Knowledge for Teachers

In this episode, I’m joined by Jocelyn Seamer—educational consultant, author, and leading voice in structured literacy—to unpack what effective literacy instruction really looks like in the upper primary years. We dive into how to move beyond levelled texts and strategy-heavy comprehension lessons, and instead build a literacy block grounded in rich texts, explicit instruction, and purposeful writing.

Jocelyn shares practical advice on everything from planning with backward design, to teaching spelling through morphology, to managing cognitive load with the “stretchy band” analogy. Whether you’re trying to make sense of guided reading, support struggling readers, or link reading and writing more effectively, this episode is packed with clarity and actionable ideas.

Key topics include:

A must-listen for any Year 3–6 teacher ready to teach literacy with more clarity, purpose, and impact.

Resources mentioned:

You can connect with Jocelyn:

Linkedin

Facebook: @JocelynSeamerEducation

Youtube: @JocelynSeamerEducation

Podcast: The Structured Literacy Podcast

Website: www.jocelynseamereducation.com/

You can connect with Brendan:

Twitter: @learnwithmrlee

Facebook: @learningwithmrlee

Website: learnwithlee.net

https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

Jocelyn Seamer is a former teacher, tutor and school leader who has experienced, first-hand, the transformative power of evidence-based practice in literacy instruction. She has led teams to grow and develop school policy and practice to reflect the vast body of evidence that makes up the Science of Reading.

Through her own classroom practice and leadership roles in schools, Jocelyn has developed a strong understanding of how you can take simple, yet effective action to get every child on the road to literacy proficiency in the first years of school. Jocelyn feels a very personal responsibility to provide opportunities for classroom teachers to have access to the information and training they need to change children's lives and looks forward to helping you achieve great things in your teaching practice.

Read more on Jocelyn Seamer Education.

Effective Primary Maths Teaching is my live, two-day online course designed to help you stop second-guessing and start teaching with clarity and purpose.

Across two highly practical days, I’ll walk you through:

Everything’s grounded in the science of learning, backed by real classroom examples, and designed so you can take action straight away. You’ll leave with a workbook, an action plan, and the confidence to use it all on Monday.

🗓️ Dates:

Whether you’re a teacher wanting clarity or a leader building consistency, this is the course people tell me they wish they’d done years ago.

▶️ Register now: events.humanitix.com/effective-primary-maths-teaching

The last one sold out — don’t miss out.

In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, I speak with Amy Haywood and Nick Parkinson, co-authors of the Grattan Institute’s Maths Guarantee report. We unpack what they describe as Australia’s “national problem” with maths underperformance — from the equity gaps to the urgent need for high-quality curriculum materials and teacher support.

Amy and Nick share key findings from their research, including a national teacher survey and international case studies, as well as practical insights from some of Australia’s most effective schools. We dive deep into what explicit instruction really looks like, the power of fluency, and how the instructional hierarchy can help teachers better sequence their maths lessons.

Whether you're a school leader, instructional coach, or passionate teacher, this conversation will leave you with clarity, evidence, and next steps to improve maths teaching in your school.

Resources mentioned:

The schools they visited for case studies were:

The final three schools are part of the Explicit and Systematic Teaching (EAST) network, a grassroots network which exists to champion explicit teaching in NSW government schools

You can connect with Amy:

Twitter/X: @Amy_L_Haywood

You can connect with Nick:

Twitter/X: @NickJParkinson

You can connect with Brendan:

Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee

Facebook: @learningwithmrlee

Website: learnwithlee.net

Amy Haywood

Amy Haywood is the Deputy Program Director of Grattan’s Education Program. Amy has a background as an educator and brings this practical experience to her work as an education policy researcher. She is the co-author of several Grattan reports, including Ending the lesson lottery: How to improve curriculum planning in schools, The Reading Guarantee: How to give every child the best chance of success, Spreading success: Why Australia should trial multi-school organisations, and The Maths Guarantee: How to boost students’ learning in primary schools.

Amy taught English in secondary schools for five years. During this time, she presented at statewide teaching conferences and wrote several study guides for Macmillan Education. Before joining Grattan, Amy worked as a manager in Deloitte Access Economics’ Education Policy team, where she led schooling projects focused on system design, workforce reform, and teaching practice.

Amy has a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Teaching from the University of Melbourne. As part of her postgraduate degree, she studied international education policy while on exchange at the University of Oulo in Finland. She is a registered teacher.

Nick Parkinson

Nick is a Senior Associate in Grattan’s Education Program, where he has co-authored reports on whole-school curriculum, multi-school organisation, and primary maths. He also contributed to reports on catch-up tutoring and early reading. Through this research, Nick has conducted case studies of nearly 30 leading schools and analysed more than 5,000 teacher survey results.

