The Art of Teaching

With over fifteen years of experience as a teacher in special education, John has worked across Schools for Specific Purposes (SSPs) and support units in primary schools within public education. Now serving as an Assistant Principal Special Education, he is deeply committed to building the confidence, knowledge and capacity of colleagues and teachers, so inclusive practice is not an add-on, but a shared responsibility across the school community. John’s work is grounded in the belief that every student deserves to be seen for their strengths, potential and possibilities. He leads with care, clarity and high expectations, advocating for learning environments where difference is understood, valued and supported. Disability does not mean inability. Here is John's article: https://cpl.nswtf.org.au/journal/semester-2-2025/is-inclusion-truly-inclusive/

I’m joined today by Dr Vanessa Urch Druskat, a leading organisational psychologist whose work has reshaped how we think about emotional intelligence in teams. Together, we explore what helps groups think clearly, collaborate well and stay steady under pressure. We talk about trust, shared norms and the often invisible emotional work that underpins strong teaching teams and healthy school cultures. It’s a grounded, practical and quietly powerful conversation for anyone who leads, teaches or works closely with others. Here is a link to her resources: https://www.vanessadruskat.com/about

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.