Teachers on Fire
269 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 days ago - ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWarming your heart, sparking your thinking, and igniting your professional practice. Reach out on any social media platform @TeachersOnFire. Hosted by Tim Cavey. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teachersonfire/support
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Episodes
AI, Homework, and Advice for New Teachers: A Conversation with ALEX VALENCIC
April 15, 2024 04:30 - 38 minutes - 35.5 MB🔥 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 business owner, Boy Scout leader, volunteer drug prevention specialist, and geek of all things. Since July 2021, he’s served as the Professional Learning Coordinator in Fre...
Is It TIME to QUIT TEACHING? A Conversation with ASHLEY PHILIPPS
March 31, 2024 07:18 - 38 minutes - 35.5 MB🔥 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 that she shares with educators who are seeking a change. Tune in for my regular Teachers on Fire interviews, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:00 Pacific and ...
How to MAKE the MOST of Your SPRING BREAK: 3 Veteran Teachers Share Their Insights
March 26, 2024 18:57 - 15 minutes - 13.8 MB🔥 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 morning at 8:00 Pacific and 11:00 Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast. In This Conversation: 0:22 - Who is Bryon Carpenter? 1:09 - Who is Tim Ste...
How to BUILD STUDENT AGENCY: A Conversation with STARR SACKSTEIN
March 24, 2024 01:29 - 33 minutes - 30.4 MB🔥 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 THIS GUEST: Starr Sackstein is a recovering perfectionist and now an assessment reforming enthusiast. Currently, she is the COO of Mastery Portfolio, LLC, an edtech start-up comm...
10 WAYS to SHOW YOUR STUDENTS YOU CARE: A Conversation with LAURA BOYD
March 17, 2024 06:39 - 23 minutes - 21.6 MB🔥 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: Laura is a middle school teacher who is passionate about edtech and SEL. She has presented at the district, local, and state levels, helping classrooms produce superior learning a...
DRAMA Is for ALL LEARNERS: A Conversation with Sam Marsden
March 09, 2024 21:25 - 23 minutes - 21.6 MB🔥 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: Sam teaches drama, writes fiction, and produces drama teaching resources. She is the author of 100 Acting Exercises for 8 – 18 Year Olds and the Pocketful of Drama book seri...
MATH, ASSESSMENT, and the SCIENCE of LEARNING: A Conversation with PHIL STRINGER
February 13, 2024 06:59 - 39 minutes - 36.2 MBJoin 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. Outside of the classroom, he can be found coaching soccer or hiking with his family in the local mountains. Welcome to Teachers on Fire interviews, airing LIVE on YouTube eve...
7 CREATIVE TOOLS That I'm Using with My ELEMENTARY DESIGN STUDENTS
February 12, 2024 05:28 - 10 minutes - 9.76 MBIt’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 tried and recommend (I have no affiliation with any of these brands, products, or sites). Read the whole blog post featured in this episode at https://teachersonfire.net/2024/02...
From CRIPPLING ANXIETY to HAPPINESS, WELL-BEING, and FULFILLMENT: A Conversation with KIM STROBEL
February 04, 2024 00:09 - 48 minutes - 44 MBKIM 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 purpose. Listen to her INCREDIBLE story and join this important conversation about building a sustainable life. Welcome to Teachers on Fire interviews, airing LIVE on YouTube eve...
This ONE THING Will DESTROY Your CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
February 02, 2024 05:09 - 5 minutes - 4.91 MBI 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 skin would start changing colors. He would throw chalk at students. He would smash his speaking podium on the floor. Read the whole blog post featured in this episode at http...
PE, HEALTH, and ASSESSMENT with JOSH OGILVIE
January 28, 2024 00:54 - 48 minutes - 44.6 MBShould 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 Pacific and 11:00 Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast. In This Conversation: 0:50 - Who is JOSH OGILVIE? 2:15 - A story of professional adversit...
17 Powerful Quotes from Essential Truths for Teachers
January 26, 2024 05:19 - 16 minutes - 15.4 MBWhen 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 management techniques, the best uses of technology, or assessment. This book is more of a manifesto. It’s about the fundamental beliefs and values that teachers need to own in orde...
DOK, INQUIRY, and STANDARDS: A Conversation with ERIK FRANCIS
January 20, 2024 23:14 - 1 hour - 65 MBI'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 YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:00 Pacific and 11:00 Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast. In This Conversation: 0:20 - Who is ERIK FRANCIS? ...
Should We BAN STUDENT PHONES in Our K-12 Schools? [DEBATE]
December 18, 2023 06:43 - 51 minutes - 47.1 MBShould 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 career to helping educators integrate technology effectively and meaningfully into their instruction. Recently, Chris was recognized by his school community with Teacher of th...
How Do YOU DISPLAY Your STUDENT LEARNING? Reviewing the Top Posts on Education X from the Week
December 17, 2023 02:37 - 10 minutes - 9.7 MBWelcome 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 McCrary urges teachers to display student learning as much as possible. Tony Vincent shares a fun Friday entry: Quick Draw (found at quickdraw.withgoogle.com). Sketch a given wor...
