Tired of Running Every Classroom Activity Yourself? Simple Shifts to Empower Student Leadership

Do you ever feel like your students rely on you for every next move? What if you could shift from being the sole driver to creating a classroom where students lead with confidence?

In this episode, I sit down with Nicole, a passionate PE teacher and learning leader who shares her journey of transitioning from teacher-led instruction to student-led experiences. From student-designed fitness plans to peer-facilitated learning reflections, Nicole reveals practical strategies that helped her learners take charge—and the ripple effects this had across her school community.

You'll learn:

• How to structure lessons so students take the lead
• Simple routines that nurture peer coaching and reflection
• Why stepping back builds stronger student voice and trust
• How student-led initiatives can work in any subject, not just PE

Ready to stop running every part of the learning experience? This episode gives you the mindset, models, and momentum to empower students to step up and own it.

Connect with Nicole: LinkedIn

Get the 12 Shifts Book: 12 Shifts for Student-Centered Environments

Nicole's Bio: Typically, Physical Education teacher often means focusing on well known sports and lesson plan formats, but Nicole strives to introduce alternative activities and ways of learning that are accessible and help break away from traditional norms, promoting inclusivity and engagement.

Her most significant years of teaching have been in the international school settings, where she has had the privilege to meet many learners and colleagues from different cultures and backgrounds. This has taught her how important it is to adapt to global demands, as well as the unique needs of each student. Being part of a research team, participating in NEASC accreditation visits, attending conferences, publishing, and networking with companies and educators worldwide, has given her the confidence to focus on rewarding progress as opposed to perfection.

Recognizing that every individual is unique, Nicole feels passionate about designing learning experiences that foster personal development and equip students with skills that will remain relevant in the future