Rebecca Birch
@rebeccabirch.au
Teacher | Academic in Residence | Writer | Student | Evidence informed pragmatist | Struggling Crossfitter | Vegetarian at home | Feminist
Pinned
Rebecca Birch
@rebeccabirch.au
· Jun 5
NEW POST: Are we setting anxious students up to fail? open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
June 26, 2025 at 7:33 AM
The highs and lows of TAPPLE. We get great data on our students’ learning but then we need to respond. We taught it, but did they learn it?
From the current episode of #ChalkDust
From the current episode of #ChalkDust
June 18, 2025 at 9:12 PM
The highs and lows of TAPPLE. We get great data on our students’ learning but then we need to respond. We taught it, but did they learn it?
From the current episode of #ChalkDust
From the current episode of #ChalkDust
NEW POST: Are we setting anxious students up to fail? open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
June 5, 2025 at 4:41 AM
NEW POST: Are we setting anxious students up to fail? open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
Do you think teachers are oppressed by having expert teaching materials provided to them? Then watch Episode 2 of Chalk Dust and have your assumptions challenged.
chalkdust.media/p/episode-2-...
chalkdust.media/p/episode-2-...
May 28, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Do you think teachers are oppressed by having expert teaching materials provided to them? Then watch Episode 2 of Chalk Dust and have your assumptions challenged.
chalkdust.media/p/episode-2-...
chalkdust.media/p/episode-2-...
Oh no! A vibes-based approach is now being proposed for assessing teacher quality (which till now has been referred to as teachING quality.
‘Teacher quality’ redefined to encompass personal traits like reflection, resilience — EducationHQ
‘Teacher quality’ redefined to encompass personal traits like reflection, resilience — EducationHQ
‘Teacher quality’ redefined to encompass personal traits like reflection, resilience
The negative narrative around ‘teacher quality’ must change, along with the professional standards, to acknowledge the specific personal traits and attributes that research shows make a great…
educationhq.com
May 24, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Oh no! A vibes-based approach is now being proposed for assessing teacher quality (which till now has been referred to as teachING quality.
‘Teacher quality’ redefined to encompass personal traits like reflection, resilience — EducationHQ
‘Teacher quality’ redefined to encompass personal traits like reflection, resilience — EducationHQ
Do you have a clip of your classroom practice for us to review on Chalk Dust? We're doing a special episode on classroom entry and start-work routines. DM me or Nathaniel for more info, and feel free to share with a stand-out colleague who excels in this area.
May 16, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Do you have a clip of your classroom practice for us to review on Chalk Dust? We're doing a special episode on classroom entry and start-work routines. DM me or Nathaniel for more info, and feel free to share with a stand-out colleague who excels in this area.
I thought I was first to coin the phrase, “Traditional is the new progressive.” But I’m not. The great Paul Kirschner said it first.
Why progressive education does not serve equity, despite good intentions.
Why progressive education does not serve equity, despite good intentions.
The Paradox of Progressivism in Education - kirschner-ED
One of the most toxic paradoxes in education is what I call the paradox of progressivism. In short, while progressive education (like all education) aims to reduce learning gaps and increase equity,…
www.kirschnered.nl
May 11, 2025 at 9:03 PM
I thought I was first to coin the phrase, “Traditional is the new progressive.” But I’m not. The great Paul Kirschner said it first.
Why progressive education does not serve equity, despite good intentions.
Why progressive education does not serve equity, despite good intentions.
Tom Bennett is coming to Australia for his 2025 Behaviour in Schools Tour. Last chance to get tickets to the Sydney date!
Tom Bennett Australia 2025 Behaviour in Schools Tour - Tom Bennett Training
What do the best teachers and leaders in the world do to make sure classrooms are safe, calm and dignified places where children flourish? Professor Tom Bennett, OBE is the School Behaviour Advisor…
tombennetttraining.co.uk
May 8, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Tom Bennett is coming to Australia for his 2025 Behaviour in Schools Tour. Last chance to get tickets to the Sydney date!
NEW POST: On the myths and truths about how girls learn. Knowledge is (girl) power!
open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
April 30, 2025 at 11:00 PM
NEW POST: On the myths and truths about how girls learn. Knowledge is (girl) power!
open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
CRP, SEL, UDL. Big on good vibes. Low on outcomes.
If our job is just to make students feel good, then great. If it’s to achieve real equity and life choices, then don’t pin your hopes on these acronyms.
Teaching for equitable outcomes: The missing ingredient open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
If our job is just to make students feel good, then great. If it’s to achieve real equity and life choices, then don’t pin your hopes on these acronyms.
Teaching for equitable outcomes: The missing ingredient open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
Teaching for more equitable outcomes: The missing ingredient
Why equity initiatives can fail and what teachers can do about it.
open.substack.com
April 30, 2025 at 7:30 PM
CRP, SEL, UDL. Big on good vibes. Low on outcomes.
