The Leadership Passport Podcast

Dr Simon Breakspear

Dr. Simon Breakspear shares his journey from classroom teacher to education researcher and advisor. He discusses the importance of evidence-informed practice, system-level change, and effective professional development strategies to improve teaching and learning outcomes. Guest Bio Dr. Simon Breakspear is an educational researcher, former high school teacher and father of three. As the founder of Strategic Schools, he focuses on supporting teams to enhance their impact on learning through evidence-informed processes and tools. He is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales and advisor to the NSW Department of Education on Leadership Development and Curriculum reform. Simon holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Cambridge, where he was a Gates Scholar. He has worked globally with over 100,000 teachers, schools, and policy leaders across more than ten countries. Takeaways * The Journey from Teacher to Educational Researcher * Shifting Perspectives on Teaching * Bridging the Gap: Research and Practice in Education * The Importance of Evidence-Informed Teaching * Challenges in Professional Development * Innovative Approaches to Teacher Development * Collaborative Coaching for Teacher Improvement * Balancing Accountability and Trust in Education * Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement * The Importance of Consistency in Teaching Practices * Leadership Insights and Personal Growth Resources Richard Elmore's 'School Reform from the Inside Out' - https://www.amazon.com/School-Reform-Inside-Out-Richard/dp/0871545574 Evidence-Based Teaching Resources - https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/ Dylan Williams' Teacher Learning Communities - https://dylanwilliams.org/ Teaching Sprints Methodology - https://teachingsprints.org/ Host Kevin Fullbrook is an international school leader with 25+ years of global education experience across Australia, China, and the Middle East. As host of The Leadership Passport Podcast, Kevin dives into the stories, strategies, and insights of education leaders from around the world. With a passion for inclusive leadership, student agency, and sustainable school cultures, he brings thoughtful conversations and practical takeaways for educators, aspiring leaders, and anyone interested in the future of learning. Connect with him on Instagram (@kevin.fullbrook) and LinkedIn (Kevin Fullbrook) https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-fullbrook-33034b8b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-fullbrook-33034b8b/] https://www.instagram.com/kevin.fullbrook/ [https://www.instagram.com/kevin.fullbrook/]

Bria Bloom

In this conversation, Bria Bloom discusses her journey from being an unschooled child to becoming a passionate advocate for self-directed education. She explains the principles of self-directed education, addresses common misconceptions, and emphasizes the importance of structure and community in this educational approach. Bria also shares insights on cultural differences in education, the challenges of measuring success in self-directed learning, and practical steps educators can take to incorporate these principles into traditional school settings. The conversation concludes with reflections on the importance of finding supportive communities and the complexities of parenting in the context of education. Takeaways * Bria Bloom is a passionate advocate for self-directed education. * Self-directed education centers on the autonomy and agency of young people. * Education is the sum of everything a person learns. * Self-directed education derives from self-chosen activities and life experiences. * There are many misconceptions about self-directed education. * Structure in self-directed education can vary greatly by family and child. * Cultural perspectives on education differ significantly around the world. * Measuring success in self-directed education is complex and multifaceted. * Unschooling can lead to surprising outcomes in socialization and learning. * Finding supportive communities is crucial for parents and educators. Host Kevin Fullbrook is an international school leader with 25+ years of global education experience across Australia, China, and the Middle East. As host of The Leadership Passport Podcast, Kevin dives into the stories, strategies, and insights of education leaders from around the world. With a passion for inclusive leadership, student agency, and sustainable school cultures, he brings thoughtful conversations and practical takeaways for educators, aspiring leaders, and anyone interested in the future of learning. Connect with him on Instagram (@kevin.fullbrook) and LinkedIn (Kevin Fullbrook) https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-fullbrook-33034b8b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-fullbrook-33034b8b/] https://www.instagram.com/kevin.fullbrook/ [https://www.instagram.com/kevin.fullbrook/]

Kelly Smith

In this conversation, Kelly Smith, founder and CEO of Prenda, discusses his journey in education, focusing on the concept of micro schools. He shares his passion for learning and how it led him to create a student-centered learning environment that fosters agency and ownership among students. Kelly addresses common misconceptions about micro schools, the challenges of scaling this model, and the potential impact on traditional education systems. He emphasizes the importance of supportive relationships between educators and students and encourages educators to innovate within their existing systems. Takeaways * Kelly's obsession with learning began in childhood. * Micro schools are student-centered and promote agency. * Misconceptions about micro schools often equate them to homeschooling. * Creating a safe environment is crucial for student success. * Scaling micro schools faces challenges of inertia and fear. * Surprising support comes from educators and administrators. * Micro schools can influence traditional education positively. * Educators can innovate within their current systems. * Students from micro schools develop a sense of ownership. * The goal is to empower learners to create meaningful lives. Host Kevin Fullbrook is an international school leader with 25+ years of global education experience across Australia, China, and the Middle East. As host of The Leadership Passport Podcast, Kevin dives into the stories, strategies, and insights of education leaders from around the world. With a passion for inclusive leadership, student agency, and sustainable school cultures, he brings thoughtful conversations and practical takeaways for educators, aspiring leaders, and anyone interested in the future of learning. Connect with him on Instagram (@kevin.fullbrook) and LinkedIn (Kevin Fullbrook) https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-fullbrook-33034b8b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-fullbrook-33034b8b/] https://www.instagram.com/kevin.fullbrook/ [https://www.instagram.com/kevin.fullbrook/]

