S3E10: Creating a School Culture Where Staff Feel Seen, Heard and Valued with Daniela Falecki

Have you ever felt awkward accepting a compliment or unsure how to show genuine appreciation to someone on your team without it feeling forced? In busy school environments, appreciation often gets reduced to coffee carts and morning teas. While well-intentioned, these gestures don’t always land in the way we hope. Many educators still walk away feeling unseen, undervalued, or even uncomfortable with recognition. So what gives?

In this episode, I chat with Daniela Falecki, an international speaker, coach, and founder of Teacher Wellbeing, to unpack what she calls The Appreciation Paradox. Drawing on decades of experience in education and the fields of Positive and Coaching Psychology, Daniela shares why meaningful appreciation is a wellbeing essential, not a fluffy extra. Together, we explore how schools can move beyond performative gestures to create a culture where staff feel truly seen, valued and motivated to keep showing up with heart.

In this episode, we cover:

The concept of the Appreciation Paradox and why educators deeply crave appreciation but often struggle to receive it or recognise it
Why typical “rewards” like coffee carts or morning teas often miss the mark when it comes to meaningful appreciation
The importance of having deeper, more personalised conversations about what appreciation looks and feels like for individuals
The difference between recognition and appreciation, and why both are necessary in schools
How appreciation ties into burnout prevention, workplace connection and motivation
Common cultural barriers in schools that make appreciation feel like “lip service” or inauthentic
Why vulnerability matters in leadership, and how to model it in a professional way
How appreciation preferences differ, drawing on “The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace”
The importance of coaching-style leadership and better questioning to create deeper, more human conversations

About Daniela

Daniela Falecki, founder of Teacher Wellbeing, is an international speaker, author, and the “keep-it-real” teacher, known for her high-energy, engaging presentations that leave audiences laughing and thinking. With over 25 years of experience in Australian schools and a background in Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology, Daniela empowers educators globally to enhance their wellbeing. She holds a Master’s in Education (Leadership) and has lectured at the University of Sydney, where she was named Lecturer of the Year in 2014. A licensed Mental Toughness practitioner and Executive Coach, Daniela is committed to supporting educators in thriving both personally and professionally.

Links and Resources:

Explore the Well-Led Schools Partnership Program

Free resources, publications and podcasts

www.teacher-wellbeing.com.au/resources

- Download a free eBook, “Foundations of Teacher Wellbeing”

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Shop for card games and books

https://ppj18g-cz.myshopify.com/

Connect with Daniela via:

Her website: www.teacher-wellbeing.com.au/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/daniela-falecki-76690325/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/teacherwellbeing/