Today, I’m joined by Melissa Kennedy - a passionate educator, leader, and storyteller.

Melissa is Head of English at her school, a sessional university lecturer, and a presenter who brings depth and clarity to conversations about teaching, leadership, and curriculum. She’s also an accomplished author and was recently recognised as an ACEL New Voice in School Leadership for 2024.

Her work lives at the intersection of language, leadership, and learning. Whether she’s guiding students through rich texts or mentoring colleagues, Melissa is all about empowering others to think critically, communicate clearly, and lead with purpose.

This is a thoughtful and inspiring conversation. 

Reimagining the Future of Education Through Innovation with Ariam Mogos. Ariam leads the emerging tech portfolio at Stanford’s d.school, where she supports students and educators in designing with tools like AI, always with a keen eye on their ethical impact on people and the planet.

Her work spans continents, from Africa and Asia to the US and Europe, collaborating with organisations like UNICEF, the World Bank, and the LEGO Foundation. A National Geographic Explorer, Ariam’s contributions to digital learning and inclusion have also been recognised by Mozilla and Fast Company

Andrea Downie is a systems leader, educator, and wellbeing expert who has worked collaboratively with hundreds of schools and organisations around the world on the application of wellbeing science, education redesign and systems leadership. Andrea is currently the Head of Wellbeing on the Board of Executive at British School Jakarta and also an Honorary Fellow of the Centre for Wellbeing Science at the University of Melbourne.

Here are some of the wellbeing resources from British School Jakarta: 

https://www.bsj.sch.id/wellbeing/defining-wellbeing#slide1

Today’s guest is Peter Howes, Principal of Ballina Coast High School and a passionate leader in public education. With more than three decades of experience across teaching, leadership, and community engagement, Peter brings a deep commitment to equity, innovation, and inclusion in every aspect of his work.

As a seasoned school leader, he’s driven by a belief that every student — no matter their background or ability — deserves access to a high-quality, supportive education. His approach to leadership is grounded in strong relationships, community partnerships, and a vision of schools as places where both students and staff can grow, contribute, and thrive.

In this conversation, we explore what it means to lead with purpose, how to build an inclusive school culture, and the role of public education in shaping stronger communities.

Let’s get into it.

Today’s guest is Dr. Daniel T. Willingham a cognitive scientist, professor, and author whose work bridges the gap between research and the classroom.

He’s a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia and the bestselling author of Why Don’t Students Like School?, a go-to book for educators looking to understand how students learn.

Dr. Willingham has a rare gift for translating complex science into clear, practical insights. His research focuses on memory, reading, and critical thinking, and he writes regularly for The Washington Post and American Educator.

In 2017, he was appointed by President Obama to the National Board for Education Sciences, recognising his contribution to evidence-based education.

I’m thrilled to share this conversation with Dr. Willingham. Let’s get into it.

Today I’m joined by Ash Smith, co-founder of Rainbow Sky Creations — a passionate educator creating practical, inspiring resources for teachers. Through her work, Ash supports educators to feel more confident, organised, and empowered in their classrooms.

Let’s jump into the conversation.

Adam Larby, Head of Tudor House at The King’s School, is a passionate educator, thoughtful leader, and lifelong learner devoted to nurturing both character and curiosity. With years of leadership experience at Shore’s North Sydney Preparatory School and a deep commitment to faith, family, and community, Adam brings a rich blend of wisdom, vision, and heart to his role.

Next up on The Art of Teaching podcast is Stef Thom. With over 12 years in Catholic Education, Stef is a passionate, Highly Accomplished Lead Teacher known for building capacity in others. From leading in the classroom to advising the Minister for Education, Stef brings energy, faith, and purpose to everything she does. Let’s dive into her inspiring journey.

Today, we enter the world of Professor Sugata Mitra — TED Prize winner and creator of the Hole in the Wall experiment — whose work is reshaping how children learn.

He has shown that with curiosity and connection, children can teach themselves — and each other. But in a world where learning organises itself, one question remains: do we still need teachers?

Join me as we explore the space where technology empowers, autonomy flourishes, and human connection still matters.

Even when learning finds its own path… a great teacher remains the guiding light.

Sarah is a graduate of Wheelock College in Boston, Massachusetts, and has over 26 years of experience as an elementary school teacher in San Jose, California. She was a Cotsen Foundation "The Art of Teaching" Fellow and has worked closely with Dr. Jo Boaler on integrating Big Ideas into elementary mathematics. Sarah is featured in Dr. Boaler’s book Math-ish and will also appear in her forthcoming book on data education. A passionate educator, Sarah is deeply committed to a teaching philosophy rooted in a growth mindset, collaborative learning, and relationship-building.