The Long Division https://TheLongDivision.podbean.com A weekly audio diary from Joshua Prah — maths teacher, ECT, and proof that the long route sometimes leads exactly where you're supposed to be. Honest, unfiltered stories from the front of a classroom. New episodes every week.

]]> Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:10:25 +0100 https://podbean.com/?v=5.5 en Copyright 2026 All rights reserved. Education 1440 episodic Joshua Prah Joshua Prah No false https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/22485843/Long_division_logo83qno.png The Long Division https://TheLongDivision.podbean.com 144 144 The Long Division | The February Transition The Long Division | The February Transition https://TheLongDivision.podbean.com/e/february-shift-from-placement-to-practice/ https://TheLongDivision.podbean.com/e/february-shift-from-placement-to-practice/#comments Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:10:25 +0100 TheLongDivision.podbean.com/7db6fe44-0214-3297-8622-9e81d10f5dd9 Episode 7, "The February Transition," follows a trainee teacher finishing a second placement and returning to their first, focusing on inclusive practice. The episode covers practical strategies like the Freya vocabulary model, deliberate scaffolding, varied media, and differentiated questioning to reach every student.

Highlights include boosting engagement through real-world conversations with a student, and a standout Year 7 sequence on angle work that demonstrated how inclusive methods lift the whole class. The episode reflects on applying lessons learned under pressure and growing confidence in the classroom.

]]> Episode 7, "The February Transition," follows a trainee teacher finishing a second placement and returning to their first, focusing on inclusive practice. The episode covers practical strategies like the Freya vocabulary model, deliberate scaffolding, varied media, and differentiated questioning to reach every student.

Highlights include boosting engagement through real-world conversations with a student, and a standout Year 7 sequence on angle work that demonstrated how inclusive methods lift the whole class. The episode reflects on applying lessons learned under pressure and growing confidence in the classroom.

]]> Joshua Prah false No 468 10 full The Long division- January - From Working Memory to Mastery: Teaching Algebra That Sticks The Long division- January - From Working Memory to Mastery: Teaching Algebra That Sticks https://TheLongDivision.podbean.com/e/from-working-memory-to-mastery-teaching-algebra-that-sticks/ https://TheLongDivision.podbean.com/e/from-working-memory-to-mastery-teaching-algebra-that-sticks/#comments Sat, 15 Aug 2026 14:05:09 +0100 TheLongDivision.podbean.com/aee37172-e21d-3747-bd41-a4306b560646 Episode 6 reflects on an essay, the subject knowledge assignment, about why algebra is hard and practical strategies to help Year 10 students retain it: focused starters, live formative assessment, and gradually removed scaffolds across a five-lesson sequence. The writer also discovers variation theory as a powerful tool for helping students notice what makes concepts different.

January brings a second placement in a different school with shorter lessons, a contrasting top set and challenging bottom set, and the realities of inconsistent follow-through on behaviour policy. Observing other teachers and adapting to a new rhythm reinforces that teaching is gradual growth — and that motivation often comes from beyond the classroom.

]]> Episode 6 reflects on an essay, the subject knowledge assignment, about why algebra is hard and practical strategies to help Year 10 students retain it: focused starters, live formative assessment, and gradually removed scaffolds across a five-lesson sequence. The writer also discovers variation theory as a powerful tool for helping students notice what makes concepts different.

January brings a second placement in a different school with shorter lessons, a contrasting top set and challenging bottom set, and the realities of inconsistent follow-through on behaviour policy. Observing other teachers and adapting to a new rhythm reinforces that teaching is gradual growth — and that motivation often comes from beyond the classroom.

]]> Joshua Prah false No 496 9 full Jingle Bells and Lesson Plans: December's Teaching Surprise Jingle Bells and Lesson Plans: December's Teaching Surprise https://TheLongDivision.podbean.com/e/jingle-bells-and-lesson-plans-decembers-teaching-surprise/ https://TheLongDivision.podbean.com/e/jingle-bells-and-lesson-plans-decembers-teaching-surprise/#comments Sat, 15 Aug 2026 02:28:31 +0100 TheLongDivision.podbean.com/b919f32c-7f62-388a-adf2-36cbd1e546bb In Episode 5, the host describes a December visit to a Year 5 primary class where the steady routine and contagious excitement during a Christmas play rehearsal reframed their view of student engagement outside secondary school.

They reflect on how real subject knowledge is about explaining concepts in multiple ways, sequencing lessons for lasting learning, and setting clear targets for consolidation. Three months into training, the host feels more grounded and ready for the next placement.

]]> In Episode 5, the host describes a December visit to a Year 5 primary class where the steady routine and contagious excitement during a Christmas play rehearsal reframed their view of student engagement outside secondary school.

They reflect on how real subject knowledge is about explaining concepts in multiple ways, sequencing lessons for lasting learning, and setting clear targets for consolidation. Three months into training, the host feels more grounded and ready for the next placement.

]]> Joshua Prah false No 406 8 full November Shift: Building Habits, Not Just Lessons November Shift: Building Habits, Not Just Lessons https://TheLongDivision.podbean.com/e/november-shift-building-habits-not-just-lessons/ https://TheLongDivision.podbean.com/e/november-shift-building-habits-not-just-lessons/#comments Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:12:41 +0100 TheLongDivision.podbean.com/08306c92-75d5-337b-8657-8061dfc7e5fe Episode 4 covers November, when theory met practice: an ITAP (Intensive Training and Practice) week focused on effective learning behaviours, three research papers on non-cognitive skills, preventative behaviour strategies, and consistent implementation shaped the approach, and trainees worked through case studies and observations.

