve changed our minds about.

From rethinking teaching strategies to embracing a more relaxed classroom culture, we’re sharing the moments (and guest episodes!) that shifted our perspectives, reignited our passion, and made us better educators, and humans.

We’re also giving some love to the guests who’ve left a lasting impact on our journey, including episodes on the Science of Reading, outdoor learning, and building school community.

In This Episode You Will Discover:

• The power of adapting (not overhauling) your teaching practice
• Why slowing down in the classroom can be your secret weapon
• Letting go of the hustle and embracing joy in the everyday
• How your local community can enrich student learning
• What we’ve learned from some of our most-loved episodes

If you’ve been with us from the start or just found us this term, thank YOU for being part of this growing teacher community. There are rainbows ahead, and together we’re unstoppable!

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Episode 29 with Malia about the Science of Reading

Episode 52 with Kylie Atlier about your Teaching Village

Episode 88 with Victoria about Outdoor Learning

Episode 57 with Ash Curmi about Behaviour and Connection

APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY | AMAZON

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