Pedagogy to Practice

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.

In this episode, Beth and Sunny dive into their pits and peaks from the past two weeks. Beth shares stories from her time back in Australia, while Sunny reflects on the final stretch of Term 3 and her focus on creating more Opportunities to Respond (OTRs) in the classroom. She unpacks practical strategies for boosting student participation and the powerful role of data in tracking progress. Despite the ups and downs of trialling new approaches, Sunny highlights why OTRs remain one of the most impactful practices discussed yet on Pedagogy to Practice. Tune in for thoughtful teaching insights, personal stories, and a behind-the-scenes look at the real work of passionate educators.

In this special fact to face episode of Pedagogy to Practice, Beth and Sunny delve into the concept of Opportunities to Respond (OTR), a crucial element of the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM) 2.0. They explore the significance of providing students with frequent opportunities to engage and respond during lessons, highlighting how this practice enhances student engagement and learning outcomes. Beth shares insightful data and practical strategies to ensure all students are given equal chances to participate, while Sunny reflects on how she plans to implement these strategies in her teaching over the next two weeks. Tune in to discover how OTR can transform your classroom dynamics and improve educational experiences for both teachers and students.

In this conversation, Beth and Sunny discuss their pits and peaks of the last month, the beginning of term 3 and the dynamics of teaching boys in a classroom setting. They explore personal experiences, the wins and challenges of managing a classroom with a majority of boys, and the importance of understanding adolescent brain development. The discussion also touches on strategies for engaging boys in literature and the role of teachers as role models. The conversation concludes with reflections on the insights gained and future strategies for effective teaching. At Pedagogy to Practice, we deeply respect and affirm all gender identities, and we’re committed to inclusive conversations that recognise the diversity of learners in every classroom. While we might talk about trends or patterns across genders, we know that every student is unique.

In this conversation, Sunny sits down with Zuzi, Lynda and Robyn- three incredible education support staff members. They discuss the essential elements of creating an effective classroom environment, explore the importance of engagement, the role of graduate teachers as well as the challenges they face, and strategies for supporting students with additional learning needs. The discussion emphasises the significance of teamwork between teachers and education support staff to foster a positive learning experience for all students.

In this episode, Sunny reflects on her teaching experiences over the past two weeks, focusing on strategies that Beth shared last episode on checking for understanding in the classroom. They discuss the importance of peer feedback, building a culture of error, and adapting teaching methods to engage students effectively. Sunny shares insights from a recent visit to a primary school, highlighting effective teaching practices and the need for continuous improvement in teaching strategies. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of teaching different student groups and the significance of feedback in enhancing teaching effectiveness.

In this episode of Pedagogy to Practice, Beth and Sunny dive deep into one of the most crucial aspects of teaching: Checking for Understanding. Together, they unpack why this strategy is essential across every subject area and year level. Beth shares a toolkit of invaluable, research-backed techniques that every teacher can implement straight away. She also explores the power of fostering a "culture of error", a classroom environment where students feel safe to take risks, make mistakes, and grow through feedback. Meanwhile, Sunny brings practical insights from the ground, sharing how teachers at her school are checking for understanding in real time. From what’s worked well to what’s flopped, she offers honest reflections and creative solutions that listeners can take into their own classrooms. Whether you're a new teacher or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with actionable ideas to ensure your students aren’t just present, they’re learning.

In part 2 of Explicit Instruction, Sunny and Beth kick things off by sharing highlights from their week, before Sunny dives into her journey of using explicit instruction more deliberately in the classroom. The conversation explores how explicit instruction can look across different subject areas—including English, Science, and P.E.—before narrowing in on how Sunny applied it in her Year 10 Literature class. She unpacks how her school is working with the Victorian Curriculum 2.0, and how insights from cognitive load theory helped her deliver clearer, more effective instruction. Sunny also discusses how the Five Es instructional model guided her lesson planning, offering a structured yet flexible approach. Throughout the episode, Beth brings her wealth of teaching experience to the table, offering practical tips and thoughtful reflections that enrich the discussion.