→ How can relational leadership transform your school community?→ How can we encourage colleagues overwhelmed by fatigue, culture wars, or literacy battles?→ As technology debates rage, where is the conversation going in K-12 education?Today’s Teacher on Fire is Dr. Brad Johnson. Dr. Johnson is an internationally recognized speaker, bestselling author, and one of the leading voices in relational leadership and educator wellness. A former teacher, principal, and professor, Brad has authored multiple books and works with schools around the world to help leaders build trust, strengthen culture, and create environments where both students and educators thrive.You can connect with Dr. Brad Johnsonon Facebook and LinkedIn,on X and Instagram @DrBradJohnson, andat his website, doctorbradjohnson.com.Timestamps from This Episode0:00:00 - Dr. Brad Johnson is a renowned education author and speaker1:38 - The story in Coffee with the Custodian5:32 - Leadership principles that administrators struggle with7:38 - Relational leadership11:25 - A mistake that new administrators make sometimes14:13 - How to recognize character traits in students16:45 - Encouraging tired teachers20:39 - How to best leverage strengths of teachers22:40 - The technology debate raging in K-12 education27:22 - One thing that keeps Dr. Johnson's fire burning29:51 - How and where to connect with Dr. Brad JohnsonVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library.

→ What are the seven steps to school success?→ What are the most common distractions school leaders face?→ How can we build schools that give our graduates the kinds of skills that actually have career-ready value in tomorrow’s marketplace?Welcome back to the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.Today’s Teacher on Fire is James Lane, Ed. D. James is Managing Director of K–16 at ETS, where he leads initiatives to strengthen connections between K–12, higher education, and the workforce. Previously, he served as CEO of PDK International and Educators Rising, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education, and Superintendent of Public Instruction in Virginia, where he was named 2017 Virginia Superintendent of the Year. A lifelong educator and musician, Dr. Lane is also a trumpet player and member of the Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame.You can connect with Dr. James Laneon X and Instagram @DrJamesLane, on LinkedIn, at universityinstructors.com, and at leadingwithlaserfocus.com.Timestamps from This Episode0:00:00 - Dr. James Lane is a former Superintendent of the Year1:52 - The 7 steps to school success4:48 - Distractions for school leaders6:34 - Advice for future leaders8:47 - Grow your own - from students to district leaders11:53 - How to build trust in a new school community14:47 - Standardized testing and deeper learning17:47 - From worksheets to competencies20:34 - Career readiness for our graduates23:37 - Inclusive practices and potential for all learners27:14 - How and where to connect with Dr. James Lane onlineVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library.

→ How can education podcasting impact professional growth over time?→ What is the single most dangerous misconception schools are making about artificial intelligence right now?→ How can design thinking prepare secondary students for a complex, uncertain, technology-driven future?Welcome back to the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.Today’s Teacher on Fire is Alex Gray. Alex is head of sixth form, BSME Network Lead for AI in Education, and founder of the DEEP Education Network, a global platform connecting 1,000+ educators across 50+ countries with courses, community, and evidence-based frameworks for modern teaching. He hosts The International Classroom Podcast, one of Dubai's largest education podcasts with hundreds of thousands of views.You can connect with Alexon LinkedIn,on Instagram @deepeducationnetwork,on YouTube @deepeducationnetwork, and on his website at deepeducationnetwork.com/blog.Timestamps from This Episode0:00:00 - Alex Gray is a secondary educator and podcaster in Dubai1:48 - Alex's journey from the UK to Dubai5:43 - Teacher sustainability in international contexts9:26 - Teacher burnout around the globe12:31 - Podcasting as professional development15:46 - AI literacy23:09 - School misconceptions about AI25:30 - Vibe coding29:20 - Design thinking in secondary34:54 - Alex's courses for educators at deepeducationnetwork.com37:46 - How and where to connect with Alex onlineVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library.

