Podclass - Podcast for Teachers and Educators

In Episode 26 of Podclass, the team delves into the essential topic of emotional regulation for educators and students alike. Hosts Skye Hughes, Amanda Marshall, and Will Massara explore how understanding and managing emotional states can transform classrooms into spaces of connection and learning. They discuss the significance of co-regulation, the power of self-awareness, and simple strategies for managing emotional states effectively. Podclass: www.ylaaus.com/podclass IG: https://www.instagram.com/podclass.aus Key Discussion Points: The Role of Emotional Regulation in the Classroom The hosts explore the importance of teachers maintaining a regulated state to create a calm and productive classroom environment. They emphasise that when educators are regulated, it sets the tone for students' learning and engagement. “We can’t hold space for young people unless we are emotionally regulated ourselves.” – Skye Understanding Regulation and Dysregulation The team explains the difference between being emotionally regulated and dysregulated. They discuss how dysregulated states—like mood swings or impulsive reactions—can impact interactions with students. Modelling Emotional Awareness Practical strategies are shared for teachers to identify their emotional states and model emotional regulation for their students. From breathing exercises to simple self-check-ins, these approaches empower teachers to foster a supportive classroom culture. “It’s about showing students that it’s normal to feel emotions and teaching them healthy ways to manage them.” – Amanda The Power of Co-Regulation The hosts stress the significance of co-regulation, where the teacher’s calm state positively influences the emotional state of their students. Simple Steps for Success To help teachers manage their emotions, the team highlights simple daily practices like hydration, proper rest, and mindfulness techniques. Conclusion: This episode offers practical tools and insights into the power of emotional regulation in classrooms. By prioritising their well-being and modelling self-awareness, teachers can create environments where both they and their students thrive. Our Organisations YEP: https://youthengagementproject.com/ YLAA: www.ylaaus.com

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. Podclass: www.ylaaus.com/podclass IG: https://www.instagram.com/podclass.aus 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. Our Organisations YEP: https://youthengagementproject.com/ YLAA: www.ylaaus.com

In Episode 24 of Podclass, we are joined by the legendary Professor John Hattie to explore what it truly means for educators to know their impact. Hosted by Skye Hughes, Amanda Marshall, and Will Masara, this episode dives deep into how teachers' thought processes, expectations, and classroom climates shape learning outcomes. As one of the world’s foremost educational researchers, Hattie shares powerful insights from his Visible Learning work, offering practical strategies to help educators maximise their effectiveness. Podclass: www.ylaaus.com/podclass IG: https://www.instagram.com/podclass.aus Who is John Hattie? John Hattie, the renowned researcher behind Visible Learning, has revolutionised our understanding of what truly works in education. Synthesising over 2,100 meta-analyses, his work draws from the experiences of more than 400 million students globally. In this episode, John shares how his journey has been driven by curiosity and the pursuit of understanding the "why" behind impactful teaching. "This has not been my career—it’s been a hobby that’s taken over." – John Hattie Evaluative Thinking and Classroom Impact The conversation focuses on the importance of evaluative thinking in shaping effective teaching practices. John discusses how teachers’ mindsets, rather than specific actions, drive high-impact outcomes. He highlights the importance of fostering safe, trust-filled classrooms where students are encouraged to embrace struggle and develop confidence in their learning. "Struggle should be the most powerful, positive word in the classroom." – John Hattie Rethinking Differentiation and Teacher Expectations John challenges traditional approaches to differentiation, advocating for shared success criteria and diverse pathways for students to achieve them. The episode also delves into how high expectations from teachers create transformative classroom environments, enabling all students to grow and succeed. "Teachers with high expectations have dramatically different classrooms than those with low expectations—because of the way they think." – John Hattie Conclusion In this episode, we unpacked the profound impact of teachers’ thought processes on student learning. From creating trusting classroom climates to reimagining differentiation and setting high expectations, John Hattie’s insights encourage educators to reflect on their practices and embrace their ability to make a difference. Our Organisations: YEP: https://youthengagementproject.com/ YLAA: www.ylaaus.com

Welcome back to Podclass! In this episode, Amanda, Skye, and Wil dive into the often-debated topic of rewards in education. Why do we use them so much? Do they actually work? And what’s the real cost of relying on rewards to motivate young people? By sharing classroom anecdotes, personal stories, and proven strategies, they explore how rewards can sometimes undermine genuine learning—and what we can do instead to foster intrinsic motivation and curiosity in our students. 1. The Carrot and Stick: Why We Use Rewards Rewards and Punishments in the Classroom The team kicks off the conversation by breaking down the widely used "carrot and stick" approach, where rewards encourage behavior and punishments deter it. While this method might work in the moment, Amanda explains how it’s a short-term solution that doesn’t foster lasting motivation or learning. They explore why this model can be problematic: Rewards make learning feel transactional. Punishments, or the removal of rewards, can feel manipulative. It shifts focus away from curiosity and growth to “just getting it done.” “When the carrot is gone and the stick is gone, what motivation is left in the student?” – Amanda 2. The Hidden Costs of Reward Systems Why Rewards Wear Off Over Time As the episode continues, Sky highlights the hidden downsides of rewards: Satiation: Over time, rewards lose their appeal, requiring bigger incentives to achieve the same result. Lost Focus on Learning: Students often prioritize finishing tasks to earn a reward, rather than understanding the material or engaging in meaningful learning. Manipulation and Conditional Motivation: Relying on rewards can undermine autonomy and create a dependency on external validation. Skye shares a teaching experience where using stickers to motivate her class backfired. The students became more focused on earning the stickers than on improving their writing or engaging with feedback. “Rewards teach students to aim for the finish line, not to value the journey of learning.” – Skye 3. Building Intrinsic Motivation in the Classroom Shifting from Rewards to Effort-Based Recognition The team shifts gears to explore what works better than rewards. They share actionable strategies for fostering intrinsic motivation, like: Acknowledging Effort: Celebrate hard work and perseverance, rather than just the end result. Creating Optimal Challenges: Engage students with tasks that stretch them slightly beyond their comfort zone, encouraging growth and resilience. Tapping into Curiosity: Design lessons that align with students’ natural interests to ignite a deeper connection to learning. Will shares a story about how the challenge of beating a tough opponent in chess kept him motivated far more than any external reward. Sky reflects on her childhood love of board games, where the thrill of improving her skills against her dad was its own reward. “True fulfilment comes from the process, not the prize at the end.” – Wil Conclusion Rewards aren’t inherently bad, but they shouldn’t be the default strategy. Instead, educators can inspire students by focusing on effort, curiosity, and meaningful learning experiences. Thank you for joining us for this week’s episode of Pod Class! Don’t forget to follow us for more deep dives into education, motivation, and connecting with young people. See you next week! 🎙️ Follow us on social media for updates: Instagram: @podclass.aus Websitehttps://ylaaus.com/podclass