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:
S04E03 – Dr. Brian Poncy on Facts on Fire: Why Fluency Is the Foundation of Mathematical Thinking
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast , I sit down with Dr. Brian Poncy to unpack the science of math fact fluency. We challenge the myth that timed practice causes anxiety and explore how mastering basic tool skills frees up working memory for higher-order thinking. Brian also introduces contingency…
S04E02 – David Didau on Five Things Teachers Should Stop Doing
In this episode, I speak with David Didau about five common classroom patterns that can look effective in the moment but fail to produce lasting learning. We explore why performance is not the same as understanding, how to make retrieval practice genuinely work, why practice makes permanent, and how tools like mini…
S04E01 – From Burnout to Breakthrough with Brad Gaynor
In this episode, Brad Gaynor and I unpack burnout in education, the Leadership Reset framework, and why clarity, boundaries, and systems matter more than quick wellbeing fixes for teachers and school leaders.
S03E19 – Natalie Wexler on the Knowledge Gap and What Lies Beyond the Science of Reading
In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers, Brendan Lee sits down with education writer Natalie Wexler to explore why knowledge matters so much for reading comprehension. Drawing on insights from The Knowledge Gap and Beyond the Science of Reading, Natalie unpacks why teaching comprehension as a set of skills often falls short,…
S03E18 – Ingrid Sealey on The Hidden Nuance of Great Teaching
In this episode Brendan Lee sits down with Ingrid Sealey from Teach Well to explore what sits beneath truly effective teaching. Ingrid shares practical insights from her work with thousands of teachers across Australia and explains why small deliberate changes can create powerful shifts in student learning. They unpack the role of…
S03E17 – From Intervention to Inclusion: Sarah Asome on Making Every Tier Count
In this episode, Brendan Lee interviews Sarah Asome, principal of Bentleigh West Primary School, about implementing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Sarah explains how her school aligns teaching and interventions to foster student success, backed by data-driven decisions and a diamond model of support. The discussion highlights effective leadership and systematic approaches…
S03E16 – Kate Jones on Making Retrieval Practice Work in the Classroom
Author and educator Kate Jones joins Brendan Lee to unpack retrieval practice — what it really is, how to make it work across subjects and age groups and why forgetting is part of learning. Packed with stories, strategies and practical tips teachers can apply straight away. Together, they explore five essential things…
S03E15 – Anna Stokke on Cutting Through the Noise in Maths Education
“Pretty much every maths program is going to tell you it’s research-based. But that doesn’t mean it actually improves student learning. A big red flag is when you hear something radical that doesn’t make sense—like when I was told standard algorithms are harmful. That’s when you stop and say: show me the…
S03E14 – Close Reading Simplified with Christopher Such
In this episode, Brendan Lee sits down with Christopher Such—teacher, author, and expert in reading instruction—to unpack the power of close reading. Chris explains why it doesn’t need to feel intimidating, how to plan lessons that spark genuine discussion, and the misconceptions that often trip schools up.
S03E13 – A Learner’s Toolkit for Students and Teachers with Dr. Vicky Leighton and Dr. Terry Byers
How do we turn research into something that works on a Thursday afternoon with Year 9? Dr. Vicky Leighton and Dr. Terry Byers share how they’re embedding the science of learning in real classrooms, building teacher clarity, and reshaping PD — all with a few memorable farm metaphors thrown in.
S03E12 – Daniel Ansari on Number Sense, Fluency and Understanding Math Difficulties
In this episode, Professor Daniel Ansari unpacks the science behind how children learn maths. We explore what number sense really is, why symbolic understanding matters, how to build fluency without anxiety, and what teachers should know about dyscalculia and early screening. A must-listen for anyone teaching early numeracy or supporting students who…
S03E11 – Know Thy Purpose: Jocelyn Seamer on Transforming 3–6 Literacy
Jocelyn Seamer joins Brendan to unpack what effective literacy instruction looks like in Years 3–6. From ditching levelled texts to linking reading and writing through rich, purposeful units, this episode is full of practical ideas for teachers ready to bring more clarity and impact to their literacy block.
S03E10 – Grattan Institute’s Maths Guarantee Report with Amy Haywood & Nick Parkinson
What’s really going on with primary maths in Australia — and what can we do about it? In this episode, I’m joined by Amy Haywood and Nick Parkinson from the Grattan Institute to unpack their groundbreaking Maths Guarantee report. We discuss why so many students are falling behind, what high-performing schools are…
S03E9 – Making sense of the science of reading with Mandy Nayton
Mandy Nayton joins Brendan Lee to unpack the science of reading, effective intervention, and DSF’s new Word Origins spelling program for years 3–6.
