Inspiration, Influence and Impact

My guest this episode, Raffaela Grasso, shares her passion for supporting students reading development and using quality, diverse literature as both a window and a mirror. She also shares her advocacy for well resourced school libraries staffed by qualified teacher librarians. Rafaela's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations: People - Stephanie Smith; Madison Delaney; Elise Ellerman; Picture Book Club Books - ‘Sunshine on Vinegar Street’ by Karen Comer; 'Paws' by Kate Foster; ;Daughter of Calabria; by Tania Blanchard Podcasts - Your Kids Next Read with Megan Daley and Allison Tait; The School of Wellbeing with Kylie Power; A Dream Life by Kristina Karlson; School Librarians United and Leading from the Library Cause - Indigenous Literacy Foundation and The Pyjama Foundation Dream Travel Destination - Western Australia and Tasmania Connect with Raffaela: X - @raffeduteach Instagram - @raffeduteach LinkedIn - Raffaela Grasso Blog - https://teachteched.wordpress.com/ Curated Resources - https://sites.google.com/view/teachingwithtechinprimaryed/home Threads - @raffeduteach Other - https://studentsneedschoollibraries.org.au/

My guest this episode, Jordyn Green, shares how the cultural influences in her life have guided and shaped who she is, inform her mission of protecting First Nations knowledge, and ensure it is accurately, authentically and respectfully passed on to future generations, and fuel her vision of ensuring every single student experiences an education where First Nations cultures, histories and perspectives are valued, respected and clearly visible in the lessons they participate in. Jordyn's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations: People - Common Ground Book - 'Be That Teacher Who Makes a Difference & Lead Aboriginal Education For All Students' by Kylie Captain and Dr Cathie Burgess Podcast - Educator Yarns co-hosted by Jessica Staines (Koori Curriculum) and Belinda Huntriss Cause - Common Ground Dream Travel Destination - Uluru Connect with Jordyn: Instagram - @learning_to_ngangaanha Website - Learning to Ngangaanha Facebook - Learning to Ngangaanha

My guest this episode, Mick Jones, shares the origin of his passion for photography and how his time in the Australian Defence Force has shaped his life experiences and motivated the inception of the Reluctant Heroes project. Mick's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations: Person - Mates4Mates Book - "One Crowded Hour" by Neil Davis Podcast - The Candid Frame: Conversations of Photography with Ibarionex Perello Cause - Veteran's Organisations Dream Travel Destination - Iceland or Antarctica Connect with Mick: Website - Mick Jones Facebook - Reluctant Heroes - Veterans Portrait Project; Mick Jones Photography Instagram - @mickjonesphotography You can support the Reluctant Heroes - Veterans Portrait Project through the 'Buy a Coffee' campaign.

My guest this episode, Cameron Ross, shares how feeling safe to make mistakes and seeing failure as learning opportunities has shaped his own learning and how he nurtures and fosters the learning of his students, and helped him be a lifelong learner. Cameron's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations: People - Brett Salakas, Kelly Hollis, Zeina Chalich Books - Teach Like a PIRATE by Dave Burgess; Be REAL: Educate from the Heart by Tara Martin; A Mammoth Lesson: Teaching in the Digital Age by Brett Salakas Podcast - SEEing to Lead with Dr. Chris Jones; Game Changers with Adriano DiPrato and Phil Cummins; Talking Split Cause - Beyond Blue Dream Travel Destination - USA Connect with Cameron: LinkedIn - Cameron Ross Instagram - @RossmansICT X - @CameronRoss3

My guest this episode, Aleesah Darlison, shares how she uses stories to empower children and champion the cause of animals and the environment. Aleesah talks about the inspirational power of observation and our own life experiences. Aleesah's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations: People - Belinda Murrell, Tim Harris, Tristan Bancks, Jacquie Harvey Books - The Last Bear by Hannah Gold; Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte Podcast - Dr Karl Cause - WWF, Handfish Conservation Dream Travel Destination - UK and Europe Connect with Aleesah: X - @Aleesah Instagram - @aleesah_darlison   LinkedIn - Aleesah Darlison   Website - www.aleesahdarlison.com  Facebook Page - Aleesah Darlison Fan Page   Tik Tok - @aleesah_darlison Other - linktr.ee/aleesah 

