→ 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 Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.
About this guest, Andrew Cantarutti
Andrew is an educator and writer with over a decade of experience teaching in public and private schools across Canada and the world. His work bridges classroom practice with educational theory, drawing on insights from philosophy, developmental psychology, and cognitive science to reimagine how learning environments can cultivate focus, depth, and intellectual resilience.
Connect with Andrew Cantarutti
on LinkedIn,
on X @walledgardenedu,
on Instagram @walledgardenedu, and
at https://walledgardenedu.substack.com.
In This Conversation
0:00:00 - Andrew Cantarutti is an educator and writer with international experience
1:12 - Imagining schools as walled gardens for deep attention and critical thinking
4:54 - Teacher reactions to "Why Attention Must Become Curriculum"
7:38 - How are we disrupting student attention in the classroom?
12:49 - Why schools must avoid the Marketplace Mirror Model
16:29 - Gamification of learning, "engagement"
18:22 - How do we make attention the curriculum itself?
27:19 - Andrew on the role of AI in schools
34:29 - The choice facing schools today
37:56 - Where to connect with Andrew Cantarutti online
Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.
Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.
→ 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 Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.
About this guest, Edmond Chin
Today’s Teacher on Fire is Edmond Chin. Edmond is a runner, coffee connoisseur, and high school teacher in Vancouver, Canada. He’s also a colleague and personal friend of the host, Tim Cavey, which makes this episode extra special.
Connect with Edmond
on LinkedIn,
on X @EdmondC87, and
on Instagram @edmondc87
In This Conversation
0:00:00 - Edmond Chin is a runner, coffee connoisseur, and high school teacher in Vancouver.
1:35 - Edmond's running story: how and why it started
5:22 - The challenge of building the habit
6:26 - The benefits of a running habit
8:55 - Keys to consistency
13:16 - Edmond's running goals for 2026
18:46 - How Edmond's coffee quest began
20:36 - Coffee highlights from 2025
22:47 - Why teachers should cultivate passions outside of the classroom
24:37 - Edmond's professional goals for this year
26:13 - How and where to connect with Edmond Chin online
Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.
Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.
→ 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 Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.
About this guest, Rich Czyz
Rich is a school principal, cofounder of fouroclockfaculty.com, the author of four books on education and leadership. Rich is dedicated to creating productive environments and engaging all stake-holders in meaningful and relevant learning opportunities.
Connect with Rich
on LinkedIn,
on X @RACzyz,
at his website, https://fouroclockfaculty.com.
In This Conversation
0:00:00 - Rich Czyz is the principal of an elementary school in New Jersey
1:21 - The vision for school leaders in Autopilot: Practical Productivity for School Leaders
2:45 - A misconception about productivity
4:13 - One immediate shift that education leaders can make
5:29 - A common productivity pitfall for school leaders
8:08 - Being visible on campus as a building leader
9:54 - How to manage interruptions in the weekly calendar
12:00 - How to think about delegation when it feels like only you can do it
13:57 - 5th Grade students do the intercom announcements
15:34 - Doing the work that powers the mission before email
18:08 - How to conduct a personal time inventory
20:33 - Rich's daily routine, from wake-up to end of day
24:47 - Managing substitute shortages
27:04 - How and where to connect with Rich Czyz
Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.
Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.
→ 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 at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.
About Dr. Zach Groshell
Zach is a highly distinguished teacher, instructional coach, and education consultant. Based in Seattle, he works with schools nationwide and internationally to develop high quality instruction based on the science of how kids learn. Zach is the author of Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching, and hosts a podcast, Progressively Incorrect.
Connect with Zach
on LinkedIn,
on X @mrzachg,
on Substack at mrzachg.substack.com, and
at his website, https://educationrickshaw.com/.
