In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Brendan Lee is joined by the legendary Craig Barton—maths educator, best-selling author and one of the original voices in education podcasting. In this conversation, Craig opens up about the highs and lows of teaching, the lessons he’s learned from observing thousands of classrooms, and how he’s navigated public criticism and personal growth. They dive deep into his evolving views on instruction, feedback, and what really moves the needle in student learning. It’s honest, reflective, and packed with insights every teacher can relate to.
Author: Brendan
A Practical Guide to Positive Behaviour Interventions and Supports: Key Concepts and Classroom Strategies
Understanding and supporting student behavior is essential for teachers. Conversations with Dr. Brandi Simonsen highlight the importance of proactive approaches, linking behavior to academic performance and attendance. Key strategies include teaching routines, setting clear expectations, and using specific praise. A strong school-wide support system is crucial for effective behavior management.
S03E07 – Jeanette Breen on lessons learnt from high-performing schools
In this episode, Jeanette Breen, a Learning Specialist, discusses her recent tour of top UK schools, including Michaela Community School. She shares insights into effective classroom practices and leadership, featuring audio from various educators she encountered, such as Andrew Percival, Claire Stoneman, Dr. Hailli Hughes and many more. The conversation is rich with resources aimed at enhancing teaching methods and curriculum design.
Explicit Instruction: A Key to Learning, But Not the Whole Story
In education, we often get caught in debates where people talk past each other. Sides are taken, lines are drawn, and not much listening happens. One of those debates is around the idea that “education is more than just explicit instruction.” And I agree—but I also think there’s a missing piece in how we’re framing that conversation. That’s what I explore in this article.
S03E06 – Dr. Carl Hendrick on Five Things Every Teacher Should Do
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Carl Hendrick, a leading voice in education and co-author of What Does It Look Like in the Classroom?, How Learning Happens, and How Teaching Happens. Carl has been instrumental in helping teachers bridge the gap between research and practice, addressing the key question: That all sounds great, but what does it mean for me?
Together, they explore five essential things every teacher should do, covering key principles such as being open to powerful evidence, using retrieval practice, checking for understanding, aligning curriculum and assessment, and embracing the illusion of instruction.
This episode is packed with actionable insights to support and enhance teaching practice.
S03E05 – The ABCs of Effective Behaviour Management: A Practical Guide for Teachers with Dr. Brandi Simonsen
In this episode, we’re focusing on a key element of successful schools: understanding and supporting positive student behaviour. Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Brandi Simonsen, a professor of special education at the University of Connecticut and co-director of the National Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
Brandi shares her practical insights into PBIS, exploring the crucial links between behaviour, attendance, and academic success. We delve into the ABCs of behavior and uncover effective, evidence-based strategies for creating positive classroom environments, from setting clear expectations to the power of specific praise.
Whether you’re new to teaching or looking to enhance your practice, this episode offers valuable knowledge and actionable takeaways on implementing Positive Behaviour Interventions and Supports.
Creating an Instructional Playbook
One of the biggest sources of frustration between teachers and school leaders is due to not having a shared understanding. Whether it’s about pedagogy, curriculum, or school expectations, if everyone isn’t on the same page, they may as well be speaking different languages.
That’s where instructional playbooks come in. They provide a clear, structured way to align educators—getting everyone on the same page, both literally and figuratively!
S03E04 – Dr. Matthew Burns on Effective Assessment: Using Data to Drive Reading & Maths Intervention
In this episode, get ready to dive deep into the world of assessments with Dr. Matthew Burns, as we explore the different categories of assessments, their intended purposes, and how they can be used to inform instruction. Dr. Burns, a researcher with extensive experience in the effective use of assessment data and interventions, shares his expertise on bridging the gap in understanding assessments.
S03E03 – Liana McCurry on Mathematical Practices in High Performing Countries
In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers, Brendan Lee speaks with Liana McCurry, a passionate advocate for primary school maths education. Fresh from her Churchill Fellowship, Liana shares findings from her research into mathematical practices across six countries.
Listeners will gain insights into the systemic issues contributing to Australia’s declining maths performance and discover how to bridge the research-to-practice gap
S03E02 – Shaping the Future: Murat Dizdar on His Vision for NSW Public Education
This episode features a compelling conversation with Murat Dizdar, the head of the New South Wales Department of Education. Murat shares his inspiring journey from being the son of Turkish immigrants to leading Australia’s largest education system. He discusses the experiences that shaped his vision for public education, his deep passion for the teaching profession, and the key initiatives he’s championing to drive meaningful change. This episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for anyone interested in education and leadership.