My guest this episode, Ramya Deepak, shares how her own life experiences and the people in her life have guided, motivated and galvinised her journey as an educator. Inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations: People - Campbell McKay, Briony Scott, Tracey Ezard Books - Hidden Potential and Think Again by Adam Grant Podcast - Brene Brown Cause - Children Dream Travel Destination - India Connect with Ramya: LinkedIn - Ramya Deepak Instagram - @teachingfromheart X - @RamyaDeepak12

My guest this episode, Kelly Hollis, shares her many passions, including teaching science, technology in the classroom and rugby league, and talks about her current role as a curriculum specialist. Kelly's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations: People - Brian Host; Alfina Jackson Books - Teach Like a PIRATE by Dave Burgess; Atomic Habits by James Clear Podcasts - The Mindset Mentor by Rob Dial Jr; the Mel Robins podcast; Jordan Syatt and the Lane Way by Ash and Brad Lane Cause - National Homeless Collective - run by Donna and Glenn Stolzenberg in Victoria Dream Travel Destination - Nepal Connect with Kelly: LinkedIn - Kelly Hollis X - @hollis_k Instagram - @theengagingscienceclassroom Tik Tok - @kellyhollis310

My guest this episode is...myself! In honour of the 50th podcast episode, Catherine Williams sits back in front of the microphone to help me celebrate. I share my passions, my purpose and personal journey of discovery and growth. My inspirational, influential and impactful inspirations: People - Dave Burgess, Trevor Mackenzie, Sarah Johnson, Tamara Letter, Tara Martin, Allyson Apsey Books - "Teach Like a PIRATE" by Dave Burgess; "Atlas of the Heart" by Brené Brown  Podcast - "The Imperfects" with Hugh van Cuylenburg, Ryan Shelton and Josh van Cuylenburg Cause - Formally Ever After Dream Travel Destination - Maldives Connect with me: LinkedIn - Karen Caswell Instagram - @authenticity_in_edu X - @kcasw1 Facebook - Authenticity In Edu Website - karencaswell.com

My guest this episode, Dr. Amie Fabry, shares her passionate advocacy for the early years, and her work supporting educators and leaders to provide quality early years education so that children thrive holistically. Amie's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations: * People - Kathy Hirsh-Pasek; Andy Hargreaves and Michael Fullan; The Learning Future * Books - Dare to Lead", "The Gifts of Imperfection" and "Atlas of the Heart" by Brene Brown; "The Importance of Being Little" by Erika Christakis * Podcasts - The Learning Future with Louka Parry; Game changers with Phil Cummins and Adriano Di Prato, On Purpose with Jay Shetty; Huberman Lab * Cause - Learn about the Early Years * Dream Travel Destination - Italy Connect with Amie: LinkedIn - Amie Fabry PhD and The Learning Future Instagram - @amiefabry_earlyyears X - @amie_fabry Email - amie@thelearningfuture.com

My guest this episode, Jonathan Nalder, shares his creative journey in education as a digital technologies and STEM innovator, and his mission to inspire as an 'Edunaut'. Jonathan's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations: People - Michael Holmstrom, Chris Buswell, Susan Kilrain, Dr Michaela, Musilova, Prof Stephen Heppell Books - Anything from the educator focused group of authors at xfactoredu.org, codebreakeredu.com, mammoth learning.co Cause - Literacy in Northern Ghana lingproject.org Dream Travel Destination - Iceland...and Mars Connect with Jonathan: LinkedIn - Jonathan 'the Edunaut' Nalder X - @jnxyz Instagram - @jnxyz Website - jnxyz.net, stempunks.com.au Threads - @jxnyz

My guest this episode, Adrienne Hornby, shares how her own life experiences, the influence of those around her and her work in school leadership roles have inspired and guided her journey to supporting schools to prioritise staff health and wellbeing. Adrienne's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations: People - anyone who is a professional in an area you wish to strengthen. Book - The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin Podcast - My Mum Says My Memoir is a Lie: Diary of a CEO Cause - one which inspires you Dream Travel Destination - Greece and Spain Connect with Adrienne: LinkedIn - Adrienne Hornby Website - adriennehornby.com.au Podcast - Well Led Schools Adrienne Hornby a Staff Wellbeing Consultant and Strategist for Schools  Dedicated to fostering thriving school communities, Adrienne collaborates with school leaders and their staff to collect vital data and devise and implement personalised 'Staff Wellbeing Action Plans.'  With a background as a school leader and teacher in ACT government schools, she became a Health and Wellbeing Coach in 2018. Bringing these two professions together resulted in her current role as a Staff Wellbeing Consultant where she has worked with over 45 Australian and international schools since leaving education in 2022. Leveraging her own innovative approach, Adrienne developed the '6 Steps to Becoming a Well-Led School' - Which are those schools that lead with wellbeing in mind. Her model integrates Positive Psychology’s PERMA(H) Model, the latest educational leadership research, and insights from leading wellbeing organisations. Her focus is on equipping school leaders, teachers, and staff with strategies aligned with personal and professional wellbeing and culture building. 

