If you ask ten people what instructional leadership means, you’ll probably hear ten different answers. At its heart though, it’s the everyday work of helping teachers grow and helping students learn in ways that are intentional, evidence-informed, and grounded in trust. It isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating clarity, building shared purpose, and keeping everyone focused on the practices that genuinely shift learning. Instructional leaders make learning visible, link practice to impact, and cultivate the confidence and capability of the people around them. They stay curious, reflect openly, and use evidence to guide improvement rather than to judge. This idea sits at the centre of the work led by Peter DeWitt and Michael Nelson, who together lead the Instructional Leadership Collective. Their approach shows that instructional leadership isn’t something held by one person. It lives in teams, in the way we talk about learning, in walkthroughs and planning sessions, and in those quiet, hopeful moments when someone says, “Let’s try this together.” When we define instructional leadership clearly, we can collectively grow it. And students feel the difference long before the data catches up.

Today’s episode is something a little different. I sat down with the amazing Ash from Rainbow Sky Creations for a raw and honest chat, and this time I found myself on the other side of the microphone. It felt a bit strange being the one answering the questions, but Ash has a way of making you feel safe enough to tell the truth about your work, your why, and the messy bits in between. We talked about teaching, life, purpose, and what it means to try and make a difference in this wild and wonderful profession. It’s a conversation filled with heart, a few laughs, and some vulnerable moments that I’m really proud to share. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed being part of it.

Today’s guest has spent more than 25 years focused on one big idea, helping learning truly stick. Dr William DeJean is the founder and CEO of Unleash Learning, working with schools and organisations around the world to build professional learning that lasts. His journey began in San Diego, where he taught high school for a decade and was named the 2003 San Diego County Teacher of the Year. He went on to complete a masters and doctorate in education, lectured in universities across the US and Australia and supported leadership teams through major change. His work brings together deep research, real classroom insight and a clear understanding of what makes learning meaningful and sustainable. William now leads Unleash Learning, hosts Unleash Learning TV and the Unleash Learning podcast, and presents at events including TEDx, Young Minds and Happiness and Its Causes. You can learn more about him on the Unleash Learning founder page. This is the second time I’ve had the chance to speak with him, and it’s a real pleasure to welcome him back. Let’s dive in.

Today’s guest is Nicole Dyson, one of Australia’s most influential voices in future-focused education, youth entrepreneurship, and system-wide innovation. Nic’s journey from classroom teacher to award-winning entrepreneur has reshaped how thousands of young people think about learning, creativity, and possibility. She’s the founder and CEO of Future Anything, an organisation with a bold mission to turn ideas into action. Over the past decade, she’s worked with more than a hundred thousand young people and educators across Australia and New Zealand, influencing the learning of more than a million students. Her work spans everything from YouthX, Australia’s only startup accelerator for school-aged entrepreneurs, to Catapult Cards, a design thinking tool now used by classrooms around the world. Nic’s impact reaches well beyond our region. She’s an Obama Foundation Leader, a three-time honouree on The Educator’s Most Influential List, and her organisation is the only one in the Southern Hemisphere contributing to the IDEEC project, a major European Union initiative shaping global best practice in entrepreneurship education. At the heart of it all is her belief that youth-led ideas can bend the future, and that every young person deserves the chance to discover their passion and potential. Today, we get to hear how she helps educators and systems bring that belief to life.

Today I’m joined by Glenys Oberg (FHEA), an author, educator and researcher whose work sits at the crossroads of wellbeing, neuroscience and teaching practice. Glenys explores how compassion fatigue, moral injury and emotional resilience shape the lives of educators, and how trauma-aware, evidence-informed approaches can create healthier and more sustainable ways of working in schoolsWhat I value most about her work is how clearly she bridges research and practice. She takes insights from neuroscience and psychology and turns them into practical support for teachers, helping them understand not only the science of wellbeing but how to bring it to life in everyday school contexts.Glenys is the author of The Cost of Not Caring and Creating Trauma-Informed Classrooms, two books that continue to influence how we think about care, trauma and teacher wellbeing. This conversation is a thoughtful look at what it really takes to support both students and the educators who stand beside them.

Today we’re joined by Jeffrey Jordan, an inspiring school leader who’s currently in his third year as an elementary school principal. Jeffrey’s career spans classrooms and continents. He’s taught English Language Arts across primary and secondary settings, led as a vice principal for six years at the second-largest English high school in Quebec, and even taught English as a Second Language in South Korea. Throughout his career, Jeffrey has been driven by a passion for helping every student thrive. He’s a strong advocate for educational and assistive technologies, digital citizenship, and resource support for students with learning difficulties. His leadership is grounded in inclusion, innovation, and the belief that schools should be places where all learners feel seen and supported.

