Trailblazing Schools with Trudy Graham

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,...

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 dis...

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 edu...

This episode of Trailblazing Schools explores how school leadership teams can shift from reactive operational responses to strategic leadership that drives school improvement. Trudy shares how 360-degree feedback helps assess team capabilities, and the power of reflecting team practice for collaborative problem solving. She explores the systemic pattern of reactive leadership in schools and gives...

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy explores the challenges faced by solo school leaders, focusing on overcoming overwhelm, guilt, and structural gaps. It offers practical insights and solutions to help small school principals invest in their own development and lighten their load. She also shares real stories of principals overcoming overwhelm and finding support through the Leaders Le...

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy speaks with Matt Tonkin about how AI is transforming his approach to teaching and leadership in a special school setting. Discover practical ways to leverage AI for personalised learning, time-saving, and supporting students with diverse needs. Resources: Find out more about the Trailblazing Schools Partnership here: https://www.trudygraham.com.au/tra...

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy Graham explores the nuances of choosing and using AI tools in education, emphasising the importance of context, cost, and critical questioning to maximise benefits and avoid pitfalls. She explores some criteria for choosing AI tools in education, the importance of existing AI familiarity and cost-benefit analysis of paid AI models. Trudy gives some ex...

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy Graham explores how large language models/AI can support educators and leaders in various roles beyond simple editing or writing. Trudy focuses on 5 main roles, including data analysis, research, coaching, training, and consulting. She shares practical ways to leverage AI to enhance productivity and decision-making in schools, including a helpful prom...

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy Graham explores how school leaders can shift from operational chaos to strategic focus, emphasising the role of team dynamics and time management over technology like AI. Trudy shares a case study of client Lisa, who was struggling with the operational workload of school leadership. Though AI played a part in the transformation she achieved, it was no...

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy Graham explores how AI can serve as a powerful leadership coach by analysing your own interactions and patterns, revealing strengths, progress, and hidden gaps in leadership development. Trudy shares the exact prompt she used for over a year as part of a routine for personal development and professional growth. If you’re already regularly using AI, yo...

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy explores the biases inherent in AI and large language models, drawing parallels with historical biases in publishing and education. She emphasises the importance of understanding these biases to use AI responsibly and ethically. Trudy discusses the impact of bias on marginalised communities, strategies for recognising and mitigating bias and the impor...

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy Graham interviews Dr. Joe Azzopardi. Joe shares insights on intergenerational relationship dynamics, leadership in diverse environments, and navigating uncharted territory with purpose and curiosity.  Trudy and Joe discuss the role of empathy and understanding in teams, the importance of diversity of thought and perspective, and building resilient and...

In this episode, Trudy begins by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land where she lives and records, and explores the limitations of AI in handling cultural knowledge. Although timely with recent NAIDOC week activities, it’s important all year round that educators and school leaders are aware of the limitations when it comes to AI and cultural education. Trudy emphasises the importan...

In this episode, Caroline White, relieving Principal at Sir Eric Woodward School in NSW, shares her insights on the complexities of school leadership and how AI can be used to support inclusive education. Caroline and Trudy discuss balancing multiple roles as a school principal and how AI can reduce cognitive load and administrative stress. Caroline shares how Sir Eric Woodward School is using tec...

In this episode, Trudy explores the impact of AI on workload and productivity, highlighting the paradoxes and challenges that come with technological advancements in education and work. Trudy begins by mentioning the usual fears people share about AI, and outlines her own fears around AI causing an unintentional increase in workload for educators and school leaders.  Trudy explores the research ab...

In this insightful interview, Paul McGregor shares the power of asking better questions, leading with curiosity, and thinking long-term about legacy and impact. Trudy and Paul discuss the origin of the word ‘trailblazing’ and its metaphorical meaning, the role of curiosity and silence in effective communication, as well as the impact of leadership experiences on personal growth. They discuss the i...

In this episode, Trudy explores how AI is transforming education through three distinct phases, from staff productivity to student learning multiplier. She shares the pathway from getting started and experimenting with the tools individually, through leveraging AI as a thinking partner to reduce workload and reclaim wellbeing, and finally to the ways AI can be used in to increase student engagemen...

In this episode, Tim Prerau-Lorking from Cromehurst School shares insights on leading a School for Specific Purposes (SSP) , the role of AI in education, and building strong community connections. Tim shares the impact AI tools have had on his leadership, his staff’s workload and learnings he’s had about how to navigate complex school environments effectively. Trudy and Tim discuss the importance...

In this insightful interview, Dr. Jodi Richardson shares her journey through anxiety, her work in education, and practical strategies for supporting mental health in schools. Discover how leadership, understanding stress, and embracing technology can transform school environments into safe, thriving spaces. Get in touch with Dr Jodi at https://drjodirichardson.com/ Resources: Find out more about t...

In this episode, discover a simple 10-minute activity to help leaders pause, reflect, and recognise their progress at the end of any period. Trudy explains how this practice boosts motivation, enhances self-awareness, and shifts focus from what’s left to do to what has been achieved. By sharing two powerful examples from Principals in the Leaders Learning Circle, she demonstrates the impact of shi...

In this engaging interview, Yvonne Watt, principal of Glen Aplin State School in QLD, shares her innovative use of AI to enhance leadership, improve work-life balance, and community engagement in a small rural school. Trudy and Yvonne discuss the challenges of being a teaching principal and the use cases Yvonne and her team have found to use AI to reduce workload and support teaching and learning....

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy Graham explores how AI can serve as a thinking partner for school leaders, reducing cognitive load and freeing up time for leadership. Trudy begins with her story of how she began to explore AI and understand the benefits for teachers and school leaders, and why it’s not a replacement for judgment. She highlights the difference between leadership, and...

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy explores the loneliness faced by small school principals, the systemic gaps that contribute to it, and practical ways to build supportive professional relationships. Trudy explains that leadership loneliness is common but not inevitable, and offers insights into overcoming isolation and fostering meaningful connections. She shares a personal story abo...

In this interview, Trudy Graham speaks with primary school principal Karen Mulder from Warwick Farm in Sydney. Karen shares her journey of leading a diverse school, fostering collaboration with the neighbouring school, and how AI is transforming her leadership and teaching practices. Discover tips for integrating AI as a creative partner in education, encouraging staff to engage with innovation, a...

In this episode, Trudy Graham explores how school leaders can manage overwhelm through three key types of thinking: shared, augmented, and solution-focused thinking. This episode follows up from the previous episode about the architecture of overwhelm and shares what the research in this area tells us about how to manage, including leveraging social capital and AI tools, to enhance decision-making...