My guest this episode, Dr. Selena Fisk, shares her passion for data storytelling, how her love of data evolved and her mission to support others to shift the focus from being data driven to data informed. Selena's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations: Person - Amy Green Book - 'Think Again' by Adam Grant Podcast - 'At the Table' with Patrick Lencioni Cause - Orange Sky Australia Dream Travel Destination - Japan Connect with Selena: LinkedIn - Dr. Selena Fisk Instagram - @selenafisk Facebook - Dr Selena Fisk - Data Storyteller X - Dr Selena Fisk Tik Tok - Dr Selena Fisk Threads - Selena Fisk Website - selenafisk.com Selena Fisk a data storyteller and grounded researcher who works with corporates, NFPs and school systems to develop data-informed strategies that lead to action and benefit the organisation. She is an advocate for having data champions in all organisations, as she believes that data can and should be used to create positive change and impact… but we need people who see the value of data to lead the change in their sphere of influence. Selena's work is based on the notions of data literacy, data visualisation, and data storytelling. She helps people understand, communicate, and act on data effectively and ethically, using storytelling techniques and visualisations.

My guest this episode, Dimity Powell, shares her love of stories, the impact books have had on her life, and her passion for inspiring and igniting interest in reading and storytelling in children. She talks about her mission for fostering caring through sharing, and driving change in communities. Dimity's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations: People - those with shared interests; people you've never met before. Books - 'The Duck and The Darklings' by Glenda Miller and Stephen Michael King; 'A Gentleman In Moscow' by Amor Towles Podcast - Your Kid's Next Read; One More Page Cause - Peace Dream Travel Destination - The Whitsundays Connect with Dimity: LinkedIn - Dimity Powell ⁠ Instagram - @dimityspowell X - @DimityPowell Website - www.dimitypowell.com⁠  Blog - Dim’s Write Stuff ; Dim’s re Views Facebook Page - Dimity Powell Author Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com.au/dimitypowell/⁠ Amazon Author Page - Dimity Powell Good Reads - Dimity Powell   Twitch TV - https://www.twitch.tv/dimitypowell YouTube - Dimity Powell Award winning children's author, Dimity Powell who writes and reviews exclusively for children with over 30 published stories and is the Managing Editor for Kids' Book Review. She believes picture books are life essentials, like ice cream; to be enjoyed at least once a day. Her own include: Pippa and The Troublesome Twins (2023), This is My Dad (2022), Oswald Messweather (2021), Pippa (2019), the award-winning At the End of Holyrood Lane (2018) and the critically acclaimed, The Fix-It Man (2017). Several of her books are also available in simplified Chinese, Polish, Spanish and Solvenian.  Dimity has strong convictions about the power of storytelling and loves filling every spare moment with words which is handy when it comes to advocating Kids’ Lit. She reveres sharing her accumulated knowledge with big and little kids alike and is a Books in Homes Australia Volunteer Role Model,  Hook Into Books Ambassador, Story City Community Mentor and G.A.T.EWAYS online and onsite presenter who can’t surf despite living on the Gold Coast, Australia. Discover more at: www.dimitypowell.com

