In this first episode of a 2-part podcast, Academy Leadership Excellence Division Director, Kendra Parker is joined by Dr. Nathaniel Swain, a teacher, instructional coach and author of Harnessing the Science of Learning. Together, they delve into the evidence around the science of learning, by exploring some of the myths and misconceptions currently circulating about this approach.

About Nathanial Swain

Dr Nathaniel Swain is a teacher, instructional coach, and writer. He produces a blog for teachers called Dr Swain’s Cognitorium and is co-host of the Chalk Dust Podcast with Rebecca Birch. Nathaniel works directly with schools and systems and through an online learning platform called Luminary.

Having worked at universities and government school systems in Victoria, Australia, Nathaniel has taught a range of learners in schools and tertiary settings. Dr Swain founded a community of teachers committed to the Science of Learning: THINK FORWARD EDUCATORS, now 30,000 members and growing. Dr Swain is a sought-after speaker on educational circuits and has a best-selling book entitled ‘Harnessing the Science of Learning: Success stories to help kickstart your school improvement’.

Anxiety is now one of the most significant factors impacting student learning and behaviour in Australian classrooms.

This podcast will provide educators and leaders with a resource on student wellbeing, specifically focusing on anxiety and how that interrelates with behaviour in the classroom. When teachers recognise anxiety in the classroom, understand the importance of psychological safety, and respond with practical, evidence-based strategies, they can transform student engagement, behaviour, and wellbeing.

Dr Jodi Richardson

Dr Jodi Richardson is the go-to speaker for schools and workplaces looking to empower students, parents, staff, or leaders with understanding and real-time strategies to finally get a handle on anxiety, alleviate in-the-moment and long-term stress, and implement techniques that strengthen mental health and amplify wellbeing.

A former secondary teacher, Dr Jodi brings a deep understanding of the challenges facing school communities, including unprecedented student anxiety, as well as the stress, sleep issues, anxiety, worry, and burnout faced by educators and school leaders. Her warm, compassionate, and engaging approach is rooted in research and complemented by her clinical work and personal experiences.

Dr. Jodi is the bestselling author of Anxious Kids and Anxious Mums, creator of the Anxiety Toolkit for Parents, host of the top-ranked, award-winning podcast Well, Hello Anxiety and a regular media commentator.

In this episode, Academy Expert Teacher in Residence Michael Kollaras is joined by Gail McHardy, CEO of Parents Victoria, representing the voice of parents and carers of young people in Victorian schools. Together, they delve into all things generative artificial intelligence (genAI), with Gail asking questions that matter most to families. 

This episode is essential for principals, assistant principals, teachers, and parents and carers of young people. With parents and carers in mind, it provides insights and explores a range of topics related to genAI use in schools to support their understanding of how genAI can be used by young people.  

The Academy ‘AI in Schools’ page offers a great resource for anyone wanting to learn more: AI in schools

Who is CEO Gail McHardy and what is Parents Victoria?   

Gail McHardy, CEO of Parents Victoria, is a leading advocate for parents of students in Victorian government schools. Gail has been actively involved with the organisation both as a volunteer and in professional roles, sharing her knowledge and experience with various school communities and stakeholders. 

Parents Victoria presents an organised parent perspective to state and federal governments, educational bureaucracies and institutions, community organisations and the media. 

Learn more about Parents Victoria: https://www.parentsvictoria.asn.au/

This podcast series explores challenges and considers insights into education, school and classroom learning regarding genAI. Views expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not represent the Academy. 

2022 Teaching Excellence Program (TEP) alumni Jay Chew (Al-Taqwa College), Ben Jones (Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary College) and Kendall Aglinskas (Assumption College) dive deep into their teaching journeys. They candidly discuss personal stories, from unconventional relationships with school as students, to discovering a profound sense of belonging and purpose within the teaching vocation and community. Kendall, now Deputy Principal at Assumption College, also shares her unique perspective as a school leader. This is a great episode for any school teacher looking to further their career into school leadership.

