Trailblazing Schools with Trudy Graham

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy argues that AI is underused in supporting students with special education needs, even as schools face growing needs and shortages of teacher aides and specialists. Trudy shares real examples from past podcast guests and schools she has worked with, showing how educators can use large language models to create individualised learning materials and support plans while protecting privacy and mitigating errors. Trudy emphasises that educators retain professional judgment and keep control of final outputs: AI can structure and draft, while skilled adults who know the student guide the work. She argues that AI creates the possibility of making best practices around individualised learning materials actually feasible despite staff shortages. Trudy offers listeners a practical action to take this week to build capability in using AI to cater for a student whose learning needs are not currently addressed. Resources:Take the Leading Middle Leaders Scorecard at scorecard.trudigraham.com.au Find out more about the Trailblazing Schools Partnership here: https://www.trudygraham.com.au/trailblazing-schools/ Find out more about the Leaders Learning Circle here https://www.trudygraham.com.au/leaders-learning-circle/ Get your copy of AI in Action: Field Notes from School Leaders. It's free, practical, and designed to prompt your own next step. Download today at trailblazingschools.com/fieldnotes If this conversation resonated and you're exploring how to strengthen leadership in your school network or system, visit trudygraham.com.au/connect  to explore working together.CreditsThe Trailblazing Schools Podcast is hosted by Trudy Graham - https://www.trudygraham.com.au/This podcast is edited and produced by Ellen Ronalds Keene from PERK Digital - https://perkdigital.com.au/The theme music is Dusty Road by Indiebox Trudy Graham acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which she lives and is recording today, the Darumbal people, and pay my respect to elders past and present, for they hold a deep and continuing connection to the land, sea, and sky.Chapters00:00 Why AI’s greatest potential may be special education03:01 Rising student needs meet shortages of support staff05:14 Matt’s train-based reading activities at Fisher Road09:31 Personalised fluency materials at Glen Apple11:33 Using AI to support plans and teacher aides12:30 What makes individualised resources scalable14:01 Why support work around the student matters15:20 Risks, privacy, and keeping educators in control16:26 A practical first experiment for teachers17:20 Start small, build capability, and change the rankingAI in special education, AI in schools, large language models, disability education, personalized learning, teacher aides, Australian education

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, educator and former web developer Phil Warburton joins Trudy to discuss how AI can reduce the repetitive planning burden in small schools while preserving hands-on, human-centered teaching. He shares a bit about path through rural school leadership and curriculum-planning early AI experiments led him to build Lesson Kit, an AI-supported planning portal shaped by his own teaching practice. Phil explains its curriculum alignment to both Australian Curriculum and to state-specific syllabuses and policies, current availability, as well as what it can do for teachers. Trudy and Phil discuss his development roadmap for Lesson Kit, including what additions to expect in 2027 and 2028. Phil invites educators to try the portal and share feedback through its community forum. Discover how AI can transform teaching practices and empower educators to create more engaging, efficient classrooms.Explore Lesson Kit at https://lessonkit.com.au/ Resources:Take the Leading Middle Leaders Scorecard at scorecard.trudigraham.com.au Find out more about the Trailblazing Schools Partnership here: https://www.trudygraham.com.au/trailblazing-schools/ Find out more about the Leaders Learning Circle here https://www.trudygraham.com.au/leaders-learning-circle/ Get your copy of AI in Action: Field Notes from School Leaders. It's free, practical, and designed to prompt your own next step. Download today at trailblazingschools.com/fieldnotes If this conversation resonated and you're exploring how to strengthen leadership in your school network or system, visit trudygraham.com.au/connect  to explore working together.CreditsThe Trailblazing Schools Podcast is hosted by Trudy Graham - https://www.trudygraham.com.au/This podcast is edited and produced by Ellen Ronalds Keene from PERK Digital - https://perkdigital.com.au/The theme music is Dusty Road by Indiebox Trudy Graham acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which she lives and is recording today, the Darumbal people, and pay my respect to elders past and present, for they hold a deep and continuing connection to the land, sea, and sky.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Phil Warburton and AI in Education02:09 The Core Message: Building a Culture of Navigating the Unknown04:13 The Potential of AI for Educational Efficiency07:03 Phil's Career Journey and Recent Projects13:41 The Development of Lesson Kit: From Concept to Reality17:55 How Lesson Kit Supports Authentic, Hands-On Learning22:38 Adapting Lesson Kit for Different Curriculum Systems24:42 The Impact of AI on Teacher Planning and Confidence28:29 Upcoming Releases and How to Access Lesson Kit29:40 Reflections on Innovation and Personal Growth33:22 Phil's Personal Life and Future Plans35:26 Book and Film Recommendations and Personal JoysAI in education, teacher workload, lesson planning, Lesson Kit, educational leadership, small schools, curriculum planning, Australian curriculum

