Pedagogy to Practice

Episode 20 Teacher Wellbeing

In the latest episode of Pedagogy to Practice, Beth sits down with psychologist and wellbeing advocate Dilek who explores how teachers can prevent burnout and build long-term resilience in demanding school environments. She shares practical strategies for setting boundaries, managing emotional load, recognising the early signs of burnout, and creating sustainable daily habits that support wellbeing. This episode offers honest, actionable advice for early career and experienced teachers alike who want to protect their mental health while continuing to thrive in the classroom. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 18 Help! This Class Isn't Going Well

In this episode of Pedagogy to Practice, Beth and Sunny take an honest and practical look at what it feels like when a lesson goes off track, and what teachers can actually do about it. They unpack the reality that even the most well-planned classes can unravel, particularly for early-career teachers, and explore how to recognise the warning signs before things escalate. The conversation moves through strategies for prevention, including setting clear expectations, building relationships, and planning with flexibility in mind. Beth and Sunny also spend time discussing what to do in the moment when a class starts to slip, how to regain control, reset the tone, and make quick, effective decisions under pressure. Importantly, they don’t stop there. The episode emphasises the value of reflection after a difficult lesson: how to analyse what happened without being overly self-critical, and how to use those experiences to improve future practice. Throughout the episode, both Beth and Sunny share personal stories of lessons that didn’t go to plan, offering a candid and reassuring perspective that struggle is a normal part of teaching. Their openness helps position the episode as not just a practical guide, but also a source of support, reminding listeners that they’re not alone, and that even challenging classes can become powerful learning opportunities. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 17 "I have a Free What Should I Do?" Reflection

On this episode of Pedagogy to Practice, Sunny reflects on how to make the most of limited planning time in a busy teaching schedule. From managing the demands of VCE classes and the challenges of marking creative writing, to using the 80/20 rule and whole-class feedback to reduce overwhelm, this episode is all about how Sunny uses Beth's strategies to work smarter, not harder. Sunny also reflects on how she used other practical strategies like batching emails, using a base planner to structure your day, and applying the “Do, Decide, Delegate, Set Aside” framework to prioritise tasks, minimise time leaks, and maintain clarity. Plus, a reminder that you don’t have to do it all alone- leaning on your team is key. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 16 "I Have a Free, What Should I Do?"

Beth and Sunny are back for the new year with a question every teacher has asked themselves at least once: “I have a free period… what should I do?” In this episode, Beth explores research-supported strategies for making the most of your free sessions. She unpacks practical ways teachers can structure their planning time, avoid common time leaks, and even looks at research around the most effective time of day to tackle marking. She also touches on one of the simplest yet most powerful productivity tools for teachers: the Pomodoro Timer. Sunny reflects on how the year has started in the classroom and shares how she typically spends her free periods, from planning and preparation to the small tasks that quietly pile up throughout the week. Together, Beth and Sunny discuss the importance of intentional time use and set some practical goals for using free sessions more effectively in the weeks ahead. If you’ve ever finished a free period wondering where the time went, this episode is for you ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 15 Principal Team

In this bonus episode of Pedagogy to Practice Sunny sits down with Assistant Principal Deb Kirk and Principal Steven Bourbon who share insights for graduate teachers. Steve highlights the importance of building relationships for learning and fostering curiosity and inquiry among students. He also reflects on his experiences in both primary and secondary education, noting the unique strengths and challenges of each setting. Deb shares her journey as an assistant principal, reflecting on the value of relationships in education, and the role of graduates in bringing innovation and energy to schools. Deb also highlights the strategic and supportive nature of her role, aiming to foster a collaborative and vibrant school community. The conversation underscores the value of adaptability, continuous learning, and the supportive role of school communities in nurturing new teachers. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.