Knowledge for Teachers

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Mark Dowley (Associate Head – Staff Development at the Crowther Centre for Applied Educational Research) who has recently released the book, “The Classroom Management Handbook” that he co-authored with Ollie Lovell. In this chat, they unpack the book and how it’s what Mark and Ollie wish they had when they started teaching. They also discuss ten important principles for classroom management, including the idea that behavior is a curriculum and the importance of mastering one's own behavior to influence others. The conversation also explores the use of scripts and tools to support effective behavior management. Resources mentioned: https://classroommanagementhandbook.com/ Bill Rogers - Know the fair rules Mastery Schools Australia Marsden Road PS Tom Bennett Michael Fullan - Six Secrets of Change You can connect with Mark: Twitter: @coachdowley Linkedin Website: classroommanagementhandbook.com You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Rebecca Birch, a teacher of English and the Director of Research and Practice at a top 50 independent school in Sydney, Australia. She shares her journey from a career in fashion and advertising to becoming an English teacher. Rebecca emphasises the importance of evidence-based practice and the need for teachers to be sceptical and critical of educational trends. She also highlights the challenges of implementing explicit instruction and the need for standardised teacher preparation programs. Rebecca calls for a clear hierarchy of importance within teacher standards and the role of teacher preparation in reinforcing those standards. The conversation also touches on strategies for schools to drive improvement without waiting for systemic changes. Resources mentioned: Reimagining Teacher Professionalism. Why standards must be part of ITE reformhttps://www.cis.org.au/publication/what-is-the-science-of-learning/https://www.cis.org.au/publication/implementing-the-science-of-learning-teacher-experiences/Report of the Teacher Education Expert Panel You can connect with Rebecca: Twitter: @msrebeccabirch Linkedin: @rebeccabirch Website: https://rebeccabirch.au/ Substack: https://rebeccabirch.substack.com/ You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast About Rebecca Birch Rebecca Birch is a teacher of English and the Director of Research and Practice at a top 50 independent school in Sydney, Australia. She worked as a learning support officer in diverse settings while she undertook her teacher training after a successful career in advertising and fashion. Rebecca has provided consultation and content services for Ochre Education and Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn, and has appeared on panels for ResearchED and the Gonski Institute for Education. Her current research interest is the link between explicit instruction and student wellbeing. She writes for publication and through her newsletter (rebeccabirch.substack.com/).

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Tom Bennett, the Director and founder of researchED and school behaviour advisor to the UK government. He shares his journey from running nightclubs to becoming an influential figure in the education sector and we find out how teaching saved him. Bennett delves into the challenges he faced as a teacher, how he got into writing about behaviour, and his eventual role as the UK's Department for Education School Behavior Advisor. He highlights the integral role of setting clear behavioural expectations and embedding routines in creating a conducive learning environment. Tom also discusses the creation and implementation of a behaviour curriculum and the origins of researchED. Resources mentioned: You can connect with Tom: Twitter: @tombennett71 Website: https://tombennetttraining.co.uk/ Substack: https://bennettt.substack.com/ You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, Brendan Lee speaks with Sarah Powell. Sarah is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Texas at Austin. She has pretty much dedicated her whole career to researching word problems in maths. She has also contributed to a couple of papers that have recently been released for the Centre for Independent Studies and we touch on those as well. However, the main focus is Word Problems and we go through everything from Attack Strategies, to the dangers of using keywords and delve into the world of schema instruction. If you care about helping your students improve their ability to solve word problems, then this episode is for you. Resources mentioned: Myths That Undermine Maths TeachingMaths Practices You Can Count On: Five Research-Validated Practices in Mathematicshttps://www.piratemathequationquest.com/https://intensiveintervention.org/training/course-content/intensive-intervention-mathematicshttps://mathspiral.com/ You can connect with Sarah: Twitter: @sarahpowellphd email: srpowell@utexas.edu Website: http://www.sarahpowellphd.com/ You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast About Associate Professor Sarah Powell Sarah R. Powell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research interests include developing and testing interventions for students with mathematics difficulties, with a special emphasis on peer tutoring, word-problem solving, mathematics writing, and the symbols and vocabulary within mathematics. She was awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) in 2019.

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Nathaniel Swain. He currently works at La Trobe University as a Senior Lecturer, Learning Sciences and Learner Engagement and the Director of Undergraduate Academic Programs. He is also the founder of Think Forward Educators. Nathaniel first appeared on the Knowledge for Teachers podcast in episode 20 and unpacked some of the FAQ about the science of learning. This time they delve into the messy world of teaching writing. He explains how writing is a complex skill and provides practical strategies for sequencing the teaching of grammar and integrating writing into the curriculum. Resources mentioned: Think Forward EducatorsOchre Educationhttps://shortcourses.latrobe.edu.au/masterclass-developing-great-writing-skillshttps://shortcourses.latrobe.edu.au/improving-writing-the-science-and-linguistics-of-writinghttps://shortcourses.latrobe.edu.au/the-science-of-teaching-writing You can connect with:Nathaniel Twitter: @NathanielRSwain Facebook Linkedin Website: www.nathanielswain.com You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Jenny Donovan, CEO of the Australian Education Research Organisation. Jenny has led some of the heaviest hitting bits of research in Australia. In her current role with AERO and previous one with NSW Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation, Jenny has been behind the teams that brought cognitive load theory to prominence and highlighted the lack of evidence behind programs like Reading Recovery and Language Learning & Literacy or L3 as it is more commonly known. Throughout this interview, she discusses her journey into education research and the importance of evidence-based practice. Jenny emphasises the importance of areas such as explicit instruction, classroom management, teacher training, standardised testing like NAPLAN, and accountability in educational practices. It also touches on controversial topics such as fads in education and how to spot and avoid them. Resources mentioned: Teaching for how students learn: A model of learning and teachingEngaged classrooms through effective classroom managementCognitive load theory: Research that teachers really need to understandReading Recovery: a sector-wide analysisLanguage, Learning & Literacy (L3) Review You can connect with: Jenny Twitter: @JennyDonovan2 Linkedin AERO You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

In this conversation, Brendan Lee speaks with James Dobson, an experienced teacher who has been expertly applying the art and science of learning when teaching students in their first year of school (Kindergarten/Prep/Reception/Foundation). He discusses the importance of evidence-based practice, the use of Direct Instruction programs, and the challenges and rewards of teaching young children. James shares insights on maintaining sanity in the classroom while balancing work and personal life. We also delve into James' weekly timetable, looking at phonemic awareness, phonics, handwriting, writing and mathematics. He really gets into the nitty-gritty of what his lessons look like day-to-day and how they progress throughout the year. Resources mentioned: You can connect with James: Twitter: @jdtdobson Instagram: @mr_j_dobson Website: layingthefoundations.weebly.com/ You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast About James Dobson James Dobson is a Foundation teacher and Learning Specialist at Campbells Creek Primary School including Guildford Campus in central Victoria. James has worked with students from a diverse range of backgrounds in Victoria and the Northern Territory. During his time in the NT, he implemented a range of Direct Instruction programs and became an accredited DI trainer. He was a finalist for the Outstanding Primary Teacher award as a part of the 2022 Victorian Education Excellence Awards. James is passionate about ensuring that all students receive a quality education. This begins by laying a solid foundation. Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Ray Boyd, the Foundation Principal of Dayton Primary School. Throughout the interview he shares his journey into education leadership and the pedagogic shift he led at his previous school West Beechboro P.S. He reflects on the mistakes made and lessons learned during his time there and discusses the surprises and challenges of starting a new school. Dr. Boyd also explains the vision and mission of Dayton Primary School and how he communicates it to the community. Dr. Boyd underscores the vital role of fostering success and creating robust support systems within schools. He stresses intentional communication with parents and the cultivation of a positive school culture. Ray delves into strategies for nurturing staff well-being, employing tools like playbooks and coaching. He highlights the importance of revisiting priorities and setting precise goals for professional development. As the discussion concludes, Ray provides valuable tips for a strong start to the school year and recommends resources such as cognitive load theory and educational research books. Listen to this episode for profound insights and guidance tailored for school leaders. Resources mentioned: You can connect with Ray: Twitter: @RayBoyd007 Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/rayboyd007/ You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast About Dr. Ray Boyd Dr Ray Boyd, DipT., MSL., Ed.D.. FACELWA., FACEL is the foundation principal of Dayton Primary School. Prior to this he led a school that achieved remarkable improvement, resulting in his team mentoring WA school personnel as a part of the Centre for Excellence in Literacy initiative. Ray’s world is dominated by the need to improve teaching and learning in schools, having done considerable work with state and interstate schools in developing highly effective teaching models alongside their leadership teams. Prior to his career as a school leader, Ray competed at an international level, representing Australia at the World Cross Country Championship, in the marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Athens, and was a member of the Australian Team that won the International Ekiden Relay Championships in 1995.