→ How can we improve the effectiveness of the questions we ask in the classroom?→ What’s a better way to respond the next time we get the classic “I don’t know”?→ What does collecting actionable microdata look like during a live lesson?Welcome back to the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.Today’s Teacher on Fire is Connie Hamilton. Connie is an author and instructional expert known for helping educators shift more thinking to students through effective questioning, collaboration, and high-impact classroom practices.You can connect with ConnieOn Facebook and LinkedIn, On Instagram @conniehamiltonEd andAt her website at conniehamilton.org.Timestamps from This Episode0:00:00 - Connie Hamilton is an education author, speaker, and presenter1:14 - How to improve teacher questioning2:57 - Questioning that shows student reasoning5:10 - How to respond to "I don't know"7:39 - Questions that produce more equity and inclusion11:41 - Teacher invisibility - giving students agency and ownership15:33 - Productive struggle - what teachers need to know20:12 - Microdata points for instructional coaches to look for25:55 - Signs of curiosity and inquiry in a classroom27:20 - Providing coaching support to teachers without burdening30:37 - How and where to connect with Connie Hamilton's workVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library.

→ What is the single most rewarding aspect of international teaching?→ For educators considering an international leap in their teaching career, what are the most crucial factors to consider?→ What is the most common mistake teachers make when interviewing for an international teaching contract?Welcome back to the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.Today’s Teacher on Fire is Gregory Lemoine. Greg has been teaching overseas for the past 25 years in international schools. He is the author of Finding the Right Fit: Your Professional Guide for International Educator Recruiting Fairs and Amazing Stories of a Teacher Living Overseas. On The International Teacher Podcast, he enjoys spreading the best kept secret in education: international teaching.You can connect with GregoryOn Facebook and LinkedIn,On Instagram @internationalteacherpodcast, and At his website, itpexpat.com.Timestamps from This Episode0:00:00 - What to consider before teaching internationally1:29 - Five years of the International Teacher Podcast4:01 - Reverse culture shock6:18 - The countries Greg has taught in10:47 - The path to ed leadership in international schools12:29 - International teaching recruitment fairs15:59 - The life of a third culture kid (TCK)19:59 - How AI is impacting international schools24:04 - The most rewarding aspect of international teaching25:57 - How and where to connect with Greg Lemoine onlineVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library.

→ How do traditional grading systems quietly undermine deep learning?→ How can teachers shift assessment paradigms without burning out?→ What steps can administrative teams take to genuinely support their staff?About Danielle PaloposkiDanielle is an educator and former school administrator with extensive experience as a classroom teacher and middle level leader, specializing in standards aligned, competency based assessment. A contributing author to the British Columbia K–12 Reporting Policy, she has led system wide shifts from traditional grading to competency focused approaches grounded in feedback, professional judgment, and evidence of learning over time. Danielle now partners with the Canadian Assessment Centre to support schools in building coherent, humane, and sustainable assessment systems that cultivate transferable skills and self regulated learners.You can connect with DanielleOn Facebook, LinkedIn, On Instagram @dpalo_ed, and On her website at https://danielle-paloposki.mykajabi.com/Timestamps from This Episode0:00:00 - How traditional assessment undermines learning4:15 - Why Danielle founded the Competency Code Collective9:52 - How to support teachers in assessment transitions16:10 - Are learning targets just for administrators?18:59 - From evaluator to learning coach23:39 - Ensuring our assessment language is consistent31:08 - How to use AI to design better assessment35:49 - Assessment resources from DanielleVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library.

→ Which foundational money concepts do our students struggle with the most?→ Why do states and districts continue to downplay the importance of financial literacy in our curricular standards?→ What is one practical way for teachers to build financial literacy in their classrooms on Monday morning?Welcome back to the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.Today’s Teacher on Fire is Debra Kierstead. Deb is an elementary teacher and financial literacy coach who helps educators bring real-world money skills into the classroom. Her hands-on approach makes budgeting, saving, and spending feel simple and fun - for students and teachers alike.You can connect with DebraOn Facebook, On Instagram @kierstead.deb, andAt her website, liveskillsmoney.com.Take advantage of Deb's free starter class: www.liveskillsmoney.com/free-starter-class (not sponsored)

