The Tattooed Teacher

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Vindhya Barwa, Head of Reputation & Influence at Colony Group and Sessional Academic at UQ teaching Gaming Cultures, about what happens when marketing, storytelling, and education merge and why the games your students are playing are more layered than you realise. Vindhya shares how she found her way into the world of PR campaigns fo...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Holly Wedd, Head Teacher of Mathematics in Coffs Harbour, to unpack how she's gone from never wanting to set foot in a school again to becoming the 2026 Premier's Teaching Scholarship recipient, a 2025 Schools Plus Teaching Fellow, and the holder of a growing list of awards in just eight years of teaching. Holly shares how a math...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Jon Burnett Head of Teaching and Learning Systems and Improvement, to unpack his journey from music graduate to educational leader. Jon shares how stepping into the unknown and often the deep end shaped his career, and why saying “yes” to new challenges helped him grow both as a teacher and a leader.   We explore what really matters in t...

On this episode of The Tattoo Teacher Podcast, I chat with Nick Steffen — EdTech innovator, design teacher, tech coach, stand-up comedian, and one of the most adventurous educators you'll ever meet. Born and raised in Kansas, Nick has built maker programmes from scratch in China, trained engineers in Ohio, and is currently coaching teachers and students in South Korea — with Munich, Germany up...

On this the 60th episode of The Tattoo Teacher Podcast, I chat with Paul Miles, CEO of The BUSY Group, about the gap between traditional education and real-world outcomes and what can be done to help close it. Paul shares how BUSY schools support disengaged students through the mix of education, vocational training, and strong relationships—helping young people finish school and move into work or...

On this episode of The Tattoo Teacher Podcast, Will Berry shares his journey into education and what’s helped himstay in the profession. Along the way, Will shares what keeps early‑career teachers in the profession, the importance of school culture, and why simply checking in can make a difference. We also cover leadership, community, and howeducation might need to shift as the world around it cha...

On this episode of The Tattoo Teacher Podcast, I chat with Matt Jensen. He shares practical insights from his work in digital pedagogy and coaching, focusing on how technology can support—not replace—great teaching. The conversation also dives into AI in education—including the risks of automated “feedback loops,” the importance of using AI as a thinking partner, and practical ways it can save tea...

On this episode of The Tattoo Teacher Podcast, I chat with Danni Foster Brown, an experienced educator, educational leader, and Head of the Virtual Learning Community on the Gold Coast who is redefining what school can look like. Together, we explore educational technology, AI, transdisciplinary learning, virtual schooling, personalised learning, wellbeing, and community, asking the big questions...

On this episode of The Tattoo Teacher Podcast I chat with Ryan Noonan, Leader of Digital Technology and Innovation at Chevalier College (NSW), to explore what meaningful innovation in schools looks like. Ryan’s journey starts in a low-SES community where education wasn’t seen as the obvious path, until sport and coaching sparked a love of teaching and leadership. Together, we unpack the leadership...

On this episode of The Tattoo Teacher Podcast, I catch up with longtime colleague and global education leader Chris Barnes, currently Director of Curriculum and Assessment at The Franklin School (New Jersey, USA). Chris shares his journey from Australian independent schools and the International Baccalaureate to helping design a fully re‑imagined high school built from the ground up. Together, Chr...

In this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I sit down with Doug Broadbent to explore how service and kindness shape teacher identity, classroom culture, and meaningful education. In this engaging conversation Doug shares his 25-year journey in education, exploring the importance of love for students, the role of service, curriculum design, and navigating the challenges of educational leaders...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I sit down with Kerry Brown, a leading advocate for creativity in education. Kerry shares her journey into teaching, the growing administrative load many teachers face, and why protecting teacher wellbeing is essential to keeping the joy in the job. We explore practical ways to foster creativity in the classroom, innovative teaching practices, and h...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I’m joined by Michael Russo — an MTeach pre-service teacher and Biomedical Engineering PhD candidate — as he shares his journey from engineering into education. We unpack what it takes to build a safe learning environment where students feel confident to try, fail, and try again — especially in STEM education. Michael explains why embracing failure...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Rachel Ballantyne, educator and founder of Edify & Empower Tutoring. Rachel shares her journey into education, her passion for safeguarding students, and why innovation in learning matters now more than ever. We explore the challenges teachers face in today’s classrooms, why traditional systems aren’t working for every learner, and h...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Andrew Nicholls, a design and technology teacher and PhD candidate. Andrew shares his journey from industrial designer to teacher, the challenges faced in education, the importance of technology in learning, and the need for effective learning spaces. We also cover consultancy work in health and safety, the role of materials in design, a...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Colleen O'Rourke, a passionate educator and digital innovation leader. Colleen shares her journey into education, inspired by a teacher who recognized her potential and introduced her to technology at a young age. She emphasizes the importance of building relationships with students, particularly those who are neurodiverse, and how techn...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Emil Zankov, a digital technologies teacher from South Australia. Emil shares his journey in education, his passion for barbecuing, and how he integrates technology and robotics into his teaching. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships with students, the role of hands-on experiences in learning, and the community spirit f...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with I Sally Irwin, the founder of the Freedom Hub, a registered charity organization dedicated to helping survivors of modern-day slavery in Australia. Sally shares her personaljourney that led her to establish the Freedom Hub, the challenges faced in combating slavery, and the importance of ethical business practices. The conversation cover...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Dr. Sophie Fenton discusses her journey from education to consultancy, emphasizing the importance of human-centered design in both learning and working environments. She highlights the need for philosophical inquiry in education, the value of mentorship, and the critical role of educators in fostering individual learning paths. The conve...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Dan Bowen, an educator and AI strategist at Microsoft. We discuss the evolving landscape of education, the value of teachers, and the role of AI in enhancing teaching andlearning. Dan shares his journey in education, the importance of equity and diversity, and how innovative practices like project-based learning can engage students. We a...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Shane Leaning, an educator, organisational coach and author. We discuss the importance of autonomy, trust, and psychological safety in schools. Our conversation covers the challenges educators face, including external pressuresand the impact of AI on teaching. Shane emphasizes the significance of relationships in education and shares ins...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Steve Diasio, founder of the School of Creativity and Innovation. We discuss the importance of creativity and innovation in education, the role of human elements inlearning, and the challenges faced by traditional education systems. Steve emphasizes the need for entrepreneurship in the new generation, the impact of AI on creativity, and...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Matt Pittman about the importance of connection, curiosity, and resilience in education. We discuss the differences between studying and learning, the challenges faced bynew teachers, and the need for a supportive school community. Matt emphasizes the significance of fostering a sense of belonging and meaning in the classroom, as well as...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Vince Wall, a history teacher and PhD candidate, about his passion for education and the evolving role of teachers in the age of AI. We discuss the importance of making a difference in students' lives, the need for inquiry-based learning, and the balance between explicit instruction and student agency. Vince shares insights on how techno...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with dietitian Nicole Barber about the critical role of nutrition in cognitive performance and overall health. We discuss the importance of balanced diets, the impact of food choices on brain function, and practical strategies for healthy eating. Nicole emphasizes the need for education on nutrition, the significance of meal planning, and the...