Let’s Talk Teaching

Conversations with teachers, for teachers. Join Associate Professor Rebecca Cooper, former teacher turned education academic, as she invites teachers and Monash University Alumni with different educational backgrounds, experiences and learnings to share their insights on a number of topics that teachers in Australian classrooms are facing today.

Let’s Talk Teaching is a education podcast hosted by Monash University Faculty of Education, with 18 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Monash University Faculty of Education hosts Let’s Talk Teaching, a education show with 18 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #21

  At the Edge of the Curriculum: Why Performing Arts Still Matter

  Aug 2, 202639 min

  Performing arts are often the first subjects reduced in schools - yet for many students, they’re where confidence, creativity, connection and engagement are built in ways other learning environments often can’t replicate. Beyond performances and productions, subjects like drama and dance can play an important role in how students express themselves, build relationships and connect with learning more broadly. In this episode, Michelle Ludecke and Siobhan Judge explore the changing landscape of performing arts education in schools, the challenges of sustaining these programs within an increasingly crowded curriculum and the growing pressure placed on teachers working to keep arts education visible and valued. (00:00) Why Performing Arts Are Being Sidelined (03:30) What the Arts Truly Offer (06:32) Beyond Hobby Status - Parental Perceptions (09:15) The Skills Students Gain Through Performing Arts (13:45) Inclusion, Belonging and Student Identity (16:06) Extracurricular Programs and Access to the Arts (18:18) The Pressure on Performing Arts Teachers to Keep the Arts Alive (21:08) Advocacy, Visibility and School Priorities (27:46) What It Looks Like When Schools Truly Value the Arts (35:18) Supporting Arts Education in Schools Special Guests: Dr Michelle Ludecke Senior Lecturer, School of Learning and Teaching Faculty of Education, Monash University Researcher specialising in arts education, creativity and learning. Siobhan Judge Acting Inclusion Leader and Performing Arts/English Teacher If you’re enjoying Let’s Talk Teaching, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review! You can follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , X and Facebook , and share your thoughts on the show by using the hashtag #letstalkteachingpodcast. You can DM us with any questions or ideas, or if you’re not on socials, email us at edu-alumni@monash.edu . If you’re interested in hearing more about the short courses, undergraduate and postgraduate study options that Monash Education offers, please visit our website . We are grateful for the support of Monash Education in producing this podcast.

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  Episode #20

  What We Haven’t Learned Yet: Indigenous Perspectives and Meaningful Change

  Jul 5, 202642 min

  Embedding Indigenous perspectives in schools isn’t just about what we teach - it’s about what educators themselves still need to understand, and why meaningful change often begins there. Beyond curriculum content, this conversation explores history, reflection, relationships and responsibility in education. From Acknowledgement of Country to lessons on colonisation, many schools are trying to engage with this work in meaningful ways. But for teachers, questions often remain around how Indigenous perspectives should be approached in practice, and what genuine engagement actually looks like beyond a single initiative or resource. In this episode, Jay Phillips and Jaya Blandthorn discuss the role of truth-telling, reflection, relationships and community connection in education, the discomfort that can emerge through this work, and why meaningful change often begins with educators examining their own understanding of history, teaching and identity. (00:00) Moving Beyond Adding ‘Content’ to the Curriculum (03:51) What We All Need to Understand First (04:46) Navigating the Colonial Load (07:10) Shared Histories and Lived Experience (11:48) Truth-Telling and Moving Past the Tip of the Iceberg (15:41) Educator Positioning and Self-Reflection (19:54) Why History Should Be Uncomfortable (22:38) Who Carries the Burden of Indigenous Education? (27:47) Trauma through the Generations - Jaya's Story (28:40) Community-Led Learning and the Parbinata Initiative (33:25) Avoiding 'Shiny Object Syndrome' in Indigenous Education (37:42) Personal Responsibility and the Path Forward Special Guests: Professor Jay Phillips Deputy Dean of Indigenous Strategy, School of Education and Culture Faculty of Education, Monash University Focused on how educators engage with Indigenous perspectives in teaching and learning. Jaya Blandthorn Project Officer - Parbinata Initiative Monash University Working towards embedding Indigenous knowledge systems into school learning through community engagement. Resources: Parbinata Initiative If you’re enjoying Let’s Talk Teaching, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review! You can follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , X and Facebook , and share your thoughts on the show by using the hashtag #letstalkteachingpodcast. You can DM us with any questions or ideas, or if you’re not on socials, email us at edu-alumni@monash.edu . If you’re interested in hearing more about the short courses, undergraduate and postgraduate study options that Monash Education offers, please visit our website . We are grateful for the support of Monash Education in producing this podcast.

