Four Dimensions for Teachers

#258 - Ending 2025 strong with conscious competence

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A celebration of the year with our amazing team, our partnership schools and the work that has underpinned a fantastic year. This episode also shares ...

#257 - Wellbeing done well!

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With wellbeing becoming a common discussion point in schools and organisations, this episode looks at the differences between what schools do and the ...

#256 - Coaching compared to Mentoring and Consultancy. Then where does therapy fit in?

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When we choose to provide teachers with classroom observations it is vitally important that there is clarity on the purpose of observations. They can ...

#255 - Positive relationships and what that really means

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode wraps up a little miniseries on promoting and supporting the work of others who are outstanding in their practice. The Queensland Departm...

#254 - Active supervision and explicit skills teaching

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Landing on another two of the eight requirements from the Queensland Department of Education’s new document on Effective classroom management, activ...

#253 - Behavioural expectations and Consistent and fair consequences

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When there is clarity around expectations there is opportunity for reinforcement and redirection around them. In correcting student behaviour, the nee...

#252 - Differentiation and Active engagement

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Any productive and positive environment stems from humans wanting to be in that environment in the first place. This does not mean there are not chall...

#251 - Classroom organisation and positive reinforcement

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

These next few episodes will cover, in more detail, how the new Effective Classroom Manager publication from the Department of Education Queensland, a...

#250 - Effective classroom management: A research-based resource

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I am so excited to be sharing the current placemat on Effective classroom management, that the Queensland Department of Education has released. This l...

#249 - We have lost sight of the basics of respect and discipline

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The standard references to disruptive classrooms behaviour are to blame a society or individual parents for a loss of the basics in discipline and res...

#248 - Scout and Soldier mindset Pt 2

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Due to overwhelming responses, I have dipped back into the work of Julia Galef. In this episode we further sperate the thinking behind a scout and sol...

#247 - Bumps, battles and breakthroughs

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Touching on the work by Frey and Fisher, this episode builds on the last one, providing practical examples for parents, teachers and colleagues on wha...

#246 - Grit and Grace: How resilience can rise from the struggle

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On the back of the Morcombe’s successfully changing our laws to protect children, this episode sits in the work of Blackley, Redmond and Peel and li...

# 245 - Aesthetic force and seeing the wonder in what you do

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How can teachers transform their practice, and sustain their purpose, by choosing to see beauty in their everyday classrooms? Amid disruption, non-com...

#244 - Scout mindset: Seeing the room as it really is

27 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Caroline dives into the TED talk by Julia Galef based on her book - A Scout Mindset. Sharing the characteristics of a scout mindset and how ...

#243 - Cognitive load and its direct impact on decision-making

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cognitive load directly impacts decision-making. High cognitive load in complex decision making or novice situations, has an impact on your cognitive ...

#242 - Wildfires and rethinking

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How we situate our thinking to rethinking is an intentional act. Our brains encourage cognitive laziness and coupled with the resistant to change know...

#241 - The power of feedback and self-regulation

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week from just two short statements from an article by Hattie and Timperley (2007) I look at the impact that feedback has when we align it with o...

#240 - Non-verbal communication is more than just body language

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When we talk about the use of non-verbal communication in the classroom, the greatest consideration is how it adds to, or takes away, from the flow of...

#239 - Conversations that care for your feelings but not your opinion of me

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When we disagree, or agree to disagree, we can do it with force, or we can do it with discernment. This episode shares reflection on my own practice a...

#238 - Reflection as a process for growth

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about reflection often, but how do we reflect for impact. This episode looks into what influences our ability for reflection and positions you...

#237 - High impact strategies for less disruptive classrooms Part 2

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode covers the right-hand side of the sheet and challenges some past thinking on the impact of using more and less intrusive strategies to re...

#236 - High impact strategies for less disruptive classrooms Part 1

08 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While there is a plethora of strategies teachers use across different pedagogical frameworks and wellbeing programs for optimising student learning. T...

#235 - Networking with intentionality

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We say we like to network, we say it is beneficial - so let's just do it. Ways to create spaces of curiosity within your classroom, your school co...

