Teachers on Fire

Choosing to leave the classroom and go all-in as an administrator wasn't an easy decision. Here were some of the factors I considered.

→ What is Universal Design for Learning? → How does UDL look different in the early grades? → What is a first step that any educator can take tomorrow to make their lessons more accessible for all learners? ABOUT THIS GUEST, Jeff Horwitz Jeff is a veteran educator and school leader who's spent over two decades in… Read more

→ How can we learn to recognize our body’s stress signals as data? → What is a daily micro-move educators can practice to regulate themselves? → How can prioritizing our own wellness directly impact our students and create generational change? TIMESTAMPS 0:00:00 - Dr. Jen Rafferty is an educator, author, and speaker… Read more

→ How can we make this school year the best of our professional careers? → What is a Resilience Bank Account, and how can it support busy educators on the hard days? → What is the Scribble and Scrap technique, and how can it help us against negative self-talk? Welcome back to the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live… Read more

→ How did today’s guest go from high school dropout to PhD, and what can we learn from his story? → How can we shift our focus from merely managing behavior to truly captivating our students? → What is the first step educators must take to reverse the burnout cycle? Welcome back to the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing… Read more

→ How did a Virginia school principal help to merge two rival schools into one? → How can we build positive school culture during times of change and transition? → How can we translate our school mission and values into meaningful daily practices? Timestamps from This Episode 0:00:00 - Derek Cantrell was named the… Read more

→ How do needs, values, goals, and strengths reframe how we motivate and engage learners? → What are the things that actually drain motivation for students in the classroom and at home? → How can teachers build better Regulation, Resources, and Relationships for students in their classrooms? Welcome back to the… Read more

→ Why is curiosity foundational to everything that happens in the classroom? → How can simple micro-inquiry tasks at the beginning of a lesson set up direct instruction to follow? → How can teachers use AI as a collaborative thought partner to amplify student thinking? Welcome back to the Teachers on Fire Podcast,… Read more

→ How can relational leadership transform your school community? → How can we encourage colleagues overwhelmed by fatigue, culture wars, or literacy battles? → As technology debates rage, where is the conversation going in K-12 education? Today’s Teacher on Fire is Dr. Brad Johnson. Dr. Johnson is an internationally… Read more

→ What are the seven steps to school success? → What are the most common distractions school leaders face? → How can we build schools that give our graduates the kinds of skills that actually have career-ready value in tomorrow’s marketplace? Welcome back to the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most… Read more

→ How can education podcasting impact professional growth over time? → What is the single most dangerous misconception schools are making about artificial intelligence right now? → How can design thinking prepare secondary students for a complex, uncertain, technology-driven future? Welcome back to the Teachers on… Read more

→ How can we improve the effectiveness of the questions we ask in the classroom? → What’s a better way to respond the next time we get the classic “I don’t know”? → What does collecting actionable microdata look like during a live lesson? Welcome back to the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most… Read more

→ What is the single most rewarding aspect of international teaching? → For educators considering an international leap in their teaching career, what are the most crucial factors to consider? → What is the most common mistake teachers make when interviewing for an international teaching contract? Welcome back to the… Read more

→ How do traditional grading systems quietly undermine deep learning? → How can teachers shift assessment paradigms without burning out? → What steps can administrative teams take to genuinely support their staff? About Danielle Paloposki Danielle is an educator and former school administrator with extensive… Read more

→ Which foundational money concepts do our students struggle with the most? → Why do states and districts continue to downplay the importance of financial literacy in our curricular standards? → What is one practical way for teachers to build financial literacy in their classrooms on Monday morning? Welcome back to… Read more

→ How can we build literacy skills and environmental stewardship at the same time? → What is the Everglades Foundation Literacy Program, and what resources do they offer classroom teachers? → What is Everglades Ecoquest, and how can educators use this web-based platform to bring interactive, gamified learning to their… Read more

How can teachers challenge their gifted learners without burning out? How we spot high-ability learners who might be masking their abilities in the classroom? How can we make sure our choice boards don’t just become busywork? Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most… Read more

→ What are executive functions, and why do they matter? → What are the differences between core and higher order executive functions? → How can we tweak the physical and acoustic environment of our classrooms to support all learners? Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on… Read more

→ How can an education podcast impact personal growth and professional practice? → Is there still room for more education content creators today? → How do two veteran educators view today’s educational landscape? About These Guests Today’s Teachers on Fire are Martin Stuible and Roy Hunt, hosts of the After the Bell… Read more

→ How can educators model healthy skepticism while also being brokers of hope regarding AI tools? → What practical boundaries can we set so our students don't outsource their critical thinking to algorithms? → With all that is going on in education and politics, how can we preserve cultures of joy in today's… Read more

→ What does recess look like if it is as safe as necessary but not as safe as possible? → What are the links between the decline of independent, risky play and the rise in student anxiety? → How do we distinguish between healthy 'rough-and-tumble’ play and actual aggression? Today’s Teachers on Fire are Dr. Mariana… Read more

→ Is it still possible to engage productively as a teacher on social media? → What do our students risk losing when they lean into AI tools and strategies? → What can be gained by bringing student writing to authentic audiences? Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube… Read more

→ How can education leaders help staff move from AI anxiety to AI optimism and fluency? → How can we make sure that pedagogy always trumps technology in our classrooms? → How can we promote the kind of disruptive thinking necessary to future-proof our learners for an unpredictable world? Welcome back to another… Read more

→ What does it look like to put student connections before content? → How can we help every student in our communities feel a sense of belonging? → How can we leverage social media to tell stronger stories as building leaders? Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most… Read more

I'm trying something NEW! In this first walking journal entry, I reflect on three recent guests on the Teachers on Fire Podcast who inspired changes to my personal and professional life. They are: Edmond Chin, Rich Czyz, and Becky Keene.

→ How can AI tools and technologies support learning in the classroom? → How can students leverage AI tools for greater creativity and judgment? → How can we make sure our AI policies align with mission and core pedagogical beliefs? Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on… Read more

→ How can principals do better than superficial gestures of teacher appreciation? → How can we address teaching colleagues who seem caught in a martyr mindset? → How can school leaders work efficiently without building a toxic culture of rushing? Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing… Read more

→ What does it mean to lead with curiosity over expertise? → How can we make our schools places where the adults like to come to work? → How can school leaders build a presence that feels more supportive, less policing? Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most… Read more

→ How should we approach the tensions around the Science of Reading? → What does the art of teaching literacy look like in today’s classroom? → How can we set up our students for successful independent writing? Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday… Read more

→ Why must attention become the curriculum of our schools? → How are classrooms disrupting student attention and learning? → What is the important choice that our schools and districts must make? Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am… Read more

→ How did a new running habit transform one educator’s life? → What’s brewing in the coffee world, and what is one bean that we need to try? → How can we take our own next steps of personal and professional growth in 2026? Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most… Read more

→ What hope is there for the school leader who feels constantly overwhelmed? → What’s the most common productivity pitfall that school leaders fall into? → How can we manage fires and interruptions without burning out? Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most… Read more

→ How can direct instruction impact student learning and growth? → Where are schools going wrong with technology in the classroom? → Is it possible for every student to succeed without lowering expectations? Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings… Read more

→ What are some moves that teachers can make to protect their mental health? → What’s better: stay at school til the work is done, or leave as soon as possible? Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim… Read more

→ How can our assessment decisions increase equity for all learners? → Are learning targets actually a valuable part of instruction and assessment? → Should teachers give zeros for cheating or deduct marks for late assignment submissions? Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on… Read more

→ How can we reimagine parent-teacher conferences? → What are the issues most responsible for burning out teachers today? → What are some rhythms and activities that can keep our fire for teaching alive? Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at… Read more

🔥 How can we bring back the golden age of Edu Twitter? 🔥 What happens when we step out of the classroom and into edtech? 🔥 How should schools and districts think about AI tools for teachers right now? About This Guest Scott Nunes is an international keynote speaker and award-winning education technology strategist.… Read more

🔥 What happens when our doubts, mistakes, and questions start to take over? 🔥 What is a quick, simple routine that we can follow to rekindle our fire? 🔥 How can music build identity and belonging in a learning community? About This Guest Sean Gaillard is a school administrator in North Carolina, author of The… Read more

🔥 Are Kahoot and Blooket the best ways for students to review content? 🔥 How can we build fluency, literacy, and thinking skills in the science classroom? 🔥 What’s the role of pencils and paper in the classroom of 2025? Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most… Read more

🔥 What can we do as teachers to uplift the students in our classrooms? 🔥 What happens when our students see themselves in a story of learning? 🔥 What should concern us most about AI tools in education? Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at… Read more

🔥 How should teachers start every day? 🔥 What are the best ways to organize our workspaces? 🔥 When is the right time to leave the school building? About This Guest Today’s Teacher on Fire is Liz Prather. A 30-year high school classroom teacher, Liz is the Co-Director of Programming for the Kentucky Writing Project.… Read more

When students have committed offenses against other students, staff members, or property, should an apology be optional? Here are my thoughts. Read the blog post here: https://teachersonfire.net/2025/01/26/im-sorry-why-im-in-favor-of-forced-apologies/

🔥 What’s the state of cyberbullying in our schools today? 🔥 What are the silent impacts on our children, and what can we do to protect them? 🔥 When used effectively, can devices actually increase collaboration and communication in the classroom? Join me in conversation with Eva Harvell as we dig into these and… Read more

🔥 What can teachers do to protect their fire for teaching? 🔥 What can we do to attract and keep great people in our profession? 🔥 What happens in a school community when the principal is not okay? Join me in conversation with MICHELLE PAPA and ERIN TASHIAN as we dig into these critical questions. About These Guests… Read more

🔥 How can today’s teachers eat well and care for their bodies? 🔥 How can we fit movement and fitness into our hours at school? 🔥 What are some simple strategies we can follow to improve our nutrition? Join me for this conversation with Florida PE teacher Eric Nelson as he responds. About This Guest: Eric is a K-5… Read more

🔥 Can you describe the vision of your school? 🔥 How can teacher-leaders raise up the people around them? 🔥 How can schools and districts better communicate with their communities? Join me for this conversation with national superintendent of the year, Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, as he shares his insights on these and other… Read more

🔥 How can media creation activities support student learning? 🔥 How should we think about student phones in today’s classrooms? 🔥 How can we captivate, engage, and empower our students in a world of digital distractions? Join me for this conversation with New York assistant principal, author, and podcaster Dr. MARC… Read more

🔥 How can we promote values like courage, commitment, and sacrifice in our learning communities? 🔥 What is the Medal of Honor Character Development Program, and how can it impact your school? Join me for this conversation with California middle school teacher and trainer MARILYNN ALFORD-WALSH as she shares her… Read more

🔥 How has the teaching profession changed over the last five years? 🔥 What would you say to a rookie teacher struggling with imposter syndrome? 🔥 As federal elections approach, what is the role of the Social Studies teacher? Join me for this conversation with New Brunswick resource teacher and podcaster LUCAS… Read more

