Jones & McLean

Episode 1: On teachers
For our first episode, we’re starting with the people at the heart of education: teachers.
We unpack the complexity of teachers’ work — the relentless decision-making, trade-offs and problem-solving that happen every day in classrooms — and ask why this complexity is so often underestimated by people outside schools.
We also take on the idea that teachers are “resistant to change”. What if resistance is sometimes reasonable scepticism, professional judgement, or an important signal that leaders should pay attention to?
Along the way, we talk about the surprisingly solitary nature of teaching, why building deep professional knowledge matters more than searching for quick fixes, and why we need to better value the wisdom and experience of teachers who have been in the profession for decades.
Plus, we introduce our regular segment “One Good Woman”, celebrating a woman in education whose work we think you should know.
In this episode
Why teaching is such complex and relentless work
The constant decisions and trade-offs teachers make in real classrooms
The surprisingly solitary nature of classroom teaching
Why teachers receive so little positive feedback on their practice
The value of video models and opportunities to observe other teachers
Rethinking the idea that teachers are resistant to change
Listening for the “signal” when teachers push back
Valuing the knowledge and wisdom of our most experienced teachers
Links & things we mention
Tasmania's Lifting Literacy workEmina talks about her work supporting the implementation of Tasmania's Lifting Literacy reforms.Lifting Literacy — Tasmania DECYP
Effective teacher professional development — Sam Sims and colleaguesWe refer to the work of Sam Sims and colleagues on the mechanisms of effective professional development, including developing insight, building motivation, developing techniques and embedding practice.Effective Teacher Professional Development: New Theory and a Meta-Analytic Test
Victorian Education Excellence AwardsBron talks about judging the Victorian Education Excellence Awards, and our One Good Woman, Alice Jury, was the 2025 Outstanding Primary Teacher.Victorian Education Excellence Awards
Heavy is the English HeadEmina's podcast about the nitty-gritty of leadership in English and literacy. Alice Jury features in Episode 2.Heavy is the English Head — Emina McLean
Realising Responsive Teaching — 12 February 2027Bron is hosting an in-person conference in Melbourne, focused on the nitty-gritty of classroom practice and implementation. The event is currently sold out, with a waitlist open while we explore releasing additional tickets.Realising Responsive Teaching — Event information
Get in touch
Have an observation, question or issue in education you'd like us to explore?
We'd love to hear from you at jonesmcleanpod@gmail.com