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy interviews Daniela Falecki from Teacher Wellbeing. Daniela shares insights on balancing compliance and care in education, the evolution of teacher wellbeing, and practical strategies for school leaders to foster a supportive environment amidst rapid technological change. Trudy and Daniela discuss her journey from teacher stress to wellbeing advocate, why COVID-19 was such a catalyse for wellbeing conversations in schools and workplaces the world over, and the power of wellbeing intelligence. Daniela gives listeners an overview of her CARE framework that helps manage cognitive fatigue, and explains why mastering conversations is one of the most impactful skills leaders can develop. Daniela also shares several resources and suggestions for books and sources of inspiration for teachers and leaders on their own professional wellbeing journey. Connect with Daniela and find the resources mentioned at her website https://www.teacher-wellbeing.com.au/ Resources:Take the Leading Middle Leaders Scorecard at scorecard.trudigraham.com.au Find out more about the Trailblazing Schools Partnership here: https://www.trudygraham.com.au/trailblazing-schools/ Find out more about the Leaders Learning Circle here https://www.trudygraham.com.au/leaders-learning-circle/ Get your copy of AI in Action: Field Notes from School Leaders. It's free, practical, and designed to prompt your own next step. Download today at trailblazingschools.com/fieldnotes If this conversation resonated and you're exploring how to strengthen leadership in your school network or system, visit trudygraham.com.au/connect  to explore working together.CreditsThe Trailblazing Schools Podcast is hosted by Trudy Graham - https://www.trudygraham.com.au/This podcast is edited and produced by Ellen Ronalds Keene from PERK Digital - https://perkdigital.com.au/The theme music is Dusty Road by Indiebox Trudy Graham acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which she lives and is recording today, the Darumbal people, and pay my respect to elders past and present, for they hold a deep and continuing connection to the land, sea, and sky.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Daniela Falecki and the podcast theme01:17 Daniela's AI-generated introduction and her background04:04 Leadership in uncharted territory: balancing compliance and care05:50 The tension between compliance and human in schools07:14 The importance of wellbeing and emotional intelligence08:26 Daniela's journey from teacher stress to wellbeing advocate12:12 COVID-19 as a catalyst for wellbeing conversations13:33 Moving from trivial to transformative wellbeing strategies22:34 Supporting leaders' wellbeing through the care framework23:29 Managing cognitive fatigue with the care framework33:54 Small steps for school leaders: mastering conversations37:41 Creating conditions for wellbeing: leadership responsibilities40:17 Book recommendations and sources of inspiration41:36 What brings Daniela joy and her secret to resilienceteacher wellbeing, educational leadership, compliance and care, AI in education, teacher stress, leadership strategies, wellbeing intelligence, school culture, change management, teacher resilience

