18/05/2026
Last week, I had the pleasure of spending some time at the stunning new Google Melbourne offices, completing both my Google Certified Educator Level 2 and Gemini Educator certifications.
Following on from my Level 1 training back in March, it was a fantastic opportunity to deepen the digital frameworks I bring back to the school environments, educators, and families I support through Walsh Education Consulting.
A massive thank you to Phil Carew and the Deploy Learning team for facilitating such an energetic and knowledge-packed week, and to the team at Google Australia for the wonderful hospitality. The new space—from the Yarra inspired staircase to the beautiful Indigenous artworks—was the perfect backdrop for innovation.
As AI and technology become a permanent part of our classrooms, my focus is always on how we can use these tools safely, ethically, and purposefully to support neurodivergent students.
Here is a glimpse into how I am integrating these new tools into my practice:
🌟 "Brain First, AI Second": This is a vital principle I teach students. We want them to conceptualise ideas independently before utilising AI to refine them. This ensures they retain critical thinking skills and build stronger neural connections.
🌟 Scaffolding for Independence: Using tools like Gemini Chat, custom Gems, and NotebookLM to design highly personalised, guided learning experiences that reduce cognitive load for students with Dyslexia, ADHD, and executive functioning challenges.
🌟 Supporting School Ecosystems: Exploring how Gemini in Google Classroom can help schools and teachers streamline workflows, differentiate learning materials effortlessly, and keep classrooms beautifully organised for diverse learners.
This training is an exciting stepping stone as I work towards the Google for Education Certified Innovator program later this year. I am so looking forward to collaborating with local schools, teachers, and families to close learning gaps and build inclusive digital spaces!
If your school or family is looking for tailored strategies to navigate school using supportive technology, feel free to reach out.