The Art of Teaching

Tom Mahoney: Teacher agency, educational ideologies and the power of curiosity.

What is the purpose of education? It’s one of those questions that sounds simple but cuts right to the heart of what we do as teachers and school leaders. Too often, it’s pushed aside as though it’s already been settled.

My guest today, Tom Mahony, doesn’t accept that. He’s a teacher, leader, and educational researcher who believes that revisiting this question isn’t a philosophical indulgence—it’s essential to shaping how we teach, lead, and connect with students.

Through his blog The Interruption on Substack, Tom explores contemporary issues in education through this central lens, helping educators reclaim a greater sense of agency and alignment between what we value and how we practise.

In our chat, we talked about curiosity, purpose, and what it means to live out the question of education in real schools, every single day.

Cameron Paterson: Harvard's Project Zero, leading learning and reimagining professional growth.

Every teacher and every school want their students to achieve and thrive. Through his leadership, innovative approaches, and dedication to learning, Cameron Paterson, Director of Learning at Wesley College in Melbourne, is helping students and teachers do exactly that.

Cameron Paterson is an educator who has never stopped learning. A History teacher for more than 30 years and now Director of Learning at Wesley College, his work with Harvard’s Project Zero and the Project Zero Australia Network explores how curiosity, reflection, and design thinking can transform teaching practice.

As a classroom teacher, Cameron’s creativity knew no bounds. From producing audio e-books to historical documentaries, his innovative projects led to remarkable student engagement and achievement — including students winning prestigious awards such as the Simpson Essay Prize. During his tenure at previous schools, academic performance improved significantly under his leadership.

Cameron himself is no stranger to recognition. His awards include the 21st Century Learning Initiative Global Innovation in Teaching Award, a Premier’s History Scholarship, a Minister’s Quality Teaching Award, a Churchill Fellowship, and the Dr Paul Brock Medal.

At Wesley College, Cameron is leading a strategic focus on middle years teaching, cultivating a learning culture grounded in curiosity and deep thinking. He initiated and co-leads the Project Zero Australia Network, which provides free professional learning to thousands of educators — including hosting a major conference this year, keynoted by Harvard researcher Ron Ritchhart.

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Jen Buchanan: THINK Global School - The World's First Travelling High School.

Up next is a conversation with Jen Buchanan, the proud Principal of Think Global School, the world's first travelling high school, where students study in eight countries throughout their two years, experiencing truly global, experiential education. With extensive experience leading innovation across international progressive schools and organisations, including Green School in Bali and as Director of Engagement with Future Anything, Jen has dedicated her career to reimagining what's possible in education. I previously met Jen when she was convenor of the Future Schools Alliance, working with school leaders across Australia and globally to co-design learning environments that unlock student agency and creative potential. It has been a full circle for Jen, as she shares with us her adventure from across the globe.

 

 

 

Amelia Martin: Helping every student feel seen, heard and valued

Today on The Art of Teaching Podcast, I’m joined by Amelia Martin, Senior Education Advisor for Middle Years with Brisbane Catholic Education.

Amelia works passionately to deliver on a powerful vision — that every child deserves to feel a sense of belonging, connection, and success at school.

With experience across primary and secondary settings, Amelia has dedicated her career to supporting teachers and school leaders to create learning environments where young adolescents thrive — academically, socially, and emotionally.

In this conversation, we explore what it really means to teach for belonging, how we can reimagine the middle years, and why relationships must sit at the heart of learning.

🎧 Listen here: The Art of Teaching Podcast

Dr Nathaniel Swain: How do we harness the science of learning?

Today I’m joined by Dr Nathaniel Swain - a teacher, instructional coach, researcher and writer with a deep passion for language, literacy and learning. Nathaniel is dedicated to helping teachers create effective and engaging learning for every student. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in Learning Sciences and Learner Engagement at La Trobe University’s School of Education.

He is also the founder of Think Forward Educators, a community of teachers and education professionals committed to the Science of Learning. Most recently, Nathaniel has authored Harnessing the Science of Learning — a practical guide for teachers and school leaders that distils key insights from research into clear, actionable strategies to drive school improvement.

In this conversation, we’ll explore his journey, the ideas behind his book, and how schools can harness the science of learning to transform teaching and student outcomes.

Here are a few useful links: 

https://luminary.nathanielswain.com/

https://www.nathanielswain.com/cognitoriumblog/2024/7/canvas-for-thought

 

Claudia Owad: Solution focused schools, adaptive leadership and coaching in complex times.

Today, I’m joined by Claudia Owad, Director at Growth Coaching International. With over 30 years of experience across education, corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors, Claudia is a Master Practitioner with EMCC Global and has served on the board of the International Coaching Federation Australasia.

A former school counsellor, Claudia is passionate about helping people flourish through the integration of Coaching and Positive Psychology. She has worked with leaders, teachers, students and parents to create thriving learning environments, and continues to influence the field through her leadership, training and international speaking.

In this episode, we’ll explore her journey, insights into leadership and wellbeing, and the role of coaching in shaping education.

Dr Simon Breakspear: Elevated Conversations: Practical Tools to Make Teacher Collaboration Count.

In today’s episode, we explore Elevated Conversations, Dr Simon Breakspear’s new book that helps educators turn meetings from weary talk into purposeful dialogue. Drawing on years of work with schools worldwide, Simon shares seven practical tools designed to spark fresh thinking, deepen connections, and make the most of limited collaborative time. It’s a playbook for lifting the quality of our professional conversations and lightening the load for busy educators.   🎧 Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-art-of-teaching/id1552506400 Simon's resources:  📘 https://simonbreakspear.com/elevatedconversations-book/    

Michael O’Keeffe: Lessons from The Arts, leading with purpose and the power of professional learning communities.

Today I’m joined by Michael, an experienced educational leader with more than two decades working across the primary, secondary and adult education sectors. His career has been shaped by a passion for coaching, digital technology, and the Performing Arts, where he’s made a real impact on both teaching and leadership.

Michael is currently the Deputy Principal at John Paul College in Frankston, Victoria, where he brings together his deep expertise and his commitment to helping teachers and students thrive.

Jamie Gerlach: Deep learning, human agency and the power of play.

Today I’m joined by Jamie Gerlach, an educator and leader who believes in the power of deep learning to build human agency and sees access to rigorous play as a basic right for all. For over a decade, he has designed and led professional learning in embodied literacy, 4C learning and school transformation, working with teachers and leaders across Australia and internationally. Jamie has also lectured at the University of Sydney and spoken at national conferences. In this conversation, we explore his philosophy, passion and practical insights for reimagining education.

Dr Ange Rogers: PVAT, Building teacher expertise and the power of place value.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Ange Rogers, a teacher, numeracy leader, consultant and researcher whose work has helped countless primary teachers feel more confident in the maths classroom. With more than twenty years of experience across teaching, coaching, and research, Ange has a real gift for turning evidence into simple, practical strategies that work.

Her passion lies in building teacher confidence, improving number sense, and breaking down those common misconceptions that can so easily trip students up. Ange’s down-to-earth approach means everything she shares is classroom-ready, realistic, and focused on what makes the biggest difference for students.

Whether you’re a teacher wanting new ways to strengthen your numeracy practice or a leader looking to support your staff, this conversation is full of insights, routines, and encouragement that will help maths click.