🔥 What does a coaching mindset look like in professional observations? 🔥 How important is mentorship when it comes to the growth of school leaders? 🔥 How can we better support the learning of our youngest readers and writers? Join me for this conversation with author and Director of Literacy LAUREN KAUFMAN as she… Read more

🔥 What does your school’s dream makerspace look like? 🔥 Will AR and VR tools ever impact K-12 education in a significant way? 🔥 How are students using 3D printing, laser cutting, and sublimation to create? Join me for this conversation with education technology coach JESUS HUERTA as he shares his insights on these… Read more

🔥 What does it mean to grow beyond grades? 🔥 What works about standards-based grading, and where does it fall short? 🔥 How can we deemphasize grades and shift the focus to growth in our practice? Join me for this conversation with assessment leader ARTHUR CHIARAVALLI as he shares his insights on these and other… Read more

🔥 How can I take my students and their learning outdoors? 🔥 How do students win when learning occurs outside the school building? 🔥 How do curriculum, feedback, and assessment appear in outdoor environments? Join me for this conversation with LAUREN MACLEAN as she shares her insights on these and other critical… Read more

🔥 What does it mean to create a classroom of abundance? 🔥 How can we make multiple iterations of work an integral part of our learning culture? 🔥 How can we build strong relationships with our students at the start of the school year? Join me for this conversation with ADRIAN NEIBAUER as he shares his insights on… Read more

🔥 What are the core ingredients of successful school leadership teams? 🔥 How important is mindset when it comes to the effectiveness of a school leader? 🔥 What is one piece of advice that new principals, APs, and teacher-leaders should consider as they head into this school year? Join me for this conversation with… Read more

🔥 What is one mindset shift I need to make as a teacher in 2024? 🔥 Why do student-centered approaches matter now more than ever? 🔥 How can generative AI support project-based learning in the classroom? Join me for this conversation with Hong Kong educator KYLE WAGNER as he shares his insights on these and other… Read more

🔥 How can we create a sense of belonging for every learner? 🔥 How can we make the physical spaces of our schools more welcoming? 🔥 What are 1-2 tangible daily practices that we can use to promote cultures of positivity in our schools? Join me for this conversation with BC educator MORGANE MICHAEL as she shares her… Read more

🔥 How can play-based learning change mindsets in Math class? 🔥 How can teachers develop core competencies in their students? 🔥 What can a collaborative learning model look like in your classroom? Join me for this conversation with BC educator ASHLEY BODNAR as she shares her insights on these and other questions.… Read more

🔥 Have generative AI tools killed the essay? 🔥 In a world of screens, why are paper books more important than ever? 🔥 How are smartphones changing the ways that students learn, and how should educators respond? Join me for this conversation with BC educator LISA GREEN as she shares her insights on these and other… Read more

🔥 What is next for Jake Miller? 🔥 What does duct tape teach us about education technology? 🔥 How should teachers be thinking about AI tools as they return to school? Join me for this conversation with JAKE MILLER as he shares his insights on these and other questions. About This Guest: Jake is an accomplished… Read more

🔥 What are some educational leadership norms worth challenging? 🔥 How are AI tools changing learning and instruction in rural school settings? 🔥 How can I define my personal mission and guiding principles as an educator? Join me for this conversation with TYLER COMEAU as he shares his insights on these and other… Read more

🔥 What does it mean to lead from the middle? 🔥 How can we empower students and build student agency in 2024? 🔥 How can we build systems of continuous improvement in our schools? Join me for this conversation with education leader DANELLE ALMARAZ as she shares her insights on these and other questions. About This… Read more

🔥 What does a school culture of leadership look like? 🔥 What are the five pillars of effective school leadership? 🔥 What do teachers want more from their principals: presents or their presence? Join me for this conversation with education leader ALLYSON APSEY as she shares insights on these and other questions.… Read more

🔥 What was one takeaway from ISTE 2024? 🔥 What does it take to write and publish a book for the first time? 🔥 What role does food play in the context of education and learning? Join me for this conversation with Texas educator GABRIEL CARRILLO as he shares insights on these and other questions. About This Guest:… Read more

🔥 What does it take to become an education content creator? 🔥 What do education leaders need to know about privacy issues in AI? 🔥 What roles will AR and VR technologies play in the future of learning? Join me for this conversation with Texas educator FONZ MENDOZA as he shares his insights. About This Guest: Fonz… Read more

🔥 What are the biggest wins for teachers that generative AI can provide? 🔥 How can we help students avoid plagiarism while supporting the creative process? 🔥 Is it possible for ChatGPT to know too much about us? Join me for this conversation with New Jersey educator TIM BELMONT as he shares his insights. ABOUT THIS… Read more

🔥 What’s the purpose of assessment? 🔥 How can we rehumanize assessment through story? 🔥 What does it take to lead an assessment revolution in our schools? Join me for this conversation with NATALIE VARDABASSO as she shares her insights. ABOUT THIS GUEST: Natalie has served as a high school and middle school… Read more

🔥 What do we need to know about Depth of Knowledge? 🔥 How can schools build inclusive cultures and improve student behavior? 🔥 What are learning progressions, and how can they support student learning? Join me for this conversation with JENNIFER MOROZ as she shares her insights. ABOUT THIS GUEST: Jen is a BC… Read more

🔥 Are we about tasks or learning? 🔥 How do our beliefs about assessment shape absolutely everything we do? 🔥 How has it become acceptable to do nothing in a classroom, and what can we do about it? Join me for this conversation with MELISSA DEAN as she shares her insights. ABOUT THIS GUEST: Melissa is a high school… Read more

🔥Is our influence making an impact? 🔥How can we live, work, and serve others in alignment with our assignment? 🔥How can we clear away the clutter of our lives and move our personal mission toward success? Join me for this conversation with CHIP BAKER as he shares his insights. ABOUT THIS GUEST: Chip is a fourth… Read more

🔥 How can we reach bored students in the classroom? 🔥 How can our gradebooks better support individual student growth? 🔥 How should teachers be thinking about AI and evidence of learning? Join me for this conversation with TYLER RABLIN as he shares his insights. ABOUT THIS GUEST: Tyler is an award-winning… Read more

🔥 How can I control the chaos of my classroom? 🔥 What is Kami, and how can it support student learning? 🔥 What does it take to build an education YouTube channel? Join me for this conversation with STEPHANIE HOWELL as she shares her insights. ABOUT THIS GUEST: In education since 2014, Stephanie has been widely… Read more

🔥 How can we assess our own social-emotional health, and what are some easy steps that we can take to strengthen it? Join me for this conversation with former Teacher of the Year WENDY TURNER as we dig into these and other critical questions. Wendy is a gifted communicator and brings incredible value that you won't… Read more

🔥 What’s your take on AI’s impact on K-12 education? 🔥 How can student voice and choice change the homework conversation? 🔥 What's your best advice for new teachers? Join me in LIVE conversation with ALEX VALENCIC as we dig into these and other critical questions. ABOUT THIS GUEST: Alex is an educator, former small… Read more

🔥 When is it time to leave the classroom? 🔥 Do teachers have any options outside of education? 🔥 What are the questions we must ask ourselves in order to determine whether or not we're where we should be Join me in conversation with Ashley Philipps as we discuss her journey, lessons learned, and the hopeful message… Read more

🔥 How do you recharge your fire over spring break? 🔥 What advice would you share with new teachers? Join me and Lauren MacLean, Tim Stephenson, and Bryon Carpenter for this unique episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast. Tune in for my regular Teachers on Fire interviews, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday… Read more

🔥 How can student-led conferences and portfolios transform learning and instruction? 🔥 What does meaningful feedback look like? 🔥 How can assessment practices empower our students? Join me in conversation with assessment author and speaker STARR SACKSTEIN as we dig into these and other important questions. ABOUT… Read more

🔥 How can you build better relationships with your students WITHOUT spending money or buying candy? 🔥 What are some quick and easy practices that will pay the biggest dividends in the life of your classroom? Join me in conversation with middle school teacher and technology advocate LAURA BOYD. ABOUT THIS GUEST:… Read more

🔥 How can drama activities support learners of all ages? 🔥 What are some easy ways that we can bring drama into our classrooms? 🔥 Where should I go to get started with drama? Join me in LIVE conversation with drama teacher and author SAM MARSDEN as we dig into the power of drama for all learners. ABOUT THIS GUEST:… Read more

Join me and Phil Stringer in this conversation as we discuss Math, assessment, and the science of learning. PHIL STRINGER is the department head of mathematics at Crofton House School in Vancouver. With over 25 years in education, Phil has presented locally, nationally, and internationally on assessment and pedagogy.… Read more

It’s a thrill to get into creative design with elementary learners. Students at this age are fearless. They’re curious. They’re ready to create anything. And they’re ready to expand their creative powers. If you’re teaching in similar spaces, here is a list of tools, design challenges, and creative tasks that I’ve… Read more

KIM STROBEL is a renowned motivational speaker, sought after by schools, businesses, and organizations worldwide. She specializes in empowering educators and professionals, equipping them with the necessary tools and strategies to shift their mindsets, reclaim their happiness, reignite their passion, and lead with… Read more

I will never forget one of my high school science teachers. He was a good man. A decent person. His instructional practices weren’t exactly progressive, but he meant well. The biggest problem for him was that he had a very short fuse. Get under his skin, and things could really unravel. He would raise his voice. His… Read more

Should EFFORT and ATTITUDE be GRADED in PE class? Join me for this edited conversation with Josh Ogilvie as we tackle this and other challenges related to physical education, health, curricular standards, and assessment. Welcome to Teachers on Fire interviews, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:00… Read more

When it comes to names I trust in education, Danny Steele and Todd Whitaker are near the top of that list. They love people. They’re passionate about learning. They’re bold and don’t hesitate to tell it like it is. Essential Truths for Teachers isn’t a book about instructional practice. It’s not about classroom… Read more

I'm finally finished with vacationing, jet lag, and illness - now back in the interviewer's chair and excited to get back to the weekly podcast. DOK, inquiry, standards, and so much more: Here's the edited version of my conversation with Erik Francis. Enjoy! Welcome to Teachers on Fire interviews, airing LIVE on… Read more

Should student phones be banned in our K-12 schools? Join us for this debate - recorded live on Saturday, December 16, 2023. OPPOSING a ban on student phones is Christopher J. Nesi. Chris is a passionate educator, podcast host, and thought leader. With over 15 years of experience in the classroom, he has dedicated his… Read more

Welcome to the last edition of Saturday Morning Teacher Talk for 2023 and the indefinite future. I’ve enjoyed doing these mini-episodes but will be changing up my content format in 2024. Education X Posts Featured in This Episode: Teacher2Teacher asks: How do we let our students know their work is amazing? Joelie… Read more

LYNNETTE EARLE is a high school teacher of 15+ years. She is currently teaching career-life education and a family studies ADST trio of courses as well as her own developed course: Intro to Careers in Teaching 12. Join this conversation to learn how Lynnette’s journeys with assessment, UDL, and design thinking are… Read more