In This Conversation
0:00:00 - Introducing Dr. Zach Groshell, author of Just Tell Them
1:23 - The thesis of Just Tell Them
3:00 - The opposite of direct instruction
5:20 - Using examples and non-examples in instruction
8:17 - Zach's take on success criteria
10:14 - Teaching to a group of students effectively
13:59 - The role of teacher talk in the classroom
18:36 - Can all students succeed without lowering expectations?
21:13 - What is effective classroom management?
24:23 - The value of starting the class on time
26:44 - How schools are getting it wrong with technology
34:54 - Can AI tools support student learning toward mastery?
37:39 - One idea for teachers from the science of learning
39:38 - Resources for teachers at educationrickshaw.com
42:20 - How and where to connect with Dr. Zach Groshell
Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.
Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.
→ 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 Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.
Today’s Teacher on Fire is Rae Hughart. Rae is the CEO and Founder of Teachers Deserve It. She’s also a TEDx Speaker and author of two books: Teachers Deserve It and Teach Better. Growing up with IEP support after being diagnosed with Specific Learning Disabilities in Reading, Writing, and Math, Rae has made it her mission to collaborate with educators and districts nationwide to design mastery learning classrooms that reach all learners. Through Teachers Deserve It, she leads a movement dedicated to empowering educators with sustainable, standards-based grading practices that promote clarity, equity, and student success.
Connect with Rae
on LinkedIn,
on Instagram @RaeHughart,
on TikTok @RaeHughartEDU,
on Substack at raehughart.substack.com, and
at her website, teachersdeserveit.com.
In This Conversation
0:00:00 - Rae Hughart is the founder of Teachers Deserve It
2:39 - Boundary 1: Leaving the building after contract hours
4:07 - How Rae followed this boundary as a teacher
5:49 - Boundary 2: Taking a sick day when we're sick
11:58 - Boundary 3: Declining voluntary committees that we don't have capacity for
17:08 - Boundary 4: Taking quiet moments on your lunch break
19:54 - Boundary 5: Setting email hours
23:45 - Should we turn off mobile notifications for email?
27:11 - Resources for teachers available at TeachersDeserveIt.com
31:01 - How and where to connect with Rae Hughart on social media
Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.
Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.
→ 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 YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.
Today’s Teacher on Fire is Karley Alleyn. Karley is a BC-based assessment consultant, a sessional instructor for the University of Victoria's BEDILR (Bachelor of Education in Indigenous Language Revitalization) program, and a consultant with the Canadian Assessment Centre. Karley's research in assessment identity has led her to speak across BC, Hawaii, London, and in 2026, Singapore.
Connect with Karley
on LinkedIn,
on Instagram @accessible_assessment, and
in her newsletter at https://www.karleyalleyn.com/assessment-identified.
In This Conversation
0:00:00 - Karley Alleyn is an assessment consultant and former teacher based in BC
1:47 - What IS assessment?
2:40 - What is the purpose of assessment?
4:11 - How can assessment produce greater equity for learners?
5:52 - Making every learner feel good?
6:38 - Assessment identity as an educator
9:54 - Are learning targets valuable or a waste of time?
14:01 - Should teachers ever give zeros?
19:32 - A great formative assessment strategy
23:56 - What does Extending proficiency mean in BC?
32:54 - Assessment resources offered by Karley Alleyn
35:25 - How and where to connect with Karley Alleyn online
Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.
Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.
→ 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 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.
Today’s Teacher on Fire is Jeff Smith. Jeff has taught in 12 schools over 32 years, with high school courses including mathematics (Pre-Algebra through AP Calculus), AP Comparative Government, Human Geography, and US History. He writes about teacher whitespace on Substack on Teachers' Unmuted.
Connect with Jeff
on LinkedIn and
on Substack at https://jeffuson.substack.com/
In This Conversation
0:00:00 - Jeff Smith is a high school teacher in Illinois
1:46 - Are teachers just customer service representatives?
4:18 - What Jeff means by "whitespace" - where teachers find agency
6:52 - More about whitespace as a metaphor for freedom
7:58 - Bringing one story, one question into our conferences
10:28 - Jeff's view: what causes teacher burnout?
