Education On Fire - Sharing creative and inspiring learning in our schools

Mark Taylor
  • 4.9 (21)
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  • Updated twice weekly

Do you feel the education system is sucking the life out of you and the pupils you serve? I think many of us wish we could click our fingers and make it fit for purpose. A place of growth with shared learning that empowers pupils to be their best selves, so they can create a world they want to inhabit now and in the future. While a magic wand or a visionary politician might sound like the answer I believe change is already happening. Educators are changing futures one conversation at a time. New technology and the environments where we learn are beginning to look different both in and out of the classroom. I hope you are seeing this first hand and are excited about what you can share with your pupils. We are having conversations, sharing organisations and communities that are supporting education in a way that you may have not experienced. Educational change will come from us all working in way that supports the best interests of each of our pupils, personalised learning. Governments and policy makers will follow when they see fully how it can be different. So let us teach, coach, mentor and create an environment that fuels every child with feedback, inspiration, resilience and empowerment. The Education on Fire community is shining the torch, so no matter where you are in the world or how you are supporting children this podcast is here for you. ‘Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.’

  1. 1 day ago

    Composing The Moons Symphony: Music, NASA and the Power of an Interdisciplinary Education

    Today I'm chatting with Amanda Lee Falkenberg, an internationally acclaimed Australian composer, pianist and creator of The Moons Symphony — a groundbreaking orchestral work recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra under Marin Alsop, with choral forces recorded separately at Abbey Road Studios. Amanda's work bridges science, music and storytelling, developed in close collaboration with NASA planetary scientists and astronomers. She's also the founder of Lunar (Learning under New Artistic Regimes), an immersive educational platform blending planetary science, music and art to spark curiosity in learners of all ages. In this conversation we trace the whole journey: from stumbling across an article on the "ten weirdest moons," through a cold email to a NASA scientist that led to a presentation at JPL, to the pandemic-era twist that finally brought the LSO, Marin Alsop and Abbey Road into alignment. We talk about why she built Lunar as a course rather than a one-off concert, what she's learned from planetary scientists about resilience and the long game, and how a childhood love of John Williams became the unlikely throughline for a project rooted entirely in science fact. Key Takeaways A cold email can change everything. Amanda's project only reached NASA because she sent an unsolicited message into what she calls "the black hole email" — with no expectation of a reply.Passion projects don't need permission to start. She began researching and composing years before she had a scientist, an orchestra, or a plan for education — the vision came first.Interdisciplinary learning resonates because real life isn't siloed. Music, science and storytelling aren't separate subjects to her — they're one experience, and that's exactly why Lunar works across age groups from teenagers to retirees.Resilience is the throughline of both music and science careers. Amanda draws a direct parallel between the decades-long timelines of NASA missions and the "10,000 hours" of a musician's path — both require staying in it for the long game.Setbacks can create the conditions for a breakthrough. Covid cancelled her original recording dates — and then, months later, cleared Marin Alsop's schedule enough to make the recording finally happen.You don't need a background in either subject to benefit. Lunar is designed so that participants need no prior knowledge of music or science — just curiosity. Chapters: 00:02 - Exploring the Moon Symphony with Amanda Lee Falkenberg01:54 - The Journey of the Moon Symphony12:48 - Interdisciplinary Education: Bridging Science and Art15:15 - The Journey of the Lunar Program24:21 - The Journey to Collaborate with NASA29:21 - The Impact of COVID on the Project34:31 - The Journey of Passion Projects39:55 - The Long Game: Resilience in Music and Science https://www.moons-symphony.com/ https://www.moons-symphony.com/gateway-to-lunar ▶️ YouTube 👉 @moonssymphony www.facebook.com/moonssymphony/ 📸 Instagram @amandafilmmusic www.linkedin.com/in/moons-symphony 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources. https://www.educationonfire.com 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities https://www.educationonfire.com/support #EducationOnFire Show Sponsors – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape From idea to live show – hands-on sessions to help you launch, grow, and streamline your brand. https://creativeamplifiers.live/ https://creativeamplifiers.substack.com/

  2. 10 Aug

    Tackling the Manosphere: Elanie Ademokun (Jigsaw) on Misogyny, Boys, and School Culture