ASSESSMENT, UDL, and ADST with LYNNETTE EARLE
December 11, 2023 00:04 - 37 minutes - 34.4 MBLYNNETTE 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 transforming her professional practice. In This Conversation: 1:03 - More about Lynnette's current teaching context 2:00 - A story of adversity from Lynnette's education journ...
We Are ALL Math People: Reviewing the Top Posts on Education X from the Week
December 10, 2023 00:19 - 10 minutes - 9.8 MBWelcome 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 beginning and end of his Math courses, starting with students posing in a photo frame that says "I Am a Math Person." Natalie Vardabasso reminds us of the True North of assessment: a...
SPIRALS of INQUIRY with ASHLEY AOKI
December 03, 2023 18:08 - 44 minutes - 41.1 MBASHLEY 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 professional inquiry are changing Ashley's work and setting her on a new mission of collaboration. Welcome to Teachers on Fire interviews, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning...
AUTHENTIC AUDIENCE = STUDENT MOTIVATION: Reviewing the Top Posts on Education X from the Week
December 02, 2023 21:25 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBWelcome 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 authentic audience. Katie White shares a reproducible framework for student goal-setting that includes My Goal, Materials and Resources, Prior Knowledge and Skills, and Action S...
TELL Your COMMUNITY's STORY! A Conversation with JOSH TOVAR
November 26, 2023 06:26 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBJOSH 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 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 broadcast. IN THIS CONVERSATION: 0:...
HOW Do Your Students REFLECT on Their LEARNING? Reviewing the Top Posts on Education X from the Week
November 25, 2023 23:48 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBWelcome 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 or unit? If so, what strategies do you use? I look at some responses. I recall a George Couros suggestion about giving educators time to write and blog about their professiona...
Do We Want STUDENTS or LEARNERS? In Conversation with Jason Kennedy
November 20, 2023 04:47 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MBJASON 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 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 broadcast. TIM...
How Can We REDUCE TEACHER WORKLOAD and STRESS? Reviewing the Top Posts on Education X from the Week
November 18, 2023 20:00 - 15 minutes - 14.1 MBWelcome 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 reducing students' learning?" Dr. Matt Rhoads says that five years ago, he was against phone bans. Now in 2023, he calls on every single school in K-12 to ban phones. Roy Smit...
EMPOWER OUR LEARNERS - A Conversation with BRYAN GLOVER
November 12, 2023 23:49 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBBRYAN 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 morning at 9:00 Pacific and 12:00 Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast. IN THIS CONVERSATION: Current context in education An experience of...
Issue a VOCAB THROWDOWN in Your Classroom: Reviewing the Top Posts from Education X This Week
November 12, 2023 08:46 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MBWelcome 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 allows students to work in two teams on a single shared Doc and race to properly populate the frame around a single vocabulary term. Monte Syrie challenges the assumption that st...
Issue a VOCAB THROWDOWN in Your Classroom
November 12, 2023 08:46 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MBWelcome 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 allows students to work in two teams on a single shared Doc and race to properly populate the frame around a single vocabulary term. Monte Syrie challenges the assumption that st...
WRITING to FLIP the FEEDBACK: A Conversation with MELISSA BLACK
November 05, 2023 01:01 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBMELISSA 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 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 broadcast. IN THIS CONVERSATION wi...
How to OVERCOME the FALL ENERGY SLUMP: Top Posts on Education X This Week
November 04, 2023 19:09 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MBWelcome 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) Annick Rauch, full-time teacher and author of PheMOMenal Teacher, shares why she pushed herself to go for a run after 11 hours of report card writing. Tyler Rablin questions th...
LEARNING and REFLECTION Make Life BETTER - A Conversation with JEREMY JORGENSEN
October 30, 2023 00:14 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MBJEREMY 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 broadcast. IN THIS CONVERSATION with JEREMY JORGENSEN: 0:53 - Overcoming an early-career struggle: classroom management 4:17 - Current teaching context in Arbor Vitae, WI 5:57 - Sho...
These ASSESSMENT PRACTICES Have to STOP: Top Posts on Education X from the Week
October 29, 2023 15:06 - 21 minutes - 19.5 MBWelcome 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." Natalie is back with another challenge: "Stop grading everything students do." Monte Syrie reflects on his change of thinking about "his" students being called out of class to...
These Assessment Practices Have to STOP: Top Posts on Education X from the Week
October 29, 2023 15:06 - 21 minutes - 19.5 MBWelcome 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." Natalie is back with another challenge: "Stop grading everything students do." Monte Syrie reflects on his change of thinking about "his" students being called out of class to...
Why TEACHING CURSIVE WRITING is a BAD IDEA
October 21, 2023 19:48 - 22 minutes - 31.4 MBWelcome 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 students in grades 1-6. Here's why I think that is a terrible decision. Prodigy Education is encouraging teachers to support student out-of-school performances (sports, competition...