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy shares her innovative leadership programs designed to empower school principals and middle leaders, especially in remote and rural settings. She explores the importance of distributed leadership and how to implement it, the role of peer coaching in leadership development and the challenges of school leadership in remote and rural areas. Trudy also discusses strategies for empowering middle leaders and the impact of leadership programs that involve the whole leadership team. Resources:Take the Leading Middle Leaders Scorecard at scorecard.trudigraham.com.au Find out more about the Trailblazing Schools Partnership here: https://www.trudygraham.com.au/trailblazing-schools/ Find out more about the Leaders Learning Circle here https://www.trudygraham.com.au/leaders-learning-circle/ Get your copy of AI in Action: Field Notes from School Leaders. It's free, practical, and designed to prompt your own next step. Download today at trailblazingschools.com/fieldnotes If this conversation resonated and you're exploring how to strengthen leadership in your school network or system, visit trudygraham.com.au/connect  to explore working together.CreditsThe Trailblazing Schools Podcast is hosted by Trudy Graham - https://www.trudygraham.com.au/This podcast is edited and produced by Ellen Ronalds Keene from PERK Digital - https://perkdigital.com.au/The theme music is Dusty Road by Indiebox Trudy Graham acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which she lives and is recording today, the Darumbal people, and pay my respect to elders past and present, for they hold a deep and continuing connection to the land, sea, and sky.Chapters00:00 The importance of distributed leadership and stepping back02:21 Trudy's background and experience in school leadership04:48 The origins of the online leaders' learning circle07:39 Leadership programs for middle to large schools and sector diversity09:08 The development of the Trailblazing Schools program for 202710:20 The format and benefits of online leadership development11:13 The power of diverse sector perspectives in leadership coaching12:08 Integrating AI into leadership development and strategic planning12:51 Encouraging principals to invest in their middle leaders13:10 Practical next steps for school leaders to enhance leadership skillsschool leadership, peer coaching, distributed leadership, online leadership programs, school improvement, middle leaders, remote schools, leadership development, educational leadership, school management

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy speaks with Nick Rose, founder of Curriculum Writers Association of Australia and co-founder of Curriculum Makers. Nick shares insights on the role of AI in education, curriculum development, and the importance of teacher agency in the digital age. Nick and Trudy discuss the power of collaboration in curriculum writing, the impact of technology on educational practices as well as the challenge of authenticity in AI-generated content. Discover how discernment and human judgment will shape the future of schooling and why Nick believes AI will never replace humans. Find out more about The Curriculum Writers Association of Australia (CWAA) at  https://www.cwaa.com.au/ Find out more about Curriculum Makers at https://www.curriculummakers.com/ Resources:Find out more about the Trailblazing Schools Partnership here: https://www.trudygraham.com.au/trailblazing-schools/ Find out more about the Leaders Learning Circle here https://www.trudygraham.com.au/leaders-learning-circle/ Get your copy of AI in Action: Field Notes from School Leaders. It's free, practical, and designed to prompt your own next step. Download today at trailblazingschools.com/fieldnotes If this conversation resonated and you're exploring how to strengthen leadership in your school network or system, visit trudygraham.com.au/connect  to explore working together.CreditsThe Trailblazing Schools Podcast is hosted by Trudy Graham - https://www.trudygraham.com.au/This podcast is edited and produced by Ellen Ronalds Keene from PERK Digital - https://perkdigital.com.au/The theme music is Dusty Road by Indiebox Trudy Graham acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which she lives and is recording today, the Darumbal people, and pay my respect to elders past and present, for they hold a deep and continuing connection to the land, sea, and sky.01:28 Introduction to the podcast and guest02:02 AI's portrayal of Nick Rose03:50 Core message: Amplifying teacher agency with AI05:13 The human in the driver's seat metaphor06:08 Nick's work in curriculum and education07:16 The founding of Curriculum Writers Association of Australia08:33 Navigating the open curriculum market in Australia11:26 The core idea: collaboration in curriculum development13:50 Impact of AI on curriculum writing and discernment16:16 Shifts in curriculum writing due to AI and technology19:10 Understanding 'curriculum aligned' and 'human in the loop'20:33 The importance of discernment in content creation22:29 The process of developing ideas with AI23:17 AI's knowledge of personal details and context23:49 Resources for educators and career paths in curriculum25:28 Nick's secret about Melbourne's diversity26:48 Nick's recommended book: The Escape Artist28:38 What brings Nick joy and comfort at week's endAI in education, curriculum development, teacher agency, collaboration, edtech, educational innovation, curriculum design, AI tools, teacher training, future of schooling