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.
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:
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?
Book Review: Teacher Wellbeing
In her book “Teacher Wellbeing: A Real Conversation for Teachers and Leaders,” Amy Green offers a comprehensive guide to addressing this problem by providing practical strategies and insights for teachers to better manage their physical, mental, and social wellbeing. She argues that focusing on subjective wellbeing alone, such as engaging in activities that provide instant gratification, is not enough to sustain long-term wellbeing. Instead, teachers need to engage in psychological wellbeing solutions that allow them to build resilience and cope with the stressors of their job.
Book Review: Dare to Lead
Brené Brown’s book, Dare to Lead, is a guide for leaders who want to cultivate a culture of courageous, wholehearted leadership. According to Brown, a leader is anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes and has the courage to develop that potential. In the education context, she stresses the importance of creating a space in our schools and classrooms where students can take off the crushing weight of their armor and truly be seen.
The AI Report Card: Assessing the Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Education
It’s crucial to approach the integration of AI in education with a balanced and pragmatic perspective. As we continue to learn more about AI, we must strike a balance between banning and uncritical adoption. Educators need to carefully consider how AI can be used to complement, rather than replace, traditional teaching methods.
Book Review: Classroom Vibe
Classroom Vibe: Practical Strategies for Better Classroom Culture by Tim O’Leary is an helpful resource for educators seeking to create a more productive and positive learning environment. Tim argues that classroom culture, which he calls classroom vibe, is a critical factor in student learning, and provides practical strategies for improving it. The book covers a range of topics, including the importance of teacher quality, the challenges of creating change in education, and the core elements of an effective classroom vibe.
Well that year went fast
The pandemic has taught us the importance of being adaptable and flexible in our approach to teaching and we made many advances during the COVID years. However it has been disappointing that some teachers reverted to traditional approaches and styles of teaching once students returned to in-person learning.
In some ways this year was tougher than the previous two. I like many other educators were not ‘match fit’ and I have never seen staff more tired than I did during this year.
