Deborah Netolicky talks with Dr Catherine Smith about care and inclusion in an age of AI. Catherine is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne. Her work sits at the intersection of wellbeing, inclusion, digital technologies and social justice in education, with a focus on how education can remain relational, ethical and deeply human in systems shaped by accountability, automation and technological change. Grounded in the ethics of care, Catherine’s research examines how schools, universities and education systems recognise or fail to recognise the relational work of teaching, learning and support. Her recent work focuses on inclusive education, disability, Individual Education Plans, student voice, AI in education and digital wellbeing. Catherine has co-authored national reports with Children and Young People with Disability Australia and teaches generative AI, wellbeing and education at Masters level. She also develops school-level AI resources, including gamified learning about innovation, trust and sustainability. Her work asks how care, accessibility and recognition can become central to learning.

Want to know more?

- https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/664307-catherine-smith

- https://cyda.org.au/educationreport/

- https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/young-people-are-using-ai-coaches%2C-but-are-they-using-the-right-ones

- https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/supporting-kids-social-lives%2C-without-social-media

- Deb: @theeeduflaneuse on Instagram

- The Edu Salon: @theedusalon on Instagram

Deborah Netolicky talks with Janine Stratford about being a relational, strategic leader in schools. Janine is a Leadership Coach, Career Strategist, Founder of her company Coaching

Focus and facilitator passionate about helping educators lead with clarity, confidence, and

purpose. After 28 years in schools, including as a Deputy Principal, Janine started Coaching Focus in

2015 to empower school leaders to step up, stand out, and make a lasting difference. She

saw too many great educators doubting their leadership potential and wanted to change

that. Janine partners with educators and leadership teams across Australia and New Zealand,

providing leadership development, coaching, and coach training that inspire growth and

impact. A Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and Certified Professional Behavioural Analyst,

she helps leaders understand themselves and their influence so they can lead with

authenticity and strategic intent. She is author of Leading for Tomorrow, Today: School Leadership with Purpose, Alignment and Lasting Impact.

Want to know more?

- https://coachingfocus.com.au/

- https://ambapress.com.au/collections/coming-soon/products/leading-for-tomorrow-today

- Deb: @theeeduflaneuse on Instagram

- The Edu Salon: @theedusalon on Instagram

Deborah Netolicky talks with Dr Jeremy Hannay about counter-cultural leadership, navigating the pace of change, and how to pursue happiness and high performance at the same time. Jeremy is Executive Principal of Three Bridges Primary School and Wolf Fields Primary School in Southall, London. Originally from Canada, he has spent over a decade leading in one of the world’s most high-stakes education systems while advocating for a more human, growth-centred approach to school improvement. A former Pearson National Headteacher of the Year, he speaks and writes internationally about leadership, learning and how to grow strong schools without being defined by performance-driven systems.

Want to know more?

- Deb: @theeeduflaneuse on Instagram

- The Edu Salon: @theedusalon on Instagram

Deborah Netolicky talks with Associate Professor Paul Kidson about leadership in schools that is hopeful, sustainable and personalised. Paul leads Educational Leadership postgraduate courses at the Australian Catholic University. He is one of the researchers on Australia’s largest and longest running principal wellbeing research project, the Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Survey, as well as a frequent media commentator on educational matters. He has co-designed several aspiring principals and middle leadership programs in both the government and non-government sectors. Prior to his academic career, he was a school principal for over 11 years. In addition to his academic qualifications and experience, he is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of the Institute for Managers and Leaders, and is currently President of the NSW Branch, and National Board member, of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders.

Want to know more?

- Deb: @theeeduflaneuse on Instagram

- The Edu Salon: @theedusalon on Instagram

Deborah Netolicky talks with Dr Amanda Bell AM about leadership and governance in schools. Amanda is a highly experienced leader, an accomplished non-executive director and strategic facilitator whose advisory work concentrates on strategic futures, leadership development and masterclasses for boards, CEOs and senior managers. She holds several board directorships and is past Principal of The Women’s College within the University of Sydney. Amanda was appointed a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD), the Australian College of Educators (FACE) and the Australian Institute of Management (FAIM). She was recognised in The Queen’s Birthday 2017 Honours List as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to education, particularly to young women as a leader and academic, and to the visual arts.

