Teacher Takeaway

In this episode we are joined by Ben Bowen who is the CEO of Indigenous Literacy Foundation. He shares insights into the work of the ILF in supporting literacy development in remote communities across Australia and practical ways teachers can support literacy development and Indigenous Languages in the classroom. You can find out more about the work of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and access their literacy resources at https://www.ilf.org.au/

In this episode, Melissa-Jane Fogarty explores the powerful ways educators can explore Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander language, culture and identity through picture books.

In this episode, Dr Joanne Casey explores how understanding the social brain can transform the way educators lead, connect and build trust. She shares practical insights into how relationships, emotional safety and human connection influence team culture, collaboration and performance. This conversation offers valuable strategies for leaders seeking to create supportive environments where both staff and students can thrive.

This episode explores the often-overlooked world of middle leadership with Dr Kylie Lipscombe, unpacking why the role is fundamentally relational and what effective middle leaders actually do. We discuss the challenge of leading colleagues, navigating difficult conversations, and balancing relationships with accountability. Kylie also shares practical advice for middle leaders and the senior leaders who support them, including what to focus on from day one.

In this episode, Trent Ray explores the growing role of artificial intelligence in education and how it can support teaching and learning. The conversation also highlights digital safety and the importance of helping students use AI responsibly, ethically and safely.

In this episode, proud Gamilaraay woman Bronwyn Cochrane shares insights from her 28-year journey in education and her work supporting educators to embed authentic First Nations perspectives. Bronwyn explores the importance of the 8 Ways Aboriginal Pedagogy, why good intentions must be supported by knowledge, and how educators can build confidence through practical tools and strategies. She also explains why this work enriches education for all young people, not only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

In this episode, we speak with Tim Bullard, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), about his journey in education and AITSL’s role in shaping the profession. We explore the professional standards for teachers, middle leaders and principals, alongside teacher induction, mentoring, professional learning and culturally responsive practice. Tim also shares the work being undertaken nationally to support educators and his optimism about the future of teaching and school leadership in Australia.

In this episode, we speak with Glenn Forbes about instructional leadership and the practical ways school leaders can build clarity, consistency and impact in teaching and learning. Glenn shares insights on leading improvement, supporting teachers, and keeping student learning at the centre of every decision.

In this episode, we speak with Bronwyn Cochrane and Debbie Hoger, proud Aboriginal women, educators, business founders and co-founders of the TIPIAC x Riley Callie Resources National First Nations Education Conference. Together, they share their journeys in Aboriginal education and offer practical advice for educators wanting to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in authentic, meaningful and culturally safe ways. The conversation explores moving beyond tokenism, choosing appropriate resources, working with local community, embedding perspectives across the curriculum, and the importance of centring First Nations voices in education. TIPIAC – Bronwyn (Bonnie) Cochrane https://tipiac.com https://www.facebook.com/TipiacEdu/ https://www.instagram.com/edutipiac/ https://www.pinterest.com.au/edutipiac/ https://www.youtube.com/@tipiacfirstnationseducation https://www.linkedin.com/in/bronwyn-cochrane/ Email: admin@tipiac.comRiley Callie Resources – Deborah (Debbie) Hoger https://www.rileycallieresources.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/rileycallieresources https://www.instagram.com/rileycallieresources/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-hoger-b7b924142/ Email: info@rileycallieresources.com.au Teaching Indigenous Perspectives In the Australian Curriculum

In this episode, we speak with Kirby McDonald, a primary educator, numeracy leader and instructional coach from New South Wales, about what effective literacy instruction looks like in Years 5 and 6. Kirby unpacks the key elements of strong upper primary literacy blocks, including vocabulary, comprehension, background knowledge, explicit writing instruction and the impact of the Science of Reading. With a practical and research-informed lens, she shares how teachers and schools can make high-quality literacy teaching clear, consistent and achievable in real classrooms.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr Tessa Daffern, Founding Co-director of Literacy Education Solutions and Adjunct Associate Professor at La Trobe University, to explore the science of spelling instruction and assessment. Tessa shares her journey in education, unpacks her innovative instructional framework that helps students analyse words through multiple linguistic lenses, and discusses how teachers can effectively assess and teach spelling using evidence-based approaches. We also examine emerging trends from updated CoSTEY and CoST data, practical implications for classroom practice, and where educators can access high-quality resources to strengthen spelling outcomes for students. Recent Publications Daffern, T. (2025). Spelling Assessment and Instruction: An ‘ART PhOrM’. In M. Quinn & B. Healy (Eds), Teaching writers – from apprentice to expert (Chapter 4). PETAA Snow, P., Serry, T., Buckingham, J., Lorraine, H., Dinham, S., Charles, E., Weadman, T., Swain, N., Hiland, S., & Daffern, T. (2025). National and international monitoring of student literacy and numeracy attainment: The case for rigorous macro and micro analysis . Australian Journal of Social Issues, 0 , 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajs4.70049

