Warming your heart, sparking your thinking, and igniting your professional practice. Reach out on any social media platform @TeachersOnFire. Hosted by Tim Cavey.
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In this edition of the Roundtable, host Tim Cavey connects with six inspiring educational technology podcasters to discuss the best learning apps and tools of 2020. In this year of unprecedented challenges, which companies and innovators stepped up to support learning? Welcome to Roundtables: livestreamed conversations meant to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice. QUESTIONS that GUIDED our DISCUSSION: Q1 - Who are you and what is your current CONTEXT in ed...
2020 began with so much promise. But we all know how that went. Even with the chaos, disappointments, and impossible challenges, what were the wins? What can we celebrate? How did we learn and grow? Welcome to Roundtables: livestreamed conversations meant to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice. Q1. Who are you and what does your learning community look like right now? Tell us about your context. Q2. As you look back on the last 4-5 months of learning, what...
Teacher FItness. We KNOW it's important. But as the days get shorter and our stress gets higher, it's JUST. SO. HARD. Welcome to Roundtables : livestreamed conversations meant to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice. QUESTIONS THAT GUIDED OUR DISCUSSION Q1. Who are you and what is your current context in education? Q2. Give us a quick snapshot of your journey with health and wellness. How has fitness positively impacted your personal and professional life? ...
When it comes to professional comparison, we have two choices. We can indulge in the judge-and-be-judged framework by avoiding the work of other education professionals in order to protect our self-confidence. Or we can embrace the learn-and-help-learn framework by engaging in professional comparison and building professional competence. It’s a question of mindset. Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my writ...
DR. HAYLEY WATSON is the founder of Open Parachute, an organization that supports the mental and emotional wellbeing of teachers, parents, and students. She is a clinical psychologist, entrepreneur, and documentary filmmaker with a PhD in bullying interventions, and she’s been creating and delivering programs for youth and practitioners in Canada, the US, the UK, and Australia for the past 15 years. Her aim is to bring reflective psychological skills outside of the therapy room and into the live...
These two learning management systems are a partnership made in LMS heaven. Wherever your loyalties currently lie, I think you'll find this discussion helpful and interesting. 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/we-already-have-google-cl...
STEPHANIE EDMONDS. Stephanie is a passionate high school educator in the Bronx, NY. She’s a mom, a content creator, YouTuber, a hockey player, an activist, and - as her brand indicates - a disruptor! Follow Stephanie On Twitter @classdisrupti0n ( https://twitter.com/classdisrupti0n ) On Instagram @Class.Disruption ( https://www.instagram.com/class.disruption ) On Facebook @TheClassDisruption ( https://www.facebook.com/theclassdisruption ) On YouTube at Class Disruption ( https://www.youtube.com/...
Back to school has never looked like this. Teachers, students, parents, and districts across the globe face an uncertain future as they navigate the experience of learning through a pandemic. Thankfully, schools with a baseline of internet access and technology resources can turn to a growing host of apps and platforms that create new opportunities for learning. For schools, districts, and educators looking to improve their K-12 instructional programs, here are my top ten digital tool recommenda...
GABRIEL CARRILLO is an Instructional Technology Specialist in San Antonio, TX. He currently supports teachers with all of their EdTech needs in the classroom including troubleshooting, planning lessons/units with teachers, modeling lessons for teachers, and providing professional development. He's presented at various AZTEA conferences in Arizona as well as FETC and TCEA. He is also the creator and host of the EdTech Bites Podcast where he has blended his two passions, Educational Technology and...
In a few days, for districts headed for F2F instruction, hundreds of students will fill our buildings. They’ll come with spanky new shoes and that first-day sense of nervous excitement. And they’ll look to their teachers for the same things they always have: a passion for teaching, care for their well-being, interest in who they are, and belief in their unlimited potential. Let’s welcome them with enthusiasm. With optimism. With smiles. Let’s let these children know that we’re thrilled to see th...
BRIAN ASPINALL is a globe-trekking educator on a mission to encourage everyone to take risks in their learning! Brian is a TED-X speaker and has authored several books, including Code Breaker , Block Breaker , and Risk Taker . Follow Brian: On Twitter @MrAspinall ( https://twitter.com/mraspinall ) On Instagram @MrAspinall ( https://www.instagram.com/mr.aspinall/ ) On YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/brinall1 On his blog at http://brianaspinall.com/ Visit https://teachersonfire.net/ for al...