13:11 - What is the Teachers Unmuted blog on Substack all about?
16:10 - Why Jeff writes about his professional practice
20:08 - The hobbies and interests that keep Jeff on fire
23:38 - Where to connect with Jeff Smith and Teachers Unmuted
Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.
Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.
🔥 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. He leverages his network of AI researchers, Fortune-500 tech leaders, and workforce-development partners to share insights on the convergence of education, industry, and emerging technologies.
Connect with Scott
on LinkedIn,
on X @mrnunesteach,
on Instagram @iammredtech,
and on his website, scottnunes.com.
In This Conversation
0:00:00 - Scott Nunes is an entrepreneur and former teacher based in Texas
1:47 - The golden age of Edu Twitter
3:15 - How can we bring back Edu Twitter today?
5:58 - Scott retraces his professional steps
8:49 - How Scott's PLN has produced professional mobility
10:50 - How does the corporate life compare with the classroom?
14:19 - Scott's value proposition for edtech companies and school districts
20:48 - Scott's advice to schools and districts regarding AI tools
27:28 - Is there still room for more new edtech companies?
30:32 - Will AI replace teachers?
34:57 - How Scott maintains his physical health
40:00 - How and where to connect with Scott Nunes online
Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.
Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.
🔥 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 Pepper Effect, and host of the Leadership Liner Notes podcast. He blogs about leadership, education, and inspiration for Leadership Liner Notes, and is currently writing a new book for Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc. titled Leadership Riffs.
Connect with Sean
on LinkedIn,
on X @smgaillard,
on Instagram @smgaillard,
on his blog at https://seangaillard.com/.
In This Conversation
0:00:00 - Sean Gaillard is a principal and author in Lexington, North Carolina
1:59 - The dark times that education leaders face
6:37 - Reset Step 1: Take a breath
8:49 - Reset Step 2: Anchor in gratitude
12:02 - Reset Step 3: Affirm and reframe
15:28 - Reset Step 4: Reconnect
21:36 - One more thing: your presence matters
24:10 - Revisiting our why, passions, dreams, and values
27:22 - How can music build identity and belonging?
30:00 - What to expect from Leadership Riffs
31:36 - How to motivate teams with low morale
34:01 - How and where to connect with Sean Gaillard online
Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.
Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.
🔥 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 Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.
Today’s Teacher on Fire is Marcie Samayoa. Marcie is a high school chemistry teacher from Los Angeles, California with ten years of experience in the classroom. Through her blog, Scientists in the Making, she shares evidence-based teaching strategies that connect cognitive science to instructional practices.
Connect with Marcie
on LinkedIn,
on X @SciInTheMaking
on Instagram @scientistsinthemaking, and
on her website at www.scientistsinthemaking.com.
In This Conversation
0:00:00 - Marcie Samayoa is a high school chemistry teacher based in Los Angeles, CA
1:43 - Doesn't Kahoot increase student engagement?
4:16 - Review Step 1: a low-stakes practice test on paper with topics labeled
5:48 - Review Step 2: turn to neighbours, compare answers, consult notes, discuss differences
8:47 - Review Step 3: students note the topics that they struggled with
8:54 - Review Step 4: students review weaker topics using retrieval
10:10 - Review Step 5: 2nd practice test, this time in Google Forms without topics
12:23 - Review Step 6: students take the test again as homework to build fluency
16:55 - The current pushback from educators against overuse of edtech and AI in the classroom
21:11 - Marcie's critique of Building Thinking Classrooms
27:22 - How and where to connect with Marcie
Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.
Song Track Credit
Opening Song: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.
🔥 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 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.
Today’s Teacher on Fire is Marcus Luther. Marcus is a high school English teacher with over a decade in the classroom. He cohosts a teacher-centered podcast and Substack called The Broken Copier, which focus on conversations and strategies to better support teachers.
