This podcast episode explains the forthcoming evolution of the Education on Fire podcast, as I, Mark Taylor, prepare to embark on an exciting new chapter with esteemed educator Professor Dr. Ger Graus OBE. Central to our discussion will be the exploration of innovative educational theories derived from Ger's autobiography, focusing on the concepts of connection, extension, and challenge in the learning process. We aim to illuminate the distinction between merely imparting knowledge and fostering...
Aug 11, 2025•17 min•Ep. 457
Green Schools Revolution is a three-year project launched in January 2023, hosted by SOS-UK and funded by the #iwill Fund. We help secondary school pupils to green their schools as part of the Department for Education's (DfE) Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy. Students develop whole-school Climate Action Plans, create Wilding Plans to bring nature back to their school grounds, and deliver Teach the Teacher sessions to help integrate climate education into the curriculum. I chat to Lucy ...
Aug 04, 2025•43 min•Ep. 456
David Carson from Dumbify delves into the intriguing concept that embracing "dumb" thinking can often lead to innovative solutions. We explore how society has cultivated a reluctance to ask seemingly foolish questions, thereby stifling creativity and potential breakthroughs. Our conversation is enriched by anecdotes illustrating how historical figures, like Isaac Newton, harnessed the power of curiosity and unorthodox thinking to arrive at revolutionary ideas. We also reflect on personal experie...
Jul 28, 2025•43 min•Ep. 455
EDUCATIONAL THERAPY For Learners 5th Grade to Adult with ADHD and Executive Functioning Challenges Rachel Kapp grew up in Los Angeles. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Sociology and minored in Jewish Studies. Rachel began tutoring students in high school, eventually choosing to pursue a career in education. For over six years, Rachel was a lead preschool teacher where she gained a firm foundation in explicit teaching. R...
Jul 21, 2025•51 min•Ep. 454
Connecting Through Conversation: A Playbook for Talking with Students. Erika Bare has been an educator for over 20 years, currently serving as the Superintendent in the South Umpqua School District in Oregon. A special education teacher by training, she is passionate about supporting all students through individual supports to reach their limitless potential. Tiffany Burns loves working with kids. In her two decades in education, she taught elementary, middle, and high school students. Tiffany h...
Jul 14, 2025•40 min•Ep. 453
Dr. Emily Levy is the founder and director of EBL Coaching, a specialized tutoring program that offers individualized one-on-one home, virtual, and on-site instruction using research-based, multi-sensory techniques. She is also the author of Strategies for Study Success, a 22-part student workbook series that teaches students strategies for test taking, note taking, reading comprehension, writing, summarizing, and executive functioning, along with the Flags and Stars Orton Gillingham student wor...
Jul 06, 2025•31 min•Ep. 452
Marcela Andrés serves as President and CEO of designEDengagement, PBC, a Latina-owned education consulting firm based in Texas on a mission to reimagine how educators, families, and community members partner to support the hopes and dreams of students. Previously, Marcela was a program director for a non-profit whose mission was to advocate for public education. She was also a third- and fourth-grade teacher at a bilingual elementary school. She is the author of Purposeful Educator Connections: ...
Jun 30, 2025•38 min•Ep. 451
Dr. Jewel Williams, a Doctor of Health Science, Nationally Registered EMT, and Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®), is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Bridgeport. With over 20 years as an educator and former principal, she is passionate about empowering educators to prioritise their well-being. Dr. Williams integrates neuroscience with the eight dimensions of wellness—physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual, occupational, environmental, and financial—to help...
Jun 23, 2025•42 min•Ep. 450
Beyond its essential educational initiatives, The Be The Ladder Foundation also recognises those who make a difference through the Be The Ladder Awards . These prestigious awards shine a spotlight on individuals and organisations that embody the ethos of ‘being a ladder’ – helping others overcome obstacles and achieve greatness. Every year, the awards celebrate 30 exceptional individuals or groups, known as The Ladder List , across ten categories. From these nominees, one deserving recipient in ...
Jun 16, 2025•39 min•Ep. 449
Bobby Donohue is the founder of Planet Bonehead, an innovative educational platform helping schools teach kids about climate change and prepare them for environmental STEAM careers. Planet Bonehead provides teachers with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to effectively educate young learners about environmental issues. His work combines creativity, storytelling, and real-world solutions to inspire kids to think critically and take action. Planet Bonehead is used in classrooms acros...
