Podcasts

Stepping out to consider the bigger picture

In this episode of Stepping Into [ed]Leadership, we welcome career strategist and coach Janine Stratford for a great conversation about the ways educators can strategically position themselves as leaders. We discuss the challenges of working in education, including the fast-paced nature of the work and the undervaluing of educators by those outside the field. Janine shares how educators can shift this perception by branding themselves as experts, clearly communicating their insights, and confidently stepping into leadership opportunities. From preparing for interviews to navigating internal applications, we unpack practical strategies to help educators showcase their value.

We explore what it means to lead with clarity, confidence, consistency, and consideration – Janine’s 4Cs. We discuss the importance of self-awareness, overcoming imposter syndrome, and developing a coaching mindset rather than simply giving advice. The conversation also highlights the unique role of middle leaders as the largest group of leaders in the school, emphasising their influence in shaping school culture and retaining great staff.

We loved how Janine highlighted that stepping into leadership is not about having everything figured out—there has to be growth, challenge, and learning along the way. If a new role doesn’t stretch you, it won’t fulfill you. She encourages educators to embrace the discomfort of growth and step forward with confidence. True leadership isn’t just about caring for people; it’s about growing them. Janine challenges us to balance our focus, looking both down to develop their teams and up to understand the strategic needs of their schools. This episode is a call to action for educators to recognize their impact, step into leadership with purpose, and contribute meaningfully to the future of education.

Launch into Teaching is for new and early-career teachers who want to become the next generation of outstanding practitioners. This isn’t a podcast about planning lessons, setting up a classroom or writing school reports. It’s about understanding the bigger picture of how schools work and exploring what makes a great teacher and colleague.

Julia Padgett and Janine have a long history of connection from Julia’s previous leadership role at Braemar College and they have maintained the connection and relationship as Julia moved to Kilvington Grammar.

Julia writes ‘In this episode, Janine and I discuss how to navigate difficult conversations with colleagues and parents. We consider how you might prepare for these. We also chat about leadership and searching out role models and mentors’.

Ian Edwards is a professional business and executive coach, and founder of two companies, Planalife and Business on Purpose. He interviewed Janine as a guest on his ‘I Decided’ podcast in March 2024. The whole purpose of the “I Decided” series is to inspire people, young and old, that when they have a passion in their hearts they need to pick it up with two hands and to run with two feet. To give all you have, to all you do.  He states ‘ the beauty of knowing these people, many for decades, means I have been able to observe their life over a long period of time and watched them live their lives in a very authentic, significant way’.

Ian writes ‘Janine was a client of mine for 2 1/2 years just prior to and during the COVID Pandemic. Her tenacious passion for her clients and her industry kept her relevant and passionate during the COVID-19 Pandemic. When many others in her industry folded, Janine pivoted and kept supporting her clientele through an extremely difficult season in education, thrusting her even further forward as a respected pioneer in leadership development in education’.

The Teaching Village Podcast, hosted by Jenna Shepherd, is a platform for new teachers to learn tips and tricks from education experts, have conversations about everyday teaching, develop strategies that help us navigate our new environment, and learn more about those in our own teaching community.

Jenna writes ‘Janine and I chat about her career journey over the last 35 years. She has developed career and leadership programs for people at all stages of their career through her company Coaching Focus. We explore some practical tips and tricks that early career teachers can employ to build their capacity in the workplace, and the importance of having a mentor and coach as a guide through the oftentimes, confusing waters of the first few years of teaching’.