If our job is just to make students feel good, then great. If it’s to achieve real equity and life choices, then don’t pin your hopes on these acronyms.
Teaching for equitable outcomes: The missing ingredient open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
If our job is just to make students feel good, then great. If it’s to achieve real equity and life choices, then don’t pin your hopes on these acronyms.
Teaching for equitable outcomes: The missing ingredient open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
CRP, SEL, UDL. Big on good vibes. Low on outcomes.
If our job is just to make students feel good, then great. If it’s to achieve real equity and life choices, then don’t pin your hopes on these acronyms.
Teaching for equitable outcomes: The missing ingredient open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
If our job is just to make students feel good, then great. If it’s to achieve real equity and life choices, then don’t pin your hopes on these acronyms.
Teaching for equitable outcomes: The missing ingredient open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
Teaching for more equitable outcomes: The missing ingredient
Why equity initiatives can fail and what teachers can do about it.
open.substack.com
April 30, 2025 at 7:28 PM
CRP, SEL, UDL. Big on good vibes. Low on outcomes.
If our job is just to make students feel good, then great. If it’s to achieve real equity and life choices, then don’t pin your hopes on these acronyms.
Teaching for equitable outcomes: The missing ingredient open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
If our job is just to make students feel good, then great. If it’s to achieve real equity and life choices, then don’t pin your hopes on these acronyms.
Teaching for equitable outcomes: The missing ingredient open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
Dr Nathaniel Swain and I are so excited that Brendan Lee has opened his classroom to us in an upcoming episode of #ChalkDust
Here's a sneak peek of his advice to Mathematics teachers. It applies to primary teachers and secondary!
Be notified about the first episode here chalkdust.media
Here's a sneak peek of his advice to Mathematics teachers. It applies to primary teachers and secondary!
Be notified about the first episode here chalkdust.media
April 30, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Dr Nathaniel Swain and I are so excited that Brendan Lee has opened his classroom to us in an upcoming episode of #ChalkDust
Here's a sneak peek of his advice to Mathematics teachers. It applies to primary teachers and secondary!
Be notified about the first episode here chalkdust.media
Here's a sneak peek of his advice to Mathematics teachers. It applies to primary teachers and secondary!
Be notified about the first episode here chalkdust.media
This post is so helpful for people like me who fear repetition and redundancy in academic writing.
Pat writes such a great blog on academic writing. And this from a writer!
Pat writes such a great blog on academic writing. And this from a writer!
productive redundancy
Ever been told not to repeat yourself in your writing? Or been told that repetition is a complete academic no-no? Well, that’s not entirely true. But before I explain why, I must make a sligh…
patthomson.net
April 25, 2025 at 10:37 PM
This post is so helpful for people like me who fear repetition and redundancy in academic writing.
Pat writes such a great blog on academic writing. And this from a writer!
Pat writes such a great blog on academic writing. And this from a writer!
Natalie Wexler makes a good case for being hyper aware of the claims of research and how they’re framed.
Do Students Who Rely on ChatGPT "Benefit"?
Do Students Who Rely on ChatGPT "Benefit"?
Do Students Who Rely on ChatGPT "Benefit"?
AI has its uses, but it's not a substitute for writing--or learning.
open.substack.com
April 24, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Natalie Wexler makes a good case for being hyper aware of the claims of research and how they’re framed.
Do Students Who Rely on ChatGPT "Benefit"?
Do Students Who Rely on ChatGPT "Benefit"?
NEW POST: Are there links between explicit teaching, classroom management and productive class climates? Find out! (Short answer -- probably).
open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
April 23, 2025 at 11:26 PM
NEW POST: Are there links between explicit teaching, classroom management and productive class climates? Find out! (Short answer -- probably).
open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
This group is growing in strength and numbers. It's so great to have a support network of leaders in professional learning, and experts from UNSW like Tony Loughland, Paul Evans and Simon Breakspear to draw on for advice about applying research in schools.
Centre for Research in Schools (CRiS) | UNSW Sydney
Centre for Research in Schools (CRiS) fosters professional learning cultures in K–12 settings, connecting research with practical strategies for impactful growth.
www.unsw.edu.au
April 10, 2025 at 1:00 AM
This group is growing in strength and numbers. It's so great to have a support network of leaders in professional learning, and experts from UNSW like Tony Loughland, Paul Evans and Simon Breakspear to draw on for advice about applying research in schools.