Jun 09, 2025•55 min•Ep. 448
Martyn Cast is a distinguished musician and educator from Jenca Music School in Jersey. Martyn discusses the transformative power of music, particularly in educational contexts, where it serves as a medium for individuals—especially children—to express themselves and navigate their emotions. He recounts his personal journey, beginning with a childhood steeped in musical influence, which culminated in the founding of the Jenca Music School in Jersey. Through this institution, he aims to cultivate...
Jun 02, 2025•46 min•Ep. 447
Today's podcast features Mike Robbins, who delves into the intricate dynamics of teamwork, human connection, and the evolving landscape of education. Mike reflects on his experiences as both an athlete and an educator, emphasizing the paramount importance of fostering genuine relationships within teams. He articulates that when individuals care for one another and cultivate a supportive environment, performance inevitably improves. Furthermore, Mike addresses the pressing need for educational sy...
May 26, 2025•42 min•Ep. 446
Lenora Edwards, Board Certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Chief Knowledge Officer at Better Speech, is a communication expert with over 15 years of experience specializing in pediatric and family-centered speech therapy. Her expertise spans improving speech intelligibility, nurturing language development, and working with neurodiverse individuals, employing evidence-based techniques to help children of all abilities communicate more effectively. At Better Speech, Lenora leads initiatives t...
May 19, 2025•43 min•Ep. 445
Ben Brown Is currently Head of UK and Ireland for Optoma Ltd, having previously been head of market development for Promethean and the education businesses lead for Hewlett-Packard, Samsung and XMA in the UK. He has worked in the education technology sector for over 20 years and has developed a real passion for advancing the use of technology to support teaching and learning. Now the Chair of Trustees at Astrea Academy Trust, he previously sat on the Board of Trustees at the David Ross Education...
May 12, 2025•52 min•Ep. 444
The Oxford School of Thought (OST) is the primary education think tank – the first of its kind in the UK. They regard learning as a continuum, and we recognise the powerful and enduring influence of primary education across a lifetime of learning. OST proposes a distinct model of school inspection for primary schools, highlighting the need for a framework that reflects the unique nature of primary education. The current inspection model, which primarily caters to secondary schools, fails to addr...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 443
With over 25 years of experience as a Special Education Teacher, Classroom Teacher, and Principal, Leroy Slanzi has dedicated is life to cultivating relationships built on kindness, empathy, and trust. He believes in the power of leadership to make the world a better place. He has consistently focused on nurturing a positive impact in the lives of students, families, and educators. Currently, he is working for the Lower Nicola Indian Band, feeling proud and fortunate to be in the final stages of...
Apr 28, 2025•52 min•Ep. 442
Rhonda Britten -- Emmy Award-winner, 4x Bestselling author, Repeat Oprah guest, Tedx Speaker, Huffington Post Contributor, and Master Coach – has devoted her life to one thing: teaching people how to master fear. She has created a method for anyone to overcome the insidious fear of “not being good enough” using the “Wheel Technology” she developed to save her own life. What she teaches is what she has lived. The episode presents an in-depth exploration of the multifaceted relationship between fe...
Apr 21, 2025•53 min•Ep. 441
Craig Hane, also known as Dr. Del, passionately advocates for a revolutionary approach to mathematics education, emphasizing the necessity of practical application over traditional teaching methods. His initiative, Triad Math, seeks to transform the outdated paradigms of math education in the United States by integrating contemporary tools and techniques that align with the demands of the 21st century. His mission is to empower students with the tools necessary to navigate modern challenges, the...
Apr 14, 2025•30 min•Ep. 440
Professor Dr Ger Graus OBE is a renowned figure in the field of education - once described as “Jean-Jacques Rousseau meets Willy Wonka”. He was the first Global Director of Education at KidZania and the founding CEO of the Children’s University. In 2019, Ger became a Visiting Professor at the National Research University in Moscow, Russia. He is also a Professor of Practice at the University of Cumbria, United Kingdom, and a Member of the PhD Advisory Council at the University of Modena and Regg...
Apr 07, 2025•53 min•Ep. 439
Bob Martin’s Uncommon Journey takes him from a high-powered criminal trial lawyer during Miami’s Cocaine Cowboy era to a healing force. Under the tutelage of Hua Ching Ni, a 72nd-generation Master from the Shaolin Temple, Bob has become a Certified Meditation Teacher, Mentor, and published author. At 74, Bob draws from his diverse experiences as a criminal lawyer, restaurant owner, corporate consultant, and community leader to guide others toward clarity and peace. Currently serving as a Profess...
