In The Classroom

Catriona Vo

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Education
Updated Monthly

In The Classroom is a podcast where we talk about all things teaching and learning, education and research. Join Catriona Vo as she sits down with everyday educators, and explore what’s going on in the field and what this means for sustaining us teachers. Expect insightful interviews as you hear from scholars, educators and teachers on the ground who are shaping the future of education.

2d ago

What Teachers Don’t Realise About Learning: Schema Theory with Emeritus Professor David Nunan

Join Catriona Vo in conversation with Emeritus Professor David Nunan from the University of Hong Kong as they explore schema theory and what schematic knowledge structures mean for how students learn in our classrooms. David Nunan is one of the world's most influential figures in English language education. Across a career spanning more than five decades, he has worked as a teacher, researcher and academic, is a former President of TESOL International Association. David has published over 100 books and articles on learner-centred education, task--based language teaching, curriculum development and teacher education. His work has profoundly shaped how teachers around the world think about language, learning and the classroom. In this episode, David shares: 🧠 How schemas are built through experience and the research behind emotion and cognition 🌱 Why the same lesson lands differently for every student and what teachers can do about it 📚 What the research tell us about how the brain learns to read Subscribe for more episodes: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InTheClassroomWithCatrionaVo Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-classroom/id1759259385 Spotify Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/3gXivWW3IjMKy9cRYJLjrp?si=fc7b8fefd0274591 Follow us! TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@intheclassroomwithcat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intheclassroom.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/In-the-Classroom/61563582592279 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/in-the-classroom Website: intheclassroom.com.au
Jun 25

How to Map a Curriculum That Fits Your School Context with Grant Lewis

Join Catriona Vo in conversation with Grant Lewis, an experienced primary educator, curriculum and data specialist who is passionate about teacher agency, curriculum mapping and data literacy. Drawing on his classroom and leadership experience, Grant shares practical insights from his work supporting schools through curriculum design and growth coaching. Join Grant and Catriona as they unpack the difference between curriculum mapping and curriculum planning, explore how conceptual frameworks and the school calendar can bring greater coherence to learning, and discuss how building teacher data literacy can turn spreadsheets into better outcomes for students. This episode is especially relevant for curriculum leaders, school leaders and classroom teachers. In this episode, Grant shares: 🗺️ The difference between curriculum mapping and curriculum planning 🧩 How to map conceptually, cohesively and contextually instead of teaching content in silos 📅 Why your school calendar and timetable should be treated as curriculum assets, not afterthoughts Subscribe for more episodes: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InTheClassroomWithCatrionaVo Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-classroom/id1759259385 Spotify Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/3gXivWW3IjMKy9cRYJLjrp?si=fc7b8fefd0274591 Follow us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intheclassroom.au/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/In-the-Classroom/61563582592279 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/in-the-classroom YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InTheClassroomWithCatrionaVo Website: https://intheclassroom.com.au
May 12

Why Grammar Matters in Every Subject with Patty McGee

Join Catriona Vo in conversation with Patty McGee as they explore how grammar instruction can shift from rules and worksheets to curiosity, experimentation and meaningful application in writing. Patty McGee is an educator, author and international consultant based in New Jersey, USA. With more than 30 years of experience in education, Patty began her career as a classroom teacher before working as a school librarian and later a staff developer supporting multiple schools. Today she leads professional learning for teachers around the world and continues to work directly with educators to strengthen literacy instruction. In this episode, Patty shares: 🧠 Why grammar should be taught as a creative tool rather than a list of rules ✏️ Practical ways to help students explore sentence structure through play and experimentation 📚 How teachers can build grammar knowledge without shame or perfectionism Subscribe for more episodes: https://linktr.ee/intheclassroom.au Follow us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intheclassroom.au/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/intheclassroom.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/in-the-classroom-podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InTheClassroomWithCatrionaVo Website: https://intheclassroom.com.au Connect with Patty McGee: 🌐 Website: https://www.pattymcgee.org/ 🌐 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattymcgee/
Apr 14

Coaching Teachers with Andrew Taylor: Are You Listening to Understand or to Reply?

Join Catriona Vo in conversation with Andrew Taylor as they explore the role of coaching in schools and how professional learning can build stronger teachers and more reflective classrooms. With more than 40 years of experience across the Victorian and Queensland education systems, Andrew has worked as a teacher, cluster educator, school leader and school improvement specialist. Over the past 20 years, his work has focused on school-based professional learning, helping teachers and leaders build capacity through coaching, reflection and collaborative practice. Andrew has supported schools across Queensland to develop a range of school improvement frameworks and recently retired as the Executive Officer for Christian Schools Australia. In this episode, Andrew shares: 🧠 Why coaching is one of the most powerful tools for professional growth 🗣️ The difference between mentoring, instructional coaching and peer coaching 📚 How pre-observation, classroom observation and reflection conversations support teacher development Subscribe for more episodes: https://linktr.ee/intheclassroom.au Follow us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intheclassroom.au/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/intheclassroom.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/in-the-classroom-podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InTheClassroomWithCatrionaVo Website: https://intheclassroom.com.au
Mar 17