The month emphasized repetition and refinement—better pacing, deliberate scaffolding removal, and using in-the-moment verbal feedback—leading to steadier lessons, growing confidence, and a smaller gap between knowing good practice and producing it under pressure.

]]> Episode 4 covers November, when theory met practice: an ITAP (Intensive Training and Practice) week focused on effective learning behaviours, three research papers on non-cognitive skills, preventative behaviour strategies, and consistent implementation shaped the approach, and trainees worked through case studies and observations.

The month emphasized repetition and refinement—better pacing, deliberate scaffolding removal, and using in-the-moment verbal feedback—leading to steadier lessons, growing confidence, and a smaller gap between knowing good practice and producing it under pressure.

]]> Joshua Prah false No 427 7 full October: Teaching Hour, Lessons Learned October: Teaching Hour, Lessons Learned https://TheLongDivision.podbean.com/e/october-teaching-hour-lessons-learned/ https://TheLongDivision.podbean.com/e/october-teaching-hour-lessons-learned/#comments Sat, 25 Jul 2026 21:56:00 +0100 TheLongDivision.podbean.com/3346518f-a822-333a-ba4a-c171f7bbce8c In this episode the host recounts October, their first month running full lessons from start to finish. They focus on quietly managing behavior, the struggle with pacing that cut into practice time, and the steps they’ll take to protect learning and retention.

They also reflect on experiencing parents’ evening, learning about the SENCO role, and how half-term revealed the unseen workload teachers carry. October marks the moment the training wheels came off and the real work of balancing planning, practice, and student support began.

]]> In this episode the host recounts October, their first month running full lessons from start to finish. They focus on quietly managing behavior, the struggle with pacing that cut into practice time, and the steps they’ll take to protect learning and retention.

They also reflect on experiencing parents’ evening, learning about the SENCO role, and how half-term revealed the unseen workload teachers carry. October marks the moment the training wheels came off and the real work of balancing planning, practice, and student support began.

]]> Joshua Prah false No 432 4 full The Long Division | September a new start The Long Division | September a new start https://TheLongDivision.podbean.com/e/september-storm-my-first-weeks-as-a-trainee-teacher/ https://TheLongDivision.podbean.com/e/september-storm-my-first-weeks-as-a-trainee-teacher/#comments Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:39:11 +0100 TheLongDivision.podbean.com/e48fb96d-865e-34c7-82a0-2cb343dd588f In Episode 2 of The Long Division, the host describes the overwhelming start to their ITT training through Teach Beyond: inset days, new systems and acronyms, online training, and learning by observing experienced teachers.

By the end of September they begin co-teaching, learn behaviour management, adapt from tutoring to full classrooms of up to 30, and discover the workload and the importance of a work–life balance, supported by mentors and fellow trainees.

]]> In Episode 2 of The Long Division, the host describes the overwhelming start to their ITT training through Teach Beyond: inset days, new systems and acronyms, online training, and learning by observing experienced teachers.

By the end of September they begin co-teaching, learn behaviour management, adapt from tutoring to full classrooms of up to 30, and discover the workload and the importance of a work–life balance, supported by mentors and fellow trainees.

]]> Joshua Prah false No 553 3 full The long division | Before the bell rings The long division | Before the bell rings https://TheLongDivision.podbean.com/e/before-the-bell-how-i-became-a-maths-teacher/ https://TheLongDivision.podbean.com/e/before-the-bell-how-i-became-a-maths-teacher/#comments Sat, 11 Jul 2026 01:33:44 +0100 TheLongDivision.podbean.com/7e68db47-2f67-3428-86fa-7381bc8f4d1a Episode 1 of The Long Division: on the eve of becoming a newly qualified maths teacher, I trace my path from studying chemical engineering to roles in sustainability and sales, and the Saturday tutoring sessions that ultimately led me to the classroom.

I share the quiet nervousness before the first day, the moments that confirmed teaching was the right path, and the promise to post weekly about the messy, rewarding reality of life at the front of a classroom.

]]> Episode 1 of The Long Division: on the eve of becoming a newly qualified maths teacher, I trace my path from studying chemical engineering to roles in sustainability and sales, and the Saturday tutoring sessions that ultimately led me to the classroom.

I share the quiet nervousness before the first day, the moments that confirmed teaching was the right path, and the promise to post weekly about the messy, rewarding reality of life at the front of a classroom.

]]> Joshua Prah false No 433 1 2 full Welcome to the Long Division Welcome to the Long Division https://TheLongDivision.podbean.com/e/the-long-division-from-chemical-engineer-to-classroom-chaos/ https://TheLongDivision.podbean.com/e/the-long-division-from-chemical-engineer-to-classroom-chaos/#comments Sat, 11 Jul 2026 01:23:42 +0100 TheLongDivision.podbean.com/fb1e8780-681a-3b4f-ae7f-a58b5e701e1e Join Joshua King Prah, a London-based math teacher and soon-to-be ECT, as he shares candid, weekly solo episodes about the winding, messy journey into the classroom—from careers in engineering and consulting to chaotic Saturday classes and the everyday highs and lows of teaching.

Honest, practical and unfiltered, this podcast is for teachers, trainees, and anyone who took the long route to find their calling. New episodes every week.

]]> Join Joshua King Prah, a London-based math teacher and soon-to-be ECT, as he shares candid, weekly solo episodes about the winding, messy journey into the classroom—from careers in engineering and consulting to chaotic Saturday classes and the everyday highs and lows of teaching.

Honest, practical and unfiltered, this podcast is for teachers, trainees, and anyone who took the long route to find their calling. New episodes every week.

]]> Joshua Prah false No 94 1 1 full