Nick holds a Master of Teaching from the Melbourne Graduate School of Education. Before studying teaching, Nick completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Languages at the University of Melbourne. He is a 2022 Westpac Future Leader.

Before joining Grattan, Nick worked as a consultant at Nous Group where he contributed to projects on school culture, student assessment, and occupational safety.

https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

Effective Primary Maths Teaching is my live, two-day online course designed to help you stop second-guessing and start teaching with clarity and purpose.

Across two highly practical days, I’ll walk you through:

Everything’s grounded in the science of learning, backed by real classroom examples, and designed so you can take action straight away. You’ll leave with a workbook, an action plan, and the confidence to use it all on Monday.

🗓️ Dates:

Whether you’re a teacher wanting clarity or a leader building consistency, this is the course people tell me they wish they’d done years ago.

▶️ Register now: events.humanitix.com/effective-primary-maths-teaching

The last one sold out — don’t miss out.

In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers, Brendan Lee sits down with Mandy Nayton — CEO of the Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation and president of AUSPELD — for a deep and timely conversation about how students really learn to read.

Mandy draws on decades of experience to unpack what the science of reading actually is (and what it isn’t), why explicit instruction matters, and how effective intervention can change the trajectory for struggling students.

They explore key frameworks like the Simple View of Reading, Scarborough’s Reading Rope, and the Cognitive Foundations Framework — and dig into DSF’s new Word Origins program, designed to transform how spelling is taught in Years 3–6 by building deep morphological and etymological knowledge.

Whether you're just starting to explore structured literacy or you're leading change in your school, this conversation is packed with insight, clarity, and practical takeaways.

🎧 Listen now and explore how teacher knowledge is the most powerful tool we have to improve literacy outcomes.

Word Origins

Literacy Frameworks & Models

Instructional & Program Resources

Others

You can connect with Mandy:

Twitter/X: @mandynayton

Facebook: @dyslexiaspeld

Linkedin

Website: https://dsf.net.au/

You can connect with Brendan:

Twitter: @learnwithmrlee

Facebook: @learningwithmrlee

Website: learnwithlee.net

https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Brendan Lee is joined by the legendary Craig Barton—maths educator, best-selling author of How I Wish I Taught Maths and Reflect, Expect, Check, Explain, creator of variationtheory.com and tipsforteachers.co.uk, and one of the original voices in education podcasting.

In this conversation, Craig opens up about the highs and lows of teaching, the lessons he’s learned from observing thousands of classrooms, and how he’s navigated public criticism and personal growth. They dive deep into his evolving views on instruction, feedback, and what really moves the needle in student learning. The discussion covers things like:

We also touch upon his milestone 200th episode of the Mr. Barton Maths podcast and get a sneak peek at his upcoming "Becoming a Better Maths Teacher" tour of Australia with Ollie Lovell in June.

It’s honest, reflective, and packed with insights every teacher can relate to.

Resources mentioned:

Twitter/X: @mrbartonmaths

Linkedin

Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee

Facebook: @learningwithmrlee

Website: learnwithlee.net

https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

Craig Barton loves teaching, doing, speaking and thinking about mathematics. He taught maths in secondary schools for 15 years, and was TES Maths Adviser for 10 years. He is now the Head of Education at Eedi.

Craig is the author of three best-selling books: How I wish I’d taught maths, Reflect, Expect, Check, Explain and Tips for Teachers, the host of the Mr Barton Maths podcast and the Tips for Teachers podcast, and the creator of far too many websites, including eedi, diagnosticquestions, tipsforteachers, mrbartonmaths, variationtheory, and ssddproblems.

Craig has been lucky to teach maths and work with teachers and students worldwide. In 2020, he was appointed as a Visiting Fellow at the Mathematics Education Centre at the University of Loughborough.

His two proudest achievements are convincing Kate to marry him (and stay married), and being the father to our wonderful boys, Isaac and Jacob.

For the first time ever, the UK’s most celebrated mathematics teacher, podcaster, and author, Craig Barton, is coming to Australia for a nationwide tour. Craig will be joined by Australia’s own Ollie Lovell for an unforgettable day of professional learning designed to transform your teaching practice.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative event! Four dates, four cities:

Seats are limited—secure your spot today and take your mathematics teaching to the next level!

In this episode, I’m joined by Jeanette Breen — Learning Specialist at Templestowe Heights Primary School and Head of Global Partnerships at No More Marking — to unpack insights from her recent tour of some of the highest-performing schools across the UK. From standalone primaries to schools within trusts like Ark Academy, and even the renowned Michaela Community School, where she met Katharine Birbalsingh, Jeanette explored what’s making a real impact in classrooms and leadership teams.

What makes this conversation truly unique is not just Jeanette’s sharp eye for what works — it’s that you’ll also hear directly from the educators she met along the way, thanks to recordings made on-site during her journey. You’ll hear from: 

If you're looking to sharpen your teaching, rethink your curriculum, or get inspired by what’s working in leading schools abroad, this episode is packed with gold.