Connect with Marcus
on LinkedIn,
on X @marcusluther6,
on Instagram @thebrokencopier,
on BlueSky @marcusluther.bsky.social, and
on Substack at thebrokencopier.substack.com
In This Conversation
0:00:00 - Marcus Luther is a high school English teacher and host of The Broken Copier
2:15 - The heaviness that can settle in a classroom
4:31 - Uplifting Move 1: “Everyone write down what ___ said!"
7:11 - Uplifting Move 2: Kneeling down and giving quiet praise
9:37 - Uplifting Move 3: Ask if you can take a picture and use it as an example
11:59 - Uplifting Move 4: Who can I brag to about how well you're doing?
16:12 - Helping students reflect on their own writing journeys
20:23 - What's the real problem with AI in K-12 education right now?
28:27 - How and where to connect with Marcus Luther's reflections online
Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.
Song Track Credit
Tropic Fuse by French Fuse
GO! by Neffex
*All songs retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.
🔥 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. She holds an MFA in Fiction from the University of Texas-Austin and is the author of three books about teaching writing from Heinemann Press: Project Based Writing; Story Matters; and The Confidence to Write.
Connect with Liz Prather
on LinkedIn and
on Substack at https://writingteacher.substack.com/
In This Conversation
0:00:00 - LIZ PRATHER is a a 30-year high school writing teacher
1:43 - Daily Ritual 1: Arrive to school early
4:59 - Daily Ritual 2: Take 5 minutes for yourself
7:50 - Daily Ritual 3: Organize your room for efficiency
11:16 - Daily Ritual 4: Look out for your future self
14:41 - Daily Ritual 5: Leave school within an hour of the last bell
17:25 - A BIG IDEA about writing instruction in 2025
20:22 - Encouraging teachers to write and publish their own work
23:27 - Three books on writing and instruction by Liz Prather
25:31 - Where to connect with Liz Prather online
Connect with Teachers on Fire and Host Tim Cavey:
On X @TeachersOnFire (https://X.com/TeachersOnFire)
On Facebook @TeachersOnFire (https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/)
On YouTube @Teachers On Fire (https://www.youtube.com/@teachersonfire)
On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwcavey/
Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.
Song Track Credit
Tropic Fuse by French Fuse
GO! by Neffex
*All songs retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.
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 other critical questions.
About This Guest
Eva Harvell serves as the Director of Technology for the Pascagoula-Gautier School District. She was recognized as the 2021 Mississippi Educational Computing Association's Administrator of the Year. As a national speaker, published author, doctoral candidate, and an Education and Research Partner for the Mississippi AI Collaborative, she drives innovation in K-12 educational technology.
Connect with Eva Harvell
on LinkedIn and
on X @techie_teach.
This episode is sponsored by Linewize.com.
Linewize helps schools, districts and the communities they serve to keep children safe and thriving in their digital lives - in school, at home and everywhere in between. Visit Linewize.com to learn more about their best-in-class filtering, threat detection, and student empowerment solutions.
In This Conversation:
0:31 - Who is Eva Harvell?
1:54 - Story time: moving from the classroom to a new position
4:58 - What is the state of cyberbullying in our schools today?
12:22 - What is Linewize and how does Linewize support schools and districts?
23:46 - Are student phone bans the right path forward for schools?
29:06 - Australia's attempt to ban social media for minors
31:37 - Can devices in the classroom actually promote the 4 Cs?
34:21 - Eva's thoughts on AI tools in schools right now
38:19 - Google for Education is squeezing schools and districts into paid tiers
41:09 - A productivity hack: lists
41:42 - An edtech tool pick: Claude.ai
42:05 - A book recommendation: Atomic Habits by James Clear and Essentialism by Greg McKeown
42:38 - Educators to follow: Amanda Bickerstaff on Linkedin and Susan Bearden on X
Connect with Teachers on Fire and Host Tim Cavey:
On X @TeachersOnFire (https://X.com/TeachersOnFire)
On Facebook @TeachersOnFire (https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/)
On YouTube @Teachers On Fire (https://www.youtube.com/@teachersonfire)
On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwcavey/
Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.
