In this episode, Stephanie talks with Haili Hughes about why so many teachers feel worn down and what actually helps. Haili explains how shared curriculum and clear systems give teachers more time, more confidence, and more control of their work. They unpack the difference between agency and autonomy, why doing everything alone does not make teaching better, and how small shifts in practice can cut workload without cutting quality. They also dig into retention, lethal mutations, and the gap between research and everyday classroom life.

About Haili Hughes
Haili Hughes is an educator, researcher, author, and Director of Professional Development across 11 schools in Merseyside, England. She has served as a commissioner on the Teaching Commission, writes widely about teacher retention and effective instruction, and is known for helping schools understand agency, curriculum alignment, and evidence informed practice. Before working in education, she was a national newspaper journalist, a path that shaped her interest in values, integrity, and teaching with purpose.