What is the Teaching Excellence Program (TEP)?

TEP is an Australian first cross sector program that enables highly-skilled teachers to advance their capability and confidence in the classroom. Aimed at improving teacher skills and in turn student outcomes, TEP is a year long program open to government, Independent and Catholic Victorian teachers.

Learn with the Academy

With online programs and sites all over Victoria, professional learning has never been so accessible. Explore our professional learning to find the training and support you need at your career stage to lead change and improve student outcomes. You can use the filter function on our website to find your closest Academy site. academy.vic.gov.au/professional-learning

This podcast series explores, challenges and considers insights into education, school leadership and classroom learning. Views expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not represent the Academy.

Leadership Excellence Division 2023 Principal in Residence Greg Lacey is joined by principal Andrew Schneider and paediatrician Vanessa Gabriel to discuss the barriers disadvantaged communities face in accessing quality healthcare. They also delve into an innovative program in schools on the Mornington Peninsula, that works to remove those barriers for families and children.

Andrew is the Principal of Mahogany Rise Primary School in Frankston North and Vanessa is a paediatrician working in an outreach program at the school. The Paediatric Outreach program is a partnership between a local philanthropic organisation, a local health authority and local schools that has brought health and education benefits to thousands of students. This is an insightful conversation around the challenges of leading schools in areas of disadvantage and a place-based solution that is bringing positive change for children and families. Aimed at principals but also aspiring teachers, this episode is a must listen.

Learn with the Academy

With online programs and sites all over Victoria, professional learning has never been so accessible. Explore our professional learning to find the training and support you need at your career stage to lead change and improve student outcomes. You can use the filter function on our website to find your closest Academy site. academy.vic.gov.au/professional-learning

This podcast series explores, challenges and considers insights into education, school leadership and classroom learning. Views expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not represent the Academy.

In this episode Carol Hodgson (Department of Education, regional) and 2022 Teaching Excellence Program (TEP) alumni Melissa Pavey from South Street Primary School in Moe and Cathy Buchanan-Hagen from Hamlyn Banks Primary School in Geelong discuss all things literacy, education and mentor texts. They dive deep into effective use of mentor texts to create accessible classrooms and foster joy and inspiration for learning. This is a great episode for any school teacher looking to reignite their passion for teaching literacy and improving student outcomes. 

What is the Teaching Excellence Program (TEP)? 
TEP is an Australian first cross sector program that enables highly-skilled teachers to advance their capability and confidence in the classroom. Aimed at improving teacher skills and in turn student outcomes, TEP is a year long program open to government, Independent and Catholic Victorian teachers.   

Learn with the Academy 

With online programs and sites all over Victoria, professional learning has never been so accessible. Explore our professional learning to find the training and support you need at your career stage to lead change and improve student outcomes. You can use the filter function on our website to find your closest Academy site. academy.vic.gov.au/professional-learning

This podcast series explores, challenges and considers insights into education, school leadership and classroom learning. Views expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not represent the Academy.    

Join TEP alumni Kimberly Silva (Mount Rowan Secondary College) and Dr Christine Lambrianidis (Suzanne Cory High School) as they tackle myths about gifted students in the classroom. Recorded before the 2023 Year 12 exams, this episode aims to dismantle misconceptions and problematic stereotypes of gifted students that extend beyond the classroom and traditional academic achievements. Parents and teachers looking to understand gifted students more deeply are highly encouraged to tune in!

What is the Teaching Excellence Program (TEP)?

TEP is an Australian first cross-sector program that enables highly skilled teachers to advance their capability and confidence in the classroom. Aimed at improving teacher skills and in turn student outcomes, TEP is a year-long program open to government, Independent and Catholic Victorian teachers.