Today, I'm talking about something that sits right at the heart of great leadership - wellbeing. Not as a buzzword or a side project, but as the foundation for how we lead, teach, and thrive together. In her new book Wellbeing Leadership, Amy Green challenges us to rethink what leadership in schools can look like when wellbeing isn’t an afterthought, but the starting point. She explores four essential qualities that create a wellbeing-centred workplace, and eight characteristics that empower staff to feel, work, team, and lead well. This conversation isn’t about quick fixes or checklists. It’s about courage, clarity, and the willingness to do things differently - to lead a wellbeing revolution in education.🎧 Here’s the conversation: The Art of Teaching Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gBQRRz27📘 Find Amy’s work and resources at The Wellness Strategy: https://lnkd.in/g4pBZUUa

This episode’s a little different. Instead of me asking the questions, I’m the one being interviewed. Highly Accomplished teacher Andrew Cornwall and I sit down to talk about teaching, accreditation, and what it means for all of us to be expert practitioners. We dig into how great teaching grows through shared practice, honest reflection, and the everyday work we do alongside our colleagues. It’s a relaxed, thoughtful chat about the craft of teaching, the challenges of accreditation, and why supporting each other as professionals matters more than ever.

What is the purpose of education? It’s one of those questions that sounds simple but cuts right to the heart of what we do as teachers and school leaders. Too often, it’s pushed aside as though it’s already been settled. My guest today, Tom Mahony, doesn’t accept that. He’s a teacher, leader, and educational researcher who believes that revisiting this question isn’t a philosophical indulgence—it’s essential to shaping how we teach, lead, and connect with students. Through his blog The Interruption on Substack, Tom explores contemporary issues in education through this central lens, helping educators reclaim a greater sense of agency and alignment between what we value and how we practise. In our chat, we talked about curiosity, purpose, and what it means to live out the question of education in real schools, every single day.

Every teacher and every school want their students to achieve and thrive. Through his leadership, innovative approaches, and dedication to learning, Cameron Paterson, Director of Learning at Wesley College in Melbourne, is helping students and teachers do exactly that. Cameron Paterson is an educator who has never stopped learning. A History teacher for more than 30 years and now Director of Learning at Wesley College, his work with Harvard’s Project Zero and the Project Zero Australia Network explores how curiosity, reflection, and design thinking can transform teaching practice. As a classroom teacher, Cameron’s creativity knew no bounds. From producing audio e-books to historical documentaries, his innovative projects led to remarkable student engagement and achievement — including students winning prestigious awards such as the Simpson Essay Prize. During his tenure at previous schools, academic performance improved significantly under his leadership. Cameron himself is no stranger to recognition. His awards include the 21st Century Learning Initiative Global Innovation in Teaching Award, a Premier’s History Scholarship, a Minister’s Quality Teaching Award, a Churchill Fellowship, and the Dr Paul Brock Medal. At Wesley College, Cameron is leading a strategic focus on middle years teaching, cultivating a learning culture grounded in curiosity and deep thinking. He initiated and co-leads the Project Zero Australia Network, which provides free professional learning to thousands of educators — including hosting a major conference this year, keynoted by Harvard researcher Ron Ritchhart. Listen to The Art of Teaching Podcast Subscribe to the YouTube Channel  

Up next is a conversation with Jen Buchanan, the proud Principal of Think Global School, the world's first travelling high school, where students study in eight countries throughout their two years, experiencing truly global, experiential education. With extensive experience leading innovation across international progressive schools and organisations, including Green School in Bali and as Director of Engagement with Future Anything, Jen has dedicated her career to reimagining what's possible in education. I previously met Jen when she was convenor of the Future Schools Alliance, working with school leaders across Australia and globally to co-design learning environments that unlock student agency and creative potential. It has been a full circle for Jen, as she shares with us her adventure from across the globe.      