Welcome to Saturday Morning Teacher Talk, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:30 Pacific and 11:30 Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast. Education X Posts Featured in This Episode: Howie Hua shares about a student self-reflection activity that he bookends at the… Read more

ASHLEY AOKI is a settler and educator in School District #67 in British Columbia. She currently serves on the leadership team at the Network of Inquiry and Indigenous Education, and is passionate about educating for quality and equity so all learners can thrive. Join this conversation to learn how spirals of… Read more

Welcome to Saturday Morning Teacher Talk, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:30 Pacific and 11:30 Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast. Education X Posts Featured in This Episode: What's the best way to motivate more student learning? Natalie Vardabasso points us to… Read more

JOSH TOVAR is the proud principal at Memorial Pathway Academy in Garland ISD. He’s been in education for over thirty years and has served at all levels from elementary to university. Josh is the proud son of Virginia and Jesus Tovar, a proud immigrant to the USA, and former US Marine. Welcome to Teachers on Fire… Read more

Welcome to Saturday Morning Teacher Talk, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:30 Pacific and 11:30 Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast. Education X Posts Featured in This Episode: Emily asks: Do you provide time for students to reflect on their learning after a lesson… Read more

JASON KENNEDY is a 23 year veteran educator with experience in classrooms from elementary through college. He has served as an instructional coach, school building administrator and district administrator. His passion lies in collaborating with others in designing highest quality learning for all learners. Welcome to… Read more

Welcome to Saturday Morning Teacher Talk, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:30 Pacific and 11:30 Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast. Education X Posts Featured in This Episode: Tierney Kennedy asks "How would you creatively reduce teachers' workload/stress without… Read more

BRYAN GLOVER has served as a middle and high school teacher of science, principal, and district administrator. He is back in the classroom trying to bring to life a vision of learning that centers students' curiosity, agency, and creativity. Welcome to Teachers on Fire interviews, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday… Read more

Welcome to Saturday Morning Teacher Talk, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:30 Pacific and 11:30 Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast. Education X Posts Featured in This Episode: Teacher2Teacher shares a Vocabulary Throwdown frame, courtesy of Jill Webs. The frame… Read more

MELISSA BLACK has been an early childhood educator and teacher leader for over fifteen years. She believes that all children are capable of learning and achieving great success and believes that the role of a teacher is truly the work of an activist and requires the skills of an artist. Welcome to Teachers on Fire… Read more

Welcome to Saturday Morning Teacher Talk, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:30 Pacific and 11:30 Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast. MAKING NEWS on X THIS WEEK: What advice would you give a new teacher feeling that late-fall energy slump? (from Teacher 2 Teacher)… Read more

JEREMY JORGENSEN is a veteran teacher of 25 years who's passionate about learning, teaching, working with kids, and supporting educators. Welcome to Teachers on Fire interviews, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 9:00 Pacific and 12:00 Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the… Read more

Welcome to Saturday Morning Teacher Talk, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:30 Pacific and 11:30! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast. MAKING NEWS on X THIS WEEK: Natalie Vardabasso calls out a series of oppressive assessment practices that she "has something to say about."… Read more

Welcome to Saturday Morning Teacher Talk, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:30 Pacific and 11:30! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast. MAKING NEWS on X THIS WEEK: California's Governor Newsom just signed a bill requiring cursive writing (handwriting) to be taught to all… Read more

Welcome to Saturday Morning Teacher Talk, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:30 Pacific and 11:30! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast. MAKING NEWS on X THIS WEEK: Scare a teacher in four words! Thanks to @TeacherGoals for this fun challenge. Dr. Brad Johnson reminds us to show… Read more

Welcome to Saturday Morning Teacher Talk, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:30 Pacific and 11:30! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast. MAKING NEWS on X THIS WEEK: In this edition: Bill Ferriter says that "Giving zeros is one of the most unprofessional actions a teacher can… Read more

Welcome to Saturday Morning Teacher Talk, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:30 Pacific and 11:30! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast. MAKING NEWS on X THIS WEEK: Welcome to Saturday Morning Teacher Talk, going LIVE every Saturday morning. Join the conversation and see your… Read more

Welcome to Saturday Morning Teacher Talk, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:30 Pacific and 11:30! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast. On X This Week: 0:45 - Where are YOU on the Teacher Hierarchy of Needs right now? (Dr. Brad Johnson) 3:33 - Tony Vincent shows off the new… Read more

Join me LIVE for Saturday Morning Teacher Talk at 8:30 Pacific, 11:30 Eastern on YouTube! Here's what we discussed on this edition of the show: How many hours of school work are you putting in daily outside of contractual hours? (Fixing Education) My colleague dreads coming to work each day. What can I say to them?… Read more

Dear New Teacher, Thank you for joining the teaching community. Thank you for your commitment to the learning and growth of our little people. Thank you for bringing your optimism, your ideas, your passions into our world. We love you. We need you. We’re glad you’re here. And it’s because we appreciate you that we… Read more

Here's the bitter truth about student video submissions. They take forever to fully review. FOREVER. Some of my dear students sincerely expect me to watch every second of everything they post. Bless their hearts, but I can’t meet that demand and stay sane at the same time. What are we to do? Should we just give up and… Read more

The next morning, my principal was his usual encouraging self. At first. “Great email, Tim. Your communication was professional as always. There’s just one small issue.” Uh oh. Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written… Read more

My creative silence is both a symptom and a cause, so finding the time and bandwidth to create again is bringing my fire back this summer. How are YOU recharging, colleague?

What does the world’s most successful YouTuber have to say about creativity, learning, and education? [TIMESTAMPS BELOW] 0:00:00 - Meet Mr. Beast! He's the world's most successful YouTuber. 0:27 - What does Jimmy think about education, learning, and creativity? 0:52 - Lesson 1 from Mr. Beast: Extreme learning… Read more

Are you ever bothered by school emails or communications stealing your personal time?  Here are two radical suggestions that have been game-changers for me. Let me know what you think. TIMESTAMPS  0:00:00 - The problems of phone-related stress for teachers  1:43 - Scheduled emails problem no. 1: they… Read more

I’m writing this post from a delightful cafe in a quaint little touristy town near my home. The sunshine is pouring in through three walls of windows. Steam from my freshly brewed coffee wafts lazily upward. A creamy slice of carrot cake sits waiting to be consumed. Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark… Read more

Love or hate the policy decision — speaking, teaching, and breathing just became physically easier for exhausted educators across North America. Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections, which you can find on the… Read more

The reality: not every student has submitted the required products for a particular learning activity by the due date or deadline. What should the responsible teacher do? Here’s how some teachers respond: They update checklists of unsubmitted assignments on a weekly or daily basis. They regularly post names of… Read more

I knew that if we were to improve this student-teacher relationship and get learning back on track, this student would need to feel fully heard by the teacher. And the teacher would need to feel heard by the student. A meeting seemed like a logical next step. But I wanted to approach this very carefully. I wanted to… Read more

We recognize that our assessment beliefs and practices fundamentally shape every other aspect of learning that occurs in the school environment. As such, we engage in constant professional learning and seek to apply evidence-based thinking to our practices. Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your… Read more

Following the thread, I had a startling realization. It’s a thought that I’m sure has crossed many educators’ minds over the last two years. We don’t even let our middle schoolers behave like this. Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based… Read more

How could you be so sure that your wonderful class or school community was X … only to hear that others view it as Y? Simple. You’re doing lots of great things within your own walls. But you’re doing a really bad job of telling your story. Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite… Read more

Dale Carnegie once said that “A person’s name is to that person, the sweetest, most important sound in any language.” And so it is. If we want to build meaningful culture, community, and relationships in our schools, we need to learn our students’ names. This is one way to do it. Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments… Read more

This episode comes to you from a Tim Hortons coffee shop. Host Tim Cavey is joined by fellow edu podcasters Tim Stephenson (Science 360) and Bryon Carpenter (Fresh Air at Five). This is a learning conversation. We talk about what’s firing us up, the content that keeps us going, and the practices that stoke our fires.… Read more

Guess what, administrators. If you want your educators to teach responsively, dynamically, and sustainably, then you’ve got to create safe spaces for experimentation. That means that it has to be okay for teachers to try some new things. To leave the familiar from time to time. To make spontaneous decisions. And to… Read more

Think for a moment. What if there was a physical skill that could actively determine an adult’s willingness to write virtually anything of length for any reason? What if this single skill determined whether basic academic tasks required minutes or hours? And what if proficiency in this same skill dramatically limited… Read more

Put your K-12 assessment tools to the test with 15 powerful questions. Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections, which you can find on the Teachers on Fire Magazine at Medium.com. Read the blog post featured in… Read more

We’re all developing learners. Every last one of us. As adults, we often have the luxury of walking away from learning that proves difficult or doesn’t interest us. Students in our current models of K-12 (or at least K-8) don’t usually have that option. So when we see our kids in the learning pit, let’s not panic or… Read more

In 2017, I attended ISTE in San Antonio, Texas. ISTE, or The International Society for Technology in Education, hosts the largest conference for educational technology in the world. My first visit to the exhibitors’ hall was eye-opening. Wow, I thought. There are a lot of edtech companies in education right now.… Read more

I first read Ron Berger’s Leaders of Their Own Learning in 2018, and I’ve been sold on the power of learning targets ever since. I believe they’re an essential part of successful instruction, assessment, and student learning. I post learning targets on my Google Docs. On Slides. On Classroom. On Seesaw. I try to refer… Read more

Choosing the path of sanity and sustainability isn’t easy at first. It requires trusting the process. It involves sharing agency and ownership with students. It requires the release of teacher guilt formed by the wages mindset of assessment. But take courage, colleagues. This is the path to joy in our work. The path… Read more

In this edition of the Roundtable, host Tim Cavey is a panel of educators who are passionate about the learning opportunities created by virtual whiteboard tools. Join Melissa Aveling, Kate Stevens, Lise Farquhar, Tim Belmont, and Jeffery Frieden on an audio tour of Google Jamboard, Padlet, Whiteboard.fi, and… Read more

In this edition of the Roundtable, host Tim Cavey is joined by Becky Keene and Kathi Kersznowski, authors of Sail the 7 Cs with Microsoft Education: Stories from around the World to Transform and Inspire. Welcome to Roundtables: livestreamed conversations meant to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your… Read more

What’s our ultimate vision for Seesaw? We want to use Seesaw to help us strengthen our culture of growth, reflection, and learning. We want the Seesaw journal to be so informative that engaged parents and reflective students have a clear sense of their learning progress every step of the way. No surprises at report… Read more

In this edition of the Roundtable, host Tim Cavey connects with educators who are passionate about improving the shape of professional learning: Mark Ryan, Vince Bustamante, Min Suh, Kate Stevens, and Jeffery Frieden. We discuss best practices for most powerful professional learning, asynchronous tools, how to capture… Read more