In this episode, we speak with Toni Hatten-Roberts about the growing impact of the Science of Learning and what it means for classrooms, teachers and school leadership. Drawing on decades of experience across education, Toni shares practical insights into evidence-informed teaching, cognitive science and how schools can create the conditions for deep and lasting learning.

In this episode of the Teacher Takeaway Podcast, we sit down with internationally renowned educator and researcher Andy Hargreaves to explore the future of teaching, leadership and educational change. Andy shares powerful insights on teaching as “repair work”, supporting teacher wellbeing, creating cultures of innovation and why protecting the humanity of education has never mattered more. Drawing on decades of global experience and his upcoming book Changing Teachers for Challenging Times, this conversation is both a challenge and a message of hope for educators navigating an increasingly complex world.

In this episode, we are joined by Lyn Stone, an educational linguist, author, and founder of Lifelong Literacy, to unpack the science of spelling instruction and what effective literacy teaching looks like in today’s classrooms. Lyn explores common misconceptions about how children learn to spell, the importance of encoding and orthography, and why traditional spelling lists and Friday tests often fail to lead to lasting learning. Drawing on more than three decades of research, writing, and collaboration with educators worldwide, she shares practical strategies teachers can implement immediately to deepen students’ understanding of how words are built, remembered, and connected through the English language.

In this episode, we sit down with internationally recognised instructional coaching expert Jim Knight to explore what effective coaching looks like in real schools today. Jim shares practical insights into fast-track coaching, PEERS goals, video reflection, and the four key coaching conversations that can drive meaningful teacher growth without adding unnecessary workload. Whether you’re a teacher, instructional coach or school leader, this episode is packed with high-impact strategies to build a coaching culture that is supportive, practical and focused on improving student outcomes.

In this episode, we sit down with Cindy Valdez, founder of Teach to Learn, to explore her mission of empowering educators and transforming lives through global collaboration. Drawing on her work connecting Australian and Filipino teachers, Cindy shares how building teacher capacity creates lasting impact for students and communities. We also dive into her passion for inclusion, multilingual learners, and why supporting teachers is the most powerful lever for change in education.

In this episode, we speak with Amy Tasker, founder of Groove Nation, about her journey in education and her mission to make dance accessible, inclusive and impactful for every primary school classroom. Amy shares why dance is such a powerful tool for building confidence and connection, along with practical strategies teachers can use to embed it into everyday teaching without feeling overwhelmed. We also unpack common mistakes, what great practice looks like in action, and how educators can continue to grow their skills in the creative arts.

In this episode, Brendan Lee returns to unpack five powerful ideas that cut through the noise of teaching and focus on what truly works in the classroom. Together, we explore how clarity for novices, purposeful classroom dialogue, fluency, intentional discovery, and the use of data can transform student learning and teacher practice. Brendan shares practical, evidence-informed insights that help educators move from good intentions to consistent, high-impact instruction.

In this episode, we are joined by Stephanie Murphy, Director of the Victorian Lesson Plans project, to explore what it really takes to improve teaching and learning at scale. We unpack what makes a lesson truly effective, the role ready-made resources can play in strengthening curriculum and practice, and the common pitfalls schools need to avoid. Steph also shares practical strategies for leaders and teachers to adapt these resources well and use them as a driver for genuine, whole-school improvement.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr Simon Breakspear to unpack what “elevated conversations” really mean and why they matter more than ever in schools today. We explore where everyday conversations can go wrong, what great leaders do differently, and simple, practical shifts that can immediately improve the quality of dialogue across a school. Simon also shares how getting this right impacts student outcomes and what it could mean for the future of the profession if we truly lift the way we talk about teaching and learning.