Advertise on podcast: Teachers on Fire

Choosing to leave the classroom and go all-in as an administrator wasn't an easy decision. Here were some of the factors I considered.

→ What is Universal Design for Learning? → How does UDL look different in the early grades? → What is a first step that any educator can take tomorrow to make their lessons more accessible for all learners? ABOUT THIS GUEST, Jeff Horwitz Jeff is a veteran educator and school leader who's spent over two decades in early childhood education, from classroom teaching to school administration in St. Louis. He specializes in bringing Universal Design for Learning into early childhood classrooms, helping teachers turn big frameworks into practical, joyful strategies for their youngest students. He's worked with schools and educators across North America, and he's currently putting the finishing touches on his first book, UDL for Little Learners, coming out this December. CONNECT with JEFF HORWITZ on LinkedIn, on X @mrteachersir, on Instagram @edtech_jeff, and at udlforlittlelearners.com.  TIMESTAMPS 0:00:00 - Jeff Horwitz has spent two decades in primary classrooms 1:28 - Define Universal Design for Learning 2:04 - Misunderstandings about UDL 3:37 - UDL in primary classrooms 5:48 - Practical first steps into UDL 15:00 - UDL and neurodivergence 19:04 - Technology's place in the classroom 24:00 - The future of elementary education 26:05 - Book preview - UDL for Little Learners 28:24 - How and where to connect with Jeff online Visit 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 learn to recognize our body’s stress signals as data? → What is a daily micro-move educators can practice to regulate themselves? → How can prioritizing our own wellness directly impact our students and create generational change? TIMESTAMPS 0:00:00 - Dr. Jen Rafferty is an educator, author, and speaker 2:14 - A turning point from burnout to wellbeing 3:20 - Writing The Empowered Educator 5:45 - The body's stress signals as data 7:29 - Other stress signals 12:47 - Emotional intelligence 15:26 - Increasing our self-awareness 19:11 - Categorizing repetitive tasks 23:07 - Generational change 27:42 - A path to sustainability 30:38 - Recovering personal identity 35:13 - How and where to connect with Dr. Rafferty ABOUT THIS GUEST, Dr. JEN RAFFERTY Dr. Rafferty is an educator, author, TEDx speaker, and the founder of Empowered Educator, an organization transforming the culture of education by placing educator well-being at the center of school success. She holds a PhD in educational psychology, degrees in music education, and certifications in Emotional Intelligence and Neuro-Identity Evolution. As a former middle school music teacher, Jen knows firsthand the challenges and joys of life in the classroom, and the toll it can take when personal well-being comes last. Her own journey from burnout to balance ignited her mission to help educators reconnect with their purpose, restore their energy, and feel empowered as leaders both in and out of the classroom. Dr. Rafferty is the author of a brand new book, The Empowered Educator: 10 Lessons to Prevent Burnout, Reclaim Your Joy, and Unlock Your Teaching Potential. CONNECT with Dr. RAFFERTY on Facebook and LinkedIn, on Instagram @jenrafferty_, and on her website, empowerededucator.com. Visit 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 make this school year the best of our professional careers? → What is a Resilience Bank Account, and how can it support busy educators on the hard days? → What is the Scribble and Scrap technique, and how can it help us against negative self-talk? 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. About This Guest, Dr. Naomi Hall Dr. Hall is a speaker, educator, and stress management coach dedicated to helping high-achieving professionals reclaim their well-being and reignite their passion for their work through building resilience. With 22 years of experience spanning classroom teaching, district leadership, and consulting, she brings a deep understanding of the challenges today’s professionals face—because she has lived them herself. Timestamps from This Episode 0:00:00 - Dr. Naomi Hall is an experienced educator, speaker, and coach 2:11 - Dr. Hall's personal journey with burnout 5:31 - Resilience bank accounts 7:08 - The 5 foundations of wellness 10:40 - Intermittent fasting 12:57 - Building wellness habits 16:10 - Managing anxiety with Zones of Control 22:31 - Scribble and Scrap 26:59 - Managing boundaries 30:33 - Professional development 33:58 - Receive support from Dr. Naomi Hall 37:36 - How and where to connect with Dr. Hall online You can connect with Dr. Naomi Hall on Facebook and LinkedIn, on Instagram @drnaomirhall, and at her website, nrhdynamic.com. Visit 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 did today’s guest go from high school dropout to PhD, and what can we learn from his story? → How can we shift our focus from merely managing behavior to truly captivating our students? → What is the first step educators must take to reverse the burnout cycle? 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 Dr. Anthony Richiez. Dr. Richiez is a recognized expert in the area of Dynamic Teaching. He revolutionizes teaching by guiding educators to elevate their methods, resulting in more dynamic classrooms and improved student learning. For 15 years, Anthony has offered seminars and workshops for schools and educators, helping them increase student engagement and maximizing comprehension in their classrooms. You can connect with Dr. Richiez on LinkedIn, on X and Instagram @AnthonyRichiez, and At his website, myteachcraft.com.