    Elanie Ademokun, Programmes Director at Jigsaw Education Group, joins Mark Taylor to unpack one of the most pressing issues facing schools right now: the rise of the "manosphere" and its impact on misogyny, safeguarding, and school culture. Drawing on over 20 years in education — including 11 years teaching English and PSHE in secondary schools, teacher training with Teach First, and safeguarding work with Frontline — Elanie shares what she's hearing directly from schools: shifting attitudes among boys towards female teachers, misogynistic language creeping into corridors, and growing concern from primary schools too, not just secondary. Mark and Elanie explore why this is happening so fast, how algorithms and online "lifestyle coach" influencers exploit adolescent needs for belonging and self-esteem, and why a whole-school, framework-led approach — rather than a reactive one — is essential. They discuss the balance between universal preventative education and targeted, safeguarding-led intervention, why shame and punishment backfire, and how every child needs at least one trusted adult in their corner. This is a thoughtful, practical conversation for teachers, school leaders, and parents navigating a fast-moving cultural issue with real consequences for children's wellbeing. Takeaways: Elanie Ademokun emphasizes the significance of a whole school approach in addressing sensitive topics within the curriculum, particularly in the realms of personal, social, health education, and religious education.The pervasive influence of social media has dramatically shaped the behaviour and perceptions of students, necessitating a proactive response from educators to mitigate its adverse effects.It is vital to create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable discussing their experiences and questions regarding complex societal issues like misogyny and digital misinformation.Educators are encouraged to focus on building resilience and critical thinking skills in students, ensuring they are prepared to navigate the challenges posed by contemporary online influences.The importance of fostering strong relationships and communication between teachers and students is highlighted as essential for addressing the nuances of modern educational challenges.Awareness and proactive discussions around sensitive issues must begin early in a child's education to establish a foundation for healthy relationships and self-esteem. Chapters: 00:02 - Introducing Elanie Adamokun01:12 - Understanding the Manosphere's Impact on School Culture19:03 - The Importance of Early Awareness and Mentoring in Youth Development23:20 - Navigating Conversations with Children about Social Media33:46 - Building Resilience and Empowerment in Education https://jigsaweducationgroup.com/ www.facebook.com/jigsaweducationgroup 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources. https://www.educationonfire.com 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities https://www.educationonfire.com/support #EducationOnFire Show Sponsors – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape From idea to live show – hands-on sessions to help you launch, grow, and streamline your brand. https://creativeamplifiers.live/ https://creativeamplifiers.substack.com/

  3. 3 Aug

    From Bolt-On to Built-In: Rethinking SEND and Inclusion with Lisa Pinkerton

    Lisa Pinkerton is Head of Education at Widget, a symbols-based communication software company, and a former deputy headteacher, inclusion lead, and NPQ SENCO course facilitator with 26 years in primary education. Lisa makes the case for SENCOs sitting on the senior leadership team, not as a bolt-on role but as a strategic voice shaping decisions from the outset. With over 1.7 million pupils in England currently identified as having SEND, she argues inclusion has shifted from a specialist issue to a leadership one, and explains why designing environments for the child who needs the most support tends to benefit every child in the room. We talk through the shift from a medical to a social model of disability, the "curb-cut effect" as a way of thinking about universal design in classrooms, why visual scaffolds like Widget's symbols work best when they're everyday practice rather than reserved for a few pupils, and why real inclusion means being willing to let a sparkly pink pencil sit next to standard ones. Lisa also shares a powerful story of a pupil whose severe dyslexia had been masked as behavioural difficulty, and how embedding visual support into ordinary classroom life changed his trajectory. Takeaways: Inclusion must be embedded within the decision-making processes of educational institutions, not treated as an afterthought.The integration of symbols and visual aids can significantly enhance communication and comprehension for all students.Effective educational leadership requires the inclusion lead to have a strategic role within the senior leadership team.The approach to education should prioritize the individual learning journey of each student, fostering their unique strengths and needs. Chapters: 00:03 - Introduction to Lisa Pinkerton and Widget04:17 - The Importance of Inclusion in Education20:40 - The Need for Flexibility in Educational Practices36:23 - The Curb Cut Effect in Education39:51 - Creating Accessible Classrooms: The Importance of Inclusion https://www.widgit.com/ https://www.facebook.com/widgitsoftware26 https://www.instagram.com/widgitsoftware https://www.linkedin.com/company/widgit-software/ 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources. https://www.educationonfire.com 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities https://www.educationonfire.com/support #EducationOnFire Show Sponsors – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape From idea to live show – hands-on sessions to help you launch, grow, and streamline your brand. https://creativeamplifiers.live/ https://creativeamplifiers.substack.com/

