Episode 43: Look Again! How Community Helps Us Feel Seen

In this reThink episode, Nicki is joined by educator, facilitator and community-builder Maxine Buttigieg, founder of Mira: Where Teachers Connect. Together, they explore what it means to look again; to slow down, notice what’s often overlooked and understand why feeling seen is essential to well-being.

Maxine shares the story behind Mira, the inspiration drawn from Spanish children joyfully shouting “Mira!” (“Look!”), and her commitment to creating spaces where teachers can genuinely belong. The conversation moves through the emotional landscape of teaching, the power of community and the importance of having a safe place to reflect, connect, and breathe.

Throughout the episode, Nicki and Maxine discuss:

• why being seen matters just as much as seeing others
• how teacher communities can support well-being and reduce burnout
• the “octopus brain” and the reality of multi-passionate people
• the role of visual metaphors in helping us think, reflect and understand ourselves
• how simple noticing moments can transform the way we engage with the world

This reflective episode is ideal for educators, leaders, facilitators and anyone seeking a renewed sense of clarity, belonging and connection. A warm reminder that sometimes, the world doesn’t need to change, we just need to look more closely.

Maxine Buttigieg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxine-buttigieg/

Mira: https://www.instagram.com/mira__education/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/mira-where-teachers-connect/posts/?feedView=all

Metafox Coaching Cards: https://metafox.eu/collections/coaching-picture-cards

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?