On this episode of The Tattoo Teacher Podcast I chat with Ryan Noonan, Leader of Digital Technology and Innovation at Chevalier College (NSW), to explore what meaningful innovation in schools looks like.

Ryan’s journey starts in a low-SES community where education wasn’t seen as the obvious path, until sport and coaching sparked a love of teaching and leadership. Together, we unpack the leadership shift from “hearing” to truly “listening,” the role of humility in supporting teachers, and why relationships remain the foundation of learning in the age of AI.

We explore student agency, design thinking, and the power of failing forward including the incredible example of Chevalier students designing a glove that translates sign language into speech, opening doors to innovation conferences in Australia and even NASA-related opportunities.

Ryan also shares his early experimentation with generative AI—from creative writing and publishing an AI-assisted children’s book, to practical classroom use cases like supporting diverse learners and helping students build interactive experiences with Canva Code. The discussion also covers challenges such as cognitive offloading, assessment redesign, and the uncomfortable truth that what industry calls “efficiency,” education often labels “cheating.”

Ryan issues a call-to-action for big tech and major companies to move beyond screens and invest on the ground in rural and regional communities, where access and support are needed most.

You can find Ryan:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryannoonan5/

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

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Supported by

https://andacod.com.au/

An Australian platform built to help creators, educators, and podcasters increase their visibility and connect with Design & Technologies educators.

https://teacherpd.com.au/

Australia's PremierTeacher PD Directory

On this episode of The Tattoo Teacher Podcast, I catch up with longtime colleague and global education leader Chris Barnes, currently Director of Curriculum and Assessment at The Franklin School (New Jersey, USA).

Chris shares his journey from Australian independent schools and the International Baccalaureate to helping design a fully re‑imagined high school built from the ground up. Together, Chris and I explore why education matters, how transdisciplinary learning breaks down silos, and what truly prepares students for complex, real‑world problems.

This wide‑ranging conversation touches on innovation in education, leadership, curriculum design, teacher collaboration, student agency, and the power of relationships — plus coaching, service learning, and (of course) tattoos.

You can find Chris:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-barnes-4a7541233/

you can find me onLinkedIn:

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/

Supported by

https://andacod.com.au/

 AnAustralian platform built to help creators, educators, and podcasters increasetheir visibility and connect with Design & Technologies educators.

In this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I sit down with Doug Broadbent to explore how service and kindness shape teacher identity, classroom culture, and meaningful education. In this engaging conversation Doug shares his 25-year journey in education, exploring the importance of love for students, the role of service, curriculum design, and navigating the challenges of educational leadership. Heshare his insights on fostering critical thinking, balancing curriculum demands, and the impact of personal faith on teaching. Doug leaves us with a great challenge to “Be intentional in everything you do”

You can find Doug:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-broadbent-78119328/

you can find me onLinkedIn:

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/

Supported by

https://andacod.com.au/

 An Australian platform built to help creators, educators, and podcasters increasetheir visibility and connect with Design & Technologies educators.

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I sit down with Kerry Brown, a leading advocate for creativity in education. Kerry shares her journey into teaching, the growing administrative load many teachers face, and why protecting teacher wellbeing is essential to keeping the joy in the job.

We explore practical ways to foster creativity in the classroom, innovative teaching practices, and how tools like Canva for Education can boost student engagement without adding extra stress. This is a conversation about supporting teachers—so they can create the biggest possible impact on students.

You can find Kerry

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-brown-8692ba62/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/edtasker/

https://www.edtasker.com.au/

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/

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I’m joined by Michael Russo — an MTeach pre-service teacher and Biomedical Engineering PhD candidate — as he shares his journey from engineering into education.

We unpack what it takes to build a safe learning environment where students feel confident to try, fail, and try again — especially in STEM education. Michael explains why embracing failure is essential for real learning, and how teachers can balance collaboration and healthy competition in the classroom to lift student engagement and outcomes.

We also explore the cultural shifts happening in education, the impact of technology on teaching, and why a positive attitude and willingness to learn matter now more than ever.

We finish with reflections on the joy of teaching — and Michael’s powerful reminder that education isn’t just about creating A+ students, but fostering A+ people.

If you teach STEM (or want to), this one is packed with mindset, practical ideas, and perspective.

You can find Michael

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-russo-a8707ab7/

[email protected]https://www.robocupjunior.org.au

you can find me onLinkedIn:

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/

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Rachel Ballantyne, educator and founder of Edify & Empower Tutoring. Rachel shares her journey into education, her passion for safeguarding students, and why innovation in learning matters now more than ever.

We explore the challenges teachers face in today’s classrooms, why traditional systems aren’t working for every learner, and how personalised tutoring can create deeper connection and progress. Rachel also unpacks what it takes to build a safe and engaging learning environment—and why education needs a shift toward more flexible, student‑centred models.

You can find Rachel

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-ballantyne/?skipRedirect=true

https://linktr.ee/Edify_Empower_Tutor

https://rachelballantyne.carrd.co/

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/

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Andrew Nicholls, a design and technology teacher and PhD candidate. Andrew shares his journey from industrial designer to teacher, the challenges faced in education, the importance of technology in learning, and the need for effective learning spaces. We also cover consultancy work in health and safety, the role of materials in design, and how to engage students in practical learning. The conversation highlights the future of design and technology education and the importance of nurturing talent in this field.

You can find Andrew

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-nicholls-55063b40/

https://andacod.com.au/

https://andrewnichollsdesign.com.au/

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/

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Colleen O'Rourke, a passionate educator and digital innovation leader. Colleen shares her journey into education, inspired by a teacher who recognized her potential and introduced her to technology at a young age. She emphasizes the importance of building relationships with students, particularly those who are neurodiverse, and how technology can empower them to showcase their strengths. Colleen discusses her innovative curriculum that integrates digitaltechnologies with nature, aiming to foster a balance between digital literacy and environmental appreciation.

Colleen also dives into the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in education, advocating for ethical use andthe importance of teaching students to engage critically with technology. She highlights her efforts to involve parents in navigating the AI landscape and the collaborative projects that connect students across cultures through VR.The conversation underscores the transformative power of education when technology is used thoughtfully and inclusively, preparing students to be responsible digital citi can find Collen

https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-o-rourke-93699b202/

you can find me onLinkedIn:

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/

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Emil Zankov, a digital technologies teacher from South Australia. Emil shares his journey in education, his passion for barbecuing, and how he integrates technology and robotics into his teaching. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships with students, the role of hands-on experiences in learning, and the community spirit fostered through robotics competitions. Emil's insights highlight the transformative power of education and the impact of mentorship on students' lives.

You can find Emil

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ezankov/

https://datta.sa.edu.au/

https://www.vexrobotics.com/

you can find me onLinkedIn:

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/

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with I Sally Irwin, the founder of the Freedom Hub, a registered charity organization dedicated to helping survivors of modern-day slavery in Australia. Sally shares her personaljourney that led her to establish the Freedom Hub, the challenges faced in combating slavery, and the importance of ethical business practices. The conversation covers the realities of slavery in Australia, the role of the Freedom Hub inempowering survivors through education and support, and the need for greater awareness and action in the fight against human trafficking.

You can find Sally

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallyirwinfh/

https://thefreedomhub.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-freedom-hub/posts/?feedView=all

https://thefreedomhub.org/ethical-business/

you can find me onLinkedIn:

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/