Walk In a Stranger, Leave a Legend: Relief Teaching That Works!
Every day as a CRT, you walk into the unknown. New school, new faces, new routines, and about 90 seconds to convince a room full of students that you're worth listening to. There's no relationship bank to draw on, no history, no goodwill built up over a term. You're starting from scratch, every single time.
It's one of the most demanding gigs in education. And doing it well, building trust fast, helping kids feel safe, and turning a "supply day" into a genuinely productive one, takes more than a strong voice and a backup worksheet. It takes connection. Because connection always comes before content.
The good news? Connection isn't a personality trait. It's a skill, and it can be learned, practised, and pulled out of your back pocket on demand.
This webinar is your one-stop shop for exactly that. We'll show you how to read a room in minutes, establish rapport with students you've never met, and deploy simple, play-based activities that are proven winners across year levels, so you can walk into any classroom with confidence, win students over quickly, and finish the day energised instead of exhausted.
What You'll Walk Away With
Read the room fast. Quick, practical strategies for sizing up a class in the first five minutes: spotting the vibe, identifying key students, and adapting on the fly.
Connection on demand. Simple rapport-building techniques that create trust and psychological safety quickly, even with students (and age groups) you've never worked with before.
Activities up your sleeve. A go-to bank of low-prep, play-based activities and games that work with virtually any class, any age, any subject, your insurance policy for when the plan falls apart (or there isn't one).
Routines that carry you. How to build a repeatable personal routine that makes every new school feel familiar, protects your energy, and lets you show up at your best day after day.
The confidence shift. Reframing CRT work from "surviving the day" to genuinely flourishing, becoming the relief teacher schools request by name.
Who It's For
Casual relief teachers at every stage, from graduates picking up their first days to experienced CRTs who want to sharpen their edge and make every day easier, calmer, and more rewarding.
The Presenters
Dale Sidebottom
Dale began his career as a teacher and coach before becoming an internationally recognised keynote speaker, facilitator, and play consultant. His work has taken him to more than 25 countries, where he helps schools, organisations, and leaders rediscover the power of play to strengthen mental health, connection, and leadership. Dale is the author of All Work No Play, The Playful Astronauts, Wolf Logic Leadership and 365 Days of Play, a TEDx speaker, and co-host of the Energetic Radio podcast. His passion lies in creating spaces where adults reconnect with the joy, courage, and authenticity of childhood, and carry those qualities into leadership and everyday life.
Paul Campbell
Paul brings deep experience from classrooms and leadership teams, having worked as a teacher, Assistant Principal, and well-being leader. He specialises in blending positive psychology, evidence-based practice, and human-centred leadership into practical, scalable approaches for schools and organisations. Paul is the co-author of 365 Days of Play and Wolf Logic Leadership and co-host of the Energetic Radio podcast. Known for his calm presence and strategic clarity, his work focuses on building connected cultures where people feel seen, supported, and safe to grow.