Jen Buchanan

In this conversation, Kevin Fullbrook speaks with Jen Buchanan, the principal of Think Global School, an innovative international school that operates on a unique model of global immersion. Jen shares her extensive experience in education, the challenges and triumphs of leading a school that travels to different countries each term, and the importance of deep learning over educational tourism. The discussion covers the school's curriculum, the leadership skills required in such a dynamic environment, and the essential qualities sought in educators. Jen also reflects on the skills students develop through this immersive experience and the lessons traditional schools can learn from outlier models like Think Global School. Takeaways * Think Global School is a unique international traveling boarding school. * The curriculum is based on place-based learning and global immersion. * Students must be adaptable and resilient to thrive in this model. * Deep learning is prioritized over educational tourism. * Leadership in a global context requires flexibility and trust in educators. * Building a strong culture is essential for success in a mobile school. * Parents must be engaged and informed about the school's innovative approach. * Choosing locations involves careful consideration of safety and learning opportunities. * Students develop skills in adaptability, ethical understanding, and independence. * Outlier educational models challenge traditional assumptions about learning. Host Kevin Fullbrook is an international school leader with 25+ years of global education experience across Australia, China, and the Middle East. As host of The Leadership Passport Podcast, Kevin dives into the stories, strategies, and insights of education leaders from around the world. With a passion for inclusive leadership, student agency, and sustainable school cultures, he brings thoughtful conversations and practical takeaways for educators, aspiring leaders, and anyone interested in the future of learning. Connect with him on Instagram (@kevin.fullbrook) and LinkedIn (Kevin Fullbrook) https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-fullbrook-33034b8b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-fullbrook-33034b8b/] https://www.instagram.com/kevin.fullbrook/ [https://www.instagram.com/kevin.fullbrook/]

Brett Lee

In this conversation, Brett Lee, a former police officer and current internet safety educator, shares his journey from law enforcement to educating children and parents about online safety. He emphasizes the importance of education in preventing child exploitation and discusses effective strategies for communicating risks to children. Brett highlights the need for schools to implement strong policies regarding technology use and the role of parents in guiding their children through the online world. He also addresses recent government regulations on social media and their potential impact on child safety. Guest ISE (Internet Safe Education) creator, Brett Lee, worked as a Queensland Police Officer for 22 years, 16 of those as a Detective predominantly in the field of Child Exploitation. In his last five years of service, he was a specialist in the field of undercover internet child exploitation investigations. Brett has been personally involved in the online investigation, arrest and prosecution of numerous offenders, whose medium for preying on children is the internet. Brett has delivered training to members of law enforcement agencies including New South Wales Police, South Australian Police, West Australian Police and Australian Customs. Within his own police service he was involved in the training of plain clothes police through Detective Training and Sexual Crimes courses in Online Child Exploitation investigations. Further to Brett's experience, he has completed the FBI Advanced Internet Investigations Course and has worked with the FBI Innocent Images Unit, Maryland USA, the Department of Homeland Security Cyber Crimes Centre, Virginia USA and the San Jose Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, California USA. He has also attended and spoken at conferences around Australia and the world. Takeaways * Education is crucial in preventing child exploitation. * Children often lack awareness of online dangers. * Parents should trust their instincts regarding online interactions. * Effective communication is key to understanding children's online experiences. * Schools need to enforce clear technology policies. * Personal devices can pose significant risks in schools. * Parents should set rules and boundaries for technology use at home. * Engaging parents in education about online safety is essential. * Government regulations can help protect children online. * The online world is a hidden space that requires vigilance.  Host Kevin Fullbrook is an international school leader with 25+ years of global education experience across Australia, China, and the Middle East. As host of The Leadership Passport Podcast, Kevin dives into the stories, strategies, and insights of education leaders from around the world. With a passion for inclusive leadership, student agency, and sustainable school cultures, he brings thoughtful conversations and practical takeaways for educators, aspiring leaders, and anyone interested in the future of learning. Connect with him on Instagram (@kevin.fullbrook) and LinkedIn (Kevin Fullbrook) https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-fullbrook-33034b8b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-fullbrook-33034b8b/] https://www.instagram.com/kevin.fullbrook/ [https://www.instagram.com/kevin.fullbrook/]