Conversations on Leadership, AI, and the Arts
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to contribute to a number of podcast conversations, as well as host a series myself during lockdown. Each of these experiences gave me a chance to step back from the day-to-day of school life and reflect more broadly on the issues shaping education.
Across these episodes I’ve explored a range of themes: how the arts have influenced my leadership, the opportunities and challenges of AI in classrooms, and the behind-the-scenes realities of staging a school musical. I’ve also had the chance to talk with students and colleagues about community, connection, and the ways schools can adapt in times of disruption.
Book Review: The Connection Conundrum
In my earlier review of The Connection Curriculum, I noted Matt Pitman’s call for educators to prioritise genuine human connection as the foundation of thriving schools. His follow-up book, The Connection Conundrum, takes that message further. Pitman places teachers at the centre of change, reminding us that connection is not a program or policy, but a practice built through daily, deliberate actions in the classroom. For me, his strongest challenge is around professional courage. He urges teachers to take risks, experiment, and lead from where they are, without waiting for permission. As a school leader, this resonates deeply. I value nothing more than when teachers bring forward new ideas and learn through action. Pitman’s book is a timely reminder that teachers are cultural leaders, and that schools flourish when we trust and empower them to act.
Making Teaching Cool Again: How to Fix Education’s Biggest Crisis
The world is running out of teachers, and the impact is already being felt. Even in schools that appear fully staffed, the experience levels are often unbalanced, with too many new teachers and not enough experienced mentors. This leaves early-career teachers unsupported and increases burnout, with one in five leaving the profession within the first five years.
In my talk, I asked the audience to imagine a world without teachers. At first, it might seem like a student’s dream come true with no essays or homework, but in reality, it would be a disaster. Parents would be forced into homeschooling, workplaces would suffer staff shortages, and everyday life would grind to a halt. Who would teach young people to read a road sign or understand a payslip?
This Is Just a Warm-Up Act: The Biggest Transformation to Education Is About to Take Centre Stage
I am excited to share that I have contributed to the latest issue of the Teacher Learning Network Journal, where I explore the transformative impact of generative AI on education. In the article, I argue that this is not just another technological trend. It is the beginning of a significant shift in how we approach learning, teaching, and assessment.
Drawing on my experience as an educator and leader, I challenge teachers, leaders, and policymakers to move beyond the quick fixes and start thinking about how we can harness AI in a way that enhances rather than replaces great teaching. From rethinking homework to reassessing our approaches to assessment, AI offers both opportunities and challenges that we cannot afford to ignore.
Book Review: Practical AI Strategies: Engaging with Generative AI in Education
As a dedicated tech enthusiast, I’ve always been quick to adopt new technologies in education. With the rapid advancements in AI, I found Leon Furze’s “Practical AI Strategies” to be an essential resource for educators. This book offers practical, actionable strategies and addresses both the benefits and challenges of integrating AI into the classroom. Furze’s indepth exploration of AI’s impact on assessment is particularly insightful, providing invaluable guidance for creating more personalised and efficient assessment processes.
Book Review: The Connection Curriculum
Matt Pitman’s ‘The Connection Curriculum’ addresses the pressing issue of connectedness in schools. By prioritising human connections over mere academic achievements, Pitman provides a practical roadmap for educators. His advice on fostering relationships, community belonging, and student voice offers a pathway to creating more connected and supportive school environments. This book is essential reading for any educator committed to building a thriving, compassionate educational community.
I interviewed 100 teachers this year. Here is what I learnt.
In the past year, I’ve conducted over 100 interviews for teaching and educational support roles. During this extensive interview process, I’ve encountered remarkable individuals, experienced moments of frustration, and sometimes wished I could conclude an interview after just a few minutes.
Having surpassed the century mark in interviews, I’ve gained a clear understanding of what works in an education interview. Here are my top 5 words of advice for those entering the realm of school job interviews:
Three Popular Reads: Key Takeaways for Teachers
As an educator, school holidays provide a precious opportunity to step back, recharge, and dive into some of the pleasures you don’t have time for during the term. For me, that’s reading.
The following three books are some of the most read books in the world of leadership and education. Here are my bite-sized summaries of these enlightening reads, each offering valuable insights for educators and leaders alike.
Creative Schools by Ken Robinson and Lou Aronica, The 5:00 AM Club by Robin Sharma, and The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Book Review: Passion, Guts, and Leadership
Term 4, 2012, marked a significant turning point in my life. As an 11th-year secondary school teacher, I had the joy of welcoming our daughter into the world with my wife Rachel, who is also an educator. After much consideration, we decided that Rachel would return to work full-time while I would take on the role of the stay-at-home dad.
Now, those who work in secondary schools know that part-time teacher timetables are the hardest things to create, so I was not going to be able to get the 2 straight days I was after. Enter Deborah Patterson.
ChatGPT and the Human Connection: Exploring the Politeness Phenomenon
In an era where artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly sophisticated, conversational sites like ChatGPT are revolutionizing the way we interact with technology. It’s not uncommon for users to develop a sense of familiarity and treat these AI-powered assistants as if they were human beings. So, why do we feel inclined to use polite language and engage in courteous conversation with ChatGPT? Will this trend of human-like interaction likely continue in the future?