Teachers on Fire

→ 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, 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 Olivia Odileke. Olivia is an educator, author, instructional technology leader, and foun...

→ 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 recognized speaker, bestselling author, and one of the leading voices in relational leadership and educator wellness. A former teacher, principal, and professor, Brad has authored multiple books and works with schools around the world to help leaders build trust, strengthen culture, and create environments where both students and educators thrive.You can connect with Dr...

→ 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 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 James Lane, Ed. D. James is Managing Director of K–16 at ETS, where he leads ini...

→ 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 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 Alex Gray. Alex is head of sixth form, BSME Network Lead for AI in Education, and foun...

→ 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 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 Connie Hamilton. Connie is an author and instructional expert known for helpin...

→ 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 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 Gregory Lemoine. Greg has been teaching overseas for the past 25...

→ 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 PaloposkiDanielle is an educator and former school administrator with extensive experience as a classroom teacher and middle level leader, specializing in standards aligned, competency based assessment. A contributing author to the British Columbia K–12 Reporting Policy, she has led system wide shifts from traditional grading to competency focused approaches grounded in feedback, professional judgment, and evidence of learning over time. Danielle now partners with the Canadian Assessment Centre to support...

→ 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 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 Debra Kierstead. Deb is an elementary teacher and fina...

→ 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 students?Welcome back to 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 Jennifer Diaz. Jennifer Diaz is the V...

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 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 Dr. Alicia Schroeder-Schock (pronounced Shrader-Shook). Alicia is an educator, consultant, and founder of E...

→ 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 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 Teachers on Fire are Sarah Oberle and Mitch Weathers, authors of Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom: Promotin...

→ 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 GuestsToday’s Teachers on Fire are Martin Stuible and Roy Hunt, hosts of the After the Bell podcast. Martin Stuible is deep into his third chapter of life with his creative company, Creative Moments on 11th. Roy Hunt is a geologist, world traveller, master teacher, and podcaster.Timestamps from This Episode0:00:00 - Martin Stuible and Roy Hunt are the hosts of the After the Bell podcast1:28 - How Martin...

→ 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 classrooms?About This GuestDean Shareski is a Senior Partnership Consultant with Advanced Learning Partnerships, bringing decades of experience at the intersection of education, leadership, and innovation. He works closely with school systems to translate big ideas—especially around learning design, leadership development, and emerging technologies—into practical, scalable strategies. Known for his cl...

→ 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 Brussoni and Dr. Megan Zeni, the authors of the recently published Embracing Risky Play at School: Getting Kids Outdoors to Explore, Learn, and Grow. Dr. Mariana Brussoni is a Professor within the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine and a scientist with British Columbia Children’s Ho...

→ 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 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, David CutlerDavid is a dad, husband, and writer. He’s also a veteran US history...

→ 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 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, Eric SheningerEric works with schools throughout the wo...

→ 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 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, Josh TovarJosh is the proud principal at Memorial Pathway Academy in Garland ISD, just outsid...

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 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, Becky KeeneBecky is an educator, author, and speaker who helps schools integrate AI to empower studen...

→ 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 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, Ruth PoulsenRuth is an international school leader who has spent her career building cultures of care—f...

→ 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 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, Dr. Danny SteeleDanny is a former award winning principal who speaks to educators around the co...

→ 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 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, Leah MermelsteinLeah collaborates with school districts, educational professionals, learning organizations, and families to enhance K-6 literacy instruction and prom...

→ 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 CantaruttiAndrew is an educator and writer with over a decade of experience teaching in public and private schools across Canada and the world...

→ 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 ChinToday’s Teacher on Fire is Edmond Chin. Edmond is a runner...

→ 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 CzyzRich is a school principal, cofounder of fouroclockfaculty.com, the author of four books on education and leadersh...

→ 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 GroshellZach is a highly distinguished teacher, instructional coach, and education consultant. Based in Seattle, he works with schools nationwide and internationally to develo...

→ 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...

→ 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...

→ 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...

🔥 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 GuestScott 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 Scotton LinkedIn,on X @mrnunesteach, on Instagram @iammredtech,and on his website, scottnunes.com.In This Conversation0:00:00 - Scott Nunes is an entrepreneur and former...

🔥 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 GuestSean 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 Seanon LinkedIn,on X @smgaillard,on Instagram @smgaillard,on his blog at https...

🔥 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 wi...

🔥 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 wi...

🔥 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 wi...

🔥 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 classro...

🔥 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 GuestToday’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 Pratheron LinkedIn and on Substack at https://writingteacher.substack.com/In This Conversa...

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...

🔥 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 ar...

🔥 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...