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  Episode #19

  Beyond Behaviour: Understanding Trauma-Informed Practice in Schools

  Jun 7, 202636 min

  Not every student behaviour is defiance, disengagement, or disruption. As trauma-informed practice becomes a growing focus in education, teachers are increasingly being asked to respond to complex student needs with understanding, safety and connection. In this episode, Emily Berger and Yihan Sun explore what trauma-informed practice actually means in schools and early childhood settings, and why the conversation is far more nuanced than simply changing the way behaviour is managed. Together, they discuss the realities educators are facing, the challenges of responding to students in meaningful ways, and why many teachers are still trying to understand what trauma-informed practice looks like in day-to-day classrooms. (00:00) Understanding Trauma-Informed Practice (03:29) Looking Beyond Behaviours (07:48) How Trauma Impacts Learning (12:19) Understanding Trauma-Related Needs (14:45) Fear, Safety and Student Behaviour (20:45) The Importance of Safe and Trusted Adults (22:18) Supporting Teachers to Do This Work Well (24:02) What Sits Within a Teacher’s Role? (27:44) Why Whole-School Support Matters (33:42) Practical Advice for Educators Special Guests: Emily Berger Associate Professor, School of Educational Psychology and Inclusion Faculty of Education, Monash University Educational and development psychologist specialising in trauma-informed practice and educator. wellbeing. Yihan Sun PhD Candidate, Monash University Researching trauma-informed approaches in early childhood education settings. Resources: Trauma-Informed Practice: Australian Childhood Foundation Emerging Minds Wellbeing & Mental Health Support Beyond Blue Headspace Lifeline Australia If you’re enjoying Let’s Talk Teaching, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review! You can follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , X and Facebook , and share your thoughts on the show by using the hashtag #letstalkteachingpodcast. You can DM us with any questions or ideas, or if you’re not on socials, email us at edu-alumni@monash.edu . If you’re interested in hearing more about the short courses, undergraduate and postgraduate study options that Monash Education offers, please visit our website We are grateful for the support of Monash Education in producing this podcast.

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  Episode #18

  Behaviour as Learning: A Fresh Perspective for Educators

  Aug 4, 202536 minS0

  <p>Rather than reacting to misbehaviour, what if we approached it with the same planning and intention we bring to teaching literacy and numeracy in the classroom? </p><p>In this episode, behaviour expert Dr Russ Fox and school leader Karina Stocker explain why behaviour should be treated as a skill - explicitly taught, consistently reinforced, and supported through clear expectations and structured routines. From embedding multi-tiered support systems (MTSS) to practical coaching and playbooks, they share how teachers and schools can build consistency, strengthen culture and support every learner.  </p><p>Whether you’re working within a whole-school framework or ap...

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  Episode #17

  Keeping Play in the Picture: Imagination and Learning in Early Education

  Jul 14, 202533 minS0

  <p>Play is more than just fun - it’s a key driver of creativity, problem-solving and social connection in early learning. Yet as children progress through school, opportunities for play often shrink - taking with them an essential part of how students learn, reason and make sense of the world.</p><p>In this episode, early years researcher Dr Leigh Disney, and teacher and PhD Candidate Hong Chen share practical, developmentally appropriate strategies for keeping play alive across year levels. From imaginative play corners to structured problem-solving, they explore how teachers can balance curriculum demands with creativity - and wh...

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