Mar 31, 2025•48 min•Ep. 438
Sharon Dunlevy is an educational advocate for children in foster care. It is her mission to bring the educational needs of children in foster care to the attention of those who can change policies and practices that would give more children in foster care the ability to succeed educationally, the foundation for their ability to succeed after leaving care. Her primary work includes training foster parents on the educational laws that affect children in foster care and how to use those laws to ens...
Mar 24, 2025•50 min•Ep. 437
What is Neuroplasticity? Neuroscientists used to think that our brain was fixed and unchangeable from birth. It was believed that our intellectual capacity was fixed – the brain with which we were born, was the brain we had for life. We now know that the brain is a highly active and malleable organ across a person’s lifespan. This powerful capacity for change is called neuroplasticity. Arrowsmith was born from Barbara Arrowsmith-Young’s own painful struggle with her learning disorder and the jou...
Mar 17, 2025•50 min•Ep. 436
The discourse surrounding the transformative potential of education is vividly illustrated through the explorations presented in the recent series of Education on Fire. Each episode immerses the listener in the innovative methodologies employed by a myriad of educators who ardently advocate for systemic change as well as individual empowerment. The concept of backward design, championed by Dr. James Mannion, is a focal point in this series, wherein educators are encouraged to define desired outc...
Mar 10, 2025•31 min•Ep. 435
Tim Newman explores how communication is an essential pillar for success and the challenges that students face in developing vital skills, particularly in the context of contemporary educational environments. Tim expresses a pressing concern regarding the shortcomings of the current educational system, particularly its fixation on grades over genuine learning. He underscores the importance of fostering self-esteem and encouraging students to engage actively in their educational journeys, thereby...
Mar 03, 2025•50 min•Ep. 434
Dr. James Mannion is a distinguished authority on educational reform. He explains the concept of "backward design," a strategic approach to implementing school improvement by beginning with clear objectives and working backward to identify solutions for current challenges. Dr. Mannion shares insights from his recent publication, "Making Change Stick," where he emphasizes the necessity of engaging educators at all levels in the change process, thereby fostering a collaborative environment that en...
Feb 24, 2025•58 min•Ep. 433
On Thursday, 23rd January, I was invited to Bett UK to interview some incredible companies leading the way in education technology. I had the chance to sit down with Jamf , a company helping schools and businesses manage Apple devices, RM , a UK-based provider of tech solutions supporting IT infrastructure in schools, and Kahoot! , the interactive quiz platform that’s transforming how students engage with learning. It was such a privilege to speak with these innovators about how they’re reshapin...
Feb 17, 2025•47 min•Ep. 432
Wall Street English is the leading provider in hybrid English language education with over 350 learning centers in 35 territories across the globe. Since its foundation 1972, it has provided tuition to over three million adults with over a million classes delivered every year through its language centers and digital classroom. Wall Street English combines a proven and effective blended learning methodology with a scalable business model to capitalize on the growth potential of adult English lang...
Feb 10, 2025•44 min•Ep. 431
Jonathan Arthur is the Executive Headteacher of Badock's Wood E-ACT academy and discusses the complexities and rewards of modern education. Jonathan articulates that while the educational landscape is more challenging than ever, it remains profoundly gratifying to enact positive change in students' lives. He emphasises the importance of cultivating a nurturing environment where aspirations are not merely raised but made achievable through support and commitment. He highlights the necessity of bu...
Feb 03, 2025•53 min•Ep. 430
How do we support left-handed children in a predominantly right-handed world? Mark Stewart, founder of Left n Write Ltd, shares his journey and insights on the unique challenges faced by left-handed individuals, particularly in educational settings. With over 1 million left-handed children in schools across England, Mark emphasizes the lack of awareness and training for educators on how to assist these students effectively. Mark started his small business about 30 years ago as a result of trying...
Jan 27, 2025•46 min•Ep. 429
Dr. Shelby Kretz is the creator of Little Justice Leaders, an organization that provides social justice education resources for educators and families. Shelby earned her Ph.D. in Education from UCLA, and her research explores social justice education at the elementary school level. Over the past decade, Shelby has worked with thousands of parents, teachers, and school leaders to bring social justice education to elementary aged kids. She emphasizes that biases begin to form as early as three yea...
Jan 20, 2025•45 min•Ep. 428
