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EPISODE · Apr 27, 2026 · 43 MIN

Why Teacher Autonomy Matters in Elementary Education

from Edu-Kate · host Kate Kowalski

Today's special guest is Sophie Smith-Tong, an experienced primary educator, speaker, and advocate for teacher autonomy and wellbeing. With over 15 years in education, she focuses on empowering teachers to make meaningful classroom decisions that support student learning and creativity. She is the author of Teacher Autonomy: Where Has It Gone and Why We Need It Back, a powerful exploration of how increasing accountability and rigid systems have reduced teacher independence—and what educators can do to reclaim it.

Today's special guest is Sophie Smith-Tong, an experienced primary educator, speaker, and advocate for teacher autonomy and wellbeing. With over 15 years in education, she focuses on empowering teachers to make meaningful classroom decisions that support student learning and creativity. She is the author of Teacher Autonomy: Where Has It Gone and Why We Need It Back, a powerful exploration of how increasing accountability and rigid systems have reduced teacher independence—and what educators can do to reclaim it.

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Why Teacher Autonomy Matters in Elementary Education

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This episode was published on April 27, 2026.

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Today's special guest is Sophie Smith-Tong, an experienced primary educator, speaker, and advocate for teacher autonomy and wellbeing. With over 15 years in education, she focuses on empowering teachers to make meaningful classroom decisions that...

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