Resources mentioned:

X/Twitter: @jettybe3

Linkedin

e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

X/Twitter: @learnwithmrlee

Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft

Facebook: @learningwithmrlee

Website learnwithlee.net

Substack: knowledgeforteachers.substack.com/

https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

Jeanette is an experienced teacher, presenter, and liaison for the creation of partnerships and professional learning opportunities. In addition to her school-based role at Templestowe Heights PS Victoria, Jeanette works with UK company No More Marking as the bridge for schools using innovative writing assessment. She leads a Writing Network with Think Forward Educators and is a founding member of Sharing Best Practice. Jeanette holds a

For the first time ever, the UK’s most celebrated mathematics teacher, podcaster, and author, Craig Barton, is coming to Australia for a nationwide tour. Craig will be joined by Australia’s own Ollie Lovell for an unforgettable day of professional learning designed to transform your teaching practice.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative event! Four dates, four cities:

Seats are limited—secure your spot today and take your mathematics teaching to the next level!

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Carl Hendrick, a leading voice in education and co-author of What Does It Look Like in the Classroom?, How Learning Happens, and How Teaching Happens. Carl has been instrumental in helping teachers bridge the gap between research and practice, addressing the key question: That all sounds great, but what does it mean for me?

Together, they explore five essential things every teacher should do

This episode is packed with actionable insights to support and enhance teaching practice. 

Resources mentioned:

You can connect with Dr. Carl Hendrick:

Twitter/X: @C_Hendrick

Linkedin

Websites: https://carlhendrick.substack.com/ and https://carlhendrick.com/

 You can connect with Brendan:

Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee

Facebook: @learningwithmrlee

Website: learnwithlee.net

https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

In this episode, we're focusing on a key element of successful schools: understanding and supporting positive student behaviour. Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Brandi Simonsen, a professor of special education at the University of Connecticut and co-director of the National Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).

Brandi shares her practical insights into PBIS, exploring the crucial links between behaviour, attendance, and academic success. We delve into the ABCs of behavior and uncover effective, evidence-based strategies for creating positive classroom environments, from setting clear expectations to the power of specific praise.

Whether you're new to teaching or looking to enhance your practice, this episode offers valuable knowledge and actionable takeaways on implementing Positive Behaviour Interventions and Supports.

Resources mentioned:

Linkedin

Twitter: @learnwithmrlee

Facebook: @learningwithmrlee

Website: learnwithlee.net

https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

In this episode, get ready to dive deep into the world of assessments with Dr. Matthew Burns, as we explore the different categories of assessments, their intended purposes, and how they can be used to inform instruction. Dr. Burns, a researcher with extensive experience in the effective use of assessment data and interventions, shares his expertise on bridging the gap in understanding assessments.

The conversation highlights the significance of the instructional hierarchy in understanding student learning phases, as well as the differences between curriculum-based measurements (CBM) and curriculum-based assessments (CBA). Dr. Burns stresses the necessity of aligning data with educational goals and ensuring teachers are equipped with appropriate frameworks to use assessments effectively. He offers practical advice on reducing unnecessary screening, using data to drive instructional decisions, and implementing effective interventions in reading and maths.

Resources mentioned:

You can connect with Matthew:

Twitter: @burnsmk1

Email: [email protected]

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0ad1ei6p_HOHHhc-T-JnZg

You can connect with Brendan:

Twitter: @learnwithmrlee

Facebook: @learningwithmrlee

Website: learnwithlee.net

https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers, Brendan Lee speaks with Liana McCurry, a passionate advocate for primary school maths education. Fresh from her Churchill Fellowship, Liana shares findings from her research into mathematical practices across six countries.

Listeners will gain insights into the systemic issues contributing to Australia's declining maths performance and discover how to bridge the research-to-practice gap. Liana delves into key topics, including:

Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that equips educators with practical knowledge and strategies to transform maths education in their classrooms.

Resources mentioned:

You can connect with Liana:

Linkedin

Email: [email protected]

Website: sol-education.net

You can connect with Brendan:

Twitter: @learnwithmrlee

Facebook: @learningwithmrlee

Website: learnwithlee.net

https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

This episode features a compelling conversation with Murat Dizdar, the head of the New South Wales Department of Education. Murat shares his inspiring journey from being the son of Turkish immigrants to leading Australia’s largest education system. He discusses the experiences that shaped his vision for public education, his deep passion for the teaching profession, and the key initiatives he’s championing to drive meaningful change. This episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for anyone interested in education and leadership.

Resources mentioned:

You can connect with Murat:

Twitter/X:  @dizdarm

You can connect with Brendan:

Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee

Facebook: @learningwithmrlee

Website: learnwithlee.net

https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast