In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers, Brendan Lee speaks with Liana McCurry, a passionate advocate for primary school maths education. Fresh from her Churchill Fellowship, Liana shares findings from her research into mathematical practices across six countries.

Listeners will gain insights into the systemic issues contributing to Australia's declining maths performance and discover how to bridge the research-to-practice gap. Liana delves into key topics, including:

• Mathematical modelling and its surprisingly misunderstood place in the curriculum.
• The power of multisensory approaches to unlock conceptual understanding.
• Why fluency in maths is a foundational skill that needs renewed focus.

Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that equips educators with practical knowledge and strategies to transform maths education in their classrooms.

Resources mentioned:

• Books:

• • • Explicit Direct Instruction by Hollingsworth and Ybarra.
    • Explicit Instruction by Anita Archer and Charles Hughes
    • Harnessing the Science of Learning by Nathaniel Swain.
    • Direct Instruction Mathematics by Stein et al
  • Websites:
    • Ochre
    • Science of Math website.
    • Thinking Forward Educators,
    • Brian Poncy's MIND
    • Steve Wyborney's Esti Mysteries
  • Podcasts:
    • Knowledge for Teachers.
    • Dyscastia, hosted by Bill Hansberry and Michael Shanahan.
    • Craig Barton podcast.
    • Progressively Incorrect, hosted by Zach Groshell
    • Chalk and Talk, hosted by Anna Stokke

• Training and Conferences:

• • Sharing Best Practice conferences.
  • What Works series in Geelong.
  • Orton Gillingham Math, Multisensory Maths training

You can connect with Liana:

Linkedin

Email: liana@sol-education.net

Website: sol-education.net

You can connect with Brendan:

Twitter: @learnwithmrlee

Facebook: @learningwithmrlee

Website: learnwithlee.net

https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

This episode features a compelling conversation with Murat Dizdar, the head of the New South Wales Department of Education. Murat shares his inspiring journey from being the son of Turkish immigrants to leading Australia’s largest education system. He discusses the experiences that shaped his vision for public education, his deep passion for the teaching profession, and the key initiatives he’s championing to drive meaningful change. This episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for anyone interested in education and leadership.

Resources mentioned:

• NSW Department of Education Resource Hub
• Explicit Teaching Statement
• High Potential and Gifted Education Policy
• AERO (Australian Education Research Organisation)
• Grattan Institute: Ending the lesson lottery

You can connect with Murat:

Twitter/X: @dizdarm

You can connect with Brendan:

Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee

Facebook: @learningwithmrlee

Website: learnwithlee.net

https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Nick Hart takes us on an inspiring journey from his beginnings in sports science to becoming a school leader in Dubai. A respected voice in educational leadership, Nick shares insights from his blog and books, delving into the evolution of his leadership style. He discusses the critical role of context in decision-making, introduces the concept of the school year’s rhythm for structured improvement and highlights the importance of trust in fostering strong school communities. Tune in for practical advice and thought-provoking ideas on navigating the complexities of educational leadership.

Resources mentioned:

• Nick Hart’s books:
  • Creating a strong culture and a positive climate in schools
  • Impact: a five part framework for making a difference in schools
• Nick Hart’s blog posts discussed in this episode:
  • Leadership handbook 5.0
  • School improvement: Rhythm of the year
  • Culture setting | More than words
  • A model for school improvement
• Vivianne Robinson
• Mary Kennedy
• Dr. Neil Gilbride
• Bryk and Schneider
• Ambition Institute - The persistent problems of school leadership
• AERO

You can connect with Nick:

Twitter: @MrNickHart

Linkedin

Website: mrnickhart.wordpress.com

You can connect with Brendan:

Twitter: @learnwithmrlee

Facebook: @learningwithmrlee

Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft

Website: learnwithlee.net

https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast