Airdre Grant is an experienced academic, author and educator with over 20 years’ experience in teaching and learning. She worked in the Centre for Teaching and Learning at Southern Cross University for 15 years as an academic developer. In her role in the Learning Innovations team at Deakin University, Airdre supported academics’ pedagogical practice in online teaching and learning environments through a focus on learning and assessment design. She is currently writing her third book, a novel about women in the workplace and the challenges they face maintaining their kindness and compassion. Sharon Pittaway was an educator for over 20 years with experience teaching Preps to postgrads. As an English and Drama teacher, Sharon was keenly aware of the human-centred nature of the teaching–learning relationship. Her move into pre-service teacher education saw her continue to develop and refine her pedagogical practice and in her leadership roles, she supported others to examine and reflect on their own. Sharon’s personal quest to be kind, initiated by the example of her grandmother, was at the forefront of her thinking and pedagogical practice throughout her years as an educator.