#181 Mark McCourt: Tips for teachers, Mastery, Reflections and Retirement

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Oct 25, 2023

Mark McCourt, a retired maths teacher, head of maths, head teacher, Ofsted inspector, CEO, founder, and the creator of MathsConf, shares valuable tips for teachers, discusses potential and ability in education, emphasizes the importance of teaching methods and class organization, explores the fear and lack of agency among teachers, and highlights the significance of assessing student learning and understanding using manipulatives and mini whiteboards. They also discuss inadequate teacher training in the UK, personalized teaching methods, formal language in mathematics, fear of inspections, the power of education and knowledge transfer, and education as a maturation process.

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Introduction

00:00 • 3min

Insights and Reflections on Teaching: Tips, Mastery, and Career Reflections

02:56 • 2min

The Decision to Retire and Tips for Teachers

04:30 • 6min

All Children Have Extraordinary Potential

10:28 • 24min

Subject-Specific Pedagogical Content Knowledge

34:22 • 31min

The Significance of Manipulatives in Teaching Math

01:05:16 • 22min

The Importance of Standardized Teaching Methods

01:27:39 • 25min

Overcoming Fear of Inspections and Viewing Them as Collaborative

01:52:10 • 4min

The Significance of Flow in Teaching and Learning

01:56:13 • 4min

The Cumulative Knowledge of Humanity: Education as a Key

02:00:24 • 19min

Challenges in the Further Education Sector

02:19:06 • 9min

The Potential of Real-Life Math and the Importance of Mathematical Literacy

02:28:18 • 6min

The Importance of Beliefs and Purpose in Schools

02:33:55 • 17min

Systemic Problems with Ofsted

02:50:33 • 26min

The Role of Teachers and the Future of Teaching

03:16:05 • 10min

Prioritizing Relationships and Reflecting on Difficult Moments

03:25:38 • 24min

Importance of Shared Beliefs, Prioritizing Well-being, and Gratitude towards Math Conferences

03:49:19 • 5min

Where to begin? Mark McCourt has done it all. From maths teacher, head of maths, head teacher, Ofsted inspector, CEO, founder, and the creator of MathsConf. I first met Mark almost 20 years ago, and have learned from him ever since. This is Mark’s 3rd appearance on the podcast, and given he recently announced his retirement, I fear it may be his last.

To access the show-notes, please visit: mrbartonmaths.com/blog/mark-mccourt-part-3/

Time-stamps:

Retirement and career changes. (4:43)
Potential and ability in education. (13:30)
The meaning of "ability" in education. (21:31)
Teaching methods and class organization. (25:30)
Teacher performance and subject-specific knowledge. (33:28)
Education trends and subject matter in schools. (38:06)
Education sector fear and lack of agency among teachers. (44:14)
Assessing student learning and understanding. (53:21)
Teaching methods and mini whiteboards. (58:59)
Maths education and manipulatives. (1:03:41)
Using manipulatives in math education. (1:10:22)
Maths education and teacher training. (1:16:35)
Inadequate teacher training in the UK. (1:22:47)
Teaching math concepts in a personalized manner. (1:28:42)
Math education and assessment methods. (1:33:34)
Formative assessment and teacher vulnerability. (1:41:00)
Teaching mathematics with formal language and forward-thinking methods. (1:44:53)
Teaching methods and fear of inspections. (1:51:26)
The power of education and knowledge transfer. (1:59:05)
Education as a maturation process. (2:05:01)
Mastery approach in education with a focus on math and FE. (2:15:16)
FE college math reset issues. (2:20:03)
Improving mathematical literacy through precise language use. (2:27:29)
Educational approach and its impact on school performance. (2:33:45)
The importance of shared values and beliefs in schools. (2:40:44)
The effectiveness of Ofsted and potential systemic problems. (2:46:23)
Ofsted's effectiveness and potential biases. (2:52:34)
Education system and curriculum design. (2:56:56)
Maths education, curriculum, and technology. (3:04:41)
Mastery-based education and assessments. (3:09:48)
The role of teachers in education and the potential for online learning. (3:14:19)
The importance of classroom experience in teaching. (3:21:58)
Career challenges and personal growth. (3:26:44)
Teaching, grief, and pride in education. (3:31:41)
Retirement, relationships, and personal growth. (3:40:39)
Education, values, and priorities with Mark McCourt. (3:45:59)