Brendan Lee provides his key takeaways from the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast for 2023. This year he spoke to people such as Tom Sherrington, Daisy Christodoulou, Christopher Such and many more. Find out what he took away from these conversations. He has split this episode into three sections: Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Corey Peltier who is an Assistant Professor of Special Education in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Oklahoma. He also contributes to The Science of Math movement that is focused on disseminating research-informed recommendations to enhance math instruction and outcomes for students and this is the area that is unpacked in this episode. In this conversation, they look at some of the points from the paper, Myths That Undermine Maths Teaching that he co-authored with Sarah Powell and Elizabeth M. Hughes. He also explains how teachers can use the Instructional Hierarchy to improve student performance, why curriculum-based measurements are useful, how we can build math fact fluency and much more. Resources mentioned: https://brianponcy.wixsite.com/mindhttps://www.piratemathequationquest.com/https://intensiveintervention.org/https://www.jstor.org/stable/i40086112https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-70602-005 You can connect with Corey: Twitter: @CoreyJPeltier Website: coreypeltier.substack.com/ You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Tim McDonald who is currently the CEO of YMCA WA and previously led Catholic Education WA, the Minderoo Foundation and was the Education Lead for Knowledge Society. Recently, he wrote a paper for the Centre for Independent Studies titled: Teaching Behaviour: How Classroom Conduct Can Unlock Better Learning. Throughout this conversation, he touches on a lot of the key points from the report and talks about what schools can do to build a behaviour curriculum. He also answers some of the tough questions on things such as phones in schools, exclusions and behaviour expectations. Resources mentioned: Teaching Behaviour: How Classroom Conduct Can Unlock Better Learning Classroom Management Classroom Management You can connect with: Twitter: @DrTimMcDonald1 Linkedin Website: www.classroommastery.com.au/ You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Jessica Colleu Terradas the Senior Officer Teaching and Learning Literacy and Instructional Coach in Canberra and Goulburn Catholic Education. In 2022, she travelled to the USA, England and France where she met with leading experts to investigate effective literacy screening and instructional practices to support older struggling readers as part of her Churchill Fellowship. She details some of the findings from her report in this chat. She speaks about her amazing experience meeting people like Anita Archer and Stanislas Dehaene and goes through some case studies of schools that have implemented a Multi-Tiered System of Support framework effectively. Resources mentioned: To identify effective language and literacy screening and intervention practices for at-risk studentshttps://www.edresearch.edu.au/resources/supporting-secondary-students-lacking-foundational-literacy-and-numeracy-skills-research-summaryEEFhttps://www.amazon.com.au/Thinking-Reading-Every-Secondary-Teacher/dp/1911382683https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/guidance-reports/literacy-ks3-ks4https://www.nifdi.org/https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Doug-Carnine/publication/303721842_Theory_of_Instruction_Principles_and_Applications/links/574f661a08aef199238ef8b6/Theory-of-Instruction-Principles-and-Applications.pdfhttps://www.amazon.com.au/Theory-Instruction-Applications-Siegfried-Engelmann/dp/1880183803 https://amplify.com/science-of-reading-the-podcast/ You can connect with Jess: Twitter: @JessicaColleu LinkedIn: @jessicacolleu/ You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Jessica Del Rio the government and public finance lead at Equity Economics. She has recently been involved in a couple of major reports that have highlighted the poor literacy standards across Australia. Raising the grade: How schools in the Australian Capital Territory can lift literacy outcomes for students and the economyACT Alliance for Evidence-Based EducationSaving Money by Spending: Solving Illiteracy in Australia In this conversation, Jess will tell us how bleak our current situation is, what needs to be done, what will happen if changes aren’t made and go through some examples of who is doing this well. Resources mentioned: Teaching Reading: Report and RecommendationsRoss Fox on how Catalyst is transforming lives through learning (Catalyst Part 1)Patrick Ellis on considerations for change (Catalyst Part 2)St Bernard’s P.S. Transformational Change Through Catalyst (Catalyst Part 3)CatalystAustralian PISA reports and data filesWidening gaps: what NAPLAN tells us about student progress You can connect with Jess: Linkedin You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Bruno Reddy CEO of Maths Circle (Times Tables Rockstars and Numbots). He is the former head of Mathematics at King Solomon Academy and one of the pioneers of mathematics mastery, as we know it today. As you will hear, he is hugely passionate about mathematics and has thought long and hard about what needs to be done to teach it effectively. Some of the things that are just starting to become common practice now, like retrieval practice, spaced practice and variation theory, are things that he was talking about 10 years ago. Resources mentioned: King Solomon Academy Doug Lemov - Teach Like a Champion Kris Bolton Brendan Lee - 5 Key Principles for Teaching Primary Mathematics Effectively Brendan Lee - A Systematic and Structured Approach to Teaching Primary Mathematics (Part 1) Alex Blanksby - Five Ways to use Worked Examples The ResearchED guide to explicit and direct instruction - Adam Boxer John Mason and Anne Watson - Thinkers Episode 18 – Kevin and Robyn Wheldall on Effective Instruction in Reading Knowledge Society CogLearn Think Forward Educations: Sarah Powell - Maths Intervention Dan Meyer You can connect with Bruno: Twitter: @BrunoReddyMaths You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Emma Turner. She is an experienced school leader, author and co-host of the Mind the Gap podcast with Tom Sherrington. In this conversation, we dig into her recent books: SimplicitusSimplicitus AltiusInitium Her ability to describe what teachers need to know about curriculum development will leave you scribbling down notes throughout the episode. She also touches on what school leaders need to consider, cognitive science through the lens of a primary teacher and much more! Resources mentioned: Be More Toddler Let's Talk about Flex Jennifer Gonzalez: Find Your Marigold: The One Essential Rule for New Teachers The Magic Weaving Business by Sir John Jones The Behaviour Manual and They Don't Behave For Me by Sam Strickland The Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading by Christopher Such Thinking Deeply About Primary Mathematics by Kieran Mackle Teaching for Mastery by Mark Mccourt You can connect with Emma: Twitter: @Emma_Turner75 You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