In this edition of the Roundtable, host Tim Cavey connects with the well-loved Chey Cheney and Pav Wander, co-hosts of The Staffroom Podcast and The Drive with Chey & Pav. Find out what sets these two Toronto educators on fire and what motivates them to share their ideas. Welcome to Roundtables: livestreamed… Read more

In this edition of the Roundtable, host Tim Cavey connects with guests Kevin Van Lagen, Nikki Lavergne, Melody McAllister, Tammy G. Neil, and Dr. Casey T. Jakubowski to discuss the state of rural education today. What are the WINS worthy of celebration in rural education? What are the biggest CHALLENGES that rural… Read more

In this edition of the Roundtable, host Tim Cavey connects with Rita Rai, Nadia Irshad, and Peter Anderson from Glarea Elevated Learning (https://glareaschool.com/), a school that is charting a unique path to learning and instruction.  What is challenge-based learning, how does it help students, and how does it… Read more

In this edition of the Roundtable, host Tim Cavey connects with five Latina superintendents who are providing bold leadership to school districts in California (and now Texas). It’s a tremendous honor to bring you their stories. Welcome to Roundtables: livestreamed conversations meant to warm your heart, spark your… Read more

In this edition of the Roundtable, host Tim Cavey connects with five educators from the Assessment Consortium of BC. The purpose of ACBC is “To foster growth in assessment literacy for educators in British Columbia that will lead to sustainable and equitable practices, benefiting learners from K to post-secondary.”… Read more

JAMAL CROOK is an assistant principal in the Tampa Bay area of Florida and a co-host of the StartEdUp podcast with Don Wettrick. FOLLOW Jamal: On Twitter @JamalCrook (https://twitter.com/JamalCrook) On YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8I00930Uk5PQMocAIqv9WQ VISIT https://teachersonfire.net/ for all the… Read more

Dr. Eric Guise is a teacher, technology specialist, doctor of education, podcaster, YouTube creator, lifelong learner, and I’m grateful to call him a friend. FOLLOW Dr. Eric Guise on social media On Twitter @GuiseGotTeched (https://twitter.com/GuiseGotTechEd) On Twitter @WeGotTeched (https://twitter.com/WeGotTechED)… Read more

CHARLES WILLIAMS has served in urban education for over 15 years as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal while working with students in grades PK - 12. He has developed innovative programs and structures that have resulted in successful schools in both Indiana and Illinois. He has also presented and spoken at… Read more

If you found yourself in survival mode this year, I see you. Be kind to yourself. Accept what this year was. Take time to reflect. Release. Recover. Recharge and get well. Then revisit and reinvest. Then come the fall, you and I will once again leave the comfort zone. We’ll stretch ourselves. We’ll take risks. We’ll… Read more

"Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It’s a gift to the world and every being in it." — Steven Pressfield Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections, which you can… Read more

I do not enjoy learning how to assemble IKEA furniture. Or fix cars. Or cook. Or complete home renovations. These are tasks that I will do to the extent that I have to, but they don’t interest or inspire me. And although I want to remain curious about all of the world around me … perhaps they never will. What I’ve… Read more

One of the things I’ve found about teaching Math is that it helps to have a regular, real-time sense of student learning. For ALL of my students. As we take on new skills (or scaffold off older ones), what is their current proficiency level? Do they really understand a concept, or are they just keeping their head down… Read more

How has COVID-19 changed professional learning? How have livestream platforms changed the face of professional development? Where are these tools taking us and what opportunities do they present? Join us as we discuss these and other questions around livestream platforms and professional development. CONNECT with… Read more

The 3 Caffeinated Coaches are nothing short of inspiring. United by Twitter and hailing from different parts of the planet, these three education leaders collaborate on work around coaching, leadership, educational technology, and best practices. Join host Tim Cavey as he chats with Georgina Dean, Shannon Moore, and… Read more

How can we help our English students improve their reading and writing while saving our sanity? Are the iconic stacks of papers actually avoidable? Guests Marisa Thompson, Matthew Johnson, Tyler Rablin, and Gina Benz as we dig into these and other important questions for today’s English teacher. Welcome to… Read more

Is educator self-care even possible during a PANDEMIC? Can we actually do better than aim for SURVIVAL? How can we move from burnout to rekindled FIRE? Catch my conversation with Lindsay Titus, Dan Tricarico, and Dori Katsionis as we dig into all this and more. Welcome to Roundtables: livestreamed conversations meant… Read more

Recently I was asked how I could justify the publishing of student work. What was the educational value in sharing student content on podcasts that can be listened to throughout the world? That’s a fair question, and it deserves a thoughtful answer. Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and… Read more

Are you a Google educator? Do you learn and teach with Chromebooks or in a Google-based school? Join host Tim Cavey and John Sowash from the Chromebook Classroom for the first edition of the Chromebook Classroom update, a monthly episode that explores the latest developments in the world of Google Chromebooks,… Read more

This edition of the EDU Podcaster Summit features Barbara Bray from the Rethinking Learning podcast, Dr. Wesley Fryer from the EdTech Situation Room podcast, and Lainie Rowell from the Lemonade Learning podcast. Welcome to EDU Podcaster Summits: livestreamed introductions to other educational podcasters and their… Read more

In this edition of the Roundtable, Tim Cavey hosts a rich discussion of instructional coaching in the classroom: why, wins, challenges, and strategies for implementation. Guests included Victoria Thompson, Darryl Deboer, Dr. Dan Kreiness, Kathy Perret, and Dr. Rachel Johnson. Welcome to Roundtables: livestreamed… Read more

In this edition of the Roundtable, Tim Cavey facilitates a conversation around student-led conferences: why, how, and best practices. Guests included Starr Sackstein, Melisa Hayes, Skylar Primm, Jeffery Frieden, and Victoria Thompson. Welcome to Roundtables: livestreamed conversations meant to warm your heart, spark… Read more

In this edition of the Roundtable, host Tim Cavey connects with four female educators united by passion, values, and a commitment to make the world a better place through education. Guests included Abigail French, Hedreich Nichols, Bonnie Nieves, and Kellie Bahri. Welcome to Roundtables: livestreamed conversations… Read more

On January 1, 2021, host Tim Cavey tweeted “All right, educators. Who’s up for the 10,000 push-up challenge this year? We’ll need to average 28 per day and track our progress together.” At the time, he hoped that maybe a few educators might join him. To his surprise, the tweet was liked hundreds of times, and over 170… Read more

What’s YOUR One Word for 2021? This year, I want to simultaneously stream and be a stream: flowing with consistency, connecting others, and bringing life. Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections, which you can… Read more

What’s YOUR One Word for 2021? Join host Tim Cavey and seven educators for a heart-warming conversation of shared hopes and dreams for growth and transformation in 2021. Welcome to Roundtables: livestreamed conversations meant to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice. HERE WERE… Read more

Have YOU got a book in you? Join host Tim Cavey and authors Rachelle Dene Poth, David Frangiosa, and Jillian DuBois for a conversation about inspiration, going for it, and best practices for publishing. Welcome to Roundtables: livestreamed conversations meant to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your… Read more

TAMMY BREITWEISER is a primary teacher, prolific writer, and podcaster. Her commitment to the learning of her students is matched only by her dedication to personal growth; complacency is not a word you will ever associate with Tammy. On her Twitter profile, she writes “I am the Accidental Inspirationalist and a… Read more

In this edition of the Roundtable, host Tim Cavey connects with six inspiring educational technology podcasters to discuss the best learning apps and tools of 2020. In this year of unprecedented challenges, which companies and innovators stepped up to support learning? Welcome to Roundtables: livestreamed… Read more

2020 began with so much promise. But we all know how that went. Even with the chaos, disappointments, and impossible challenges, what were the wins? What can we celebrate? How did we learn and grow? Welcome to Roundtables: livestreamed conversations meant to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your… Read more

Teacher FItness. We KNOW it's important. But as the days get shorter and our stress gets higher, it's JUST. SO. HARD. Welcome to Roundtables: livestreamed conversations meant to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice. QUESTIONS THAT GUIDED OUR DISCUSSION Q1. Who are you and what is… Read more

When it comes to professional comparison, we have two choices. We can indulge in the judge-and-be-judged framework by avoiding the work of other education professionals in order to protect our self-confidence. Or we can embrace the learn-and-help-learn framework by engaging in professional comparison and building… Read more

DR. HAYLEY WATSON is the founder of Open Parachute, an organization that supports the mental and emotional wellbeing of teachers, parents, and students. She is a clinical psychologist, entrepreneur, and documentary filmmaker with a PhD in bullying interventions, and she’s been creating and delivering programs for… Read more

These two learning management systems are a partnership made in LMS heaven. Wherever your loyalties currently lie, I think you'll find this discussion helpful and interesting. Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written… Read more

STEPHANIE EDMONDS. Stephanie is a passionate high school educator in the Bronx, NY. She’s a mom, a content creator, YouTuber, a hockey player, an activist, and - as her brand indicates - a disruptor! Follow Stephanie On Twitter @classdisrupti0n (https://twitter.com/classdisrupti0n) On Instagram @Class.Disruption… Read more

Back to school has never looked like this. Teachers, students, parents, and districts across the globe face an uncertain future as they navigate the experience of learning through a pandemic. Thankfully, schools with a baseline of internet access and technology resources can turn to a growing host of apps and… Read more

GABRIEL CARRILLO is an Instructional Technology Specialist in San Antonio, TX. He currently supports teachers with all of their EdTech needs in the classroom including troubleshooting, planning lessons/units with teachers, modeling lessons for teachers, and providing professional development. He's presented at various… Read more

In a few days, for districts headed for F2F instruction, hundreds of students will fill our buildings. They’ll come with spanky new shoes and that first-day sense of nervous excitement. And they’ll look to their teachers for the same things they always have: a passion for teaching, care for their well-being, interest… Read more

BRIAN ASPINALL is a globe-trekking educator on a mission to encourage everyone to take risks in their learning! Brian is a TED-X speaker and has authored several books, including Code Breaker, Block Breaker, and Risk Taker. Follow Brian: On Twitter @MrAspinall (https://twitter.com/mraspinall) On Instagram @MrAspinall… Read more

My new position has me psyched to start new initiatives, explore the greatest pedagogies, and experiment with the latest learning tools. But a lot of that will have to wait. The reality is that we face chaotic circumstances. There is so much uncertainty. And again, so many questions. What will we do when staff members… Read more

ANN KOZMA is the Educator Innovation Lead at Flipgrid and presents regularly at education conferences across the country including CUE, ISTE, and many others. Her heart beats for student voice, choice, agency, and inclusion for all. Her personal blog is titled Tech, Travel, Teach, and that sounds like a winning… Read more

Doubt, discouragement, and disillusionment: as education professionals, most of us have experienced these emotions at one time or another. Deep in those periods of adversity, it can be tempting to only see the success stories. The victories. The stories of achievement and accomplishment. And we can forget that others… Read more

