Bobby McCutcheon is the principal of Randall Elementary School in Independence, MO. He’s a husband, father, #GeniusHour advocate, travel junkie, Royals fan, and occasional political expert. After teaching for several years at the middle and high school levels, Bobby was offered the position of elementary principal and has never looked back. He points to a decision to transform his diet and fitness three years as a turning point in what has become an exciting journey of growth. Today, Bobby is pa...
Jun 21, 2018•25 min
Dan Ryder is the co-author of Intention: Critical Creativity in the Classroom and is currently the Education Director of the Success & Innovation Center at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington, ME. In our conversation, Dan shares about what ignites his passion for education today: seeing the philosophical focus shift from the acquisition of information to problem-solving, creativity, and design thinking. He challenges teachers to go beyond learning activities that build things just for the sak...
Jun 16, 2018•34 min
Christopher J. Nesi teaches 9th grade history at New Brunswick High School in New Jersey and is a Professor of Communications at Rutgers University. He also hosts the House of EdTech and Podcast PD podcasts and operates the Education Podcast Network. In our conversation, Chris shares his passion to see educators and learners of all ages take up the endeavour of creative work: “You don't have to share it with the world ... but just create,” he says. He also shares a personal habit that contribute...
Jun 14, 2018•24 min
Danielle Peters is an elementary teacher at Westerman Elementary School in Surrey, BC, Canada. Recently completing her Master’s in Ed. Tech., Danielle is passionate about helping kids learn, create, and innovate using technology. In our conversation, Danielle talks about how team teaching allows her to better meet the social-emotional needs of her learners and learn from her colleague’s perspectives each day. She describes how her third graders are using green screens and stop motion to make sto...
Jun 10, 2018•17 min
Diana Williams is an elementary teacher at Bayridge Elementary School in Surrey, BC, Canada. She is also a speaker, a consultant for her district, a student of PBL, award winner, and constant innovator. In our conversation, Diana speaks candidly about the challenges teachers face during labor disruptions and shares some frank advice for up and coming teachers. She talks about some of the initiatives that really excite her about education today, describes an important personal habit that contribu...
Jun 06, 2018•33 min
In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we speak with Brooke Moore. Brooke is the District Principal of Inquiry and Innovation in Delta, BC, Canada. She is also an instructor at Vancouver Island University and the editor-in-chief of UBC’s Transformative Educational Leadership Journal, located at http://teljournal.educ.ubc.ca/. In our conversation, Brooke describes the experience of working through stiff parent resistance while introducing progressive strategies around assessment in a We...
Jun 03, 2018•15 min
In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast we speak with Lindsey Danhoff. Lindsey is a first grade teacher (soon to be third grade) at Evening Street Elementary School in Worthington, Ohio. Lindsey shares about the challenges and rewards of working to change school practices, and speaks to what really ignites her passion for education: a growing emphasis on creativity and innovation. She also tells us how Harvard’s Project Zero is changing her entire mindset, and describes a 5-minute person...
May 31, 2018•19 min
In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast we speak with Gallit Zvi. Gallit is currently a principal intern in Surrey, BC, Canada, and a co-author of The Genius Hour Guidebook. Gallit describes how she overcame the challenges of transitioning into a new grade level earlier in her teaching career. She talks about the things that really ignite her passion in education today, including the magic of Genius Hour and how it supports the shift toward inquiry-based learning. Gallit also shares abou...
May 27, 2018•13 min
In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast we speak with Lynn Thomas. Lynn is the department head of English and Library and Digital Lead Learner at Dunnville Secondary School in Dunnville, Ontario, Canada. In this conversation, Lynn shares candidly about a year of serious family health challenges, crediting the support of administrators that helped her work through this difficult time. She speaks with passion about the power of new technologies to facilitate collaborative learning across g...
May 23, 2018•22 min
In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast we speak with Caterina Rylance. Caterina is a middle school languages teacher and ESL coordinator at St. Theresa Catholic Middle School in Sherwood Park, AB, Canada. Still in her second year of teaching, Caterina talks about how her writing at survivingteaching.org became a healthy outlet for her to reflect on the mix of frustrations and victories that come with becoming an educator. A Ukrainian folk dancer on the side, Caterina shares about the jo...
May 19, 2018•12 min
In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast we speak with Maria Thompson. Maria is a middle school teacher at Snow Hill Middle School in Snow Hill, Maryland. Maria is an expert in Summit Learning, a program that personalizes learning and supports students while they direct the focus of their own studies. She has great insights to share that fit nicely within the models of project-based and inquiry-based learning that many educators are seeking to move towards. Maria also offers some helpful ...
May 16, 2018•26 min
In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast we speak with Adam Miller. Adam is a middle school physical education teacher in Dhahran, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. In this conversation Adam tells a hilarious story of having to manage a swim class for a group of kindergarteners within 20 minutes of their first day of school. He shares about why he’s so passionate about physical education, the pleasure he finds in brewing good beers, and a personal habit that translates into personal success...
