The Tattooed Teacher

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...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat withLauren Munday, an educator and mindset coach, who shares her insights on the importance of physical and mental health in education. We discuss the challenges students face in the classroom, the significance of fostering resilience and flexibility in young learners, and the role of mindset in achieving personal goals. Lauren emphasizes the...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat withMark Yeates. We discuss the evolving landscape of education, emphasizing the importance of integrating industry knowledge into the classroom. We explore thesignificance of learning from mistakes, the challenges of educational technology, and the disconnect between primary and secondary education. Our conversation highlights the necessity...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I talk withNila Rezaei, an industrial designer and educator, who shares her journey from Iran to Australia and her work in design. We discuss her project 'Crafted Liberation', which responds to social issues, particularly the plight of women in Iran. The conversation explores the intersection of design, social impact, and sustainability, emphasizing...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with artist and educator Larissa Warren. We discuss her journey from being a teacher to becoming a full-time artist, her passion for ceramics, and the importance of community in art. Larissa shares her experiences in education, the challenges of being an artist, and her love for working with local clays. The conversation highlights the signif...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I speak Leighann Nes Wilson, a design educator and PhD candidate, discussing her journey in design education, the importance of creativity in teaching, and the impact of design thinking on students. Leighann shares her experiences in integrating design thinking into the curriculum, the significance of play in learning, and the future of design educa...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I speak with Amanda Lecaude, an organisational specialist who focuses on teaching students essential skills for managing their time and tasks effectively. Amanda shares her journey into this field, emphasizing the importance of instilling organisational habits in children, particularly as they transition from primary to secondary school. We explore...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I speakwith Sam Woods, the principal of Australian Christian College in Banalla, Victoria. Sam shares his journey from aspiring musician to accidental educator, discussing the importance of creativity in teaching, redefining success for students, and the challenges of building a supportive school community. He emphasizes the need for teachers to fin...

On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat withRob Keanalley about the metaverse, marine conservation, and the role of technology in education. Rob discusses his company, Salty Sharks, which aims to change the narrative around sharks and promote marine species conservation through engaging educational content in a virtual world. The conversation also covers the influence of media on p...

In this episode of the Tattoo Teacher Podcast I speak with Daniel Brown, the principal of Emmanuel College. Dan shares his personal journey into education, driven by a desire to impact students' lives positively. He discusses the unique character of Emmanuel College, the challenges and joys of school leadership, and the importance of fostering a supportive school culture. The conversation also cov...