ERIKA SANDSTROM is where green screens meet social-emotional learning. She is a digital media teacher and instructional coach for 6-8th grades who loves nothing more than sharing her creative passions with students of all ages. Erika is the founder of @ClubMindful and #LogOff4Living. Her motto? "Cultivating… Read more

In this turbulent season of education and with more demands on us than ever before, teachers and education leaders need to find efficiencies wherever possible. Our mental, physical, and social health depend on it. With that in mind, here are some of the productivity hacks, habits, and mindsets that former guests of… Read more

REBECCA GIBBONEY is a curriculum specialist at BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 in Williamsport, PA. She is also the author of The Tiebreaker: A Scouting Report on Building a Culture of Gamification in Professional Learning. Rebecca is passionate about two things in life: education and sports, and she combines both passions… Read more

My interviews with educators on the Teachers on Fire podcast are simply conversations that could be enjoyed between two professionals over a phone call. But instead, they’re being heard thousands of times by educators everywhere. And perhaps that is the simplest way to summarize the contrast between synchronous and… Read more

BRUCE REICHER is a dad, husband, author, technology teacher, sportscaster, state presenter, and Google Certified Educator. He is also an edtech master and has certifications from Brainpop, Wevideo, Wakelet, and other platforms. Bruce is a co-author of Scripted: An Educator’s Guide to Media in the Classroom, which is… Read more

What might it look like if as a professional learning community, we took ten minutes out of every week to answer these questions from the context of our professional practice and shared our results with each other? 1. What are you currently learning about professionally? What problem are you wrestling with in your… Read more

PAWAN WANDER, or “Pav,” as she is known around Twitter, is a middle school math and science teacher in Toronto, a co-host of The Staff Room Podcast (@StaffPodcast), and a co-host of The Drive with Chey and Pav, a real-time radio show for educators. FOLLOW Pav … On Twitter @PavWander (https://twitter.com/PavWander) On… Read more

To help educators think strategically about moving from surviving to thriving, Grace Voo (@GraceLoVoo) put together a beautiful graphic that illustrates 50 Strategies to Move from Surviving to Thriving. Inspired by her collage, I’ve decided to share some of the ways that I intend to restore my soul and bring back my… Read more

DR. FRANCOIS NAUDE is an award-winning teacher, education engineer, co-founder of the Work Integrated Learning tracker, speaker, presenter, author, podcaster, consultant, mentor, entrepreneur, and Crossfit fan. FOLLOW Francois … On Twitter @Super_Teacher_F (https://twitter.com/Super_Teacher_F) On Instagram… Read more

I’ve taught in schools in four cities. In each context, the student populations have been majority non-white while the staff populations have been majority white. Take my two stepsons, for example. They are finishing tenth and eighth grade. Their father is white and their mother is Filipino, although to see them you… Read more

MIKE WASHBURN is a Microsoft in Education expert, the Director of Engagement at @Participate, co-host of the fabulous @OnEducationPod, and the co-founder of the @OnPodcastMedia podcast network. When you visit Mike’s website you encounter this phrase: Passionately Educating, Constantly Learning - and that really… Read more

Recently a friend reached out to me with a question. “I’m thinking of becoming a teacher,” he shared. “What do you think?” I’m 41, and I’ve been teaching for 19 years, so I have a pretty good sense of this profession. But education looks different for everyone. The stakes are high in this field. It takes a lot to get… Read more

EVAN WHITEHEAD is a school district administrator, national consultant for the Aha Process, and an advocate for equity, mental health, mindfulness, and the UN sustainable development goals in education. FOLLOW Evan … On Twitter @EvanWhitehead00 (https://twitter.com/EvanWhitehead00) On Facebook at… Read more

Back in the normal classroom, I seat students in groups because it’s in their engagement, their interaction, their support of each other’s work that they develop the 5 Cs each and every day. They learn to communicate effectively. They learn to collaborate and negotiate. They learn to critique each other’s work kindly,… Read more

SHANNON SCHINKEL is an inclusive BC high school drama teacher, progressive assessment maker, part time actor, blogger, and reader. She is also the creator and administrator of two Facebook groups called Beyond Report Cards and Humanities Zone on Facebook. Follow Shannon on Twitter @DramaQueenBRC, on her blog at… Read more

Drawing boundaries with our time isn’t easy, and I’ll admit that there are ebbs and flows in the course of the school year. But I believe it’s essential, because Parkinson’s Law is a thing. Give this work more time, and it will take it. I’ve learned to draw boundaries instead. I’ve learned to pursue some personal… Read more

ANDREA FERRERO brings over a decade of experience in teaching and learning, curriculum and program development, and community capacity building together to design award winning educational programs and digital products. She holds a teaching credential in PreK-12th grade multiple subjects and two Master’s degrees in… Read more

Teaching is partly about loving kids enough to empower them. It’s about teaching them how to fish instead of just tossing them more fish. And in the remote learning environment, there’s never been a better time for students to learn how to learn. To use their own brains. Educators are all tech people. We’re all on a… Read more

RABBI MICHAEL COHEN is a designer, educator, creativity instigator, podcaster, YouTuber, speaker, and an Apple Distinguished Educator. He’s also the Director of Innovation at Yeshiva University of Los Angeles Boys High School and the author of Educated by Design: Designing the Space to Experiment, Explore, and Extract… Read more

9 Ways That Corona Will Improve K-12 Education: 1. Improved responses to learning inequities. 2. Increased attention to the social-emotional needs of learners. 3. Refined assessment practices. 4. Increased emphasis on skills over content. 5. Greater investment in asynchronous teaching practices. 6. Increased reliance… Read more

DR. ANNMARIE THOMAS is the director of the Playful Learning Lab, creator of Squishy Circuits, author of Making Makers, co-founder of OK Go Sandbox (co-PI), and a professor of Engineering and Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas. Dr. AnnMarie has also given a number of TED Talks and was the 2020 recipient… Read more

Featured in this episode: routines that are working, apps that are crushing, and questions I’m left with. Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections, which you can find on the Teachers on Fire Magazine at… Read more

ELENA AGUILAR is an accomplished presenter, speaker, and author. She strives to help leaders learn, be their best selves, and serve students well. In 2018, Elena published Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators, and she will soon release Coaching for Equity: Conversations That Change Practice. Follow… Read more

As educators, we will do what we can during this crisis. We will acknowledge the shape of our sadness. And we will love kids. We will serve parents. We will support each other. Where we find problems, we will form solutions. Where we lack resources, we will improvise. Where we need to change strategies, we will… Read more

EVO HANNAN is an educator, education leader, freelance designer, and speaker. He is passionate about promoting confidence in students through innovation and agency. You’ll find him on Twitter at the hashtags #Agents4Agency and #CrazyPLN. Follow Evo … On Twitter @EvoHannan (https://twitter.com/EvoHannan) On Instagram… Read more

We are facing unprecedented challenges, but there is still much to be thankful for and much to look forward to. With remote learning around the corner, listen to the letter I wrote to the parents of my 28 8th graders today. Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice.… Read more

RILEY DUECK is a sixth grade teacher in Surrey, BC, Canada. He’s a second year educator, speaker, innovator, blogger, and the host of the Not Many of You Should Become Teachers podcast. He’s also a colleague, a friend, and source of personal inspiration. Follow Riley … On Twitter @MrRileyDueck… Read more

Love, learn, and laugh: ten days in Hawaii gave me fresh perspective on what really matters in education. Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections, which you can find on the Teachers on Fire Magazine at… Read more

JESUS HUERTA is an elementary school teacher, instructor for the Krause Center for Innovation, a 3D print enthusiast, a futurist, and a believer that technology is for everyone. Follow Jesus … On Twitter @JesusH1979 (https://twitter.com/jesush1979) On Instagram @MrHuertasClass… Read more

Have you ever made statements like this? I’m not an artist. I’m just not a tech person. I’m not really a writer. Most of us have. But a closer look at what these statements imply should make us think twice. Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes… Read more

KELLIE BAHRI is a 5th grade teacher who is is committed to making a difference. She’s a supporter of the Sustainable Development Goals, a member of Nohea Kindreds, an Agent 4 Agency, and a co-founder of the @CrazyPLN. She’s also the cohost of the EDU Exchange Pod podcast. Follow Kellie … On Twitter @KBahri5… Read more

Here’s what happens when we treat grades as wages: 1️⃣ Teachers try to grade EVERYTHING 2️⃣ Teachers feel compelled to give marks for effort 3️⃣ Teachers put zeroes in gradebooks 4️⃣ Quantity > quality 5️⃣ Bonus marks distort the assessment picture Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and… Read more

WENDY TURNER is a 2nd grade teacher and the 2017 Delaware Teacher of the Year. She is interested in trauma-informed practices, global education, social-emotional learning, and works to spark empathy in education. Follow Wendy … On Twitter @MrsWendyTurner (@MrsWendyMTurner) On Facebook @2017DETOY… Read more

When parents make the decision to take their children on family vacation during school days, should they ask their children's teachers for homework for the road? In this episode, you'll hear my five reasons why I think vacation homework is a bad idea. Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking… Read more

JULIA FLISS is a 6th grade ELA teacher, activist, world changer, Sustainable Development Goals Ambassador, lifelong learner, creative, and yogi. She’s an encourager, amplifier, networker, lifelong learner, and she’s passionate about leveraging education to make the planet a better place for learners of all ages.… Read more

Do you ever sit with your students? How does it affect the learning environment? Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections, which you can find on the Teachers on Fire Magazine at Medium.com. Read the blog post… Read more

ANDREW CANLE is an Assistant Principal at Shaw Avenue School in Valley Stream, New York. He’s a three-time champion coach NBA Math Hoops, a program that engages students in math and social-emotional learning through the game of basketball. And most recently, he’s the creator of the #EDUCanle podcast! Follow Andrew …… Read more

Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections, which you can find on the Teachers on Fire Magazine at Medium.com. Read the blog post featured in this episode at… Read more

CHANEL JOHNSON is a STEMinist, an ASCD Emerging Leader, published author, K-12 Math and Science Program Specialist, instructional tech coach, and keynote presenter based in Atlanta, Georgia. Follow Chanel … On Twitter @DC_STEMtastic (https://twitter.com/DC_STEMtastic) On Instagram @DC_STEMtastic… Read more

Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections, which you can find on the Teachers on Fire Magazine at Medium.com. Read the blog post featured in this episode at… Read more

MARISA THOMPSON is a mom, wife, HS English teacher, professional development facilitator, instructor at the University of San Diego, traveler, and a liver of life! Marisa has done a lot of work on something called the TQE Method, a process that leads students through the generation of Thoughts, Questions, and… Read more

Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections, which you can find on the Teachers on Fire Magazine at Medium.com. Read the blog post featured in this episode at… Read more

CHRISTINE YOUNGHUSBAND is passionate about teaching and learning and the role of leadership in enhancing the student learning experience in K-12 and in higher education. She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2017 from Simon Fraser University (SFU) and is currently an Assistant Professor at the… Read more

Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections which you can find on the Teachers on Fire Magazine at Medium.com. Read the blog post featured in this episode at… Read more

KRISTIN MERRILL is a fourth grade teacher in Florida who specializes in language arts and strives to make lessons interactive through engagement and the use of ed tech. She and her husband make a dynamic duo in primary education and recently published a book, The Interactive Class: Using Technology to Make Learning… Read more

Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections which you can find on the Teachers on Fire Magazine at Medium.com. Read the blog post at https://medium.com/teachers-on-fire/my-one-word-for-2020-write-e42db52639a6. Song… Read more

CAITLIN KRAUSE is a learning and design specialist, education leader, keynote speaker, and an authority on VR, AR, and AI. She is also the author of Mindful by Design: A Practical Guide for Cultivating Aware, Advancing, and Authentic Learning Experiences (https://amzn.to/2O051ry). Follow Caitlin on Twitter… Read more

JONATHAN ALSHEIMER is a family man, 7th grade teacher, keynote speaker, and the author of #NextLevelTeaching: Empowering Students and Transforming School Culture. Follow Jonathan on Twitter @Mr_Alsheimer (https://twitter.com/mr_Alsheimer) and on Instagram @Mr_Alsheimer (https://www.instagram.com/mr_alsheimer/). Visit… Read more

JULIANNE ROSS-KLEINMANN is passionate about instructional technology to support teaching and learning, sharing what she’s learned with others, and community service -- her focus for over 30 years as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Inc. Julianne formally started teaching technology and became an ISTE member in the 1990s.… Read more

DR. JENNIFER PIERATT is an educator, mom, speaker, coach, and project-based learning nerd. She offers tips, tools, and inspiration for Project Based Learning and is the author of three books, including Keep It Real With PBL, Secondary: A Practical Guide for Planning Project-Based Learning. You can connect with Jenny… Read more

DANIEL BAUER is on a mission to unlock the potential of global school leaders. He’s a speaker and the host of the Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast. He’s also the author of The Better Leaders Better Schools Roadmap: Small Ideas that Lead to Big Impact, published in 2018. In our conversation, Daniel describes the… Read more

ABIGAIL FRENCH is a mother of four, a teacher of sixth graders, an advocate of public education, and an explorer of the natural world in Woodstock, VA. In our conversation, Abby recalls the how and why behind the jaw-dropping snake capture video pinned to the top of her Twitter feed. She describes the challenges she… Read more

Dr. DOUGLAS FISHER is a Professor of Educational Leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High & Middle College. He is a member of the California Reading Hall of Fame and is the recipient of an International Reading Association Celebrate Literacy Award, the Farmer award for… Read more

VERNON WRIGHT is an education leader, administrator, speaker, host, editor, coach, and consultant. He’s a voice for the people, he pours into relationships, and he lives to serve, motivate, and inspire others in authentic ways. In our conversation, Vernon recalls a delicate situation of having to coach an… Read more

DEANNA LOUGH is an English teacher, aspiring leader, kid Mom, puppy Mom, Mrs, theater lover, and lover of all things inspiring and positive. In our conversation, Deanna recalls a period in her career when she was pushed to the brink by the weight of her work. She talks about her passion for equity and inclusion and… Read more

TREVOR MACKENZIE is a learner, teacher, speaker, consultant, and outdoor enthusiast. He is regarded by many as the preeminent voice on inquiry-based learning today, authoring Dive into Inquiry: Amplify Learning and Empower Student Voice (https://amzn.to/33fGvZE) and co-authoring Inquiry Mindset: Nurturing the Dreams,… Read more

ANDREW AREVALO is an educator, speaker, innovator, and game designer with passions for blended learning, design thinking, and gamification. Andrew has his Master’s degree in education and has been recognized as a CUE Emerging Teacher. In our conversation, Andrew recalls the dilemma he faced when he realized that an… Read more

TIFFANY OTT is a high school Math teacher, a Director of Curriculum Development with the Teach Better Team, and the founder of #MasteryChat. She’s also a co-author of the recently published book Teach Better, and she’ll be playing a big role to play in the upcoming Teach Better Conference! In our conversation, Tiffany… Read more

DR. WILL DEYAMPORT III is an edtech specialist, documentary producer, and the producer and host of the Dr. Will Show, a podcast for educators looking to improve their impact and increase their quality of life. In our conversation, Dr. Will describes a time when district budget cuts led him to believe that he would… Read more

LISA JOHNSON is an educator by day, blogger by night, and the author of Creatively Productive: Essential Skills for Tackling Time Wasters, Clearing the Clutter, and Succeeding in School—and Life! In our conversation, Lisa recalls the time she was challenged for curating education and technology resources on a personal… Read more

DR. JACIE MASLYK is an educator, speaker, and author at ISTE, SolutionTree, and Steam-makers.com. She’s an Assistant Superintendent for the Hopewell Area School District in Aliquippa, PA, with a passion for #STEM education, makerspaces, literacy, leadership, and creativity in education. Dr. Jacie Maslyk is the author… Read more

NANCY FREY is a Professor of Educational Leadership and Literacy at San Diego State University and an instructor at Health Sciences High and Middle College. She has also authored or co-authored a number of books, including PLC+: Better Decisions and Greater Impact by Design. Nancy’s areas of expertise include common… Read more

In this special episode of the pod, long-time supporter of the podcast Bryon Carpenter takes over the microphone and interviews me, Tim Cavey, using the same questions I’ve used to interview my 99 previous guests. I share about the challenges of performing in front of students while my personal life was in turmoil,… Read more

DAN KREINESS is an Instructional Coach at Norwalk Public Schools and a doctoral candidate at the American College of Education. He was also recognized as an ACSD Emerging Leader 2017 and is the host of the Leader of Learning podcast. In our conversation, Dan shares candidly about the friction he experienced in his… Read more

CHRIS WOODS is a high school math teacher, STEM presenter, and host of the STEM Everyday podcast. Chris likes to remind his students and followers that STEM is everywhere around us … we just have to learn to recognize it. In our conversation, Chris shares transparently about the challenges of reaching every student in… Read more

NINA PAK LUI has taught at the middle and high school levels and today she instructs pre-service teachers at the School of Education at Trinity Western University in Langley, BC, Canada. Nina views teaching as a sacred calling, and she’s dedicated to inspiring and equipping future teachers to be caring, competent,… Read more

JEFFERY FRIEDEN is a teacher, blogger, presenter, and podcaster. He enjoys connecting teachers and building professional relationships in order to intensify impact on learning. He is also the author of Make Them Process It: Uncovering New Value in the Writer's Notebook, published in 2017. In our conversation, Jeffery… Read more

JUSTIN BELT is a husband, father of five, and teacher of thousands! He’s an aspiring leader, innovator, musician, and he’s part of our great writing team over at the Teachers on Fire Magazine on Medium. Last but not least, Justin is the host and producer of The WHYcast, a podcast about finding and clarifying your WHY.… Read more

JANELLE McLAUGHLIN is a keynote speaker, education consultant and strategist, and educational leadership coach. She is a former classroom teacher, district administrator, and high ability coordinator. She loves to learn, laugh, connect, and make completos! In our conversation, Janelle recalls the most difficult period… Read more

JORGE VALENZUELA is both a graduate teaching assistant and doctoral student at Old Dominion University and the lead coach at Lifelong Learning Defined. He is a national faculty member of the Buck Institute for Education and a national teacher effectiveness coach for the Engineering by Design curriculum. His work is… Read more

SHANE LAWRENCE is a high school educator in Alberta, Canada who specializes in film studies but also teaches digital media and art courses at the 7th and 8th grade levels. Shane is the host and producer of The Ed Podcast. In our conversation, Shane shares candidly about how the extraordinary demands of a musical… Read more

LATEZEON BALENTINE is a mom of three boys, teacher, and founder of September Chances, Inc. - a nonprofit organization created to show the joy in reading and increase reading fluency and literacy. Latezeon is also a Donors Choose Teacher Ambassador, dog lover, an advocate for mental health awareness, and blogger. And… Read more

SCOTT NUNES is a dad, teacher, coach, Schoology ambassador, and CCCUE board member. He’s also Nearpod certified, MIE certified, a site leader, rapper, and co-host of the TNT EdTech podcast! In our conversation, Scott describes the challenging experience that led him from a career in design to education. He talks about… Read more

LYNMARA COLON is a dynamic leader committed to student learning and growth. She is passionate about technology, access, and equity for all students, and was named in the NSBA 20 to Watch for Innovative Practices. As a former teacher, assistant principal, and principal, Lynmara is focused on building healthy cultures… Read more

ALICIA RAY is the Lead Digital Learning & Media Innovation Facilitator at Surry County Schools, NC. Possibly THE most committed reader and reviewer of the education books from Dave Burgess Consulting, Alicia is also the author of the soon-to-be-released Educational Eye Exam! Follow Alicia on Twitter @ILuvEducating and… Read more

KRISTEN NAN is a 3rd Grade teacher who serves near Pittsburgh, PA. She's a blogger, presenter, and award winning educator for innovative practices. Kristen describes herself as a believer in goodness, idea generator, risk taker, and disruptor in education!  Follow Kristen on Twitter @nankr1120 and on her blog at… Read more

PERNILLE RIPP is a prolific blogger, highly recognized speaker, literacy expert, creator of the Global Read Aloud, and the author of several books, including Passionate Readers: The Art of Reaching and Engaging Every Child. She’s also a Danish educator living in the US, mother of 4, and soulmate to an incredible man… Read more

*I need your help! As a listener of the Teachers on Fire podcast, please contribute to my MEdL research on educational podcasting and impacts on professional practice by completing this survey: https://forms.gle/kQk6wdLFcyRe6zPEA. It should take no longer than 5-15 minutes and will mean the world to me! I will be glad… Read more

*I need your help! As a listener of the Teachers on Fire podcast, please contribute to my MEdL research on educational podcasting and impacts on professional practice by completing this survey: https://forms.gle/kQk6wdLFcyRe6zPEA. It should take no longer than 5-15 minutes and will mean the world to me! I will be glad… Read more

TRAVIS JORDAN is a husband, father of four, superintendent, education commissioner, speaker, aspiring author, conformity breaker, and status quo shaker. How’s that for disruption in education? In our conversation, Travis shares a tragic story from his learning community, explaining how the passing of one student has… Read more

TARA MARTIN is an educator, administrator, coach, and speaker. She’s also the founder of #BookSnaps, the @DBC_Inc Media & Communications Director, and author of Be REAL: Educate from the Heart. In our conversation, Tara shares about a tragedy that struck her family during her very first year of teaching, and describes… Read more

KELLY CROY is a committed husband, father of four girls, educator, speaker, Apple Distinguished Educator author of Along Came a Leader and the producer of The Wired Educator podcast. Follow Kelly on Twitter @KellyCroy and @WiredEducator, and visit his blog at https://wirededucator.com/. In our conversation, Kelly… Read more