My new position has me psyched to start new initiatives, explore the greatest pedagogies, and experiment with the latest learning tools. But a lot of that will have to wait. The reality is that we face chaotic circumstances. There is so much uncertainty. And again, so many questions. What will we do when staff members test positive for the virus this year? What will we do about substitute teachers? How can we effectively manage student supervision without burning out our staff? The list goes on ...
ANN KOZMA is the Educator Innovation Lead at Flipgrid and presents regularly at education conferences across the country including CUE, ISTE, and many others. Her heart beats for student voice, choice, agency, and inclusion for all. Her personal blog is titled Tech, Travel, Teach, and that sounds like a winning formula, too! Follow Ann: On Twitter @AnnKozma723 https://twitter.com/annkozma723 On Instagram @AnnKozma723 https://www.instagram.com/annkozma723/ On Facebook @AnnKozma723 https://www.fac...
Doubt, discouragement, and disillusionment: as education professionals, most of us have experienced these emotions at one time or another. Deep in those periods of adversity, it can be tempting to only see the success stories. The victories. The stories of achievement and accomplishment. And we can forget that others have faced their demons, too. With that in mind, here are ten stories of adversity from great educators and guests of the Teachers on Fire podcast. They’ve faced burnout, depression...
ERIKA SANDSTROM is where green screens meet social-emotional learning. She is a digital media teacher and instructional coach for 6-8th grades who loves nothing more than sharing her creative passions with students of all ages. Erika is the founder of @ClubMindful and #LogOff4Living. Her motto? "Cultivating CompassionThrough Creativity.” Follow Erika On Twitter @GreenScreenGal ( https://twitter.com/GreenScreenGal ) On Instagram @GreenScreenGal44 ( https://www.instagram.com/greenscreengal44 ) On ...
This Spark episode compiles 10 invaluable productivity hacks and mindsets shared by former Teachers on Fire podcast guests. It delves into establishing mindful morning routines, leveraging digital and physical planners for task management, and strategic goal-setting frameworks like OKRs. Teachers will discover practical advice on prioritizing tasks, gamifying goals, fostering self-compassion, and utilizing early mornings to enhance focus and efficiency in their demanding roles.
REBECCA GIBBONEY is a curriculum specialist at BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 in Williamsport, PA. She is also the author of The Tiebreaker: A Scouting Report on Building a Culture of Gamification in Professional Learning . Rebecca is passionate about two things in life: education and sports, and she combines both passions in ways that benefit educators. FOLLOW Rebecca On Twitter @GibboneyRebecca ( https://twitter.com/GibboneyRebecca ) On Instagram @GibboneyRebecca ( https://www.instagram.com/gibbon...
My interviews with educators on the Teachers on Fire podcast are simply conversations that could be enjoyed between two professionals over a phone call. But instead, they’re being heard thousands of times by educators everywhere. And perhaps that is the simplest way to summarize the contrast between synchronous and asynchronous learning: an in-person exchange versus one that is recorded, saved, and published. The conversation is the same in both. But the shape and scope and power of the learning...
BRUCE REICHER is a dad, husband, author, technology teacher, sportscaster, state presenter, and Google Certified Educator. He is also an edtech master and has certifications from Brainpop, Wevideo, Wakelet, and other platforms. Bruce is a co-author of Scripted: An Educator’s Guide to Media in the Classroom , which is set for release on August 11, 2020. This episode is sponsored by PHIDGETS. Get your FREE Phidgets starter coding kit today at bit.ly/phidgetsonfire ! FOLLOW Bruce … On Twitter @BRei...
What might it look like if as a professional learning community, we took ten minutes out of every week to answer these questions from the context of our professional practice and shared our results with each other? 1. What are you currently learning about professionally? What problem are you wrestling with in your practice? Which skills are you trying to master? 2. How is that learning going? How do you know? 3. What do you think are your next steps of professional growth? Sharing might look lik...
PAWAN WANDER, or “Pav,” as she is known around Twitter, is a middle school math and science teacher in Toronto, a co-host of The Staff Room Podcast (@StaffPodcast), and a co-host of The Drive with Chey and Pav, a real-time radio show for educators. FOLLOW Pav … On Twitter @PavWander ( https://twitter.com/PavWander ) On Instagram @___pav___ ( https://www.instagram.com/___pav___/ ) On The Staff Room Podcast on Twitter @StaffPodcast ( https://twitter.com/StaffPodcast ) On The Drive with Chey & ...