Song Track Credit
Tropic Fuse by French Fuse
GO! by Neffex
*All songs retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.
🔥 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
Michelle Papa is the principal of a nationally recognized Middle School to Watch in Northern New Jersey. She is passionate about supporting a healthy and inspiring school climate and culture, understanding this starts with the principal. Michelle is dedicated to continuing her personal and professional growth around the social and emotional learning competencies and is hoping to inspire other educational leaders to do the same. She’s had the privilege to partner with Erin Tashian to promote this mission within her school and district and has seen tremendous impact on her students, staff, and community as a result.
Erin Tashian is a distinguished educator, coach, and professional developer, renowned for her efforts in supporting the educator wellness through emotional resilience and self-awareness practices. Erin believes that it is our responsibility as educators to develop a deep understanding of our emotional world so we can create safe, connected school communities that support students and staff academically and emotionally.
You can connect with Michelle
on LinkedIn and
on X @MPapaEdu.
You can connect with Erin
on Linkedin,
on X @themindfuleds,
on Instagram @Erin_Tashian, and
at her website at https://erintashian.com/.
Tune in for my regular Teachers on Fire interviews, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:00am Pacific and 11:00am Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast.
In This Conversation:
0:32 - Who is Michelle Papa?
1:09 - Who is Erin Tashian?
2:30 - Why Erin Tashian left 31 years of teaching elementary to support teachers
5:08 - Is it okay when the principal is not okay?
8:42 - Challenges that teachers face today
11:37 - Michelle on her takeaways from Erin's work
14:08 - Erin Tashian's Educator Wellness Institute
19:09 - Sustainability strategies for new teachers
24:03 - Are we pressuring teachers right out of the profession?
32:16 - The mission of The Mindful Educators Podcast
34:37 - A personal habit or daily productivity hack
36:02 - A favorite edtech tool or app
37:49 - Book recommendations
39:55 - Inspiring educators worth following
41:45 - Where to connect with Erin Tashian and Michelle Papa online
Connect with Teachers on Fire and Host Tim Cavey:
On X @TeachersOnFire (https://X.com/TeachersOnFire)
On Facebook @TeachersOnFire (https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/)
On YouTube @Teachers On Fire (https://www.youtube.com/@teachersonfire)
On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwcavey/
Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.
Song Track Credit
Tropic Fuse by French Fuse
GO! by Neffex
*All songs retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.
🔥 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 physical education teacher and the Director of Member Success at TeacherFit. TeacherFit provides proactive wellness solutions that focus on physical and mental health for teachers and students.
You can connect with Eric
on LinkedIn,
on X @teacherfit_,
on Instagram @teacherfit__,
and through the TeacherFit newsletter https://teacherfitnewsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribe.
Tune in for my regular Teachers on Fire interviews, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:00am Pacific and 11:00am Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast.
In This Conversation:
0:31 - Who is Eric Nelson?
1:30 - How Eric learned to say no to requests for his time
3:00 - Challenges teachers face in 2024
4:47 - Ways to fit in quick workouts during the school day
7:31 - Advice for the teacher who feels like exercise is torture
9:58 - How to cook nutritious meals with little time
13:11 - Dig it or ditch it? Eric's take on popular fitness practices
16:31 - The TeacherFit newsletter
18:39 - Eric's mental health hacks: detaching from email
20:38 - An edtech tool pick: Canva
22:10 - A book recommendation: Are My Kids on Track?
23:01 - Someone to follow online: Dr. Don Parker
23:58 - Where to connect with Eric's work online
Connect with Teachers on Fire and Host Tim Cavey:
On X @TeachersOnFire (https://X.com/TeachersOnFire)
On Facebook @TeachersOnFire (https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/)
On YouTube @Teachers On Fire (https://www.youtube.com/@teachersonfire)
On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwcavey/
Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.