How to Sharpen Your Perception in the Classroom with Doug Lemov

Join Catriona Vo in conversation with Doug Lemov, one of the most influential educators of our time and the author of Teach Like a Champion. Doug Lemov is a former teacher and school principal, and a leading voice in education. He is the author of Teach Like a Champion, which has sold more than one million copies and been translated into over a dozen languages. This episode is a practical exploration of how teachers can sharpen their perception in the classroom. Doug and Catriona focus on the everyday decisions that shape teaching and learning, from what teachers notice in classrooms to how they prepare lessons that support deep thinking for all students. The conversation draws on cognitive science, classroom video, and rehearsal-based practice, making it particularly relevant for teachers, mentors, instructional coaches, and school leaders. In this episode, Doug reflects on: 🧠 Why perception is the foundation of effective teaching, and how teachers learn what to notice in classrooms 🎥 The role of mental models and shared language in improving teacher decision-making 📚 The importance of background knowledge for critical thinking and student understanding 🧩 Cognitive load theory and what it means for both student learning and teacher preparation 📝 How lesson preparation differs from lesson planning, and why preparation frees teachers to be more responsive 🎾 Why practice, rehearsal, and collaboration help close the gap between “getting it” and doing it well in classrooms Subscribe for more episodes: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InTheClassroomWithCatrionaVo Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-classroom/id1759259385 Spotify Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/3gXivWW3IjMKy9cRYJLjrp?si=fc7b8fefd0274591 Connect with Doug: 🌐 Teach Like a Champion: https://teachlikeachampion.com/ 📘 Teach Like a Champion (Book): https://teachlikeachampion.com/books/teach-like-a-champion-3-0/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglemov/ Follow us! TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@intheclassroomwithcat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intheclassroom.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/In-the-Classroom/61563582592279 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/in-the-classroom Website: https://intheclassroom.com.au
Mar 3

Let’s talk Inclusive Education with Associate Professor Melissa Fanshawe

Join Catriona Vo in conversation with Associate Professor Melissa Fanshawe as they explore what inclusive education looks like in classrooms, and how teachers can design learning that supports every student. Melissa is an Associate Professor of Education at UniSQ with more than 25 years of experience in Queensland schools. Her work focuses on access, inclusion and participation, specialising in support for students with blindness and low vision. Melissa serves as the LEGO Foundation’s Ocean Ambassador for LEGO Braille Bricks and is co-president of the South Pacific Educators of Vision Impairment, and an executive member of the Australian Braille Authority, driving innovation for equitable learning. In this episode, Melissa shares: 🧠 Why inclusion begins with mindset 🗣️ Practical ways to differentiate learning and what universal design looks like in practice 💻 The surprising ways AI and assistive technology can support accessibility Resources mentioned: ADCET: https://www.adcet.edu.au/ Subscribe for more episodes: https://linktr.ee/intheclassroom.au Follow us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intheclassroom.au/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/intheclassroom.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/in-the-classroom-podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InTheClassroomWithCatrionaVo Website: intheclassroom.com.au Connect with Melissa Fanshawe: 🌐 UniSQ Profile: https://research.usq.edu.au/researcher/80131q222 🌐 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-fanshawe-7a753026/
Mar 3

Every Student at the Table: Teaching History with Louise Brown

Join Catriona Vo in conversation with Louise Brown, an experienced History teacher with over 20 years in the classroom across the UK and Australia. Louise is the Head of the Sociocultural Faculty at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School in Brisbane and President of the Queensland History Teachers' Association. She is passionate about teaching and learning, creating conditions in her classroom where all students have a seat at the table. In this episode, Louise and Catriona discuss how teachers can design lessons that draw on students' background knowledge and tackle complex texts. Louise also reflects on professional longevity, sharing what has helped her sustain growth, challenge, and connection across a long teaching career. In this episode, Louise reflects on: 🧠 The Science of Learning principles and how to open up richer conversations in classrooms where students are confident to think, speak, and engage 📘 Key considerations for building lessons that make complex ideas accessible for students 🌱 Practical ways teachers can keep learning, reflecting, and growing over time Louise also writes about teaching in her blog From Bradford to Brisbane at https://secondarysource.com.au Subscribe for more episodes: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Follow us: TikTok Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Website
11/30/2025

Why Teachers Feel Time-Poor with Professor Nicole Mockler

Join Catriona Vo in conversation with Professor Nicole Mockler as they discuss the intensification of teachers' work, time poverty and complex educational change. Nicole is a Professor of Education at the University of Sydney whose research explores teacher professional identity, education policy, and media representations of teachers. Her work sheds light on the stories told about teachers and teaching in the media, and how teachers' work is becoming increasingly intensified over time. In this episode, Nicole shares: 🏛️ How education policy often oversimplifies the complexity of teachers’ work 🧠 Why professional judgment and decision-making are at the heart of teaching 📰 What 65,000 media articles reveal about how teachers are represented in Australia 🤝 Why society needs to trust teachers more Subscribe for more episodes: https://linktr.ee/intheclassroom.au Follow us on social media: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intheclassroom.au/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InTheClassroomWithCatrionaVo 🌐 Website: https://intheclassroom.com.au Connect with Nicole Mockler: 🌐 Website: https://www.nicolemockler.com 🌐 University Profile: https://www.sydney.edu.au/arts/about/our-people/academic-staff/nicole-mockler.html 🌐 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-mockler-05774399/

In The Classroom is a podcast where we talk about all things teaching and learning, education and research. Join Catriona Vo as she sits down with everyday educators, and explore what’s going on in the field and what this means for sustaining us teachers. Expect insightful interviews as you hear from scholars, educators and teachers on the ground who are shaping the future of education.

Creator

Catriona Vo
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

24
Rating

Clean
Show Website

In The Classroom