Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe

Haili Hughes, an English teacher, Head of Department, teacher mentor, and author of the new book, Mentoring in Schools: How to become an expert colleague , is Tom and Emma’s guest on this episode. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. To start off the episode, Haili describes what inspired her to write the book. She noticed there wasn’t much literature on mentoring as a practice; nothing that...

This episode is the season two premiere of Mind the Gap, and we’re pleased to welcome Nimish Lad as this season’s first guest. Nimish is Curriculum and Research Lead at the Creative Education Trust, a Vice Principal, and author of the new book, Shimamura’s MARGE Model of Learning in Action published by John Catt. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Nimish discusses the MARGE (Motivate, Atte...

Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner welcome best-selling author, award-winning blogger, and international speaker Tom Bennett to the show. Bennett is founder of researchED and author of several books, including Running the Room: The Teacher’s Guide to Behaviour . Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. The episode begins with a conversation about what’s next for researchED. With in-person events re...

On this episode, Tom and Emma celebrate one year of Mind the Gap. The hosts reflect on some of the guests they’ve had the opportunity to interview over the course of the year. Everyone involved with the show sends a special thank you to our listeners for helping us grow! Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Next (1:55), the hosts have an extended discussion about feedback. Specifically,...

In this Mind the Gap episode, Tom and Emma speak with Abby Bayford, editor and contributor to Letter to My NQT Self . Written by the Academy Transformation Trust family and friends, the book is a collection of retrospective letters by various teachers to themselves as newly qualified teachers (NQT). Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Tom, Emma, and Abby dive into the details and importance...

In this episode, Tom and Emma speak with Bennie Kara, author of A Little Guide for Teachers: Diversity in Schools . Kara initially explored education diversity through her lens of teaching English but soon found a world of interest across multi-disciplines emerging from the popularity of her book. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Kara expresses her desire to address the intersection of i...

In this episode, Emma turns the tables by interviewing Tom and his co-author Oliver Caviglioli on their recent book, Teaching WalkThrus Volume 2 , a follow-up to their popular Teaching WalkThrus: Visual Step-by-Step Guides to Essential Teaching Techniques . The new volume offers an additional 50 essential teaching techniques, each with five clear and concise illustrations and explanations. Visit e...

In this episode, Tom and Emma speak with John Tomsett and Jonny Uttley, co-authors of Putting Staff First: A Blueprint for Revitalising Our Schools , published by John Catt Educational. The book outlines the creation of a school environment that results in a happy, healthy, motivated, well-trained, expert staff—all to give students the best teaching possible. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this epis...

To kick off this “Tom & Emma” episode of Mind the Gap, Emma Turner discusses what’s been on her mind: Culture (0:45). She refers to a diverse sampling of recent reading on leadership and culture, from John Tomsett and Jonny Uttley’s Putting Staff First , to a Teacher Development Trust working paper on school culture, to Anthony Quinn’s Klopp . Tom and Emma discuss the factors that contribute t...

In this episode, Tom and Emma speak with Sam Strickland, a U.K. school head known for his “no nonsense” approach and true passion for education leadership. Sam’s latest book is Education Exposed 2: In pursuit of the halcyon dream , published by John Catt Educational, which centers around the key idea of “allowing teachers to teach,” and removing the factors that drive teachers from the profession....

This “Tom & Emma” episode of Mind the Gap begins with a recap of their recent interview with Doug Lemov (1:00) featured in Episode 16. The hosts discuss the pieces of the conversation that stood out to them, including the way Doug communicates his key ideas; their enthusiasm looking ahead to “Teach Like a Champion 3.0;” and how Doug’s approach to feedback relates to their observations in the p...

In this episode, Tom and Emma speak with one of education’s most influential authors, Doug Lemov . In addition to his best-known work, Teach Like a Champion , Doug has recently authored Teaching in the Online Classroom - Surviving and Thriving in the New Normal , an essential guide for educators navigating the Covid-19 pandemic. He has also recently authored The Coach’s Guide to Teaching , publish...

