The Mind-Brain Lady, Albany’s Tammy-Anne Caldwell is teaching the power of the brain

It was during her teaching career in Albany that Tammy-Anne Caldwell made the decision to launch into a unique role as an educational neuroscience specialist teacher.

Now known as The Mind-Brain Lady, she’s on a mission to help students, parents and teachers learn the power of their brain to reach their true potential.

In 2018, she quit her teaching job in Albany after six years, farewelling her students, taking a pay cut and starting her own business in a bid to bring the benefits of neuroscience to all.

She launched her own educational-motivational business Above & Beyond Education, which promotes a “holistic approach to educational neuroscience” through school visits across WA.

“I realised that the brain is central to all the learning that we do — so if we’re in the business of learning, doesn’t it make sense that we know how the brain learns best?” she said.

“Early in my career, I took the initiative to start self-directed professional learning into the very new field of educational neuroscience and teach my Year 3-6 Albany students everything I learnt, as I learned it.

“The results were ... incredible. I realised it was remarkably empowering for students to understand how their own brain works, learns and grows. It allowed them to become more self-directed, optimistic, determined and focused.”

Ms Caldwell has been announced as a semifinalist in the teaching excellence award at this year’s WA Regional Achievement and Community Awards. She said that by learning to take control of their thoughts and emotions, students could decrease stress and achieve academic success.

“Often, students in rural, regional or remote areas aren’t afforded the same opportunities as those in the city and can often be considered disadvantaged in their education, due to their location, socio-economic status, or other background factors,” she said.

“They can believe this disadvantage will affect their life, limit their potential. This needs to change.”