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/
Jan 27, 2025β’6 min
π₯ Whatβs the state of cyberbullying in our schools today? π₯ What are the silent impacts on our children, and what can we do to protect them? π₯ 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 Educat...
Dec 22, 2024β’45 minβ’Season 1Ep. 295
π₯ What can teachers do to protect their fire for teaching? π₯ What can we do to attract and keep great people in our profession? π₯ 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 a...
Dec 07, 2024β’44 minβ’Season 1Ep. 294
π₯ How can todayβs teachers eat well and care for their bodies? π₯ How can we fit movement and fitness into our hours at school? π₯ 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 an...
Nov 30, 2024β’25 minβ’Season 1Ep. 293
π₯ Can you describe the vision of your school? π₯ How can teacher-leaders raise up the people around them? π₯ 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...
Nov 23, 2024β’34 minβ’Season 1Ep. 292
π₯ How can media creation activities support student learning? π₯ How should we think about student phones in todayβs classrooms? π₯ 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 teache...
Nov 16, 2024β’37 minβ’Season 1Ep. 291
π₯ How can we promote values like courage, commitment, and sacrifice in our learning communities? π₯ 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,...
Nov 09, 2024β’41 minβ’Season 1Ep. 290
π₯ How has the teaching profession changed over the last five years? π₯ What would you say to a rookie teacher struggling with imposter syndrome? π₯ 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. Clark...
Nov 01, 2024β’52 minβ’Season 1Ep. 289
π₯ What does a coaching mindset look like in professional observations? π₯ How important is mentorship when it comes to the growth of school leaders? π₯ How can we better support the learning of our youngest readers and writers? Join me for this conversation with author and Director of Literacy LAUREN KAUFMAN as she shares her insights on these and other critical questions. About This Guest Lauren is passionate about empowering teachers to lead and develop lifelong literacy practices in all lear...
Oct 25, 2024β’43 minβ’Season 1Ep. 288
π₯ What does your schoolβs dream makerspace look like? π₯ Will AR and VR tools ever impact K-12 education in a significant way? π₯ How are students using 3D printing, laser cutting, and sublimation to create? Join me for this conversation with education technology coach JESUS HUERTA as he shares his insights on these and other critical questions. About This Guest: Jesus is an education technology coach based in southern California who believes that access to technology should not be determined b...
Oct 15, 2024β’52 minβ’Season 1Ep. 287
π₯ What does it mean to grow beyond grades? π₯ What works about standards-based grading, and where does it fall short? π₯ How can we deemphasize grades and shift the focus to growth in our practice? Join me for this conversation with assessment leader ARTHUR CHIARAVALLI as he shares his insights on these and other critical questions. About This Guest: In his teaching career, Arthur has taught mathematics, language arts, media arts, and technology. He has a passion for helping teachers move towar...
Oct 07, 2024β’51 minβ’Season 1Ep. 286
π₯ How can I take my students and their learning outdoors? π₯ How do students win when learning occurs outside the school building? π₯ How do curriculum, feedback, and assessment appear in outdoor environments? Join me for this conversation with LAUREN MACLEAN as she shares her insights on these and other critical questions. About This Guest: Lauren is an elementary school teacher and the author of Me and My Sit Spot, Finding Common Ground, and Sitting with Nature: An Educator's Guide to Sit Spo...
Sep 23, 2024β’31 minβ’Season 1Ep. 285
π₯ What does it mean to create a classroom of abundance? π₯ How can we make multiple iterations of work an integral part of our learning culture? π₯ How can we build strong relationships with our students at the start of the school year? Join me for this conversation with ADRIAN NEIBAUER as he shares his insights on these and other critical leadership questions. About This Guest: Adrian is a public school educator in Colorado with 20+ years of experience in helping students find their voices. Hi...
Sep 21, 2024β’38 minβ’Season 1Ep. 284
π₯ What are the core ingredients of successful school leadership teams? π₯ How important is mindset when it comes to the effectiveness of a school leader? π₯ What is one piece of advice that new principals, APs, and teacher-leaders should consider as they head into this school year? Join me for this conversation with Dr. DARRIN PEPPARD as he shares his insights on these and other critical leadership questions. About This Guest: Dr. Darrin Peppard is an author, leadership coach, consultant, and s...