#234 - Networking as an opportunity

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How often do you miss the opportunity to spark curiosity, to connect and to share ideas and grow through networking. My team just had two fantastic op...

#233 - Safeguarding our children and our students

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As society changes, we too must put into place shifts in our belief systems to ensure we provide safe and supportive environments both at home and at ...

#232 - Creating the environment you want and the impact of no

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As an adult we get to choose who we connect with. As a parent and a teacher, we lose the control over who those in our care connect with and the media...

#231 - Coaching with Growth in mind

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Years ago, I did a series of professional learnings with Growth Coaching. This episode looks at a number of collaborative tools that I use daily in my...

#230 - Collegial not coaching conversations

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode looks at the benefits of what’s ahead, how seeing into the future with purpose can help us get through days that are not so good. Beyon...

#229 - What you focus on will grow

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s episode looks at the 4D framework and how what we focus on in this process will inadvertently give you more of that. Paying attention to...

#228 - Looking after your tribe

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There are so many applications of the 4D framework in the classroom in which we work, the schools in which we educate and the communities in which we ...

#227 - Managing pressures for work life synchronicity

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode challenges how can we manage pressures we have control of, so that we can enjoy the work and life we choose.To learn more about Caroline ...

#226 - What about those interactions that are not so positive?

04 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While we focus on productive interactions where do we go when the interactions are not so positive? How do you situate yourself for harder interaction...

#225 - Playground interactions for success

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There are some key differences between how we can set up playground behaviours for success. This episode covers a few very important aspects to suppor...

#224 - What you interact with you get more of

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The importance of interaction cannot be overstated. It is what creates the likelihood of repeated behaviours. So why then do we need expectations? Wha...

#223 - Setting Expectations at the start of the Term

23 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The start of a new term is always a great opportunity for resetting, refreshing, or starting new on the expectations you want for the Term ahead. For ...

#222 - Reframing homegroup and how we can maximise its impact

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you get to welcome students into the school each day, be it through greetings, form class or home group, this window of time is ours to connect and...

#221 - When the scales are your only point of measure

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode considers the impact when we measure our practice through only one lens. How discipline impacts progress and how multiple points of measu...

#220 - Start the term strong with reflection

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If we want to change or continue a behaviour the best place to start is with knowing what you do.To learn more about Caroline and her 4 Dimensions Fra...

#219 - Let them and Let me

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mel Robins takes us on a wonderful journey through her book Let Them, to expose the way we respond and the ways we can be accountable or the action. S...

#218 - Plus 2 as a concept and how to use for impact

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We are often frustrated at stating a positive comment for a behaviour that should occur without a prompt, without recognition. Some behaviours are exp...

#217 - What data aligns with less classroom disruption

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Teachers who have less disruption in their classroom consistently demonstrate the use of similar teacher actions. This is the basis of the 4D framewor...

#216 - Teacher agency

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We often talk about teacher agency. What is it? How does it align with your understanding of the Four Dimensions?  Do you know what skills are always...

#215 - Consistency and intensity

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Consistency is spoken about often. How do you view consistency and how does it measure up with intensity of practice.To learn more about Caroline and ...

#214 - Balancing your interactions for impact 80:20

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The one thing that was always different in my research as the balance between reinforcement and redirection in classroom that had lots or less disrupt...

#213 - Redirect for impact

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode defines redirections, looks at the three ways they can be delivered and how to use redirections and your other Dimensions to support long...

#212 - Aligning injustice productivity outcomes and the 4D framework

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I want to spend this episode aligning the themes that have run through the last few weeks. How does injustice, productivity, outcomes and the 4D frame...

#211 - Three steps to move through injustice

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Life is basically unfair. The moments of joy are those we hang onto as they remind us why we choose to move through the moments that are unfair. There...

#210 - Why should you be my teacher?

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We are often so focussed on the behaviour of the students in our classrooms, we don’t stop and ask ourselves – Why should you be my teacher? Would...

