Chit Chats with Carla McNeil

Learning MATTERS

Join Carla McNeil and her special guests as they talk about structured literacy and evidence-based approaches to education.

  1. Why Schools Struggle with Implementation Fidelity | Rhys Coulson

    3d ago

    Why Schools Struggle with Implementation Fidelity | Rhys Coulson

    Join Carla McNeil as she chit-chats with Rhys Coulson about why schools struggle with implementation fidelity.

    37 min
  2. Leadership | Steve Capp

    Apr 30

    Leadership | Steve Capp

    Join Carla McNeil as she chit-chats with Steve Capp about Leadership.

    41 min
  3. MTSS | Sarah Brown

    Mar 15

    MTSS | Sarah Brown

    Join Carla McNeil as she chit chats with Sarah Brown about MTSS, what it is, what an MTSS system looks like in a school, and how it can be established in New Zealand schools.

    38 min
  4. Learning | Brendan Lee

    Mar 11

    Learning | Brendan Lee

    Brendan has spent a lot of time exploring what the science of learning tells us about how students actually learn and, more importantly, how teachers can use that knowledge to design better lessons and create quality systems.

    38 min
  5. Student-Focused Coaching | Daryl Michel

    Mar 5

    Student-Focused Coaching | Daryl Michel

    Across education, right now, we are asking teachers and leaders to implement significant change. New curriculum, evidence-informed instruction, structured approaches to literacy, and stronger alignment between teaching and assessment. What we know is that professional learning in isolation is not enough. The schools that make the greatest progress are those with strong coaching structures that help teachers translate learning into sustained classroom practice. Today, we are exploring how Student-Focused Coaching supports that work.

    42 min
  6. Leading Through Strategic Change | Blair Dravitski

    10/19/2025

    Leading Through Strategic Change | Blair Dravitski

    This episode dives deep into the journey of implementing Structured Literacy across an entire school – from leadership decisions and community engagement to system-level sustainability and professional learning.

    32 min
  7. The Why, What, and How of Evidence-Based Teaching | Professor Lorraine Hammond

    10/19/2025

    The Why, What, and How of Evidence-Based Teaching | Professor Lorraine Hammond

    In this Chit Chat, Carla sits down with Dr Lorraine Hammond, one of the world’s leading experts in explicit instruction, to unpack the why, what, and how of evidence-based teaching that truly moves the needle for learners. Lorraine doesn’t just talk theory – she shares practical steps any teacher can start today.

    45 min
  8. Driving Real Change in Schools | Dr Kymyona Burk

    10/19/2025

    Driving Real Change in Schools | Dr Kymyona Burk

    Join Carla and Dr. Kymyona Burk as she shares insights from her role in the Mississippi Miracle, including the policies and practices that led to statewide literacy success. She also discusses key lessons from this experience, offers advice for New Zealand as we work toward similar change, and shares tips for achieving system-wide, lasting impact.

    46 min
  9. Coaching Culture | Dr Daryl Michel

    10/19/2025

    Coaching Culture | Dr Daryl Michel

    Carla and Dr Michel explore the essential elements of an effective coaching culture in schools, emphasising the importance of trust, leadership, and system-wide commitment.

    49 min
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About

Join Carla McNeil and her special guests as they talk about structured literacy and evidence-based approaches to education.

Information

  • Creator
    Learning MATTERS
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Chit Chats with Carla McNeil