Chit Chats with Carla McNeil

Join Carla McNeil as she chit chats with Sarah Brown about MTSS, what it is, what an MTSS system looks like in a school, and how it can be established in New Zealand schools.

Brendan has spent a lot of time exploring what the science of learning tells us about how students actually learn and, more importantly, how teachers can use that knowledge to design better lessons and create quality systems.

Across education, right now, we are asking teachers and leaders to implement significant change. New curriculum, evidence-informed instruction, structured approaches to literacy, and stronger alignment between teaching and assessment. What we know is that professional learning in isolation is not enough. The schools that make the greatest progress are those with strong coaching structures that help teachers translate learning into sustained classroom practice. Today, we are exploring how Student-Focused Coaching supports that work.

Carla recently connected with Dr Tiffany Hogan to discuss Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), including what it is, how it’s diagnosed, the key signs and symptoms, and its connection to dyslexia. Learning about DLD can be challenging and sometimes uncomfortable, but as Tiffany said, "a ship is safe in the harbour and that is not what ships are for."

Carla caught up with a group of talented educators and specialist teachers across the country in her latest chit chat. When asked about their newfound knowledge and practice after LMIT training Bec Heeley shared that she had a DEEPER understanding of the reading brain, dyslexia, assessment tools, how to support our dyslexic students and her big one was the difference explicit instruction makes to her teaching. 

This episode dives deep into the journey of implementing Structured Literacy across an entire school – from leadership decisions and community engagement to system-level sustainability and professional learning.

In this Chit Chat, Carla sits down with Dr Lorraine Hammond, one of the world’s leading experts in explicit instruction, to unpack the why, what, and how of evidence-based teaching that truly moves the needle for learners. Lorraine doesn’t just talk theory – she shares practical steps any teacher can start today.

Join Carla and Dr. Kymyona Burk as she shares insights from her role in the Mississippi Miracle, including the policies and practices that led to statewide literacy success. She also discusses key lessons from this experience, offers advice for New Zealand as we work toward similar change, and shares tips for achieving system-wide, lasting impact.

Carla and Dr Michel explore the essential elements of an effective coaching culture in schools, emphasising the importance of trust, leadership, and system-wide commitment.