In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Tim McDonald who is currently the CEO of YMCA WA and previously led Catholic Education WA, the Minderoo Foundation and was the Education Lead for Knowledge Society. Recently, he wrote a paper for the Centre for Independent Studies titled: Teaching Behaviour: How Classroom Conduct Can Unlock Better Learning. Throughout this conversation, he touches on a lot of the key points from the report and talks about what schools can do to build a behaviour curriculum. He also answers some of the tough questions on things such as phones in schools, exclusions and behaviour expectations.
Resources mentioned:
- Teaching Behaviour: How Classroom Conduct Can Unlock Better Learning
- Classroom Management: Engaging students in learning
- Tom Bennett, Running the Room
- Anita Archer
- Urie Bronfenbrenner
- Doug Lemov
You can connect with Tim:
@DrTimMcDonald1
Website: www.classroommastery.com.au/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

About Dr. Tim McDonald
Tim joined the Y WA as CEO in 2021, with over 20 years experience leading change in education systems and the philanthropic sector. His background has seen him leading work for Catholic Education WA and the Minderoo Foundation, working on projects in areas of leadership, student engagement, well-being and innovation in the fields of education, and employment. More recently he was Education Lead for Knowledge Society, where he co-developed a strategy of professional learning to enhance the capacity of school leaders and teachers to improve student achievement. Prior to this, Dr Tim McDonald was CEO of Generation One, an organisation founded by the Minderoo Foundation to end Indigenous disparity within one generation. The culmination of his experiences supporting young people aligns him perfectly with the values of the Y. He believes that empowering and inspiring young people is what’s at the heart of thriving communities where all people flourish.