Dr Simon Breakspear
Dr. Simon Breakspear shares his journey from classroom teacher to education researcher and advisor. He discusses the importance of evidence-informed practice, system-level change, and effective professional development strategies to improve teaching and learning outcomes.
Guest Bio
Dr. Simon Breakspear is an educational researcher, former high school teacher and father of three. As the founder of Strategic Schools, he focuses on supporting teams to enhance their impact on learning through evidence-informed processes and tools. He is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales and advisor to the NSW Department of Education on Leadership Development and Curriculum reform.
Simon holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Cambridge, where he was a Gates Scholar. He has worked globally with over 100,000 teachers, schools, and policy leaders across more than ten countries.
Takeaways
- The Journey from Teacher to Educational Researcher
- Shifting Perspectives on Teaching
- Bridging the Gap: Research and Practice in Education
- The Importance of Evidence-Informed Teaching
- Challenges in Professional Development
- Innovative Approaches to Teacher Development
- Collaborative Coaching for Teacher Improvement
- Balancing Accountability and Trust in Education
- Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement
- The Importance of Consistency in Teaching Practices
- Leadership Insights and Personal Growth
Resources
Richard Elmore's 'School Reform from the Inside Out' - https://www.amazon.com/School-Reform-Inside-Out-Richard/dp/0871545574
Evidence-Based Teaching Resources - https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/
Dylan Williams' Teacher Learning Communities - https://dylanwilliams.org/
Teaching Sprints Methodology - https://teachingsprints.org/
Host
Kevin Fullbrook is an international school leader with 25+ years of global education experience across Australia, China, and the Middle East. As host of The Leadership Passport Podcast, Kevin dives into the stories, strategies, and insights of education leaders from around the world. With a passion for inclusive leadership, student agency, and sustainable school cultures, he brings thoughtful conversations and practical takeaways for educators, aspiring leaders, and anyone interested in the future of learning.
Connect with him on Instagram (@kevin.fullbrook) and LinkedIn (Kevin Fullbrook)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-fullbrook-33034b8b/
https://www.instagram.com/kevin.fullbrook/