  4. 27 Jul

    World Schooling on the Water: Danielle Vandehei on Sailing, Unschooling and Finding Alignment

    Danielle Vandehei is a world-schooling sailor mum who, with her husband and son, spent the last four years building a life around sailing, exploration and learning through experience. Danielle shares how a breaking point on land — a demanding job, a young child, and a longing for more intentional time together — pushed the family to sell their home, their farm animals, and nearly everything they owned to learn to sail from scratch. She's honest about the messy, non-linear reality behind that decision: budget overruns, a house that took a year to sell, a stint in a minivan through Mexico, and plenty of "we're not in alignment yet, that's okay" moments along the way. How does education actually works aboard their boat — starting not with a curriculum, but with deschooling themselves as parents first. Danielle explains how her son learns numbers through fishing, reading through his fish identification book, and social confidence through navigating world-school hubs full of kids of every age and language. Danielle has created Water World Micro Expeditions, the family's new venture inviting other families aboard to experience sailing, marine life, and reconnection with nature in San Blas, Panama — plus where their vision is headed next. Key TakeawaysDeschool the parent first. Before a child can learn differently, the adult often has to unlearn their own assumptions about what "proper" education looks like.Follow the interest, not the age bracket. Danielle's son learns to read through a fish identification book and does mental math through abacus — because those are his interests, not a set curriculum.Learning is 0 to 99, not 5 to 18. There's no finish line — removing the pressure of a deadline changes how both kids and adults relate to learning.Nothing about this life was linear. Selling a 40-acre property took eight months; the house took a year to sell; they went from camper to minivan to boat and back again. Alignment came in its own time.Resilience is the standout FIRE value here — the willingness to stay in motion through setbacks (a blown transmission, a slow house sale) rather than let fear shut the plan down.Social confidence grows through real exposure, not curriculum: Danielle's son now approaches kids and adults of any age or language unprompted, something she attributes directly to years of varied, real-world interaction.Community over content. Water World Micro Expeditions isn't about replicating school on a boat — it's about giving families a lived experience of sailing, marine life, and reconnecting with themselves and each other. Chapters: 00:02 - Introduction to World Schooling04:15 - Transition to a New Way of Living09:51 - Transitioning to a New Lifestyle16:38 - Deschooling and Adapting to New Learning Environments27:47 - Nurturing Well-Being in Education34:22 - Connecting with Nature and Learning through Experience37:50 - Building a Vision for Water World https://waterworldmicroexpeditions.com/ Facebook Danielle Marie Vandehei IG- Legacy_throughmotherhood 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources. https://www.educationonfire.com 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities https://www.educationonfire.com/support #EducationOnFire Show Sponsors – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape From idea to live show – hands-on sessions to help you launch, grow, and streamline your brand. https://creativeamplifiers.live/ https://creativeamplifiers.substack.com/

