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 identity, inclusion, and equitable treatment. It’s not about highlighting individuals as victims but instead bringing to the surface the diverse circumstances that need attention. According to Kara, there is still a fundamental misunderstanding of structural boundaries and negotiating in the space. She describes how a failure to understand the structural issues creates tension and argument and remains incendiary until adequately addressed. Tom, Emma and Bennie also discuss the acceleration of diversity and equity in education, with the pace of change in primary school as a promising example. Kara’s book is described as a tool kit of sorts that allows people to feel comfortable, providing a safe place to start for those who want to make changes but are sometimes uncomfortable coming forward. To find full video episodes, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/ Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy-to-use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International). Bennie Kara is a deputy headteacher in the East Midlands, specialising in curriculum, teaching and learning. She is the co-founder of Diverse Educators and author of the book, A Little Guide for Teachers: Diversity in Schools. Follow Bennie on Twitter @benniekara Tom Sherrington's books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Follow him on Twitter @teacherhead Emma Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75

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 edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Tom and Oliver discuss the origins of the books, the writing process, what they’ve learned since publishing the first Teaching WalkThrus book, and much more. Listen to Tom and Emma’s previous interviews and more on your preferred podcast app or on YouTube. To find full video episodes, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/ Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy-to-use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International). About the hosts: Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75

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 episode. Uttley starts by describing his working relationship with Tomsett. He reminisces about Tomsett as an early mentor and partner in improving a school’s culture and solidifying their mutual goals. (2:45) Uttley describes his present position as CEO in schools set up as a charitable trust. Tomsett speaks of his dual position as head teacher and teacher, producing a blend of leadership responsibilities with everyday teaching plans. (5:10) He is involved in lesson changeovers, mask mandates, and a variety of hands-on duties. He is a proponent of Vivian Robinson’s philosophy of the importance of having leaders teach and making the process of teaching easier to manage. The interview continues with discussing leaders embracing the fundamental role of removing teachers’ barriers (8:55). Removal practices are brought up as key components to school improvement and the simplification of ingrained habits. It’s important to start with the assumption of professional trust that eventually leads to evidence-informed desires (29:05). As Tomsett sums up, it comes down to creating a school with high standards that is also a great place to work -— something not too cozy but also not based on fear. Mind the Gap is produced by < a href="https://mindrocketmediagroup.com">Mind Rocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy-to-use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International). Available to watch on edCircuit. Follow the authors on Twitter: @emma_turner75 @teacherhead @JonnyUttley @johntomsett

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 to a strong culture, the actions that can be taken to build such a culture, as well as some of the “don’ts.” In the next segment (10:45), Tom discusses assessment, a topic that’s been on his mind recently. He refers to recent discourse around the purpose of exams and the proper ways to validate children’s learning. He shares some of the recently proposed assessment alternatives and why they’ve come up short, as well as the many factors we value in children’s well-rounded development, which we can appreciate better without attempting to measure them. Next, we get to Emma’s Reading List (20:45). She recommends Bennie Kara’s A Little Guide for Teachers: Diversity in Schools, and both she and Tom discuss the importance of the subject matter. Kara will be a guest on an upcoming episode of Mind the Gap. On Tom’s Reading List (26:55), he recommends a trio of books from John Catt’s “In Action” series: Generative Learning in Action, Cognitive Apprenticeship in Action, and Cognitive Load Theory in Action. He also recommends the free paper What Should Schools Teach?: Disciplines, subjects and the pursuit of truth, available from University College London. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Mind the Gap is produced by Mind Rocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International). 

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. Sam brings a blend of energy, ideas, and humor to the interview. He discusses key tenets of leadership, how to support a staff, and how to avoid common pitfalls. Sam also dives into curriculum, behavior management, cutting out the “red tape” around teaching, how to avoid falling into the trap of complacency, and much more. Whether you’re already familiar with Sam’s work or this is your first introduction, you’re sure to gain many valuable insights from his experience. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (UK and Global).  Sam Strickland is the principal of a large all-through school and has helped to guide its GCSE results from the bottom 20% nationally to the top 20% and A Level outcomes to the top 5% nationally. He is author of Education Exposed: Leading a school in a time of uncertainty and  Education Exposed 2: In pursuit of the halcyon dream. Follow him on Twitter at @Strickomaster Tom Sherrington's books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead Emma Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_