S03E08 – Craig Barton on Becoming a Better Maths Teacher
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
S03E01 – Nick Hart on Leading with Responsiveness: A School Leader’s Journey
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Nick Hart takes us on an inspiring journey from his beginnings in sports science to becoming a school leader in Dubai. A respected voice in educational leadership, Nick shares insights from his blog and books, delving into the evolution of his leadership style….
S02E23 – Dr. Zach Groshell and Brendan Lee on effective school leadership
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Zach Groshell for the third of their trilogy of conversations together. In their first episode, they unpacked the nuances of teaching effectively. In the second one, they spoke about coaching, culture and change. In today’s podcast, you will hear them discuss the complex world…
S02E22 – Dr. Leslie Laud – Implementation Science Meets Writing Instruction: ThinkSRSD’s Journey to Scalability and Impact
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Leslie Laud. She is the founding Director of ThinkSRSD, a writing program built upon Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD). The discussion covers ThinkSRSD’s key strategies, including mnemonics and how to apply them across different grade levels and writing genres. Furthermore, Dr. Laud addresses implementation challenges…
S02E21 – Dr. Nathaniel Swain On Prioritising What Matters: A Deep Dive into the Science of Learning
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Nathaniel Swain. He returns for the third time and this time it’s to unpack his new book Harnessing the Science of Learning. However, as you will hear, they actually go beyond the book and dig into some of the critical considerations that schools and…
S02E20 – Dr. Zach Groshell and Brendan Lee on coaching, culture and change
This is the second conversation between Dr. Zach Groshell and Brendan Lee. For those that don’t know, Zach is the host of the Progressively Incorrect Podcast and also the author of Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching. In this episode, they take a deep dive into some of…
S02E19 – Professor Nancy Jordan on Number Sense, Early Numeracy Screeners and Fractions
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Professor Nancy Jordan. She has been at the forefront of all things to do with early numeracy research including looking at screeners and intervention. Many of you come from the science of reading world and are fans of Scarborough’s Reading Rope, Nancy and colleagues have…
S02E18 – Rhonda Filmer on Neurodiversity and the Twice-Exceptional Student
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Rhonda Filmer, a gifted education consultant and teacher, she discusses her journey into the field and the importance of understanding neurodiversity and twice exceptional students. She has recently released a book, “Neurodiversity and the Twice-Exceptional Student” and they delve into some of the key points…
S02E17 – Brendan Lee and Dr. Zach Groshell on the nuances of teaching effectively
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Brendan Lee and Dr. Zach Groshell (Host of the Progressively Incorrect podcast) collaborated in the first of a series of episodes together. The theme for this episode was around what are the main principles that teachers need to understand about how learning happens…
S02E16 – Charlotte Peverett on the importance of having high expectations for all students including diverse learners
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Charlotte Peverett, an experienced learning specialist and inclusion outreach coach, who shares her journey into teaching and special education. Charlotte discusses the significance of structures and routines in creating a safe and consistent learning environment. Charlotte also emphasises the importance of high expectations for all…
S02E15- Professor Jonathan Sharples on Implementation in Schools
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Professor Jonathan Sharples from the Education Endowment Foundation. He has led the recent update to the EEF’s A School’s Guide to Implementation and in this conversation we unpack the paper. Professor Sharples details the updates and why they were made. He also digs into each…
S02E14 – Professor Bethany Rittle-Johnson on conceptual and procedural knowledge in mathematics
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Bethany Rittle-Johnson, a professor of psychology at Vanderbilt University. Bethany has led a lot of the research around conceptual and procedural knowledge. In this chat, she delves into this topic and also discuss other high impact strategies such as worked examples, self-explanations and the power…
S02E13 – Pamela Snow on why it takes a village to change reading instruction
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Professor Pamela Snow. She has been at the coalface fighting for evidence-based reading instruction to be common practice for a number of years and throughout this conversation, she provides nuggets of gold in describing how when we talk about phonics we need to be using…
S02E12 – Jamie Clark on Simplifying Research and PD with One-Pagers
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Jamie Clark, an English teacher and lead practitioner specialising in pedagogy and digital learning. They discuss his recently released book, One Pagers and unpack how it could be used. Jamie breaks down a number of the techniques mentioned in the book and describes his thinking…
S02E11 – Emina McLean on the challenges of research translation in literacy
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Emina McLean. Emina works with systems, schools, leaders, and teachers to develop ambitious and rigorous assessment, curriculum and instruction practices in English and literacy. In this chat, Emina discusses her focus on implementing effective systems and practices for teaching reading and writing. She highlights the…
