Teacher Takeaway

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.

In this episode, education writer Natalie Wexler joins us to explore why writing is not just a way to assess learning, but a powerful tool for thinking, knowledge building, and student understanding. We unpack the cognitive benefits of writing, including how retrieval practice and elaboration can be embedded through simple, manageable classroom strategies. Natalie also shares practical advice for teachers and school leaders on strengthening writing instruction across the curriculum and avoiding common pitfalls.

In this episode, we speak with astrophysicist and UNSW Professor of Practice Dr Lisa Harvey-Smith about her journey into science and her passion for STEM education in schools. Lisa shares insights from her time as Australia’s Women in STEM Ambassador and discusses the ongoing challenges around gender equity and student participation in STEM subjects. We also explore the Future You program and practical strategies teachers can use to create more inclusive, engaging STEM learning environments.

In this episode, Dylan Wiliam joins us for a frank, wide-ranging conversation about the real purpose of assessment and whether our systems are truly serving learning or simply feeding accountability. We explore feedback that actually changes what students do next, what responsive teaching looks like in practice, and how leaders can navigate the rise of AI without panic or posturing. It’s a thoughtful, challenging discussion about what must evolve in assessment, what should never change, and how we keep learning at the centre of it all.

In this episode, we’re joined by Jenny, a self-described “recovering Principal” and founder of Positively Beaming, who brings over 30 years of experience in education and a refreshingly honest perspective on leadership, burnout, and career choice. Drawing on her own journey and her book Teach, Lead or Leave, Jenny unpacks why so many educators feel stuck, the guilt that surrounds leaving, and how to tell the difference between a tough season and a role that no longer fits. We explore her Energy–Impact Matrix and the six possible pathways beyond “stay or go,” offering practical, values-led guidance for educators who want sustainable careers they can truly enjoy.