KEVIN O’SHEA is a primary teacher currently in Beijing, China who will be moving to a school in Shenzhen, China in the fall. Kevin is a big fan of nature, outdoor education, inquiry, and photography. He’s also the producer of the Just Japan Podcast and the new Making Better Teachers Podcast. In our conversation, Kevin… Read more

KAREN CASWELL is a 4th grade teacher in Australia. Her favorite themes in education include relationships, reading, kindness, and global connections. She’s also an Apple Certified Teacher, Seesaw Ambassador, and the founder of #TLAPdownunder! Follow Karen on Twitter @kcasw1 and visit her blog at… Read more

AARON BLACKWELDER is a high school English teacher and golf coach at Woodland Public Schools in Woodland, Washington. He’s the founder of the Teachers Going Gradeless website and Twitter chat @TG2Chat and #TG2Chat. He’s also a father, husband, autism advocate, Google Certified Educator, and he’s loving life! … Read more

ADAM WELCOME is a former teacher, principal, and director of innovation. He’s also a recognized education leader, speaker, and the author of Kids Deserve It and Run Like a Pirate. Follow Adam on Twitter @MrAdamWelcome. In our conversation, Adam recalls the disillusionment he once felt when he realized that colleagues… Read more

KALI SLUSSER is an instructional coach, fitness obsessor, and kombucha fanatic! She is also a wife of a fellow teacher and a mom of three. Connect with Kali on Twitter @KaliSlusser and follow her ongoing reviews of the DBC books with Greg Moffitt at https://readlikeapirate.wordpress.com/. In our conversation, Kali… Read more

ANNICK RAUCH is a Grade 1 French immersion teacher in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She’s a loving mom to 4 boys and wife to the man who allows her to do it all! Her passions in education include growth mindset, global collaboration, and all things innovation. You can follow her on Twitter @AnnickRauch and visit her… Read more

SUSAN JACHYMIAK is a 4th grade teacher in Orland Park, IL. She’s a rookie this year, and she’s clearly on fire! Follow her on Twitter @MsJachymiak and visit her blog at http://msjachymiak.weebly.com. In our conversation, Susan recalls a couple of unfamiliar challenges she was forced to figure out at the outset of her… Read more

RAE HUGHART is a middle school Math teacher, educational consultant, Director of Training & Development for the Teach Better Team, and a co-host for the Teach Better Talk Podcast - and if you haven’t given Teach Better Talk a listen, you need to! Connect with Rae on Twitter AND Instagram @RaeHughart, and check out her… Read more

TISHA RICHMOND is a Technology Integration Specialist serving 19 schools in Medford, Oregon. She’s also a speaker and author of Make Learning Magical: Transform Your Teaching and Create Unforgettable Experiences in Your Classroom.  In our conversation, Tisha recalls her professional tipping point: just as doubt… Read more

ROSE PILLAY is an education leader and curriculum consultant for the Catholic Independent Schools of the Vancouver Archdiocese. Her One Word for 2019 is SMILE, and Rose keeps educators inspired on her mission to serve, support, and celebrate growth and relationships. Buckle up for this interview! Her colleagues call… Read more

 AJ JULIANI is a dad, a sought-after speaker, and prolific author of several education books, including The PBL Playbook, Empower and Launch. He is a recognized authority on design thinking, genius hour, growth mindset, IBL, PBL, and all things innovation in education. Read more from AJ at http://ajjuliani.com/… Read more

MIKE PAUL is a middle school math teacher, edtech leader, Google Certified Innovator, and the co-founder of Edcamp Kentucky. Follow Mike on Twitter @mikepaul and check out his blog at https://pikemalltech.com/. In our conversation, Mike recalls the disappointment he felt when he first realized that not every education… Read more

DR. BRAD GUSTAFSON is a National Distinguished Principal, best-selling author, and speaker. He is also a Digital Innovation in Learning Award winner and a member of the National School Boards Association "20 to Watch." Brad recently released a new book that is making a stir: Reclaiming Our Calling: Hold on to the… Read more

DR. ERIK YOUNGMAN has been a first grade teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Today, he’s the director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment for the Libertyville School District in the Greater Chicago Area. He advocates for continuous learning, feedback, growth mindset, metacognition, innovation, and… Read more

DR. SARAH THOMAS is a regional technology coordinator in Maryland and serves as affiliate faculty at Loyola University. In 2014, Sarah founded the EduMatch Project, and she has spoken and presented at numerous conferences since. Find out more about Sarah and her work at https://www.sarahjanethomas.com and follow her… Read more

 KATE LINDQUIST is the founder of PeaceLoveArt, which is all about “Enriching heARTS thru self expression and soul connection.” With a Master’s degree in Education, Kate is a passionate educator, artist, consultant, speaker, and contributor to @DisruptEDTV. Follow Kate on Twitter and Instagram @heARTISTatWORK. In… Read more

 JENNIFER CASA-TODD is a mom, wife, teacher librarian, speaker, a coordinator for Google Educator Groups of Ontario, an ISTE Librarians leader, and an @ONedSschat advisor. She is also the author of Social LEADia: Moving Students from Digital Citizenship to Digital Leadership. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram… Read more

GREG MOFFITT is a dad, husband, and the principal at Winters Elementary School in Winters, California. He’s also a doctoral student at UC Davis and a big education geek. Greg has set the audacious goal of reading through all of the books from Dave Burgess Consulting in 2019, and you can catch his reflections and… Read more

BETH HOUF is a mom, middle school principal, passionate leader & learner, and forever teacher. She’s also the co-author of Lead Like a PIRATE: Make School Amazing for Your Students and Staff. Interact with her on Twitter @BethHouf and engage with ideas from her book at #LeadLAP. In our conversation, Beth recalls how… Read more

CHRIS CHAPPOTIN is the principal at Steam Middle School in Burleson, TX. He’s a husband, father, Engage 2 Learn Coach, certified Google educator, and big sports fan. He’s also a bit of a rapper as well! Follow Chris: On Twitter at https://twitter.com/Chris_Chappotin On Instagram at… Read more

AJ BIANCO is a husband, father of two boys, aspiring leader, and middle school teacher at Harrington Park School in Bergen County, NJ. A fan of the flipped classroom and blended learning, AJ is also a co-host of another great education podcast called Podcast PD. Follow AJ online here: TW: https://twitter.com/AJBianco… Read more

DR. SAMANTHA FECICH is a former special education teacher and now a professor at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. She’s also a mom, edtech innovator, and most recently, the author of Edumagic: A Guide for Pre-Service Teachers (https://amzn.to/2U47UtD). Follow Dr. Sam online here: TW: https://twitter.com/SFecich IG:… Read more

MICHAEL DREZEK is a Technology Integration Specialist for the Lake Shore Central School District in upstate New York. Michael is in his 15th year as an educator and is the host of the Quest 4 Edlightenment podcast. He is a former teacher of the year and has earned too many accolades to list here! Find out more about… Read more

ARI FLEWELLING is a staff development specialist at Riverside Unified School District in Riverside, California. A former high school English teacher, Ari holds a Master’s degree in Education Technology and is a Google Certified Trainer and Innovator. She can often be found sharing her knowledge at EdTechTeam events.… Read more

JON HARPER is an Assistant Principal at Sandy Hill Elementary School in Cambridge, Maryland. He’s the smooth-sounding voice of the My Bad Podcast & Co-Host of the Teachers Aid podcast. Follow Jon online here: TW: https://twitter.com/Jonharper70bd IG: https://www.instagram.com/jonharper70/ Blog: https://jonharper.blog/… Read more

DR. TODD SCHMIDT is the principal of Harbor View Elementary School in Corona del Mar, CA. Follow Todd on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/tsschmidty and catch his thoughts on education at http://tsschmidty.blogspot.com/. In our conversation, Todd recalls the challenges he faced around entering administration and… Read more

JEFF KUBIAK is the principal of Nelda Mundy Elementary School in Fairfield, CA. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffreykubiak and catch his blog posts at http://principalkubiak.blogspot.com/. In our conversation, Jeff recalls feeling so broken and unsupported as a rookie teacher that he left education entirely. He describes… Read more

CURTIS WIEBE is an elementary school teacher in Surrey, BC, Canada. He’s interested in the ways that technology augments learning, boosts creativity, and creates new opportunities for learners. Follow Curtis on Twitter https://twitter.com/DivisionW and see his work at https://mrwiebesclass.weebly.com/. In our… Read more

You might know Paul Stevens-Fulbrook better on Instagram as @TeacherofSci. Paul is a father of five and head of Year 7 and 8 Science at his school in the UK. He writes at teacherofsci.com with the mission of “supporting teachers’ lives through strategy, wellbeing and extra income.” In our conversation here, Paul… Read more

MANDY FROEHLICH is the Director of Innovation & Technology for the Ripon Area School District in Ripon, WI. She is a blogger, speaker, and co-host on the @bamradionetwork’s Teacher's Aid podcast. She is also the author of The Fire Within: Lessons from Defeat That Have Inspired a Passion for Learning… Read more

BETHANY PETTY is a teacher, coffee fanatic, and 2017 EdTech Digest School Leader Finalist. She writes about thoughtful uses of technology in education at http://usingeducationaltechnology.com/ and is also the author of Illuminate: Technology Enhanced Learning (https://amzn.to/2DGx6lz). In our conversation, Bethany… Read more

COLBY SHARP is a husband, father of five, fifth grade teacher, avid reader and book reviewer, runner, and self-proclaimed nerd. He is the author of The Creativity Project: An Awesometastic Story Collection (https://amzn.to/2zpzGZf) and 2018’s Game Changer!: Book Access for All Kids (https://amzn.to/2QTtsqX). In our… Read more

CRAIG KEMP is a head of Digital Learning and Innovation, teacher of teachers, blogger, workshop facilitator, and speaker. Although he hails from New Zealand and now calls Singapore home, Craig is truly a global force for innovation in education. In our conversation, recalls the challenge of rebuilding a school… Read more

KIMBERLY SNODGRASS is a 7th grade ELA teacher. She advocates for creative thinking, BookSnaps, Sketchnotes, Edu GIFS, and other creative ways for students to represent their learning. In our conversation, Kim recalls the challenge of beginning a high school teaching assignment with a lot of preparation required and… Read more

KATELYNN GIORDANO is a sixth grade language arts teacher in Sugar Grove, IL. You can find more of her insights on learning, reading, and writing at https://curriculumcoffee.com/ - a written shot of espresso for educators. Katelynn recalls the time early in her career when a veteran colleague told her not to speak… Read more

JARROD DUMAS is an assistant principal at Oak Hill Middle School in Sabattus, Maine. He recently published Unlocking Excellence: A Guide to Becoming an Extraordinary Educator. Check it out at https://amzn.to/2woY9Lh. In our conversation, Jarrod recalls a great story about how his own sarcasm once cost him in the… Read more

