The Art of Teaching

Today we’re joined by Jeffrey Jordan, an inspiring school leader who’s currently in his third year as an elementary school principal. Jeffrey’s career spans classrooms and continents. He’s taught English Language Arts across primary and secondary settings, led as a vice principal for six years at the second-largest English high school in Quebec, and even taught English as a Second Language in South Korea.

Throughout his career, Jeffrey has been driven by a passion for helping every student thrive. He’s a strong advocate for educational and assistive technologies, digital citizenship, and resource support for students with learning difficulties. His leadership is grounded in inclusion, innovation, and the belief that schools should be places where all learners feel seen and supported.

Today, I'm talking about something that sits right at the heart of great leadership - wellbeing. Not as a buzzword or a side project, but as the foundation for how we lead, teach, and thrive together. In her new book Wellbeing Leadership, Amy Green challenges us to rethink what leadership in schools can look like when wellbeing isn’t an afterthought, but the starting point. She explores four essential qualities that create a wellbeing-centred workplace, and eight characteristics that empower staff to feel, work, team, and lead well. This conversation isn’t about quick fixes or checklists. It’s about courage, clarity, and the willingness to do things differently - to lead a wellbeing revolution in education.

🎧 Here’s the conversation: The Art of Teaching Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gBQRRz27

📘 Find Amy’s work and resources at The Wellness Strategy:
https://lnkd.in/g4pBZUUa

This episode’s a little different. Instead of me asking the questions, I’m the one being interviewed. Highly Accomplished teacher Andrew Cornwall and I sit down to talk about teaching, accreditation, and what it means for all of us to be expert practitioners.

We dig into how great teaching grows through shared practice, honest reflection, and the everyday work we do alongside our colleagues. It’s a relaxed, thoughtful chat about the craft of teaching, the challenges of accreditation, and why supporting each other as professionals matters more than ever.

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.

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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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.

 

 

 

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

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

 

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.

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/