SCARE a TEACHER in FOUR WORDS: Top Education Posts on X This Week
October 16, 2023 02:48 - 15 minutes - 20.9 MBWelcome 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 appreciation to our leaders during National Principals Month, and I shout out my principal, Andrea Wiebe. Empower your learning targets by using them, talking about them, ...
Is Giving Zeros UNPROFESSIONAL?
October 08, 2023 22:30 - 17 minutes - 24.5 MBWelcome 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 take." Do you agree or disagree? Tom Schimmer suggests that opposition to standards-based grading really comes from teacher desire to coerce students into compliant behavior. A...
How Do YOU Improve Your Mental Fitness?
September 30, 2023 23:33 - 15 minutes - 21.7 MBWelcome 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 comments featured live on the broadcast! In this edition: Chey Cheney observes Truth and Reconciliation Day - Canada's national holiday and annual invitation to reflection on o...
Where Are YOU on the TEACHER HIERARCHY of NEEDS Right Now?
September 23, 2023 19:53 - 14 minutes - 19.7 MBWelcome 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 Quizizz AI feature that will automatically generate quizzes based on any selected YouTube video, URL, PDF, PPT, or text prompt. 6:24 - Tony Vincent also shares an exciting feat...
How many hours are you working OUTSIDE of SCHOOL each day?
September 16, 2023 18:15 - 22 minutes - 31.5 MBJoin 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? (Crappy Teacher) How are you building culture in your classroom and school using physical contact? (Zac Bauermaster) When teachers are policing student Crocs in schools, who...
9 SURVIVAL TIPS for NEW TEACHERS
July 30, 2023 23:24 - 11 minutes - 15.5 MBDear 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 want to help you make it. We want to see you grow, not go. We want this work to give you life, not take it from you. So with that in mind, here are some tips and strategies t...
The MAGIC and MISERY of STUDENT VIDEO SUBMISSIONS
July 28, 2023 02:30 - 11 minutes - 15.2 MBHere'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 avoid video submissions altogether? Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my writte...
How I Learned a Lesson About STUDENT PRIVACY
July 20, 2023 01:51 - 7 minutes - 10.5 MBThe 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 reflections, which you can read any time at teachersonfire.net. Read the blog post featured in this episode at https://teachersonfire.net/2023/07/17/how-i-learned-a-lesson-about-s...
How I'm GETTING My FIRE BACK (When I'm not creating, it's not okay.)
July 14, 2023 00:10 - 6 minutes - 6.2 MBMy 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? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teachersonfire/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teachersonfire/support
225 - MR. BEAST on LEARNING and CREATIVITY: 9 Lessons for Teachers
April 23, 2023 00:38 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MBWhat 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 guarantees extreme results. 2:09 - Lesson 2 from Mr. Beast: It's still possible to start at zero and become a master artist. 3:36 - Lesson 3 from Mr. Beast: Accelerate your growth by l...
224 - BOOST Your ENERGY with These Two RADICAL Phone Habits (And Why Scheduled Emails Don't Work)
March 06, 2023 00:04 - 8 minutes - 8.23 MBAre 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 waste too much time 2:09 - Scheduled emails problem no. 2: they create unnecessary confusion 2:31 - Scheduled emails problem no. 3: email avalanches are stressful 3:02 - What do teache...
223 - You Can Love Teaching, Love Your Students, and Still Love Time Away
May 01, 2022 02:12 - 6 minutes - 8.65 MBI’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 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...
222 - Two Years Later, It's a BREATH of FRESH AIR for a Pounded Profession
April 09, 2022 22:21 - 5 minutes - 7.8 MBLove 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 Teachers on Fire Magazine at Medium.com. Read the blog post featured in this episode at https://medium.com/teachers-on-fire/two-years-later-a-breath-of-fresh-air-for-a-pounde...
221 - Here's Your Permission to STOP CHASING Missing Student Assignments
March 26, 2022 23:24 - 12 minutes - 16.8 MBThe 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 students whose work is overdue on the classroom whiteboard or digital equivalents. Missing essays: Brian, Jackie, Solomon, Jenny, Stefan. They meet 1:1 with the students whose work...
220 - When a Middle School Student Goes ON STRIKE: Mapping Next Steps
March 13, 2022 06:46 - 7 minutes - 9.86 MBI 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 think about ways to allow the student to feel heard without creating a slam session against the teacher. And I wanted to allow the teacher to feel heard by the student without t...
219 - What is the PURPOSE of ASSESSMENT?
March 06, 2022 23:55 - 5 minutes - 8.09 MBWe 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 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 ...
218 - COMPASSION Over CANCELLATION: Seeing the Humanity Across the Aisle
February 26, 2022 20:46 - 4 minutes - 6.65 MBFollowing 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 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 https://medium.com/teachers-on-f...
217 - Why Schools MUST TELL Their STORIES
February 19, 2022 02:22 - 7 minutes - 10.4 MBHow 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 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 e...