In this powerful episode of Podclass, hosts Sky Hughes, Amanda Marshall, and Will Masara welcome back the renowned educational researcher Professor John Hattie. This time, the discussion centres on teaching culture—how it shapes student learning, impacts teacher wellbeing, and fosters an environment of trust and collaboration. With Professor Hattie’s groundbreaking insights, this episode dives deep into creating thriving school cultures and solving the pressing challenges faced by educators today.
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Understanding School Culture and Its Impact
Creating Inviting Spaces for Learning
Professor Hattie argues that school culture should be the starting point, not achievement. Positive school cultures foster a sense of belonging for students and create an environment where they feel motivated to learn.
"Achievement is the outcome, not the input. Start with culture, and the learning will follow." – John Hattie
Tackling the Relentlessness Problem
A central theme of the episode is the relentlessness educators face post-Covid. John challenges the notion that workload is the primary issue and instead focuses on creating space for reflection and collaboration.
"The problem isn't workload; it's the relentlessness. Teachers need space to think, reflect, and collaborate." – John Hattie
The Role of Leadership in Building Trust
The conversation highlights how school leaders can cultivate trust among staff, enabling teachers to collaborate and share without fear of judgment. Trust is foundational to improving teaching practices and ultimately benefits student outcomes.
"High-impact education happens when teachers feel safe to evaluate their impact and work together." – John Hattie
Evolving the Teaching Profession
Redefining Career Structures
The episode delves into the need for a clear career trajectory for educators, allowing teachers to stay in the classroom and continue growing without feeling the pressure to leave for leadership roles.
"We need a career structure that esteems and rewards the expertise of teachers beyond 10 years." – John Hattie
Addressing Burnout and Valuing Expertise
The hosts and John discuss the challenges of teacher burnout and the lack of recognition for exceptional educators. Shifting the narrative to celebrate teachers’ impact is essential for the profession’s sustainability.
"We must shift the conversation to celebrate teachers' incredible coping strategies and profound impact." – John Hattie
Leveraging Technology to Reduce Pressure
Professor Hattie explores the potential of AI tools like ChatGPT to reduce teachers’ workloads, giving them more time to focus on meaningful collaboration and reflection.
"AI can reduce teacher workloads faster than it will impact students—let’s use it to alleviate pressure." – John Hattie
In Episode 25, Podclass unpacks how building a positive teaching culture starts with trust, collaboration, and focusing on what truly matters: creating spaces for learning and professional growth. From rethinking the teacher career path to addressing the relentlessness problem, this episode offers educators actionable strategies to thrive in the classroom and beyond.
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