S02E10 – Bron Ryrie Jones on Responsive Teaching and Instructional Playbooks
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Bronwyn Ryrie Jones, an instructional coach who supports teachers and instructional leaders to develop their expertise. She discusses the importance of responsive teaching and shares techniques to effectively check for understanding in the classroom. She emphasises the need for teachers to have a deep understanding…
S02E09 – Trisha Jha on teacher experiences in implementing the science of learning
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Trisha Jha who currently works with the Centre for Independent Studies and recently released a couple of reports titled: What is the Science of Learning? And Implementing the Science of Learning: Teacher experiences. Trisha unpacks these papers and discusses her journey into education research and…
S02E08 – Dr. Mark Dowley on Managing Behaviour and Maximising Learning
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Mark Dowley (Associate Head – Staff Development at the Crowther Centre for Applied Educational Research) and has recently released the book, “The Classroom Management Handbook” that he co-authored with Ollie Lovell. In this chat, they unpack the book and how it’s what Mark and…
S02E07 – Rebecca Birch On Improving Australian Education
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Rebecca Birch, a teacher of English and the Director of Research and Practice at a top 50 independent school in Sydney, Australia. She shares her journey from a career in fashion and advertising to becoming an English teacher. Rebecca emphasises the importance of evidence-based practice…
S02E06 – Tom Bennett On Running The Room
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Tom Bennett, the Director and founder of researchED and school behaviour advisor to the UK government. He shares his journey from running nightclubs to becoming an influential figure in the education sector and we find out how teaching saved him. Bennett delves into the challenges…
S02E05 – Sarah Powell On Effective Word Problem Instruction
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr Corey Peltier who is an Assistant Professor of Special Education in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Oklahoma. He also contributes to The Science of Math movement that is focused on disseminating research-informed recommendations to enhance math instruction and outcomes for…
S02E04 – Dr. Nathaniel Swain On Developing Great Writing Skills
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Nathaniel Swain. He currently works at La Trobe University as a Senior Lecturer, Learning Sciences and Learner Engagement and the Director of Undergraduate Academic Programs. He is also the founder of Think Forward Educators. Nathaniel first appeared on the Knowledge for Teachers podcast in…
S02E03 – Dr. Jenny Donovan on accelerating the use of educational research in Australian classrooms
In this podcast episode, Brendan Lee interviews Dr. Jenny Donovan, CEO of the Australian Education Research Organisation. She stresses the necessity for evidence-based practices in education. Jenny talks about explicit instruction, classroom management, teacher training, NAPLAN testing, and accountability. Donovan’s career journey and involvement in significant educational reforms, including contributions to the…
S02E02 – James Dobson Decoding The Foundations Of Teaching Kindergarten
Brendan Lee interviews James Dobson, an accomplished teacher at Campbells Creek Primary School, who emphasises the importance of evidence-based teaching methods like Direct Instruction for young learners. James shares insights into his daily and yearly lesson planning, focusing on foundational skills like phonics, writing, and maths, along with balancing the demands of…
S02E01 – Dr. Ray Boyd on Leadership, Vision, and School Culture
In this podcast episode, Brendan Lee interviews Dr. Ray Boyd, discussing his educational leadership journey, particularly his pedagogic innovations at West Beechboro P.S. and his experiences founding Dayton Primary School. Dr. Boyd shares lessons from past mistakes, the importance of communication with parents, fostering school community, staff well-being, and setting clear professional…
S01E28 – Brendan Lee’s Key Takeaways from the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast for 2023
28 – Brendan Lee’s Key Takeaways from the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast for 2023
S01E27 – Dr. Corey Peltier on what teachers need to know about the science of math
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr Corey Peltier who is an Assistant Professor of Special Education in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Oklahoma. He also contributes to The Science of Math movement that is focused on disseminating research-informed recommendations to enhance math instruction and outcomes for…
S01E26 – Dr. Tim McDonald on Building a Behaviour Curriculum
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…
S01E25 – Jessica Colleu Terradas on effective language and literacy screening and intervention practices for at-risk students
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Jessica Colleu Terradas the Senior Officer Teaching and Learning Literacy and Instructional Coach in Canberra and Goulburn Catholic Education. In 2022, she travelled to the USA, England and France where she met with leading experts to investigate effective literacy screening and instructional practices to support…
S01E24 – Jessica Del Rio on solving illiteracy in Australia
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Jessica Del Rio the government and public finance lead at Equity Economics. She has recently been involved in a couple of major reports that have highlighted the poor literacy standards across Australia. In this conversation, Jess will tell us how bleak our current situation is,…