In this “Tom & Emma” episode of Mind the Gap, the discussion centers on lessons learned from nearly a year of remote learning. Dating back to last spring, educators worldwide have been teaching online, many for the first time. Considering personal experience as well as conversations with teachers, Tom and Emma reflect on successes, effective practices, continuing challenges, and more. It’s a d...

Patrice Bain , author of the new book A Parent's Guide to Powerful Teaching is the guest on this episode. Patrice is an acclaimed educator, speaker and author who spent 15 of her 25+ year teaching career working with cognitive scientists turning research into learning strategies. In the interview, Patrice, Tom and Emma discuss the benefits of teachers understanding research and how it contributes...

The hosts begin this episode by reflecting on their recent interview with Jethro Jones (1:11). In particular, they respond to Jethro’s stories about creative ways he and his staff developed a strong school culture. They also discuss some of the strategies Jethro shares in his book, SchoolX: How principals can design a transformative school experience for students, teachers, parents – and themselve...

Jethro Jones , award-winning school leader and host of the Transformative Principal Podcast, is the guest on this episode of Mind the Gap. Jethro is author of the new book SchoolX: How principals can design a transformative school experience for students, teachers, parents – and themselves . In the interview, Jethro discusses his passion for focusing on the students who often feel “invisible” and...

In this “Tom & Emma” episode of Mind the Gap, the hosts begin by reflecting on their recent interview with Mary Myatt (1:12). In particular, Myatt’s ability to demonstrate and demand excellence in the profession has proven resonant. Next, Tom shares takeaways from the recent “Teaching for Distinction” course he presented (5:40) before sharing some recommended reading, including Daniel Willingh...

Mary Myatt , acclaimed adviser, writer and speaker, is the guest on this episode of Mind the Gap. Myatt is author of the new book Back on Track: Fewer things, greater depth . In the interview, Mary discusses her perspective on ensuring we always use the highest-quality materials when teaching our children, and reflects on why so many schools are struggling to straighten out their curriculum. Where...

In episode 9 of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe, hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner explore a new, deeper discussion format where they dive into timely topics without a guest. First (1:26), they share takeaways from the previous episode of Mind the Gap, featuring an interview with Mark McCourt, renowned expert on teaching for mastery. They describe not only what viewers and...

Mark McCourt , the UK’s leading authority on teaching for mastery, is the guest on this episode of Mind the Gap. In the discussion, Mark shares his perspective on mastery and also addresses some of the misconceptions. In particular, he shares that mastery, by definition, means “Bloom’s mastery,” and also explains “Mastery is not a curriculum. It is a model of schooling.” Among other ideas discusse...

Baruti K. Kafele , principal, educator and best-selling author is the guest on this episode of Mind the Gap, discussing the linking of social justice with school leadership. Kafele points to the early influence of Lewis Lomax's book To Kill a Blackman on the parallels between Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X as the inspiration to his teaching and leadership methods. It all comes naturally to...

In this special episode of the Mind the Gap audio podcast, you'll get a flavor of “On Our Minds," a popular segment from the video version of the show, in which co-hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner share their insights on the most timely, pressing issues in education. In this episode, Tom and Emma give their thoughts on determining an approach to the new academic year. They describe ideas for...

Sonia Thompson , Head Teacher of St. Matthew’s C of E Primary School, is the guest on this episode of Mind the Gap. She talks about the concept of “reading for empathy” and discusses Empathy Lab, an organization whose research demonstrates the benefits of empathy on the brain and learning. Sonia explains how empathy is a concept that can be taught to all students and reinforces that empathy is not...

Teacher, author and education reformer Starr Sackstein is the guest for this episode of Mind the Gap. She talks about the concept of “gradeless” teaching; what are the shortcomings of traditional grades and how must we change the way we assess student learning? A growing movement of teachers is digging into this question. Starr, Tom and Emma also talk about the important differences between format...

Dr. Robyn Jackson, award-winning author and CEO of Mindsteps, Inc., is the guest for this episode of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe. She discusses the concept of “buildership,” which distinguishes a typical (or ineffective) leader from those who are effective at charting a course, walking the talk, and bringing people along with them. What are the strategies that spark action...