Some very reasonable points about cold calling:
“Why I can't use 'cold call' anymore”https://open.substack.com/pub/daviddidau/p/why-i-cant-use-cold-call-anymore?r=5d1ba&utm_medium=ios
“Why I can't use 'cold call' anymore”https://open.substack.com/pub/daviddidau/p/why-i-cant-use-cold-call-anymore?r=5d1ba&utm_medium=ios
April 8, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Some very reasonable points about cold calling:
“Why I can't use 'cold call' anymore”https://open.substack.com/pub/daviddidau/p/why-i-cant-use-cold-call-anymore?r=5d1ba&utm_medium=ios
“Why I can't use 'cold call' anymore”https://open.substack.com/pub/daviddidau/p/why-i-cant-use-cold-call-anymore?r=5d1ba&utm_medium=ios
I'm presenting with my great mate Cassandra Pride at ICGS, hosted by Queenwood, on the myths and truths about how girls learn. Spoiler: girls' brains are no different to boys'. Grab a ticket to hear more nuance from us.
girlsschools.org/28-april-202...
girlsschools.org/28-april-202...
April 3, 2025 at 7:12 AM
I'm presenting with my great mate Cassandra Pride at ICGS, hosted by Queenwood, on the myths and truths about how girls learn. Spoiler: girls' brains are no different to boys'. Grab a ticket to hear more nuance from us.
girlsschools.org/28-april-202...
girlsschools.org/28-april-202...
NEW POST: On following the golden thread, w/ Professor Haili Hughes. A follow up to my analysis of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. Haili's experience in the development of the Early Career Framework is a great model for Australia to follow.
Thank you for your generosity, Haili!
Thank you for your generosity, Haili!
April 2, 2025 at 11:00 PM
NEW POST: On following the golden thread, w/ Professor Haili Hughes. A follow up to my analysis of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. Haili's experience in the development of the Early Career Framework is a great model for Australia to follow.
Thank you for your generosity, Haili!
Thank you for your generosity, Haili!
Academic stress is the top source of personal challenges again this year. This reaffirms the preventative work we are doing at Queenwood with Smart Study!
Infographic: Top issues facing young people
The latest annual Youth Survey by national charity Mission Australia received responses from 17,480 young people (aged 15-19) around the country on issues…
www.teachermagazine.com
April 1, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Academic stress is the top source of personal challenges again this year. This reaffirms the preventative work we are doing at Queenwood with Smart Study!
I hear this anecdotal evidence about the links between explicit teaching and student behaviour all the time. This is why I have decided to focus on this area for my PhD study.
www.amazon.com.au/Harnessing-S...
www.amazon.com.au/Harnessing-S...
April 1, 2025 at 5:31 AM
I hear this anecdotal evidence about the links between explicit teaching and student behaviour all the time. This is why I have decided to focus on this area for my PhD study.
www.amazon.com.au/Harnessing-S...
www.amazon.com.au/Harnessing-S...
🎙️ The Chalk Dust Podcast is coming!
Step inside the world’s best classrooms 🎒🌏
Each episode, Dr Nathaniel Swain and I break down real classroom footage to reveal what makes great teaching great ✨🧑🏫
Sign up to be notified when the first episode drops!
chalkdust.media/p/sneak-prev...
Step inside the world’s best classrooms 🎒🌏
Each episode, Dr Nathaniel Swain and I break down real classroom footage to reveal what makes great teaching great ✨🧑🏫
Sign up to be notified when the first episode drops!
chalkdust.media/p/sneak-prev...
April 1, 2025 at 1:33 AM
🎙️ The Chalk Dust Podcast is coming!
Step inside the world’s best classrooms 🎒🌏
Each episode, Dr Nathaniel Swain and I break down real classroom footage to reveal what makes great teaching great ✨🧑🏫
Sign up to be notified when the first episode drops!
chalkdust.media/p/sneak-prev...
Step inside the world’s best classrooms 🎒🌏
Each episode, Dr Nathaniel Swain and I break down real classroom footage to reveal what makes great teaching great ✨🧑🏫
Sign up to be notified when the first episode drops!
chalkdust.media/p/sneak-prev...
What a rejuvenating day at researchED spending time with the best educators in the country. Not least these people!
March 15, 2025 at 6:43 AM
What a rejuvenating day at researchED spending time with the best educators in the country. Not least these people!
I've officially hit 4K subscribers from 83 countries! I started this Substack about three years ago as a new year's resolution to write every day. There's nothing like an unrealistic goal to kickstart a more modest habit!
rebeccabirch.substack.com/p/on-buildin...
rebeccabirch.substack.com/p/on-buildin...
On building moats
How progressive education defends it ivory tower
rebeccabirch.substack.com
March 9, 2025 at 3:29 AM
I've officially hit 4K subscribers from 83 countries! I started this Substack about three years ago as a new year's resolution to write every day. There's nothing like an unrealistic goal to kickstart a more modest habit!
rebeccabirch.substack.com/p/on-buildin...
rebeccabirch.substack.com/p/on-buildin...