Sep 15, 2024β’52 minβ’Season 1Ep. 283
π₯ What is one mindset shift I need to make as a teacher in 2024? π₯ Why do student-centered approaches matter now more than ever? π₯ How can generative AI support project-based learning in the classroom? Join me for this conversation with Hong Kong educator KYLE WAGNER as he shares his insights on these and other questions. About This Guest: Kyle is the founder and lead PBL/Learning Design Coach for Transform Educational Consulting, an organization that empowers forward thinking schools and edu...
Sep 08, 2024β’36 minβ’Season 1Ep. 282
π₯ How can we create a sense of belonging for every learner? π₯ How can we make the physical spaces of our schools more welcoming? π₯ What are 1-2 tangible daily practices that we can use to promote cultures of positivity in our schools? Join me for this conversation with BC educator MORGANE MICHAEL as she shares her insights on these and other questions. About This Guest: Morgane is a teacher and mother of two boys in Victoria, Canada. She is also a coach, speaker, and host of the KindSight 101...
Aug 24, 2024β’41 minβ’Season 1Ep. 281
π₯ How can play-based learning change mindsets in Math class? π₯ How can teachers develop core competencies in their students? π₯ What can a collaborative learning model look like in your classroom? Join me for this conversation with BC educator ASHLEY BODNAR as she shares her insights on these and other questions. About This Guest: Ashley is a teacher in Coquitlam, Canada. She was a 2023 recipient of the Prime Ministerβs Teaching Excellence Certificate of Achievement and is known for her work i...
Aug 10, 2024β’28 minβ’Season 1Ep. 280
π₯ Have generative AI tools killed the essay? π₯ In a world of screens, why are paper books more important than ever? π₯ How are smartphones changing the ways that students learn, and how should educators respond? Join me for this conversation with BC educator LISA GREEN as she shares her insights on these and other questions. About This Guest: Lisa is a teacher, author, and educational consultant in Victoria, Canada. Her masterβs degree and ongoing work lead her to explore the connections betwe...
Aug 04, 2024β’50 minβ’Season 1Ep. 279
π₯ What is next for Jake Miller? π₯ What does duct tape teach us about education technology? π₯ How should teachers be thinking about AI tools as they return to school? Join me for this conversation with JAKE MILLER as he shares his insights on these and other questions. About This Guest: Jake is an accomplished educator, speaker, presenter, podcaster, and author. This fall, he enters his third year as a personalized learning specialist in Ohio. Connect with Jake on Linkedin, on X, Instagram, an...
Jul 31, 2024β’41 minβ’Season 1Ep. 278
π₯ What are some educational leadership norms worth challenging? π₯ How are AI tools changing learning and instruction in rural school settings? π₯ How can I define my personal mission and guiding principles as an educator? Join me for this conversation with TYLER COMEAU as he shares his insights on these and other questions. About This Guest: Tyler is a young school principal in rural Alberta, Canada, currently working on a doctorate in Educational Leadership. He is the creator of the Elemental...
Jul 25, 2024β’34 minβ’Season 1Ep. 277
π₯ What does it mean to lead from the middle? π₯ How can we empower students and build student agency in 2024? π₯ How can we build systems of continuous improvement in our schools? Join me for this conversation with education leader DANELLE ALMARAZ as she shares her insights on these and other questions. About This Guest: With a focus on continuous improvement, Danelle equips leaders with the tools and mindset needed to enact lasting change by leading from the middle. Leadership development prog...
Jul 13, 2024β’27 minβ’Season 1Ep. 276
π₯ What does a school culture of leadership look like? π₯ What are the five pillars of effective school leadership? π₯ What do teachers want more from their principals: presents or their presence ? Join me for this conversation with education leader ALLYSON APSEY as she shares insights on these and other questions. About This Guest: Allyson has been an award-winning school leader for nearly 20 years, leading all levels from elementary to high school. She is the author of several booksβincluding ...