  5. 20 Jul

    Teaching Chemistry Through Art, Dance and Drama with Zafra Lerman

    Zafra Lerman is a scientist, educator and humanitarian. She received a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel and conducted research on Isotope Effects at Cornell and Northwestern Universities in the U.S. and the ETH, Zurich, Switzerland. She developed an innovative approach of teaching science through art, music, drama, dance, and rap which was successful with underprivileged students around the globe. She worked on human rights cases in the former Soviet Union, Russia, China, Guatemala, Cuba, Peru, and South Africa and was successful in preventing executions, releasing prisoners from jail and bringing dissidents to freedom. She is the President of the Malta Conferences Foundation, which uses science diplomacy as a bridge to peace in the Middle East by bringing scientists from all countries in the Middle East together with Nobel Laureates. This five-day conference puts scientists under the same roof to develop collaborations and friendships that overcome the chasms of distrust and intolerance. She received over forty international awards, including the Presidential Award for Mentoring from President Clinton (1999), AAAS Award for Science Diplomacy (2015), American Physical Society Andrei Sakharov Prize for Human Rights (2016), Peace and Justice prize from the UN NOVUS summit (2016), Distinguished Women in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering Award from the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (2017), and she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by a member of the US Congress and a member of the French Parliament (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2025). Her book “Human Rights and Peace: A Personal Odyssey” was published in August 2024. On March 6, 2025 she received in New York the International Advocate for Peace Award from the Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution. Previous awardees include Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Paul McCartney. Chapters: 00:19 - Innovative Approaches to Teaching Science01:05 - The Journey into Education and Science20:49 - Innovative Teaching Methods in Chemistry36:46 - Human Rights and Science Education44:33 - Focusing on the Middle East: A New Direction https://zafralerman.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/zafralerman 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources. https://www.educationonfire.com 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities https://www.educationonfire.com/support #EducationOnFire Show Sponsors – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape From idea to live show – hands-on sessions to help you launch, grow, and streamline your brand. https://creativeamplifiers.live/ https://creativeamplifiers.substack.com/

  6. 13 Jul

    Ethical Persuasion in Education with Patrick van der Burght (Cialdini Institute)

    Mark Taylor talks with Patrick van der Burght — business partner of Dr. Robert Cialdini and founder member of the Cialdini Institute — about the science of ethical persuasion and what it means for teachers, parents, and school leaders. Patrick explains why 90-95% of our decisions are made by the brain's fast, automatic "System 1" rather than deliberate reasoning, why human attention spans have now dropped below that of a goldfish, and how Cialdini's seven universal principles of persuasion (reciprocity, liking, unity, social proof, authority, consistency, and scarcity) can help educators build trust, motivate students, and lead more effectively — without ever resorting to manipulation. Along the way: a study that took student success rates from 14% to 86%, why asking for "advice" beats asking for "feedback," and why public commitment is a far stronger motivator than private commitment. Guest: Patrick van der Burght, co-author of How to Hear Yes More Often (2024) and host of Ethical Persuasion Unlocked. Chapters: 00:03 - Introduction to Patrick Van der Burght05:08 - The Science of Decision Making11:24 - Understanding Decision-Making: System One vs System Two16:40 - The Impact of Attention Span on Decision Making26:52 - The Importance of Early Persuasion Skills31:19 - The Power of Compliments and Relationships41:14 - Principles of Influence and Authority48:59 - The Impact of Appearance on Perception56:12 - The Importance of Feedback, Inspiration, Resilience, and Empowerment https://ethicalpersuasion.com.au/ https://ethicalpersuasion.com.au/free-influence-persuasion/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ethicalpersuasion Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-van-der-burght/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ethicalpersuasion/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethical_persuasion/ Twitter: https://x.com/yesmoreoften TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ethicalpersuasion Book: https://yesmoreoften.com/ Profile: https://patrickvanderburght.com 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources. https://www.educationonfire.com 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities https://www.educationonfire.com/support #EducationOnFire Show Sponsors – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape From idea to live show – hands-on sessions to help you launch, grow, and streamline your brand. https://creativeamplifiers.live/ https://creativeamplifiers.substack.com/