→ How did a Virginia school principal help to merge two rival schools into one? → How can we build positive school culture during times of change and transition? → How can we translate our school mission and values into meaningful daily practices? Timestamps from This Episode 0:00:00 - Derek Cantrell was named the 2026 Outstanding Principal of Virginia 1:45 - The story of the merger in Better Together 5:08 - Honoring the traditions of both schools 8:33 - Including student voice during the transition 12:48 - Biggest lessons learned from the merger 14:47 - Retaining teachers, logistical challenges 16:57 - Improving attendance and engagement post-merger 22:36 - Reinforcing school values on a daily basis 24:00 - Using AI tools to improve lessons 28:00 - Using AI to improve efficiency as a school administrator 31:59 - One hope for the coming school year 33:14 - How and where to connect with Derek online About This Guest, Derek Cantrell Derek is the principal of Alleghany High School and was named 2026 Outstanding High School Principal of Virginia. He is the author of Better Together: Building One School, One Culture, and One Community from Two Rivals, sharing lessons learned from leading a successful school consolidation while building a unified culture focused on relationships, student success, and community. Derek is a frequent presenter on school culture, leadership, and practical applications of AI in education, helping school leaders create systems that put people first while improving outcomes for students and staff. Connect with Derek Cantrell on LinkedIn and on X @derekcatch19. Visit 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 needs, values, goals, and strengths reframe how we motivate and engage learners? → What are the things that actually drain motivation for students in the classroom and at home? → How can teachers build better Regulation, Resources, and Relationships for students in their classrooms? 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 Stephen De Groot. Stephen has spent his career focused on one central idea: helping people get to better.  As president and co-founder of Brivia, he has worked with more than 300 organizations across 12 countries and presented to more than 50,000 people worldwide.  His experience spans an unusually wide range of environments, from working with at-risk youth, gang members, and correctional institutions to coaching CEOs, military leaders, and professionals in sectors such as mining, healthcare, law, and business. A former adjunct professor of human behaviour theory, de Groot is the author of Getting to Better: A New Model for Elevating Human Potential at Work and in Life,  which reached the Top 3 on Amazon Canada’s Hot New Releases in Business Leadership, as well as the Top 100 in Interpersonal Relations, Leadership, and Management. You can connect with Stephen De Groot on LinkedIn,  on Instagram @StephendeGrootOfficial, and at his website, gettingtobetter.com. Timestamps from This Episode 0:00:00 - Stephen de Groot is an author, speaker, and consultant 1:47 - How Getting to Better connects with the classroom 2:51 - How the Core 4 Dimensions motivate learners 4:52 - Universal truths about human motivation 8:01 - Educators need to feel safe, significant, and situated 10:06 - What drains student motivation 13:01 - How to build greater resilience in students 15:37 - How to manage stress as an educator 17:21 - A helpful daily practice for principals 18:48 - How and where to connect with Stephen online Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/. Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library.

