In this episode, I sit down with legendary educator and author Jay McTighe, co-creator of Understanding by Design®, to explore how we can move beyond content coverage and standardised testing to create classrooms focused on deep understanding, authentic transfer and meaningful student learning.

Jay unpacks what it really means to “plan with the end in mind,” why teaching for understanding is the ultimate test preparation and how performance-based assessment and backward design can (and should) transform our classrooms.

Whether you're navigating curriculum reform, supporting HSC students, or just trying to make your lessons more engaging and purposeful this conversation is your roadmap to what great teaching looks like in practice.

We chat about:

• How to balance explicit teaching with student-led inquiry

• Why "test prep" often misses the mark

• What real-world transfer looks like in a Health & Movement Science classroom

• How to shift from teaching content to coaching for performance

• Practical steps for getting started with backward design

• What your students should be able to do with what they’ve learned

Jay’s wisdom will leave you feeling inspired, challenged and more confident than ever in how you show up for your learners.