Song Track Credit
Tropic Fuse by French Fuse
GO! by Neffex
*All songs retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.
🔥 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 critical questions.
About This Guest: Dr. Joe Sanfelippo is a celebrated educational leader and author. During his tenure as superintendent, his Wisconsin school district was twice recognized for innovation by the International Center for Leadership in Education. Joe was named one of the 100 Most Influential Educators by District Administration Magazine, and in 2019, Education Dive (now K-12 Dive) awarded him National Superintendent of the Year.
You can connect with Joe
on LinkedIn,
on X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube @joe_sanfelippo, and
at his website, www.jsanfelippo.com.
Tune in for my regular Teachers on Fire interviews, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:00am Pacific and 11:00am Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast.
In This Conversation:
0:27 - Who is Dr. Joe Sanfelippo?
2:35 - Story time: When the work eclipsed his family relationships
5:07 - How to acknowledge the great work of teachers in your building
8:52 - Narrowing the focus of a community on a collective goal
13:09 - How can teachers lift up the teachers around them?
18:44 - "I don't have time to prioritize my school's brand."
22:03 - How can we protect teacher fire in 2024?
25:23 - How can schools communicate better with their communities?
29:25 - A daily habit: starting and ending the day with encouraging text messages
30:08 - A favorite edtech tool: CapCut
30:38 - A book recommendation: Power of Moments by Dan Heath
31:15 - Educators to follow online: Jimmy Casas, Tom Murray
31:39 - Where to connect with Dr. Joe Sanfelippo online
Connect with Teachers on Fire and Host Tim Cavey:
On X @TeachersOnFire (https://X.com/TeachersOnFire)
On Facebook @TeachersOnFire (https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/)
On YouTube @Teachers On Fire (https://www.youtube.com/@teachersonfire)
On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwcavey/
Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.
Song Track Credit
Tropic Fuse by French Fuse
GO! by Neffex
*All songs retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.
🔥 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 ISSEKS as he shares his insights on these and other critical questions.
About This Guest: Marc is a third-generation educator with 30 years of experience. He has served as a teacher, curriculum coordinator, and building administrator in Brooklyn and Long Island.
Marc is passionate about sharing strategies to increase student engagement and ensuring that schools cultivate the nurturing and invigorating learning environment that every student deserves. A self-proclaimed educational pyromaniac, he is dedicated to lighting fires under people who work and setting fire to systemic conventions that do not.
Dr. Isseks is the author of Forward Fast: Making Sense of Education in an Era of Rapid Change (2019) and the recently published Captivate: Engaging and Empowering Students in a World of Digital Distractions.
You can connect with Dr. Marc Isseks
on LinkedIn,
on X @marcisseks,
on Instagram and TikTok @edupyro,
and on his website at marcisseks.com.
Tune in for my regular Teachers on Fire interviews, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:00am Pacific and 11:00am Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast.
In This Conversation:
0:30 - Who is Dr. Marc Isseks?
2:09 - "What the F was that?"
5:06 - The challenge that teachers face in 2024
6:17 - Hope for the struggling teacher
10:13 - "But this is how we've always done it!"
14:07 - How assessment can play a role in student engagement
17:56 - How media creation can support student learning
21:35 - Can student phones possibly be a win in the classroom?
24:37 - One thing to realize about student motivation
28:55 - The State of Ed Podcast
30:40 - A powerful personal habit: daily walking
32:03 - App recommendations: Canva and TextToImage.AI
33:01 - A book suggestion: Unconscious Bias in Schools
33:48 - Someone worth following: Libo Valencia
34:36 - How to connect with Dr. Marc Isseks online
Connect with Teachers on Fire and Host Tim Cavey:
On X @TeachersOnFire (https://X.com/TeachersOnFire)
On Facebook @TeachersOnFire (https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/)
On YouTube @Teachers On Fire (https://www.youtube.com/@teachersonfire)
On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwcavey/
Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.