→ Why is curiosity foundational to everything that happens in the classroom? → How can simple micro-inquiry tasks at the beginning of a lesson set up direct instruction to follow? → How can teachers use AI as a collaborative thought partner to amplify student thinking? 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 Olivia Odileke. Olivia is an educator, author, instructional technology leader, and founder of Kampus Insights CC, where she helps schools design engaging, curiosity-driven learning experiences. With over 15 years of experience in Title I schools, she has trained thousands of educators and is passionate about helping teachers spark student thinking before delivering content. Olivia is also the creator of the Spark Curiosity EDU experience, a movement designed to help educators rediscover wonder, joy, and purpose in teaching and learning. You can connect with Olivia Odileke on LinkedIn,  on X @KampusCoach, on Instagram @fearless.educator, and at her website, sparkcuriosityedu.com. [You’ll also find helpful resources from Olivia related to this conversation at ai.sparkcuriosityedu.com, app.leadsparkteam.com, and fearlesseducator.com.] Timestamps from This Episode 0:00:00 - Olivia Odileke is an education author, speaker, and teacher trainer 1:51 - Curiosity is NOT just an extra, it's everything 4:55 - Micro-inquiry tasks at the beginning of the lesson 9:26 - The Spark Curiosity EDU "anti-conference" in Austin 19:24 - The Spark Curiosity GPT Coach 26:25 - What's killing curiosity in our classrooms today 29:29 - Olivia's AI-generated music for educators 34:20 - The AI tools she uses for her music 37:11 - Unleashing Curiosity, Olivia's most recent book 41:39 - How and where to connect with Olivia online Visit 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 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 Johnson on Facebook and LinkedIn, on X and Instagram @DrBradJohnson, and at his website, doctorbradjohnson.com. Timestamps from This Episode 0:00:00 - Dr. Brad Johnson is a renowned education author and speaker 1:38 - The story in Coffee with the Custodian 5:32 - Leadership principles that administrators struggle with 7:38 - Relational leadership 11:25 - A mistake that new administrators make sometimes 14:13 - How to recognize character traits in students 16:45 - Encouraging tired teachers 20:39 - How to best leverage strengths of teachers 22:40 - The technology debate raging in K-12 education 27:22 - One thing that keeps Dr. Johnson's fire burning 29:51 - How and where to connect with Dr. Brad Johnson Visit 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 Lane on X and Instagram @DrJamesLane,  on LinkedIn,  at universityinstructors.com, and  at leadingwithlaserfocus.com. Timestamps from This Episode 0:00:00 - Dr. James Lane is a former Superintendent of the Year 1:52 - The 7 steps to school success 4:48 - Distractions for school leaders 6:34 - Advice for future leaders 8:47 - Grow your own - from students to district leaders 11:53 - How to build trust in a new school community 14:47 - Standardized testing and deeper learning 17:47 - From worksheets to competencies 20:34 - Career readiness for our graduates 23:37 - Inclusive practices and potential for all learners 27:14 - How and where to connect with Dr. James Lane online Visit 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 Alex on LinkedIn, on Instagram @deepeducationnetwork, on YouTube @deepeducationnetwork, and  on his website at deepeducationnetwork.com/blog. Timestamps from This Episode 0:00:00 - Alex Gray is a secondary educator and podcaster in Dubai 1:48 - Alex's journey from the UK to Dubai 5:43 - Teacher sustainability in international contexts 9:26 - Teacher burnout around the globe 12:31 - Podcasting as professional development 15:46 - AI literacy 23:09 - School misconceptions about AI 25:30 - Vibe coding 29:20 - Design thinking in secondary 34:54 - Alex's courses for educators at deepeducationnetwork.com 37:46 - How and where to connect with Alex online Visit 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 Connie On Facebook and LinkedIn,  On Instagram @conniehamiltonEd and At her website at conniehamilton.org. Timestamps from This Episode 0:00:00 - Connie Hamilton is an education author, speaker, and presenter 1:14 - How to improve teacher questioning 2:57 - Questioning that shows student reasoning 5:10 - How to respond to "I don't know" 7:39 - Questions that produce more equity and inclusion 11:41 - Teacher invisibility - giving students agency and ownership 15:33 - Productive struggle - what teachers need to know 20:12 - Microdata points for instructional coaches to look for 25:55 - Signs of curiosity and inquiry in a classroom 27:20 - Providing coaching support to teachers without burdening 30:37 - How and where to connect with Connie Hamilton's work Visit 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 Gregory On Facebook and LinkedIn, On Instagram @internationalteacherpodcast, and  At his website, itpexpat.com. Timestamps from This Episode 0:00:00 - What to consider before teaching internationally 1:29 - Five years of the International Teacher Podcast 4:01 - Reverse culture shock 6:18 - The countries Greg has taught in 10:47 - The path to ed leadership in international schools 12:29 - International teaching recruitment fairs 15:59 - The life of a third culture kid (TCK) 19:59 - How AI is impacting international schools 24:04 - The most rewarding aspect of international teaching 25:57 - How and where to connect with Greg Lemoine online Visit 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 Paloposki Danielle 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 Danielle On Facebook, LinkedIn,  On Instagram @dpalo_ed, and  On her website at https://danielle-paloposki.mykajabi.com/ Timestamps from This Episode 0:00:00 - How traditional assessment undermines learning 4:15 - Why Danielle founded the Competency Code Collective 9:52 - How to support teachers in assessment transitions 16:10 - Are learning targets just for administrators? 18:59 - From evaluator to learning coach 23:39 - Ensuring our assessment language is consistent 31:08 - How to use AI to design better assessment 35:49 - Assessment resources from Danielle Visit 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 Debra On Facebook,  On Instagram @kierstead.deb, and At her website, liveskillsmoney.com. Take advantage of Deb's free starter class: www.liveskillsmoney.com/free-starter-class (not sponsored)