Today on The Art of Teaching Podcast, I’m joined by Amelia Martin, Senior Education Advisor for Middle Years with Brisbane Catholic Education. Amelia works passionately to deliver on a powerful vision — that every child deserves to feel a sense of belonging, connection, and success at school. With experience across primary and secondary settings, Amelia has dedicated her career to supporting teachers and school leaders to create learning environments where young adolescents thrive — academically, socially, and emotionally. In this conversation, we explore what it really means to teach for belonging, how we can reimagine the middle years, and why relationships must sit at the heart of learning. 🎧 Listen here: The Art of Teaching Podcast

Today I’m joined by Dr Nathaniel Swain - a teacher, instructional coach, researcher and writer with a deep passion for language, literacy and learning. Nathaniel is dedicated to helping teachers create effective and engaging learning for every student. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in Learning Sciences and Learner Engagement at La Trobe University’s School of Education. He is also the founder of Think Forward Educators, a community of teachers and education professionals committed to the Science of Learning. Most recently, Nathaniel has authored Harnessing the Science of Learning — a practical guide for teachers and school leaders that distils key insights from research into clear, actionable strategies to drive school improvement. In this conversation, we’ll explore his journey, the ideas behind his book, and how schools can harness the science of learning to transform teaching and student outcomes. Here are a few useful links:  https://luminary.nathanielswain.com/ https://www.nathanielswain.com/cognitoriumblog/2024/7/canvas-for-thought  

Today, I’m joined by Claudia Owad, Director at Growth Coaching International. With over 30 years of experience across education, corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors, Claudia is a Master Practitioner with EMCC Global and has served on the board of the International Coaching Federation Australasia. A former school counsellor, Claudia is passionate about helping people flourish through the integration of Coaching and Positive Psychology. She has worked with leaders, teachers, students and parents to create thriving learning environments, and continues to influence the field through her leadership, training and international speaking. In this episode, we’ll explore her journey, insights into leadership and wellbeing, and the role of coaching in shaping education.

In today’s episode, we explore Elevated Conversations, Dr Simon Breakspear’s new book that helps educators turn meetings from weary talk into purposeful dialogue. Drawing on years of work with schools worldwide, Simon shares seven practical tools designed to spark fresh thinking, deepen connections, and make the most of limited collaborative time. It’s a playbook for lifting the quality of our professional conversations and lightening the load for busy educators. In today’s episode, we explore Elevated Conversations, Dr Simon Breakspear’s new book that helps educators turn meetings from weary talk into purposeful dialogue. Drawing on years of work with schools worldwide, Simon shares seven practical tools designed to spark fresh thinking, deepen connections, and make the most of limited collaborative time. It’s a playbook for lifting the quality of our professional conversations and lightening the load for busy educators.   🎧 Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-art-of-teaching/id1552506400 Simon's resources:  📘 https://simonbreakspear.com/elevatedconversations-book/    

Today I’m joined by Michael, an experienced educational leader with more than two decades working across the primary, secondary and adult education sectors. His career has been shaped by a passion for coaching, digital technology, and the Performing Arts, where he’s made a real impact on both teaching and leadership. Michael is currently the Deputy Principal at John Paul College in Frankston, Victoria, where he brings together his deep expertise and his commitment to helping teachers and students thrive.

Today I’m joined by Jamie Gerlach, an educator and leader who believes in the power of deep learning to build human agency and sees access to rigorous play as a basic right for all. For over a decade, he has designed and led professional learning in embodied literacy, 4C learning and school transformation, working with teachers and leaders across Australia and internationally. Jamie has also lectured at the University of Sydney and spoken at national conferences. In this conversation, we explore his philosophy, passion and practical insights for reimagining education.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Ange Rogers, a teacher, numeracy leader, consultant and researcher whose work has helped countless primary teachers feel more confident in the maths classroom. With more than twenty years of experience across teaching, coaching, and research, Ange has a real gift for turning evidence into simple, practical strategies that work. Her passion lies in building teacher confidence, improving number sense, and breaking down those common misconceptions that can so easily trip students up. Ange’s down-to-earth approach means everything she shares is classroom-ready, realistic, and focused on what makes the biggest difference for students. Whether you’re a teacher wanting new ways to strengthen your numeracy practice or a leader looking to support your staff, this conversation is full of insights, routines, and encouragement that will help maths click.

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Brendan, a proud public education principal with deep roots in his community. Brendan now leads in the very place he once attended as a student, driven by a passion to expand opportunities for rural and remote students. His journey began early, when he revitalised the Riverina Industrial Arts Network to strengthen skills teaching across the region. He continues to champion equity, opportunity, and strong staff support, making a real difference in the lives of young people and the communities they grow up in.

What if the key to thinking more clearly, feeling more connected, and even solving problems... was movement?In this episode, I sit down with Dr Peter Lovatt psychologist, dancer, and founder of the world’s first Dance Psychology Lab, to explore how moving our bodies can transform our minds. Whether you're a teacher, leader, or lifelong learner, this conversation will prompt you to think (and maybe even dance) in new ways. His new book, The Dance Cure, is a must read.