  7. 6 Jul

    From Career Days to Career Systems: Dr. Sophia Morgan on Fixing Career Education

    Dr. Sophia Nicole Morgan is an educator, author, and entrepreneur whose work focuses on career literacy, academic advising, and helping students make intentional decisions about their futures. Her career spans Jamaica, the United States, and China. She is the founder of Explore Career Academy, a platform dedicated to helping schools integrate career exploration and college planning into everyday learning. Dr. Morgan is the author of several career development resources, including The High Schooler's Guide to College and Career Planning and Reflections: A College and Career Journal for Middle Schoolers. Her work equips students with the tools to reflect on their strengths, explore career possibilities, and plan meaningful academic pathways. Originally from Williamsfield, Westmoreland, Jamaica, Dr. Morgan is passionate about helping schools ensure that every student graduates with clarity, purpose, and direction. Takeaways: Dr. Sophia Morgan emphasizes the importance of career literacy in education, equipping students for their future.Explore Career Academy aims to provide tailored resources to ensure every student has a post-secondary plan.The podcast discusses the need for continuous career support for students beyond one-off career days.Dr. Morgan shares her journey from Jamaica to China, highlighting cultural differences and commonalities.The importance of involving parents, teachers, and administrators in supporting students' career paths is underscored.Career literacy should start early, integrating career awareness into learning from kindergarten through grade 12. Chapters: 00:02 - Introducing Dr. Sophia Morgan00:31 - Navigating Cultural Transitions and Career Guidance20:25 - The Importance of Career Literacy in Early Education22:19 - Exploring Career Awareness in Education31:39 - Exploring Career Literacy and Global Opportunities https://www.explorecareeracademy.com/ www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sophia-morgan-1a784671 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources. https://www.educationonfire.com 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities https://www.educationonfire.com/support #EducationOnFire Show Sponsors – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape From idea to live show - hands-on sessions to help you launch, grow, and streamline your brand. https://creativeamplifiers.live/ https://creativeamplifiers.substack.com/

  8. 29 Jun

    Wyzly Founder Adam Adler: Turning Screen Time Battles Into Learning Wins

    Adam Adler is a Charleston-based founder and investor focused on building technology that creates healthier, more sustainable systems — for families, communities, and the next generation. The idea for Wyzly didn't come from a pitch deck or a boardroom. It came from Adam's daughter, Isla. At seven years old, Isla proposed a simple idea that every parent instantly understands: what if kids could earn screen time by learning first? That moment sparked the creation of Wyzly — a learn-to-earn screen time platform designed to eliminate daily screen battles without punishment or restriction. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in private equity, data-driven businesses, and systems design, Adam built Wyzly from the ground up. The platform uses AI to generate curriculum-aligned learning challenges tailored to each child's age, grade, and school district. Key TakeawaysIt's the only app with this level of iOS integration. Two years working with Apple let Wyzly act as a true gatekeeper for all apps — unlocking them only after kids answer curriculum-aligned questions.The AI adapts to each child. Questions adjust in difficulty based on performance and are tailored to age, grade, and school district.It interrupts "doom scrolling," not just screen time. Built-in breaks prompt learning moments during long stretches of passive use — his daughter's idea.Built with real experts, not guesswork. The team includes 14 in-house staff, teachers, a school principal, and a licensed child mental health counselor.His daughter helped design it firsthand. She tested features, flagged confusing questions, and shaped the UX from a kid's point of view.Currently U.S./iOS only, K–6. Android and more grades/countries are planned for next year. Chapters: 00:13 - The Inspiration Behind Wyzly02:50 - The Birth of Wisely: A New Approach to Screen Time09:27 - Introducing the App and Its Unique Approach to Screen Time Management17:33 - The Importance of Sports in Education and Life22:26 - Navigating Technology and Parenting29:11 - Empowering Children: A New Approach to Parenting https://www.wyzly.app https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamadler-charleston 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources. https://www.educationonfire.com 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities https://www.educationonfire.com/support #EducationOnFire https://creativeamplifiers.live/ https://creativeamplifiers.substack.com/ Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape

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Do you feel the education system is sucking the life out of you and the pupils you serve? I think many of us wish we could click our fingers and make it fit for purpose. A place of growth with shared learning that empowers pupils to be their best selves, so they can create a world they want to inhabit now and in the future. While a magic wand or a visionary politician might sound like the answer I believe change is already happening. Educators are changing futures one conversation at a time. New technology and the environments where we learn are beginning to look different both in and out of the classroom. I hope you are seeing this first hand and are excited about what you can share with your pupils. We are having conversations, sharing organisations and communities that are supporting education in a way that you may have not experienced. Educational change will come from us all working in way that supports the best interests of each of our pupils, personalised learning. Governments and policy makers will follow when they see fully how it can be different. So let us teach, coach, mentor and create an environment that fuels every child with feedback, inspiration, resilience and empowerment. The Education on Fire community is shining the torch, so no matter where you are in the world or how you are supporting children this podcast is here for you. ‘Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.’

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