May 13, 2018•36 min
In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast we speak with Antonio Vendramin. Antonio is the District Principal of Communicating Student Learning in the Surrey School District of BC, Canada. In this conversation, Antonio discusses the exciting opportunities made possible by the recent shift toward a competency-based curriculum in British Columbia. He describes the power of good digital storytelling, and explains how the habit of running has transformed his mental and physical health in recent...
May 09, 2018•28 min
In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Adam Moler. Adam is a middle school history teacher at New Richmond Middle School in New Richmond, OH, USA. In this conversation, Adam speaks openly about what it was like to address some authentic doubts he was having about his own practice. He credits a solid PLN on Twitter and some inspirational reading as the key resources he looked to for the exciting reinvigoration he has experienced in his teaching over the last year, with more...
May 06, 2018•16 min
In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Roy Smith. Roy is an English teacher and department chair at Round Rock High School in Round Rock, Texas, USA. In this interview, Roy describes what it was like to fight thyroid cancer while remaining in education, and credits his students with supplying the energy needed to get through his most difficult days. He also tells us what currently ignites his passion for learning and shares a core personal habit that has stood the test of ...
May 02, 2018•19 min
In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Terry Jones, vice principal at JL Crowe Secondary School in Trail, BC, Canada. In this interview, Terry describes the incredible influence that positive and supportive leadership can make within the culture of a school. He talks about another one of his life passions, coaching hockey, and affirms the value of healthy relationships and community in every walk of life. Terry also gives us some great recommendations for accounts to follo...
Apr 28, 2018•22 min
In our tenth episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Adi Aharon, technology integration specialist at the top-rated Crofton House School in Vancouver, BC, Canada. In this interview, Adi discusses the challenge of working with everybody but nobody at the same time and affirms the value of building a strong professional learning network. She fills us in on the mission and vision behind her latest project, The Emotive Web (emotiveweb.ca), a resource for parents, educators, and learner...
Apr 25, 2018•17 min
In our ninth episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Jade Ingels, middle school classroom and PE teacher at St. Theresa School in Wabasca, Alberta, Canada. In this interview, Jade talks about a significant behaviour challenge she faced in the classroom as a first-year teacher and shares the keys to building a positive classroom culture. She also tells us why she’s passionate about project-based learning and offers some solid recommendations for books, edtech tools, YouTube channels...
Apr 22, 2018•29 min
In our eighth episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Steve Lai, primary French teacher at Richmond Christian School in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, and author of teachingwithipad.org. In this interview, Steve talks about Apple’s new iPad for Education and what it means for educators. He also shares some great edtech tools, strategies, and encouragement for teachers looking to grow, and gives us his recommendations for books, podcasts, Netflix, and more. Follow Steve on Twit...
Apr 18, 2018•23 min
In our seventh episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Jane Silversides, primary classroom and dance teacher at White Rock Elementary School in White Rock, British Columbia, Canada. In this interview, Jane fills us in on what’s special about second graders, recalls a funny story from her early days in the classroom, and shares about what’s igniting her passion in education today. She also answers the question of “If you weren’t in education, what would you be doing?” and gives us g...
Apr 14, 2018•17 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In our sixth episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Clayton Mollica, high school teacher at Fort Nelson Secondary School in Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. In this interview, Clayton talks about challenges and opportunities he sees in education, passions and interests that he enjoys outside of the classroom, and the rituals that make his mornings work. He also gives us great recommendations for books, Twitter, YouTube, and more. Follow Clayton on Twitter at @MollicaEDU. For...
Apr 12, 2018•18 min
In our fifth episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Sarah Robinson, high school vice principal at Fort Nelson Secondary School in Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. In this interview, Sarah talks about what really excites her in education today: shifts in the learning curriculum, new opportunities for authentic learning, and the latest research in the area of neuroscience. She also shares some personal habits that work, and gives us great recommendations for books, Twitter, Yo...
Apr 07, 2018•16 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In our fourth episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Adam Stefiuk, high school teacher and acting vice principal at the Energetic Learning Campus, part of the North Peace Secondary School in Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada. In this interview, Adam shares his solution to the challenges he faced with classroom management early in his career. He also tells us what excites him about the new BC curriculum and gives us some great recommendations for edtech tools, books, YouTube ...
Apr 04, 2018•22 min
In our third episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Simon Murti, middle school teacher at Bayridge Elementary School in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. In this interview, Simon shares openly about a discouraging experience that he faced early in his teaching career. He also tells us what excites him about the new BC curriculum and where he goes to get a good laugh at the end of the day. Follow Simon’s regular adventures from the classroom on Instagram (his preferred platform) @t...
Mar 31, 2018•23 min
In our second episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Cordell Ware, high school humanities teacher at Fort St. James Secondary School in Fort St. James, Canada. In this interview, Cordell shares candidly about the low moments he experienced in his practicum and tells us what currently ignites his passion for education. We hear about a unique personal habit that sets him up for daily success, and he gives his top recommendations for books, podcasts, YouTube channels, and more. Follo...
Mar 29, 2018•22 min•Season 1Ep. 2