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 profession. Next, Tom and Emma answer some of the questions they’re frequently asked in their work (7:25). Emma shares her thoughts on early career teachers, and in particular how they’ll be supported once they return to the physical classroom. In Tom’s segment, he discusses teacher development and whether schools should launch new initiatives over the remainder of the academic year. Emma and Tom then share their recent reading lists. Emma has been reading The Feedback Pendulum by Michael Chiles and she describes how the book exceeded her expectations and opened her eyes to what the word “feedback” actually means. Tom then describes the different types of feedback he often receives, and why it’s important to get feedback that’s relevant and which you can actually use. From Tom’s reading list, he references Leverage Leadership by Paul Bambrick-Santoyo and John Tomsett’s Cognitive Apprenticeship in Action. In the next segment, the hosts share advice for teachers (23:30). Emma explains why she recommends primary teachers should integrate more non-screen-based activities all these months into remote learning. Tom then shares why he advocates for “cold calling” in the classroom, and why teachers should understand that it promotes a dynamic of inclusivity. Finally, the hosts wrap up by sharing advice for school leaders (30:40). Emma’s advice centers on leadership well-being and Tom’s is focused on developing agency in all the people involved in the learning process, especially students. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher with research-based, practical titles for teachers and school leaders. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).  Connect with the hosts: Follow Tom Sherrington on Twitter @teacherhead. Follow Emma Turner @emma_turner75.

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, published by John Catt Educational. In the interview, Doug’s passion for creating a supportive, challenging and enriching educational environment for all students shines through. He talks about the importance of having high expectations for all learners, and also discusses the significance of creating connections. The discussion touches on strategies that work in all environments, and specifically refers to the online teaching and learning so many schools are currently experiencing. The conversation also challenges thinking on “outside the box” vs. “inside the box” ideas (hint: inside the box comments are often more valuable to productive collaboration), surfaces strategies for developing listening behaviors, and more. To find full video episodes, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/ Mind the Gap is produced by MindRocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, Doug and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International). Available to watch on edCircuit. About the participants: Doug Lemov is a former teacher and school principal.  He helped found Uncommon Schools, a network of high performing schools in under-served communities. His book Teach Like a Champion describes techniques used by exceptional teachers and why they work.  His books have sold more than a million copies and been translated into a dozen languages. Follow him on Twitter at @Doug_Lemov Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners. Follow Emma on Twitter @emm

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 discussion with significant implications for the future of schooling. Before the episode closes, Tom and Emma preview their upcoming interview with Doug Lemov, best-selling author of Teach Like a Champion and his new release, The Coach’s Guide to Teaching. Mind the Gap is produced by MindRocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or.johncattbookshop.com (International). Available to watch on edCircuit. About the participants: Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75

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 to powerful classroom instruction. They discuss strategies that work for teachers of various experience levels, how educators and parents can best understand students’ progress in thinking and understanding, and more. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Mind the Gap is produced by MindRocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).  Learn more about today's guest, Patrice Bain: Follow Patrice on Twitter @PatriceBain1 and visit: www.patricebain.com. Visit www.powerfulteaching.org to get more resources, including free downloads related to Patrice’s strategies. About the hosts: Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75

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 themselves. Next, Tom explains how Jethro’s design thinking approach to leadership reminded him of the “builder’s” mindset shared by Robyn Jackson in a previous episode (8:14). He furthers the thought by discussing the concept of “broccoli fractals” that provides another illustration of leadership. In a school, you can’t control every interaction, but you can define the ethos of the school; and if you do that, the stakeholders in the school will understand and the positive elements will “reproduce.” Then Tom and Emma then check in on the state of exams in the UK (15:01). There are fast-moving changes to what students and educators can expect, making it even more important for students to understand what they’re aiming for. For the final topic of the discussion, the hosts discuss the “In Action” book series (27:18). Tom discusses some of the contributing authors and how this highly practical series of titles came together. Mind the Gap is produced by MindRocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International). Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. About the hosts: Tom Sherrington is a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead Emma Turner is the Research and CPD lead at Discovery Schools Academy Trust. She is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75