Raising Resilient Children: 7 steps to help children thrive in the classroom and beyond

by Gavin McCormack

A life-changing 7-step program for parents who are struggling to help their kids navigate today's complex world, written by one of Australia's most influential teachers.
 
As school refusal, mental health struggles and social challenges in the playground continue to rise, trailblazing teacher Gavin McCormack is redefining what it means to receive a `good education’.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Gavin’s transformative methods can be used by parents, carers and educators alike. He highlights the power of modelling positive behaviour and prioritising essential life skills over academic scores, helping children build resilience, develop emotional intelligence, and thrive beyond traditional measures of success.
 
Drawing on the latest neuroscience of learning and years of teaching experience in mainstream and Montessori schools, he offers practical strategies that will help children navigate life's challenges, learn with passion and grow into capable, confident and compassionate human beings. Gavin believes when children are given independence, the right tools, and the encouragement to build on their strengths, their potential is limitless.

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 29, 2025

About the author

Hello! I am Gavin McCormack, a co-founder of Upschool.co, a platform that empowers students to learn real entrepreneurship skills that have real impact. With over 20 years of experience as a Montessori-trained teacher, I have taught in multiple countries and developed a passion for innovative educational practices that foster essential skills in students from an early age.

I am also the Montessori Australia Ambassador and a TEDx speaker on how education can change the world. I have built several schools and several libraries and run three teacher training centres in Nepal. I am a best-selling author of children's books and a book on Montessori education for parents. I have been recognized as one of the top ten most influential global educators in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, 2023, 2024 and a nominee for Australian of the Year in 2018. You can learn more about my personal pedagogy and educational philosophy at www.gavinmccormack.com.au.

I am always open to collaborating with schools and educators worldwide to share my expertise on programming, classroom management, and pedagogy. Feel free to connect with me to learn more about how we can work together to bring about positive change in the education sector.

'In the ideal classroom, love is the silent lesson always being taught. It is not spoken of as much as it is shown, felt, and understood. It is the light that guides children on their path to finding their voice, and once found, to using it with the surety that comes from knowing they are loved, without conditions, without pause.'

Reviews

[Dustin Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

He’s basically the teacher from “The House in the Cerulean Sea”

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed his perspective on teaching and parenting in the modern world. The book was easy to read and well structured. I love how stories were integrated into the book to help me remember important points (e.g., importance of emotion in forming long term memories, connection in the classroom/home to help foster learning). Some stories had me quite emotional (I often don’t become teary reading stories!), so I know I will remember some of these stories and points from the book in my daily work and as a parent.

[Farrells Bookshop · Rating 3 out of 5]

One for the Montessori lovers, I did enjoy this, even if it was a wee bit rose-coloured glasses. Talks about parenting, educations and what classrooms could look like in a land of plentiful resources. Some good underlying messages, enjoyable for me as a teaching/nerd type!

Read by Belinda & Polly