My guest this episode, Dr. Joanne Casey, shares her journey in education, her passion and interest in how the brain works and how schools are organised to foster and support collaboration, and supporting leaders to understand the cognitive and social complexities of the work teachers do. Joanne's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations: People - Educational leaders who resonate with, and also challenge, your topics of interest Books - Picture books - Jackie French, Shaun Tan, Jeannie Baker; Anything that brings you joy Podcast - EduSalon Cause - Any that supports a more peace filled humanity Dream Travel Destination - Anywhere snow falls at Christmas Connect with Joanne: Linkedin - Dr. Joanne Casey X- @JoanneCasey41 Joanne is an education practitioner and researcher. She has been working in a range of school contexts to support the implementation of system and school based improvement initiatives. She is a curriculum and pedagogy nerd!  As an advocate for contextual, flexible and research-based approaches, Joanne draws on her extensive experience of teaching in primary, secondary and tertiary settings when bridging and boundary crossing research, policy, and practice. It helps that she has also worked across our three education sectors - Government, Catholic and Independent. Previous studies in organisations, change and education lead to Joanne’s doctoral studies - exploring associations among cognitive limitations for interactions, collaboration as an improvement strategy, and silo mentality.  Findings from this research affirm that collaboration is important work but is underestimated and undervalued in its cognitive and social complexity. With the social brain in mind, Joanne works with school leaders and teachers to create and refine environments where collaboration addresses the changing and evolving nature of an educator's work, usually among multiple demands vying for attention, often simultaneously, in the time available.  Determining what is reasonable is not always a straightforward exercise. Without additional and different types of knowledge, training, and professional experience, school leaders can inadvertently contribute to further barriers to collaboration within their contexts. Joanne’s research provides an alternative framework to provide structure for a team’s planning and decision making. School leaders, in considering the nature of the relationship between human cognition and sociality, from an evolutionary point of view, can explore ways to address problems of practice that are based on their own context, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

My guest this episode, Lyn Sharratt, shares her passion for equity and excellence for all students and all teachers, and the power of putting faces to the data to increase student growth and achievement. Lyn's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations: People - John Hattie, Michael Fullan Book - Selena Fisk's work Podcast - Learning Walks and Talks with AITSL Cause - Australia Literacy Educators Association Dream Travel Destination - Ningaloo Reef, Australia Connect with Lyn: Website - lynsharratt.com LinkedIn - Lyn Sharratt Instagram - @lyn_sharratt X - @LynSharratt You Tube - Lyn Sharratt Lyn Sharratt is a practitioner and researcher working in remote and urban settings worldwide. Lyn is an Adjunct Professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada; an Honorary Fellow at University of Melbourne, Australia; an author consultant for Corwin Press; an advisor for International School Leadership with the Ontario Principals’ Council; and consults internationally, working with system, school, and teacher leaders at all levels in Australia, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Lyn focuses her time and effort on increasing each student’s growth and achievement by working alongside leaders and teachers to put FACES on their data, taking intentional action to make equity and excellence a reality for ALL students. Visit www.lynsharratt.com for articles, video clips, and podcasts; on Twitter: @LynSharratt; on Instagram: lyn_sharratt; and on LinkedIn where Lyn owns the “Educational Leadership” LinkedIn group made up of 104,000+ members. Lyn’s authorship includes Realization: The Change Imperative for Deepening District-Wide Reform (with Michael Fullan); Putting FACES on the Data: What Great Leaders Do! (with Michael Fullan); Good to Great to Innovate: Recalculating the Route, K–12+ (with Gale Harild); Leading Collaborative Learning: Excellence (with Beate Planche); CLARITY: What Matters MOST in Learning, Teaching and Leading (International Best-Selling Education Book in 2020); and Putting FACES on the Data: the 10th Anniversary Edition (with Michael Fullan). Lyn is proud of the recent co-development of the CLARITY Learning Suite (CLS)—a web-based collaborative Professional Learning opportunity that mirrors the text, CLARITY. Lyn and her team believe that everyone’s a leader, thus CLS provides guidance to Learning Leaders on how to do this work of system and school improvement—together—to make a difference for all students. Visit www.claritylearningsuite.com.

My guest this episode, Tracey Ezard, shares her passion for supporting school leaders to build cultures where everyone thrives, through balancing the head and the heart, with a focus on self-awareness, connecting with those you lead and developing trust, in addition to strategic leadership skills. Tracey's inspiration, influential and impactful recommendations: Person - Professional Associations, Experts in their field Book - 'The Invitation' by Oriah Podcast - Revisionist History with Malcolm Gladwell Cause - The Corner Store Network Dream Travel Destination - Sumbawa Island, Indonesia Connect with Tracey: Website: Tracey Ezard LinkedIn: Tracey Ezard Facebook: Tracey Ezard - Engage, Collaborate, Act Instagram: @traceyezard X: @traceyezard Email: tracey@traceyezard.com