Listen to this live coaching workshop on implementing the science of learning with Dr. Nathaniel Swain and Brendan Lee. In this session, you will hear from real teachers discussing their real-world challenges in implementing the science of learning. Dr Nathaniel Swain and Brendan Lee then guide the teachers and school leaders through some possible solutions, taking an evidence-informed approach. First, you hear from Ainsley from Mary Mede Catholic College in Victoria who has started to implement a number of evidence-supported strategies and programs but has hit a bit of a plateau. Then you will hear from Sarah and Iona from St. Andrews in Cairns who are right at the start of their science of learning journey. You can connect with Nathaniel: Twitter: @NathanielRSwain Website: https://www.nathanielswain.com/ You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Nathaniel Swain. He is currently a Senior Lecturer, Learning Sciences and Learner Engagement at La Trobe University and has also been a speech-language pathologist, teacher and is the founder of Think Forward Educators. In this conversation, Nathaniel plays the teacher version of Dolly Doctor and addresses some of the most sought-after questions in education and provides a number of practical, ready-to-use examples of how to implement the science of learning. Become a patreon for the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast! patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast Resources mentioned: https://thinkforwardeducators.org/ Shane Pearson Phormes.com Core Knowledge Read to Learn Anita Archer Ybarra and Hollingsworth’s Explicit Direct Instruction Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction Wexler and Hochman’s The Writing Revolution William Van Cleave ED Hirsch Sweller’s Cognitive Load Theory Greg Ashman’s Filling the Pail blog You can connect with Nathaniel: Twitter: @NathanielRSwain Website: https://www.nathanielswain.com/ You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net

In this conversation, Brendan Lee chats with David Morkunas and they touch on a range of topics including why he thinks so many teachers have such a negative attitude towards teaching maths, what the key elements of his maths lessons are and how to teach mixed-ability classes. Resources mentioned: Explicit Direct Instruction Sigfried Englemann Kirschner, Sweller and Clark Hochman and Wexler’s The Writing Revolution George Booker - Teaching Primary Mathematics Times Tables Rockstars New Waves Mental Maths Dr. Stephen Norton - https://mathematicseducation.vhx.tv/ You can connect with Dave through: Twitter: @DaveMorkunas Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheMork You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Emeritus Professor Kevin Wheldall and Dr. Robyn Wheldall. They’ve achieved so much throughout their careers including co-founding MultiLit, a leading provider of effective literacy instruction. In this chat, they describe their journeys and how MultiLit came about. They also speak about their recently published book - Effective Instruction in Reading and Spelling. Resources mentioned: Book: Effective Instruction in Reading and Spelling MultiLit Nomanis NSW CESE MUSEC Dr. Coral Kemp Dr. Mark Carter Dr. Alison Madelaine Dr Jennifer Buckingham Short-Changed: Preparation to teach reading in initial teacher education Alison McMurtrie Linnea Ehri Think Forward Educators Five from Five You can connect with Kevin: Twitter: @KevinWheldall Website: http://www.kevinwheldall.com/ Email: kevin.wheldall@pecas.com.au You can connect with Robyn: Twitter: @RWheldall You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net

In this episode, I chat with Christopher Such. He is the author of, “The Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading” and an experienced teacher, school leader and educational consultant. In our conversation, Chris touches on teacher workload, professional development and he goes through the thought behind his book and how his thinking has developed since its release. We then take a deep dive into teaching reading fluency and look at what it is, common misconceptions that teachers have and what it looks like across different year levels. After that, we somehow manage to fit in an overview of comprehension! This episode is not to be missed! Resources mentioned: https://www.rastlelab.com/Writing systems, reading, and language The Role of Background Knowledge in Reading Comprehension: A Critical Reviewhttps://primarycolour.home.blog/category/free-resources/https://phonicsinternational.com/ Ending the Reading Wars: Reading Acquisition From Novice to Experhttps://doi.org/10.1177/1529100618772271The Science of Reading: A Handbook, 2nd Edition You can connect with Chris: Twitter: @Suchmo83 Website: https://primarycolour.home.blog/ You can connect with Brendan: Twitter: @learnwithmrlee Facebook: @learningwithmrlee Website: learnwithlee.net