Welcome to the Knowledge for Teachers podcast!
In the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, I (Brendan Lee) chat with researchers, teachers and experts about what evidence-informed education is and the nuances involved with actually implementing effective and sustainable school-based education.
I decided to start up this podcast because rather selfishly there are a lot of areas I would like to have more knowledge in and people that I would really like to hear from, so I thought why not start up a podcast so that I can share these conversations with other educators. I’m also really interested in finding out what those active ingredients are in actually getting evidence-informed practice happening in our classrooms.
Some people have mentioned that they’d like to know more about my background story. In this episode of the Human Chapters with Arti Shah, I delve into my own journey. It’s available wherever you listen to your podcasts or on youtube.
Listen to the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast here:
22 – Emma Turner on Primary Curriculum Design and Cognitive Science
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Emma Turner. She is an experienced school leader, author and co-host of the Mind the Gap podcast with Tom Sherrington. Her ability to describe what teachers need to know about curriculum development will leave you scribbling down notes throughout the episode. She also touches on…
21 – Dr. Nathaniel Swain and Brendan Lee coaching workshop (live): Supporting teachers in implementing the science of learning
Listen to this live coaching workshop on implementing the science of learning with Dr. Nathaniel Swain and Brendan Lee. In this session, you will hear from real teachers discussing their real-world challenges in implementing the science of learning. Dr Nathaniel Swain and Brendan Lee then guide the teachers and school leaders through…
20 – Dr. Nathaniel Swain answers the FAQ about implementing the science of learning
In this episode, Brendan Lee chats with Dr. Nathaniel Swain. He is currently a Senior Lecturer, Learning Sciences and Learner Engagement at La Trobe University and has also been a speech-language pathologist, teacher and is the founder of Think Forward Educators. In this conversation, Nathaniel plays the teacher version of Dolly Doctor…
19 – David Morkunas On Explicit Instruction In Primary Maths
In this conversation, Brendan Lee chats with David Morkunas and they touch on a range of topics including why he thinks so many teachers have such a negative attitude towards teaching maths, what the key elements of his maths lessons are and how to teach mixed-ability classes. In the previous episode, Brendan…
18 – Kevin and Robyn Wheldall on Effective Instruction in Reading
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Emeritus Professor Kevin Wheldall and Dr. Robyn Wheldall. They’ve achieved so much throughout their careers. This includes co-founding MultiLit a leading provider of effective literacy instruction. In this chat, they describe their journeys and how MultiLit came about. They also speak about their recently published…
17 – Christopher Such on the Art and Science of Teaching Reading Fluency
In this episode, I chat with Christopher Such. He is the author of, “The Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading” and an experienced teacher, school leader and educational consultant. In our conversation, Chris touches on teacher workload, professional development and he goes through the thought behind his book and how his…
16 – St Bernard’s P.S. Transformational Change Through Catalyst (Catalyst Part 3)
This is the final instalment of the three-part series that has focused on the Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn. Across the 3 episodes, I have delved into Catalyst which is the term used that encompasses their approach to teaching and learning across the system. In this episode, you will hear about how…
15 – Patrick Ellis on considerations for change (Catalyst Part 2)
This is the second of a three-part series that focuses on the Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn. Across the three episodes, Brendan Lee will delve into Catalyst, the term used that encompasses the system’s approach to teaching and learning across the system. In the previous episode, Brendan spoke with Ross Fox,…
14 – Ross Fox on how Catalyst is transforming lives through learning (Catalyst Part 1)
This is the first of a three-part series that is focused on the Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn. Across the 3 episodes, Brendan Lee will delve into how they have changed their approach to teaching and learning across the system under the banner of Catalyst. For this episode, Brendan chats with…
13 – Jordan O’Sullivan on Shaping Minds and Practices
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Brendan Lee chats with Jordan O’Sullivan from Shaping Minds. Together with Jared Bussell and now Brooke Wardana, they have been supporting teachers in implementing the science of learning in the classroom through practical professional learning combined with lesson demonstrations. For this podcast, Jordan…
12 – Troy Verey on developing a whole school curriculum and what it looks like in the classroom
This is the second episode of the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, which focuses on Marsden Road Public School. In the previous chat, Brendan Lee spoke with Marsden Road’s Principal, Manisha Gazula. Her story has inspired thousands of educators around the world. In this conversation, you will hear from Deputy Principal, Troy Verey….
11 – Manisha Gazula on how Marsden Road PS turned around its reading and maths results
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, Brendan Lee had the opportunity of visiting Marsden Road Public School and then speaking to the Principal, Manisha Gazula. Manisha’s leadership style has been compared to Katherine Birbilsingh from Michaela Community School in the UK. However, in this conversation you will hear how…
10 – Kieran Mackle thinking deeply about the science of maths
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, Brendan Lee speaks to Kieran Mackle. Kieran is a primary mathematics specialist teacher from the UK, an author and is currently working with Complete Maths. He is also the host of Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, a podcast that should be on your…
09 – Karen Tzanetopoulos on the Science of Math Learning in Research and Practice
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, Brendan Lee speaks to Karen Tzanetopoulos, a trained speech and language pathologist. Karen tells us about how she started working out of an office that was like a janitor’s closet to quietly do her own structured literacy with students and how her interest…
08 – Rouzana Komesidou on implementation science in schools
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, Brendan Lee speaks to Dr. Rouzana Komesidou, a researcher who fell into implementation science after seeing the gap between research and practice in schools. In our conversation, she gives an overview of what things schools should consider before implementing something, how leaders can…
07 – Greg Clement on achieving school excellence through the science of reading
n this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, Brendan Lee speaks to former principal, Greg Clement. In this conversation, we find out how he transformed Clayton South Primary School from the worst school in the network to the second best within 12 months.
06 – Reid Smith on curriculum, collaboration and Ochre Education
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, Brendan Lee talks to curriculum expert Reid Smith, founder and co-CEO of Ochre Education and Head of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction at Ballarat Clarendon College. Reid’s done a lot of research around the importance of knowledge for comprehension and cognitive load theory.
Knowledge for Teachers Podcast – Tom Sherrington on why we need effective and precise teaching techniques
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Brendan Lee chats to Tom Sherrington about how Tom randomly found some Bill Rogers videos that were transformational for him. How he worked out the need to deliver precise professional learning for teachers and the common challenges that schools face. Tom also goes…
Knowledge for Teachers Podcast 04 Daisy Christodoulou and Jeanette Breen on knowledge, assessment and AI in education
In this chat, Brendan Lee talks to Daisy Christodoulou and Jeanette Breen about assessments, writing, AI and much more.
Knowledge for Teachers podcast – 03 Lyn Stone on misconceptions about teaching literacy and how we should actually teach it
In this chat, Lyn Stone addresses a number of misconceptions about teaching literacy and provides loads of practical tips for teachers. You will find out how Lyn’s passion for literacy developed, why we can’t teach the English language like we have a transparent orthography and how reading and writing are not simple,…
Knowledge for Teachers podcast – 02 Stephanie Le Lievre on implementing structured literacy across the school
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Brendan Lee speaks to Steph Le Lievre about what schools can do to implement structured literacy across the school. She outlines precisely what schools can do and why they should do it.
Knowledge for Teachers podcast – 01 Dr. Russ Fox on building relationships, routines and using reinforcers
In this podcast episode, Brendan Lee chats with Dr. Russ Fox about why we need to address the learning environment, error correction using the 3 step process and supporting students in building habits by using gradual release of responsibility.