Heavy is the English Head
Heavy is the English Head
Podcast Description
I have had a diverse career across primary, secondary and tertiary education. While I have focused on English and literacy predominantly, I have also worked in roles focused on student wellbeing, disability funding and supports, and school engagement and attainment. I’ve also worked in child and adolescent psychiatry and as a lecturer and researcher. Working across roles and sectors has caused me to think critically, creatively and reflectively about how we design and deliver educational experiences in our schools, particularly the systems, structures and processes that may allow us to have the most impact.
I recently left my Head of English role at a public school. It was one of the most rewarding, stimulating, demanding and difficult roles I’ve had. I now work with systems, schools, leaders, and teachers to develop ambitious and rigorous practices in English and literacy. I’ve met so many incredible English and literacy leaders over the last couple of decades. I think it’s one of the toughest, most complex portfolios to hold, and I wanted to provide a platform for great leaders to share their work. This is a podcast about the nitty gritty of leadership in English and literacy. I will interview a range of guests with diverse perspectives, experiences and roles.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
Concentrates on educational leadership, English literacy, and evidence-informed practices with episodes that explore topics such as effective teaching strategies, curriculum development, and the intersection of wellbeing and academic achievement. Specific episode highlights include guest insights on transforming literacy instruction and building strong educational cultures.
I have had a diverse career across primary, secondary and tertiary education. While I have focused on English and literacy predominantly, I have also worked in roles focused on student wellbeing, disability funding and supports, and school engagement and attainment. I’ve also worked in child and adolescent psychiatry and as a lecturer and researcher. Working across roles and sectors has caused me to think critically, creatively and reflectively about how we design and deliver educational experiences in our schools, particularly the systems, structures and processes that may allow us to have the most impact.
I recently left my Head of English role at a public school. It was one of the most rewarding, stimulating, demanding and difficult roles I’ve had. I now work with systems, schools, leaders, and teachers to develop ambitious and rigorous practices in English and literacy. I’ve met so many incredible English and literacy leaders over the last couple of decades. I think it’s one of the toughest, most complex portfolios to hold, and I wanted to provide a platform for great leaders to share their work. This is a podcast about the nitty gritty of leadership in English and literacy. I will interview a range of guests with diverse perspectives, experiences and roles.
Emma Castelow is an Assistant Principal at Lara Lake Primary School, in the northern suburbs of Geelong. As an experienced teacher and leader, Emma has worked across various primary school contexts as well as for the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, and in a regional role for the Department of Education as an Education Improvement Leader. In her role as Assistant Principal, Emma leads teaching and learning across the school and she is passionate about school improvement and ensuring every student has the opportunity to receive a high quality education.
Show notes
Insights into de-implementation https://evidenceforlearning.org.au/support-for-implementation/school-planning-and-recovery/de-implementation
De-implementation: Doing less to achieve more https://snacks.pepsmccrea.com/p/de-implementation
Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills https://dibels.uoregon.edu/materials
Sounds-Write https://sounds-write.co.uk/
Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction
Responsive Teaching with Bron Ryrie Jones
The Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading
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