JOSHUA STAMPER is an assistant principal, husband, father, blogger, and graphic artist in Frisco, TX. He’s also the host of Aspire: The Leadership Development Podcast. You’ll find his writing at https://joshstamper.blogspot.com/. In our conversation, Josh discusses the mission and vision of his podcast on leadership… Read more

DAVID McFARLAND is a high school IB humanities teacher at Pacific Academy in Surrey, BC, Canada. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MrMcFteaches. In our conversation, David talks about how “We don’t even know you!” challenged him to rethink the importance of building relationships with his students. He… Read more

JAMIE OSBORNE is a middle school teacher-librarian in Richmond, BC, Canada. She writes at https://thebiblioz.wordpress.com/ and recently published her first episode of The Biblioz podcast for teacher librarians. In our conversation, Jamie addresses the challenges of moving students from an unhealthy focus on grades to… Read more

JAROD BORMANN is an advocate for educator empowerment, a tech integration specialist, adjunct professor, learning designer, speaker, blogger, and the author of a new book, Professionally Driven: Empower Every Educator To Redefine PD. In our conversation, Jarod talks about the need to redefine and reimagine PD with… Read more

KRISTIN HUNDT is a devoted wife and mother of four boys, a 6th grade teacher, lifelong learner, and global citizen. Her passions include genius hour, project-based learning, the outdoor classroom, the 40 book challenge, and student voice. In our conversation, Kristin talks about her drive to provide good reading… Read more

CJ REYNOLDS is better known by his YouTube channel, Real Rap with Reynolds, where he talks teaching, relationships, and life. As a passionate educator and creator, his two truths in teaching are #1 Relationships Are King, and #2 It's Only Ever About the Students. In this episode, CJ recalls the fatigue he faced as a… Read more

JOHN SOWASH is an educator, freelancer, presenter, husband, and dad. He is also the author of The Chromebook Classroom, which you can check out at http://chrmbook.com. In this conversation, John describes how a dead end in his high school context launched him into the business of teaching teachers - a true passion.… Read more

DAN JONES is a 7th and 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher in Mansfield, OH. He is the K-12 Editor for Flipped Learning Review Magazine and the author of Flipped 3.0 Project Based Learning: An Insanely Simple Guide. In this conversation, Dan tells us about the time his passion for teaching died and he almost quit the… Read more

Andi McNair is a keynote speaker and trainer specializing in edtech, genius hour, and innovation in education. She is also the co-founder of #makeithappenEDU and the author of Genius Hour: Passion Projects that Ignite Innovation and Student Inquiry. In this conversation, Andi describes the low moment in her classroom… Read more

Joy Kirr is a 7th Grade ELA teacher in Elk Grove, Illinois. She writes at http://geniushour.blogspot.com/ and in 2017 published Shift This!: How to Implement Gradual Changes for MASSIVE Impact in Your Classroom. In this conversation, Joy takes us to a moment when a parent criticized her publicly with “Genius Hour is… Read more

Sarah Johnson is an author, speaker, and consultant in the areas of instructional leadership and personal-professional balance. With experience as an English teacher and principal, she likes to laugh, sing, and makes a habit of running every day. She is a co-author of Balance Like a Pirate: Going Beyond Work-Life… Read more

Bryon Carpenter is a high school teacher at the Abbotsford Virtual School in Abbotsford, BC, Canada. As a trained scientist, passionate creator, and lifelong learner, Bryon serves in the spaces of library, math, science, and ADST (Applied Design and Skills Technologies). Bryon’s passion? Seeing teachers utilize new… Read more

Jeff Bradbury has been recognized as an ASCD Emerging Leader, Google Certified Teacher and Trainer, and digital innovator. The founder of TeacherCast.net, Jeff has spoken at TEDx and other conferences, provides training and consulting for educators across the United States, and currently produces ten regular… Read more

Jeff Gargas is the COO/Co-founder of Progressive Mastery Learning and The Teach Better Team. Jeff works with teachers across the United States to help them improve their practice and “reach the unreachable student.” An entrepreneur at heart, Jeff shares about the challenges of hitting walls in the music industry and… Read more

Nicholas Amaral is the district staff development coordinator at the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District in Bergen County, NJ. Nick’s passion is education technology: helping teachers help students create and innovate in their classrooms. In our conversation, Nick shares about a point early in his… Read more

Soney Day is a 2nd grade teacher at Coy Miller Elementary School in Frisco, TX. As a teacher, mom, tech integrator, proud Texan, and Seesaw ambassador, Soney enjoys advocating for young learners and strives to have an innovator’s mindset. In our conversation, Soney shares about an emotionally draining challenge she… Read more

Jordan Potrzeba is a 4th grade teacher at Walter Caldwell Elementary School in Auburndale, FL. Imagine being told by your principal in your first year of teaching that you were different and didn’t belong. After experiencing just that, Jordan moved from Nebraska to Florida, where he found a school community that… Read more

Tonya Gilchrist is a language teacher and literacy coach at Tokyo International School in Tokyo, Japan. An experienced speaker and presenter, Tonya advocates for learner agency, the inquiry mindset, and joyful leaders. Tonya knew she wanted to become a teacher since she was in third grade, but the daunting pressure… Read more

Bobby McCutcheon is the principal of Randall Elementary School in Independence, MO. He’s a husband, father, #GeniusHour advocate, travel junkie, Royals fan, and occasional political expert. After teaching for several years at the middle and high school levels, Bobby was offered the position of elementary principal and… Read more

Dan Ryder is the co-author of Intention: Critical Creativity in the Classroom and is currently the Education Director of the Success & Innovation Center at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington, ME. In our conversation, Dan shares about what ignites his passion for education today: seeing the philosophical focus shift… Read more

Christopher J. Nesi teaches 9th grade history at New Brunswick High School in New Jersey and is a Professor of Communications at Rutgers University. He also hosts the House of EdTech and Podcast PD podcasts and operates the Education Podcast Network. In our conversation, Chris shares his passion to see educators and… Read more

Danielle Peters is an elementary teacher at Westerman Elementary School in Surrey, BC, Canada. Recently completing her Master’s in Ed. Tech., Danielle is passionate about helping kids learn, create, and innovate using technology. In our conversation, Danielle talks about how team teaching allows her to better meet the… Read more

Diana Williams is an elementary teacher at Bayridge Elementary School in Surrey, BC, Canada. She is also a speaker, a consultant for her district, a student of PBL, award winner, and constant innovator. In our conversation, Diana speaks candidly about the challenges teachers face during labor disruptions and shares… Read more

In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we speak with Brooke Moore. Brooke is the District Principal of Inquiry and Innovation in Delta, BC, Canada. She is also an instructor at Vancouver Island University and the editor-in-chief of UBC’s Transformative Educational Leadership Journal, located at… Read more

In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast we speak with Lindsey Danhoff. Lindsey is a first grade teacher (soon to be third grade) at Evening Street Elementary School in Worthington, Ohio. Lindsey shares about the challenges and rewards of working to change school practices, and speaks to what really ignites her… Read more

In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast we speak with Gallit Zvi. Gallit is currently a principal intern in Surrey, BC, Canada, and a co-author of The Genius Hour Guidebook. Gallit describes how she overcame the challenges of transitioning into a new grade level earlier in her teaching career. She talks about… Read more

In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast we speak with Lynn Thomas. Lynn is the department head of English and Library and Digital Lead Learner at Dunnville Secondary School in Dunnville, Ontario, Canada. In this conversation, Lynn shares candidly about a year of serious family health challenges, crediting the… Read more

In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast we speak with Caterina Rylance. Caterina is a middle school languages teacher and ESL coordinator at St. Theresa Catholic Middle School in Sherwood Park, AB, Canada. Still in her second year of teaching, Caterina talks about how her writing at survivingteaching.org… Read more

In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast we speak with Maria Thompson. Maria is a middle school teacher at Snow Hill Middle School in Snow Hill, Maryland. Maria is an expert in Summit Learning, a program that personalizes learning and supports students while they direct the focus of their own studies. She has… Read more

In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast we speak with Adam Miller. Adam is a middle school physical education teacher in Dhahran, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. In this conversation Adam tells a hilarious story of having to manage a swim class for a group of kindergarteners within 20 minutes of their first… Read more

In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast we speak with Antonio Vendramin. Antonio is the District Principal of Communicating Student Learning in the Surrey School District of BC, Canada. In this conversation, Antonio discusses the exciting opportunities made possible by the recent shift toward a… Read more

In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Adam Moler. Adam is a middle school history teacher at New Richmond Middle School in New Richmond, OH, USA. In this conversation, Adam speaks openly about what it was like to address some authentic doubts he was having about his own practice. He credits a… Read more

In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Roy Smith. Roy is an English teacher and department chair at Round Rock High School in Round Rock, Texas, USA. In this interview, Roy describes what it was like to fight thyroid cancer while remaining in education, and credits his students with supplying… Read more

In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Terry Jones, vice principal at JL Crowe Secondary School in Trail, BC, Canada. In this interview, Terry describes the incredible influence that positive and supportive leadership can make within the culture of a school. He talks about another one of his… Read more

In our tenth episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Adi Aharon, technology integration specialist at the top-rated Crofton House School in Vancouver, BC, Canada. In this interview, Adi discusses the challenge of working with everybody but nobody at the same time and affirms the value of building a… Read more

In our ninth episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Jade Ingels, middle school classroom and PE teacher at St. Theresa School in Wabasca, Alberta, Canada. In this interview, Jade talks about a significant behaviour challenge she faced in the classroom as a first-year teacher and shares the keys to… Read more

In our eighth episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Steve Lai, primary French teacher at Richmond Christian School in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, and author of teachingwithipad.org. In this interview, Steve talks about Apple’s new iPad for Education and what it means for educators. He also… Read more

In our seventh episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Jane Silversides, primary classroom and dance teacher at White Rock Elementary School in White Rock, British Columbia, Canada. In this interview, Jane fills us in on what’s special about second graders, recalls a funny story from her early days in… Read more

In our sixth episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Clayton Mollica, high school teacher at Fort Nelson Secondary School in Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. In this interview, Clayton talks about challenges and opportunities he sees in education, passions and interests that he enjoys outside of… Read more

In our fifth episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Sarah Robinson, high school vice principal at Fort Nelson Secondary School in Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. In this interview, Sarah talks about what really excites her in education today: shifts in the learning curriculum, new opportunities… Read more

In our fourth episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Adam Stefiuk, high school teacher and acting vice principal at the Energetic Learning Campus, part of the North Peace Secondary School in Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada. In this interview, Adam shares his solution to the challenges he faced… Read more

In our third episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Simon Murti, middle school teacher at Bayridge Elementary School in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. In this interview, Simon shares openly about a discouraging experience that he faced early in his teaching career. He also tells us what excites him… Read more

In our second episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Cordell Ware, high school humanities teacher at Fort St. James Secondary School in Fort St. James, Canada. In this interview, Cordell shares candidly about the low moments he experienced in his practicum and tells us what currently ignites his passion… Read more