Brian's Blog

The education sector thrives on passionate leaders, but for introverts, navigating this world can feel like venturing outside their comfort zone. Society often glorifies extroversion, but introverts bring a valuable perspective and skillset to educational leadership. In this article, I explore and reflect on how introverts can leverage their strengths to become exceptional educational leaders. I have primarily relied on older articles for my research, which is not my usual approach. Nonetheless, delving into the wisdom of the past has been a fascinating endeavour, even in today's modern world. To begin this article, speaking as someone who identifies strongly with introverted leadership traits, I must admit that expressing these thoughts feels vulnerable and somewhat daunting. It's akin to unveiling a part of my authentic self, which can be both revealing and demanding. Quiet Strength Introverts are natural listeners and observers (Grant, 2013). They excel at taking in informat...

In the days when I was working full time coaching high performance gymsports and outdoor education I was exposed to a philosophy of success. At the time it felt a little airy fairy as it did not give specific details on the 'how' to be successful but it did help guide my goal to be a great educator. It was known as the winners edge - based on the idea that the slightest edge creates remarkable rewards! For example, a horse that wins a race by a nose is a split second faster than the horse that is placed second yet the winning horse receives considerably more. Though I am not a gambling man, we saw this in the 2011 Melbourne Cup when   Dunaden won $3.6 million the second place getter Red Cadeaux earned $900000. Similarly, small improvement or changes in what we do can make a significant impact on our lives and the lives of our students. Let's be straight: the definition of insanity is doing the same things we have always done expecting a different result. Unfortunately,...

I am currently in my second week of my Summer break and this morning I have been blessed with insightful pedagogical conversation. The first came as a chance meeting with my daughter's school principal prompted by a forgotten outfit for a dress rehearsal. Immersed in end of year rehearsals, presentation preparation and school placements for next year I was given the gift of time to engage with her about the action research that the school had been conducting to promote best practice. As a professional I was encouraged to hear that many of the practices that are trending in current classrooms had been instilled in the culture of the school through teacher research. She added that due to the teachers action research they saw these classroom practices embedded well before they started trending in the mainstream. Examples she gave were Coding, Hattie's Mind Frames for Learning, Environmental Education, Instructional Rounds and Video Analysis. It was seen that this research inform...

Disclosure 1: As you read this post you might think that it is not necessarily related to education but please read as I believe you will see the parallels. Disclosure 2: This is written at a time when I should be report writing; however, as part of my grieving process I thought that it would be beneficial.  Today I was privileged to share the celebration of life of Cathleen Cowie. I have known her as a close friend for the past 15 years to the date and on the 27.10.2015 she passed away at the age of 35. She left behind a beautiful five month old son Ryan and husband Brendon. During today's service I reflected on all of the faces in the room. The auditorium was filled to capacity with over 2000 mourners all of which could testify as I the impact she had on their lives. As conversations and eulogies began the common theme was how positive, authentic and passionate she was. Even though Cat's schedule was probably the most full of anyone I knew she always had the time to sha...

Due to the constant classroom activity students often think in different contexts about concepts and thus have a better understanding as reflective learners. For teaching goals to be successfully accomplished a supportive learning environment where students must feel comfortable to take intellectual risks and express their opinions is imperative. Through my experience I have witnessed group activities, discussions and peer evaluations become key components in generating this dynamic learning community. The depth of a students’ understanding is not reliant on reducing the amount of content they are responsible for knowing. Knowledge and understanding are the foundations from which higher-level learning can occur. Setting high academic standards is important as this expectation assists students to achieve their educational goals.  Scaffolding the learning builds student confidence and ability to expand intellectual qualities. Students’ academic growth through engagement and signi...

Being a teacher in Australia is critical to the improvement and maintenance of Australian society. We are responsible for mentoring students in the process of living and the preparation of their coming futures. It is essential to be fascinated with the subjects that are taught, committed to generating enthusiasm and interest in others and producing an environment respectful to the student’s culture and background. Variety in teaching methodology is very important, not only because students have different learning styles but also as this further stimulates the learning environment. Teachers that value student studies help them make connections across their schooling and personal lives. The responsibility of a great teacher goes beyond the doors of the classroom. Encouragement to participate in the community and sporting activities provide students with the links and resources to connect with their community, providing opportunities to apply what they have learned in the classroom as l...

Emotional Intelligence can be described as an innate response to emotions and the ability to effectively use, regulate and communicate  one's  feelings. It is also encompasses one’s ability to recognise, remember, describe and identify those feelings. As a result one is then able to learn from, manage, understand and explain those emotions. Theoretical Aspect In some circles E.I. has become the new “buzzword” in education since the publication of “Emotional Intelligence” by Daniel Goleman in 1995. Despite this heightened level of interest in E.I. over the past decade, philosophers and theorists have been studying social and emotional development as far back to the Greek philosopher Plato. In 427BC Plato philosophised that “all learning has an emotional base”. The word “philosophy” means “the love of wisdom”. This in  itself  reflects Plato’s words and reinforces that to learn, one must have an emotion or feeling that compels one...