Want to know more?

- https://futureleadership.com.au/team/amanda-bell/

- Deb: @theeeduflaneuse on Instagram

- The Edu Salon: @theedusalon on Instagram

Deborah Netolicky talks with Professor Erica McWilliam AM about the joy in the rigour of learning, reclaiming the magic of teaching, and the importance of knowing. Erica is an internationally recognised scholar of pedagogy and creativity, whose career spans more than forty years. Moving from classroom teaching to senior academic roles in Australia and Singapore, Erica is known for her work on innovation, futures of work, and ‘low threat, high challenge’ approaches to learning. She has led major research programs, including the Creative Workforce 2.0 initiative, and is the author of The Creative Workforce. Her contributions to education were recognised with the award of a Member of the Order of Australia.

Want to know more?

- https://www.qut.edu.au/about/our-people/academic-profiles/e.mcwilliam Join the conversation on social media.

- Deb: @theeeduflaneuse on Instagram

- The Edu Salon: @theedusalon on Instagram

Deborah Netolicky talks with Professor Erica McWilliam AM about the joy in the rigour of learning, reclaiming the magic of teaching, and the importance of knowing. Erica is an internationally recognised scholar of pedagogy and creativity, whose career spans more than forty years. Moving from classroom teaching to senior academic roles in Australia and Singapore, Erica is known for her work on innovation, futures of work, and ‘low threat, high challenge’ approaches to learning. She has led major research programs, including the Creative Workforce 2.0 initiative, and is the author of 'The Creative Workforce'. Her contributions to education were recognised with the award of a Member of the Order of Australia.

Want to know more?

- www.qut.edu.au/about/our-people/…files/e.mcwilliam

Join the conversation on social media.

- Deb: @theeeduflaneuse on Instagram

- The Edu Salon: @theedusalon on Instagram

Deborah Netolicky talks with Professor Gert Biesta about teaching, knowledge and the purpose of education. Gert is Professor of Public Education at the Centre for Public Education and Pedagogy, Maynooth University. His work on the theory and philosophy of education is translated into over 20 languages, covering key interests such as curriculum, teaching, teacher education, democracy, and citizenship education. Gert’s books include 'Beyond Learning', 'The Beautiful Risk of Education', 'The Rediscovery of Teaching', and 'World-Centred Education'.

Want to know more?

- https://www.gertbiesta.com/

Join the conversation on social media.

- Deb: @theeeduflaneuse on Instagram

- The Edu Salon: @theedusalon on Instagram

Deborah Netolicky talks with Dr Adrian Camm about principalship, self-transformation, innovation in schools and the possibilities of AI for education. Adrian is the Principal of Westbourne Grammar School in Melbourne, where he leads with a future-focused philosophy grounded in purpose, human connection, and deep learning. A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and with a PhD from Deakin University, Adrian is passionate about transforming education so that schools remain relevant and empowering in an era of rapid change. He is recognised for his work in curriculum innovation and use of emerging technologies, and recently won the Principal of the Year Award in the Australian Education Awards. He is the co-host of the Principal’s Perspective podcast.

Want to know more?

- https://www.adriancamm.com

Join the conversation on social media.

- Deb: @theeeduflaneuse on Instagram

- The Edu Salon: @theedusalon on Instagram

Deborah Netolicky talks with Kristen Douglas about mental health challenges in schools and society, and how educators can support themselves and the children and families in their communities. Kristen has a Bachelor and Master of Education and over 30 years’ experience in the education, health, mental health, suicide, in not for profit and government sectors. Kristen has significantly contributed to the synergy between education and mental health in Australia. From guiding government policy to leading transformational change and national reform. Kristen has led many national and state initiatives in the critical areas of whole school approach, youth mental health, principal leader mental health and wellbeing. She has authored several national resources and frameworks and specialises in the impact of suicide, complex events, trauma, and natural disasters on schools and communities and how they respond and recover.

Want to know more?

- https://headspace.org.au/

- https://beyou.edu.au/

Join the conversation on social media.

- Kristen: @kd_wellbeing on Instagram

- Deb: @theeeduflaneuse on Instagram

- The Edu Salon: @theedusalon on Instagram