Learn with the Academy

With online programs and sites all over Victoria, professional learning has never been so accessible. Explore our professional learning to find the training and support you need at your career stage to lead change and improve student outcomes. You can use the filter function on our website to find your closest Academy site. academy.vic.gov.au/professional-learning

This podcast series explores, challenges and considers insights into education, school leadership and classroom learning. Views expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not represent the Academy.

In this episode, Academy Principal in Residence Justine Smyth is joined by executive class principals Gail Hardman and Prue Pisani who currently work in Differentiated Support School Improvement [DSSI] in the Northwest Victorian Region. Prue Pisani commenced her executive class principal role in a school and recently moved into the DSSI role to support the implementation of school change at a network level.

This uplifting episode is aimed at school leaders, and anyone interested in school improvement. This conversation style episode delves into the complex work of Executive Class Principals and how they raise the quality of leadership in schools by creating positive change, overcoming challenges, and connecting with school communities in a time of unprecedented challenges. Most importantly Prue and Gail share the key factors of change that have contributed to improving student outcomes.

Learn with the Academy

With online programs and sites all over Victoria, professional learning has never been so accessible. Explore our professional learning to find the training and support you need at for your career stage to lead change and improve student outcomes. You can use the filter function on our website to find your closest Academy site. academy.vic.gov.au/professional-learning

This podcast series explores, challenges and considers insights into education, school leadership and classroom learning. Views expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not represent the Academy.

Hosted by Academy Principal in Residence Simone Eirth, this episode delves into all things instructional coaching with internationally recognised thought leader Dr Jim Knight.

This is a great episode for principals, assistant principals and aspiring school leaders as it provides practical strategies and insights into supporting and empowering educators and school staff, and how to better understand yourself as a leader. They also touch on compassion and the importance of treating yourself as you would a friend, and how self-criticism can negatively impact not only educators but people in general.

Jim joined the Academy for a 5-day instructional coaching program at our East Melbourne site – 41 St Andrews Place. In partnership with Growth Coaching International, educators from across the state delved into globally significant ideas and techniques aimed at deepening their leadership understanding and skillsets.

Who is Dr Jim Knight?

Dr Jim Knight is a Senior Partner of the Instructional Coaching Group (ICG) and a research associate at the University of Kansas Centre for Research on Learning.

He is renowned for his expertise in instructional coaching and has authored several influential books on the subject - including "Instructional Coaching: A Partnership Approach to Improving Instruction" and podcast series "Better Conversations." With extensive experience in professional learning, Jim Knight works to empower educators and promote instructional excellence.

Learn with the Academy

With online programs and sites all over Victoria, professional learning has never been so accessible. Explore our professional learning to find the training and support you need at your career stage to lead change and improve student outcomes. You can use the filter function on our website to find your closest Academy site. academy.vic.gov.au/professional-learning

This podcast series explores, challenges and considers insights into education, school leadership and classroom learning. Views expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not represent the Academy.

Academy Principals in Residence, Kendra and Simone, have been working on embedding the Academy Leadership Excellence Framework (ALEF) and to develop resources for schools to foster excellence in educational leadership.

In our latest podcast episode they are joined by Distinguished Professor Emeritus Viviane Robinson, to discuss the ALEF how it can be used by school leaders and leadership teams to identify, develop and support educational leadership excellence across our system. Viviane collaborated with the Academy to create the ALEF and is a thought leader in education and leadership development.

Aimed at school and system leaders, middle leaders, teacher leaders and anyone who aspires to leadership, this episode will help you consider the capabilities, dispositions and domains required to be an effective, excellent leader.

The Academy’s Leadership Excellence Framework sets out the capabilities and dispositions for excellence in leadership, from teacher leader to principal.

The ALEF sets our 3 capabilities and 4 dispositions that enable excellence in leadership:

Capabilities:

Dispositions:

Find out more on the Academy website: www.academy.vic.gov.au/academy-leadership-excellence-framework

This podcast series explores, challenges and considers insights into education, school leadership and classroom learning. Views expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not represent the Academy