Jul 12, 2024β’27 minβ’Season 1Ep. 275
π₯ What was one takeaway from ISTE 2024? π₯ What does it take to write and publish a book for the first time? π₯ What role does food play in the context of education and learning? Join me for this conversation with Texas educator GABRIEL CARRILLO as he shares insights on these and other questions. About This Guest: Gabriel Carrillo is an educational technology specialist in San Antonio, Texas and the author of Cooking Up Experiences In The Classroom: Focus On Experiences, Not Just Lessons . He i...
Jul 06, 2024β’41 minβ’Season 1Ep. 274
π₯ What does it take to become an education content creator? π₯ What do education leaders need to know about privacy issues in AI? π₯ What roles will AR and VR technologies play in the future of learning? Join me for this conversation with Texas educator FONZ MENDOZA as he shares his insights. About This Guest: Fonz is a Professional Learning Specialist with expertise in educational technology and AI in education. He hosts the My EdTech Life podcast, where he interviews edtech startup founders, ...
Jun 16, 2024β’1 hr 12 minβ’Season 1Ep. 273
π₯ What are the biggest wins for teachers that generative AI can provide? π₯ How can we help students avoid plagiarism while supporting the creative process? π₯ Is it possible for ChatGPT to know too much about us? Join me for this conversation with New Jersey educator TIM BELMONT as he shares his insights. ABOUT THIS GUEST: Tim Belmont is a high school technology specialist and Language Arts teacher who has presented at many of the largest education technology conferences. In the classroom, he ...
Jun 09, 2024β’45 minβ’Season 1Ep. 272
π₯ Whatβs the purpose of assessment? π₯ How can we rehumanize assessment through story? π₯ What does it take to lead an assessment revolution in our schools? Join me for this conversation with NATALIE VARDABASSO as she shares her insights. ABOUT THIS GUEST: Natalie has served as a high school and middle school teacher, instructional coach, and an assessment lead. Today, sheβs an assessment speaker, consultant, author, and podcaster. Sheβs also the founder of The Empowerment Ecosystem, an online ...
Jun 01, 2024β’35 minβ’Season 1Ep. 271
π₯ What do we need to know about Depth of Knowledge? π₯ How can schools build inclusive cultures and improve student behavior? π₯ What are learning progressions, and how can they support student learning? Join me for this conversation with JENNIFER MOROZ as she shares her insights. ABOUT THIS GUEST: Jen is a BC educator who is proud to teach, collaborate with educators across BC, and offer professional development in assessment frameworks. She is a proud member of the new EVOXE Global Consulting...
May 25, 2024β’49 minβ’Season 1Ep. 270
π₯ Are we about tasks or learning? π₯ How do our beliefs about assessment shape absolutely everything we do? π₯ How has it become acceptable to do nothing in a classroom, and what can we do about it? Join me for this conversation with MELISSA DEAN as she shares her insights. ABOUT THIS GUEST: Melissa is a high school math, science and ELA teacher who is passionate about reforming assessment and reimagining mathematics education. She is a developing inquiry and design thinking teacher who is cons...
May 19, 2024β’49 minβ’Season 1Ep. 269
π₯Is our influence making an impact? π₯How can we live, work, and serve others in alignment with our assignment? π₯How can we clear away the clutter of our lives and move our personal mission toward success? Join me for this conversation with CHIP BAKER as he shares his insights. ABOUT THIS GUEST: Chip is a fourth generation educator who has now served as a teacher and coach for over twenty-four years. He is a multiple time best-selling author, Youtuber, podcaster, transformational speaker and l...
May 11, 2024β’28 minβ’Season 1Ep. 268
π₯ How can we reach bored students in the classroom? π₯ How can our gradebooks better support individual student growth? π₯ How should teachers be thinking about AI and evidence of learning? Join me for this conversation with TYLER RABLIN as he shares his insights. ABOUT THIS GUEST: Tyler is an award-winning instructional coach and former ELA teacher for Sunnyside School District in Sunnyside, WA. He is also the owner of Tyler Rablin Consulting, a contributing writer for publications such as Edu...
May 05, 2024β’42 minβ’Season 1Ep. 267