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Teaching Is a Performance and AI Doesn't Know the Script with Holly Wedd
On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Holly Wedd, Head Teacher of Mathematics in Coffs Harbour, to unpack how she's gone from never wanting to set foot in a school again to becoming the 2026 Premier's Teaching Scholarship recipient, a 2025 Schools Plus Teaching Fellow, and the holder of a growing list of awards in just eight years of teaching.
Holly shares how a maths teacher why she is trying to change the way people feel about maths — from a subject you "get through" to one that's as creative and engaging as any other.
We explore what really matters in the maths classroom:
connecting content to real-world application, not just the syllabus
the shift from "getting the right answer" to explaining your reasoning
the balance between rote learning and spaced retrieval practice
building a classroom that's genuinely safe to fail in
We also discuss AI in education, including the research on cognitive offloading and what happens to a student's thinking when AI does it for them, and how Holly uses AI tools to differentiate lessons for a full range of abilities in minutes instead of hours — without a single student feeling singled out.
A key thread throughout the episode is simple but important: AI can save you time, but it can't read a room, manage a classroom, or replace the relationship you build with your students.
This is a thoughtful, energetic, and deeply practical conversation for maths teachers, school leaders, and anyone curious about where AI actually fits in a real classroom.
You can find Holly:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-wedd-ohs/
you can find me on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-murdoch-%F0%9F%A4%99-68a846b1/
YouTube
https://youtube.com/@thetattooedteacher01?si=tJy1U6Huz684CtZE
Follow DJ Fruit Salad:
https://www.instagram.com/djfruitsaladofficial/
Sponsored byThe BUSY School
This episode is brought to you by The BUSY School— a network of special assistance schools for Year 11 and 12 students who've disengaged from mainstream education. Small classes, real industry connections, and completely free for students.
If you know a young person who needs a different kind of school, The BUSY School could be exactly what they're looking for. The BUSY School is part ofThe BUSY Group — an Australian not-for-profit approaching its 50th year, operating across Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
Find out if there's a BUSY School near you at busyschools.edu.qld.au
Supported by
The Design & Technologies Resource Site
An Australian platform built to help creators, educators, and podcasters increase their visibility and connect with Design & Technologies educators.
https://andacod.com.au/
TeacherPD Australia
https://teacherpd.com.au/
Australia's Premier Teacher PD Directory
View all episodes
By Phil MurdochOn this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Holly Wedd, Head Teacher of Mathematics in Coffs Harbour, to unpack how she's gone from never wanting to set foot in a school again to becoming the 2026 Premier's Teaching Scholarship recipient, a 2025 Schools Plus Teaching Fellow, and the holder of a growing list of awards in just eight years of teaching.
Holly shares how a maths teacher why she is trying to change the way people feel about maths — from a subject you "get through" to one that's as creative and engaging as any other.
We explore what really matters in the maths classroom:
connecting content to real-world application, not just the syllabus
the shift from "getting the right answer" to explaining your reasoning
the balance between rote learning and spaced retrieval practice
building a classroom that's genuinely safe to fail in
We also discuss AI in education, including the research on cognitive offloading and what happens to a student's thinking when AI does it for them, and how Holly uses AI tools to differentiate lessons for a full range of abilities in minutes instead of hours — without a single student feeling singled out.
A key thread throughout the episode is simple but important: AI can save you time, but it can't read a room, manage a classroom, or replace the relationship you build with your students.
This is a thoughtful, energetic, and deeply practical conversation for maths teachers, school leaders, and anyone curious about where AI actually fits in a real classroom.
You can find Holly:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-wedd-ohs/
you can find me on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-murdoch-%F0%9F%A4%99-68a846b1/
YouTube
https://youtube.com/@thetattooedteacher01?si=tJy1U6Huz684CtZE
Follow DJ Fruit Salad:
https://www.instagram.com/djfruitsaladofficial/
Sponsored byThe BUSY School
This episode is brought to you by The BUSY School— a network of special assistance schools for Year 11 and 12 students who've disengaged from mainstream education. Small classes, real industry connections, and completely free for students.
If you know a young person who needs a different kind of school, The BUSY School could be exactly what they're looking for. The BUSY School is part ofThe BUSY Group — an Australian not-for-profit approaching its 50th year, operating across Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
Find out if there's a BUSY School near you at busyschools.edu.qld.au
Supported by
The Design & Technologies Resource Site
An Australian platform built to help creators, educators, and podcasters increase their visibility and connect with Design & Technologies educators.
https://andacod.com.au/
TeacherPD Australia
https://teacherpd.com.au/
Australia's Premier Teacher PD Directory