#209 - Engagement in learner impacts productivity

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When we focus on the instruction, we provide a solid foundation for clarity in expected behaviours and learning goals providing opportunity for intera...

#208 - Productive environments versus positive behaviours

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When we focus on positive student behaviours the opposite is negative student behaviour. Behaviour serves a purpose and in that single element it can ...

#207 - Back for Term 2, 2025

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A quick check in to let you know what is coming in Term 2, to share a little on my physical wellbeing for the last two weeks and to set us up ready to...

#206 - Flip the Script a 4D strategy

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sitting around the 4D framework are a number of strategies to support decision-making. Flip the script is one of those strategies. It is a process to ...

#205 - Bias and decision-making

24 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our world is full of us being faced with making thousands of decisions every single day. In the process of this decision-making, we are influenced by ...

#204 - Perceptions and bias

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

These funny little things have the potential to serve us well or block our path to change. Are you aware of your perceptions?  From experiences, know...

#203 - 4D is about being human

17 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Both the framework for 4D and our 3-step process are about the decisions we make, that lead to the interactions we have that create the environment in...

#202 - Why is 4D not the same as classroom profiling?

12 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode looks at the key difference of the 4D research. A PhD based on decision-making, cognitive load and affect, the 4D framework is about how ...

#201 - Play duty or play facilitation

10 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How to apply the 4D framework to outside the classroom right into the playground. The first step is to ask yourself how do you see this time? As a pla...

#200 - Blackley Group: The values that set us up for success

05 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Every business has a set of beliefs and assumptions that guide its practice. Our mission statement and vision statement then deliver on these through ...

#199 - Expect and Accept

03 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Clear expectations do not mean instant capitulation. What you expect and what you accept! This episode links expectations to acceptance and how our be...

#198 - Ways to connect with colleagues

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are looking at two ways to connect with those we work with. A fun little game and a challenge to make sure people are seen, heard and und...

#197 - Stumbling blocks

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Can you identify the stumbling blocks for you in your school, working with colleagues, in your classroom? What strategies do you use to move through t...

#196 - People pleasing

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let’s take a look at the words we use to describe people and how wrong they really can be when we look underneath and seek to find the reason why be...

#195 - Words can hurt and harm

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Starting this week with a reminder of how the words we use can have an unintended impact on others. It is not only the students who disrupt the learni...

#194 - Carpark conversations and lunch break talk

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you have ever been included in, or initiated a car park conversation, then this episode is for you. Using the 4D framework to create clear boundari...

#193 - Routines Routines

10 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I smile inwardly when teacher say that they need routines. Or staff who say that teachers who struggle with behaviour have no routines. This statement...

#192 - A link to multiple episodes to get us through week 3

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode links you to revisit past episodes that will be great this coming week, with a new summary on the topics revisited. From managing change ...

#191 - Thoughtfulness and Gratitude – we are thinking of you North Queensland

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I have friends and colleagues in North Queensland today who are waking up this morning with a heavy load due to Mother Nature. This makes my heart rea...

#190 - Feedback loops

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode looks ta feedback loops- for adults and students. These are golden opportunities; how do you make sure that tour feedback provides the ch...

#189 - Welcome to 2025

27 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode welcomes our pod squad back to the 4D podcast, along with a refresh on how to set our mindset ready for the 2025 year. Don’t miss the o...

#188 - Making the most of student free days

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Make sure this week you research, engage and actively participate in this opportunity to build knowledge and skills in several areas for the 2025 scho...

#187 - Meet or Match Changing how you interact

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When we have the privilege of being include in a conversation we have two options: Meet or Match. Do you meet people where they are at, or do you matc...

#186 - Leading humans and knowing the feel of your school

02 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Schools and organisation’s use my research in 3 specific ways: to use the 4D research, using the 4D framework or to provide teachers with 1:1 obser...

#185 - The work doesn’t happen by itself: Using the 4D sheet

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you want to find ways to engage your staff, create activities or develop a plan for 4D in your school next year you don’t need to look much furth...

#184 - Choosing your wellbeing for the last three weeks

25 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We have three weeks to go! Are you someone feeling pumped and ready to jump at the opportunities we have before us with this extra week? Or are you fe...