My guest this episode, Annick Rauch, shares her writing journey and how being vulnerably honest about her struggles resonated with others. She talks about her desire to help others with their own challenges by inspiring reflections and offering tips to pursue your dreams while still being your best self. Annick's inspiration, influential and impactful recommendations: Person - Lainie Rowell Book - Learn Like a Pirate by Paul Solarz Podcast - Dave Burgess Show with Dave Burgess; Science of Reading: The Podcast Cause - Multiple Sclerosis Dream Travel Destination - Hawaii; Australia Connect with Annick: Instagram - @annickrauch X - @annickrauch Blog - annickrauch.com Annick Rauch is the author of PheMOMenal Teacher. She is a passionate grade 1 French Immersion teacher who truly loves what she does. Outside of school, Annick is a very busy mom. She and her husband Chris have four energetic boys and a silver lab. Annick loves to go camping with her family, and she also makes it a priority to carve out time for trips with friends. Although busy, Annick doesn’t let that stop her from pursuing her dreams outside of her work and home life. She is an avid runner, and she blogs at annickrauch.ca. Annick is a lifelong learner who continues to follow her passions.

My guest this episode, Liz Benson, shares her passion for middle leadership and how her own journey drives her work to support middle leaders to thrive. She discusses her mission to elevate the perception of middle leadership to be seen as a complex and complete role. Liz's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations: People - Connect with others who meet your needs Book - Energising Teaching: The power of your unique pedagogical gift by Frank Crowther; Step In, Step Up: Empowering Women for the School Leadership Journey by Jan Kise and Barbara Watterson Podcast - ReThinking with Adam Grant; Teacher's Education Review with Cameron Malcher; Education Research Reading Room with Ollie Lovell; Chat 10 Looks 3 with Leigh Sales and Annabelle Crabb Cause - International Women's Day Dream Travel Destination - Luxury Train Trip Connect with Liz: LinkedIn - Liz Benson

My guest this episode, Aaron Johnston, shares how his own life experiences motivate his work as an educator, and talks about his mission to ensure schools a place of joy where each and every student feels valued and successful. Aaron's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations: People - Emma Gentle, Alice Vigors, Matthew Green Book - 'Leaders Eat Last' by Simon Sinek Podcast - Teacher Takeaway Podcast and Get Schooled Cause - Ronald McDonald House Dream Travel Destination - Japan Connect with Aaron: X - @AaronJohnston5 Instagram - @mr.j.learning.space  Facebook Page - Mr J’s Learning Space Podcast - Teacher Takeaway Podcast

My guest this episode, Gemma Goodyear, shares how her love of learning has guided her work to create schools that look different, honour learners and are places of joy. Gemma's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations: People: Children Book: 'To Teach' by Wiliam Ayers Podcast: The Educhange Podcast Causes: Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project and Wurrundjeri Culture Council Dream Travel Destination: India Connect with Gemma: Instagram: @tracesoflearning Website: Traces of Learning LinkedIn: Traces of Learning Facebook: Traces of Learning X: @gemmaeducate Gemma is an Educational Consultant and Primary School Principal, and she has been a leading educator for over 20 years. Gemma has held roles such as Principal, Deputy Principal, Leadership Consultant, Coach, Mentor, Literacy Leader, and Change Consultant. Her love and passion for learning and teaching led to Traces of Learning. Furthering her expertise by completing a Post Graduate in Literacy Leadership, Graduate certificate in leadership, Masters in Educational Leadership, and currently completing a Phd in Educational Leadership - leading Learning and Teaching change. Her workshops and consultancy are based on her further study and experience as a leader and educator. As an education consultant, Gemma is committed to her role as Principal and ensuring all her study and cycles of change work in her own setting and with colleagues. She expanded this knowledge through the launch of  Traces of learning,  wanting to support others in leading change and implementing models to inspire leaders, educators, and children. She works alongside schools to coach and mentor a hands-on approach while embedding curriculum and leadership standards. Gemma works with schools around Australia and ELCs to build consistency and accountability whilst bringing joy and passion.  Gemma has been a panel member of The Age Summit, presenter of National Education Summit, 2023 REAIE Conference - Landscapes of Curiosity and Creativity, in dialogue with the 100 languages Melbourne/Naarm and has been awarded Visionary Leader - Walker learning.