In this "Spark" segment, Tim Cavey reflects on the exhaustion educators face after a challenging school year, especially amidst COVID-19. Inspired by Grace Voo's "50 Strategies to Move from Surviving to Thriving," he outlines 11 personal summer practices. These include prioritizing sleep, engaging in nature, fostering family connection, and finding creative outlets like reading and writing, all aimed at deep restoration rather than just escaping work.
DR. FRANCOIS NAUDE is an award-winning teacher, education engineer, co-founder of the Work Integrated Learning tracker, speaker, presenter, author, podcaster, consultant, mentor, entrepreneur, and Crossfit fan. FOLLOW Francois … On Twitter @Super_Teacher_F ( https://twitter.com/Super_Teacher_F ) On Instagram @Super_Teacher_F ( https://www.instagram.com/super_teacher_f/ ) On Facebook at Super Teachers Unite ( https://www.facebook.com/SuperTeachersUnite ) On YouTube at Super Teachers Unite ( https...
I’ve taught in schools in four cities. In each context, the student populations have been majority non-white while the staff populations have been majority white. Take my two stepsons, for example. They are finishing tenth and eighth grade. Their father is white and their mother is Filipino, although to see them you might assume that they are not white at all. Yesterday I asked them if they have ever had a teacher of Filipino or East Asian descent from Kindergarten through eighth grade. Nope. No...
MIKE WASHBURN is a Microsoft in Education expert, the Director of Engagement at @Participate, co-host of the fabulous @OnEducationPod, and the co-founder of the @OnPodcastMedia podcast network. When you visit Mike’s website you encounter this phrase: Passionately Educating, Constantly Learning - and that really summarizes Mike’s whole attitude and approach to education. FOLLOW Mike … On Twitter @MisterWashburn ( https://twitter.com/misterwashburn ) On Instagram @MisterWashburn ( https://www.inst...
This episode explores the multifaceted nature of a teaching career, prompted by a friend's query. It meticulously breaks down both the profound advantages, such as deeply rewarding relationships and creative freedom, and the significant challenges, including low income, exhaustion, and administrative demands. The discussion concludes by outlining key character traits essential for success and fulfillment in the profession, reinforcing that despite its difficulties, teaching offers immense personal reward.
EVAN WHITEHEAD is a school district administrator, national consultant for the Aha Process, and an advocate for equity, mental health, mindfulness, and the UN sustainable development goals in education. FOLLOW Evan … On Twitter @EvanWhitehead00 ( https://twitter.com/EvanWhitehead00 ) On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/evan.whitehead.794 At the Aha Process at https://www.ahaprocess.com/ Visit https://teachersonfire.net/ for all the show notes and links from this episode! CONNECT with the Tea...
Back in the normal classroom, I seat students in groups because it’s in their engagement, their interaction, their support of each other’s work that they develop the 5 Cs each and every day. They learn to communicate effectively. They learn to collaborate and negotiate. They learn to critique each other’s work kindly, helpfully, and respectfully. Their creativity inspires their neighbors and their passions spur new curiosities and wonder. So how do we replace all of this in the remote learning e...
SHANNON SCHINKEL is an inclusive BC high school drama teacher, progressive assessment maker, part time actor, blogger, and reader. She is also the creator and administrator of two Facebook groups called Beyond Report Cards and Humanities Zone on Facebook. Follow Shannon on Twitter @DramaQueenBRC, on her blog at https://mygrowthmindset.home.blog/ , and on her Facebook group, Beyond Report Cards . FOLLOW Shannon … On Twitter @dramaqueenbrc ( https://twitter.com/dramaqueenbrc ) On Instagram @DramaQ...
Drawing boundaries with our time isn’t easy, and I’ll admit that there are ebbs and flows in the course of the school year. But I believe it’s essential, because Parkinson’s Law is a thing. Give this work more time, and it will take it. I’ve learned to draw boundaries instead. I’ve learned to pursue some personal passions. And the result? I’ve gone from burnout to a teacher on fire. For your sake and the sake of your learners, I hope you’ll do the same. Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended ...