#183 - Praise versus reinforce

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It is support simple in the world of 4D, how you see the interaction is the difference. The difference to your wellbeing, classroom climate and future...

#182 - What those teachers do differently

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When you are wanting to change your practice, but you are unsure of where to start, don’t you wish you knew what other teachers do that reduce their...

#181 - 4D and Berry Street Education Model

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I am in no way an expert in the Berry Street Education Model, but I do see how schools that use 4D with high fidelity align the two and I am happy to ...

#180 - 4D and Restorative Practices

11 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I am in no way an expert in Restorative Practices, but I do see how schools that use 4D with high fidelity align the two and I am very happy to share ...

#179 - Simon Sinek’s Golden circle applied to 4D

06 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When we know the why, the what and the how can be much clearer. This episode looks at teaching, the 4D framework and 4D observations and helps you und...

#178 - That student. That behaviour.

04 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If we want to change a behaviour then the interaction needs to occur around the expected behaviour with the student you are trying to change. To learn...

#177 - Reinforcement as an interaction

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Reinforcement in one of the four dimensions on the 4D framework. It is a genuine interaction with another who is meeting the expectations of that envi...

#176 - What you interact with you get more of

28 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The skill of cueing with parallel acknowledgement, in its original form, just does not have the same impact it had in 1996 or even 2016. This does not...

#175 - Mob Buy-In

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When you do any work over a period it is essential to revisit the terminology and the concepts that underpin that work. The more removed the applicati...

#174 - Evolution is continual

21 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Over the last 30 years of my career, I have had the privilege of being exposed to and using many coaching paradigms. The 4D framework is the evolution...

#173 - Dimension Four Purpose and delivery

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When we talk about Follow Through, there are three considerations: The certainty, the celerity and the severity.  Each plays a role in your decision ...

#172 - Dimension Three Purpose and delivery

14 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Redirection is the third of the Four Dimensions. It is an extremely valid tool in a teacher’s armoury to create the supportive environment that they...

#171 - Dimension Two: Purpose and delivery

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dimension Two is the dimension of Reinforce. These are the interactions that will change the classroom environment the quickest. While we believe tha...

#170 - Dimension One: Purpose and delivery

07 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dimension One is the dimension of Expect. Let’s start the Term with a review of the purpose of Dimension One and how it can have an impact on your c...

#169 - Stepping in with a Green Footprint first

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The concept of stepping in with a Green Footprint first, is not about being positive. It is about initiating an interaction for maximum output. How we...

#168 - Starting your Term strong

30 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A quick reset on the 4D framework, the need for genuine interactions and how to start the Term with clear expectations and maximising on opportunities...

#167 - Setting up for your break

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A short sprint as we head towards the end of term to reflect on the term that has been, connect with colleagues and let them know you saw them doing ...

#166 - End of term tips and tricks

09 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the end of term gets closer there are a few things that we can do to reduce disruptive behaviours in classrooms and some others to support you in...

#165 - 3 ways to address a poor learning environment

04 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There are three nice simple responses to use when you scan your environment and find it is not a product one for teaching and learning. The choice ...

#164 - Environment as your outcome

02 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The 4D framework is about balancing how you use the Four Dimensions to create the environment that you want to be in: for work, to live, to love or t...

#163 - Bounce back

28 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Students are just being human, and they will choose at times not follow the instructions given. If and when you use redirections, the next choice...

#162 - Rule of Two

26 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Setting your own boundaries for active interactions, the rule of two is one of Caroline's guiding Principles to know when to interact and how to ...

#161 - Creating a 4D culture in your school

21 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode looks at the three things that are imperative to creating a culture with an external partner- in this case that partner being 4D. A cle...

#160 - The things good teaching shows us

19 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A quick reflection on the things we see in classrooms where teaching practice aligns with being 4D Fit. What are those things we see to measure ...

#159 - Good choice

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The way we see anything determines how we may respond or react to it. Two weeks ago a wonderful teacher at Moranbah State School used the words in a ...