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Episode 103 · 7 Apr 2025 · 15 min

Why your teachers have seen it all before

Episode artwork: Why your teachers have seen it all before
Show notes

What you'll hear in this episode.

When you announce a new initiative, do you ever get "that sigh" from your experienced teachers? You know the one - followed by "Isn't this just that thing we did back in 2005?" Today we're looking at the inevitable cycle of change in education and how to lead through it with integrity and purpose.


In this bite-sized leadership episode, Shane explores why education seems to move in cycles, with approaches and methodologies appearing to come back around under new names:


  • Why education moves in cycles: Our system is obsessed with change, there are only so many fundamental ideas in education, and new leaders often feel pressure to make their mark
  • Evolution vs cycles: The most productive way to view educational change is as an evolution rather than disconnected cycles
  • Practical leadership advice: Rethink change for change's sake, connect new initiatives to what came before, focus on evolution not revolution, and honor institutional knowledge


Episode Partner

The International Curriculum Association: Learn more

Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensive




Shane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.


You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com


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