→ How can we build literacy skills and environmental stewardship at the same time?→ What is the Everglades Foundation Literacy Program, and what resources do they offer classroom teachers?→ What is Everglades Ecoquest, and how can educators use this web-based platform to bring interactive, gamified learning to their students?Welcome back to the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.Today’s Teacher on Fire is Jennifer Diaz. Jennifer Diaz is the Vice President of Education at The Everglades Foundation, where she has dedicated the past 12 years to building and leading Florida’s only comprehensive, statewide Everglades environmental education program. Since joining the Foundation in 2014, she has guided the growth of the Everglades Literacy Program into a national model for place-based environmental learning, now adopted by 31 school districts and reaching more than 300,000 students and families annually.You can connect with the Everglades Foundation …On X @EvergFoundation,On Instagram @evergladesfoundation,On Facebook and LinkedIn, andAt their website, evergladesfoundation.org.Timestamps from This Episode0:00:00 - Welcome to Jennifer Diaz, VP of Education at the Everglades Foundation0:16 - The mission and vision of the Everglades Foundation1:07 - Everglades Foundation literacy resources are free to anyone2:02 - Building environmental stewardship through literacy skills4:13 - The Teacher Toolkit 41 lesson plans are curriculum-aligned6:03 - Resources for Spanish and Haitian Creole learners7:41 - What is Everglades Ecoquest and what does it offer students?10:35 - Hands-on learning experiences related to the Everglades12:59 - The Champion Schools program builds environmental leadership15:54 - A first step to take to build environmental literacy17:11 - How to connect with the Everglades FoundationVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library.

How can teachers challenge their gifted learners without burning out?How we spot high-ability learners who might be masking their abilities in the classroom?How can we make sure our choice boards don’t just become busywork?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.Today’s Teacher on Fire is Dr. Alicia Schroeder-Schock (pronounced Shrader-Shook). Alicia is an educator, consultant, and founder of Elementary Elevated, where she helps teachers design engaging, rigorous learning experiences for advanced elementary learners. With an Ed.D. in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership and a master’s in Educational Psychology, Alicia presents nationally on gifted curriculum and  differentiation and serves on the board of the North Dakota Association for Gifted Children.Connect with AliciaOn her blog at elementaryelevated.comTimestamps from This Episode0:00:00 - Welcome to Dr. Alicia Schroeder-Schock1:31 - What are high-ability learners?2:16 - How can we spot them?3:44 - What does elevating standards look like?5:53 - How AI can help to elevate standards6:53 - How to design choice boards8:36 - From objectives to outcomes10:51 - What is curriculum compacting?14:57 - Elevating the student writing process19:13 - How to differentiate for high-ability learners20:41 - Social and emotional challenges25:05 - What's keeping you on fire?28:58 - How and where to connect with Dr. Alicia Schroeder-Schock onlineVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library.

→ What are executive functions, and why do they matter?→ What are the differences between core and higher order executive functions?→ How can we tweak the physical and acoustic environment of our classrooms to support all learners?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.Today’s Teachers on Fire are Sarah Oberle and Mitch Weathers, authors of Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong Start.Mitch Weathers is an educator, author, and nationally and internationally recognized expert on executive functioning in the classroom, known for translating brain science into practical strategies that work in real schools. His work centers on strengthening students’ skills in organization, task initiation, self-regulation, and follow-through through intentional systems that support learning without increasing teachers’ workloads. Through his writing, speaking, and consulting, he challenges educators to reconsider why students struggle and equips them with a shared language and concrete tools to unlock student potential.Sarah Oberle is an educator, writer, and professional learning designer with 18 years of experience as a primary classroom teacher. Her work centers on helping educators understand how learning happens and how that understanding shapes daily instructional decisions.Timestamps from This Episode0:00:00 - Mitch Weathers and Sarah Oberle are veteran educators and authors2:37 - What are executive functions?4:29 - Why executive functions matter in primary grades6:59 - Designing tier one environments that support all learners10:10 - Confusing behaviors with executive functions14:13 - Core vs higher order executive functions16:45 - How to reduce cognitive load and improve working memory20:51 - Two ways to reduce cognitive load in the primary classroom25:22 - How to tweak the physical and acoustic learning environments31:15 - Why starting the whole class together makes a difference36:07 - How Sarah uses voice recorders in her first grade classroom38:45 - A first step to take for the overwhelmed educator45:38 - How and where to connect with Mitch and Sarah onlineVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library.