Song Track Credit
Tropic Fuse by French Fuse
GO! by Neffex
*All songs retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.
🔥 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 insights on these and other critical questions.
About This Guest: Marilynn has been in education for over 30 years, teaching all grade levels from preschool through middle school. Today, she teaches middle school science, college and career, technology, and education courses. She’s also been a national curriculum trainer for the Medal of Honor Character Development Program for the past 13 years, and uses the program regularly with her middle school students.
You can find out more about the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s
Character Development Program at cmohs.org/lessons and the
Path to Honor at pathtohonor.cmohs.org/introduction.
Tune in for my regular Teachers on Fire interviews, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:00am Pacific and 11:00am Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast.
In This Conversation:
0:28 - Who is Marilynn Alford-Walsh?
1:28 - Marilynn's story: Building connections with middle schoolers
4:31 - Six Core Values: Courage, Commitment, Integrity, Sacrifice, Citizenship, Patriotism
5:21 - What is courage?
6:09 - What is integrity?
6:51 - What is citizenship?
7:31 - What is sacrifice?
10:11 - How the Character Development Program has impacted Marilynn's students
12:43 - How the CDP supports writing and thinking skills
14:35 - How Marilynn plans to use the CMOHS Path to Honor this year
16:02 - How schools can connect with Medal of Honor recipients
18:55 - A tour of FREE teacher resources at cmohs.org
32:54 - A recommended teaching resource: EduProtocols
35:34 - A book recommendation: The Shark and the Goldfish by Jon Gordon
38:14 - How teachers can connect with the FREE Character Development Program
Connect with Teachers on Fire and Host Tim Cavey:
On X @TeachersOnFire (https://X.com/TeachersOnFire)
On Facebook @TeachersOnFire (https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/)
On YouTube @Teachers On Fire (https://www.youtube.com/@teachersonfire)
On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwcavey/
Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.
Song Track Credit
Tropic Fuse by French Fuse
GO! by Neffex
*All songs retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.
🔥 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 CLARKE as he shares his insights on these and other critical questions.
About This Guest: Lucas is an academic support teacher in Saint John, New Brunswick, and the host of the Mr. Clarke After Dark podcast.
Connect with Lucas
on Linkedin,
on Instagram and TikTok @mrclarke.afterdark,
on his podcast Mr. Clarke After Dark, and
on his YouTube channel @MrClarkeAfterDark.
Tune in for my regular Teachers on Fire interviews, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:00am Pacific and 11:00am Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast.
In This Conversation:
0:30 - Who is Lucas Clarke?
1:33 - Two stories of adversity
11:55 - Why Lucas moved from Alberta to Saint John, New Brunswick
16:59 - Lucas's current position as Academic Support Teacher (Resource Teacher)
20:06 - Resource teacher strategy: Pull students out or push in?
24:39 - Advice for new teachers struggling with Imposter Syndrome
28:54 - How has education changed over the last five years?
32:40 - What is the role of the Social Studies teacher as federal elections loom?
38:14 - The Mr. Clarke After Dark Podcast
43:25 - A productivity hack: grade fewer assignments
45:41 - An edtech app pick: Epic
47:18 - A book recommendation: The Boy Who Was Raised As a Dog
48:56 - An educator to follow online: George Couros
50:17 - Where to connect with Lucas online
Connect with Teachers on Fire and Host Tim Cavey:
On X @TeachersOnFire (https://X.com/TeachersOnFire)
On Facebook @TeachersOnFire (https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/)
On YouTube @Teachers On Fire (https://www.youtube.com/@teachersonfire)
On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwcavey/
Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.
Song Track Credit
Tropic Fuse by French Fuse
GO! by Neffex
*All songs retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.