Teachers on Fire

Tim Cavey
  • 4.8 (25)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Warming your heart, sparking your thinking, and igniting your professional practice. Reach out on any social media platform @TeachersOnFire. Hosted by Tim Cavey.

  1. Dr. DANNY STEELE: Support Teachers FIRST to Serve Students Well

    6H AGO

    Dr. DANNY STEELE: Support Teachers FIRST to Serve Students Well

    → What does it mean to lead with curiosity over expertise? → How can we make our schools places where the adults like to come to work? → How can school leaders build a presence that feels more supportive, less policing? 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. About This Guest, Dr. Danny Steele Danny is a former award winning principal who speaks to educators around the country about the difference they make for kids. He’s also the author of several best-selling books for educators, including The Instructional Leader in You: 10 Strategies for Every School Leader, Essential Truths for Principals, and The Total Teacher: Understanding the Three Dimensions that Define Effective Educators. Connect with Danny on LinkedIn,  on X @SteeleThoughts, on Instagram @SteeleThoughts, on his blog at https://www.steelethoughts.com/ In This Conversation 1:50 - Passion drift for school leaders 4:09 - Leading with curiosity over expertise 6:48 - Creating cultural conditions to overcome stagnancy 7:53 - Staff come first, students second 8:57 - Admitting vulnerability as a building leader 10:31 - Observing the student experience instead of teacher performance 12:09 - When an expert teacher struggles to integrate into the community 13:15 - Being a supportive resource instead of a policing presence 15:11 - Shouting out teachers for their great work 16:49 - Building fun and meaningful traditions in your school 19:14 - Danny raps about the power of good choices 21:06 - Danny Steele's six education books 22:19 - Danny Steele's speaking services and other resources on his website 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 at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

    25 min
  2. How to Teach READING and WRITING - with Leah Mermelstein

    JAN 17

    How to Teach READING and WRITING - with Leah Mermelstein

    → How should we approach the tensions around the Science of Reading? → What does the art of teaching literacy look like in today’s classroom? → How can we set up our students for successful independent writing? 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. About This Guest, Leah Mermelstein Leah collaborates with school districts, educational professionals, learning organizations, and families to enhance K-6 literacy instruction and promote literacy development. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn,  on X @MermelsteinLeah, on Instagram @leahmermelsteinconsulting,  on her website, leahmermelstein.com, and  on her Substack at leahmermelstein.substack.com. In This Conversation 0:00:00 - Leah Mermelstein is a literacy consultant based in Hoboken, New Jersey. 1:19 - The gradual release model for independent writing 5:42 - How to navigate the Science of Reading 11:15 - Collaborative writing as the missing link 17:53 - The "art" of teaching in a research-aligned classroom 23:38 - How to think about teacher feedback 29:36 - How parents can support their children in ELA 32:46 - Literacy toolkits, personalized coaching, and learning cohorts from Leah 34:56 - Where to connect with Leah Mermelstein 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 at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

    36 min
  3. ATTENTION as CURRICULUM: Designing Schools as Walled Gardens - with Andrew Cantarutti

    JAN 10

    ATTENTION as CURRICULUM: Designing Schools as Walled Gardens - with Andrew Cantarutti

    → Why must attention become the curriculum of our schools? → How are classrooms disrupting student attention and learning? → What is the important choice that our schools and districts must make? 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. About this guest, Andrew Cantarutti Andrew is an educator and writer with over a decade of experience teaching in public and private schools across Canada and the world. His work bridges classroom practice with educational theory, drawing on insights from philosophy, developmental psychology, and cognitive science to reimagine how learning environments can cultivate focus, depth, and intellectual resilience.  Connect with Andrew Cantarutti on LinkedIn,  on X @walledgardenedu,  on Instagram @walledgardenedu, and  at https://walledgardenedu.substack.com. In This Conversation 0:00:00 - Andrew Cantarutti is an educator and writer with international experience 1:12 - Imagining schools as walled gardens for deep attention and critical thinking 4:54 - Teacher reactions to "Why Attention Must Become Curriculum" 7:38 - How are we disrupting student attention in the classroom? 12:49 - Why schools must avoid the Marketplace Mirror Model 16:29 - Gamification of learning, "engagement" 18:22 - How do we make attention the curriculum itself? 27:19 - Andrew on the role of AI in schools  34:29 - The choice facing schools today 37:56 - Where to connect with Andrew Cantarutti 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 at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

    40 min
  4. How a Running Habit Transformed Life and Work - with EDMOND CHIN

    JAN 4

    How a Running Habit Transformed Life and Work - with EDMOND CHIN

    → How did a new running habit transform one educator’s life? → What’s brewing in the coffee world, and what is one bean that we need to try? → How can we take our own next steps of personal and professional growth in 2026? 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. About this guest, Edmond Chin Today’s Teacher on Fire is Edmond Chin. Edmond is a runner, coffee connoisseur, and high school teacher in Vancouver, Canada. He’s also a colleague and personal friend of the host, Tim Cavey, which makes this episode extra special. Connect with Edmond on LinkedIn,  on X @EdmondC87, and on Instagram @edmondc87 In This Conversation 0:00:00 - Edmond Chin is a runner, coffee connoisseur, and high school teacher in Vancouver. 1:35 - Edmond's running story: how and why it started 5:22 - The challenge of building the habit 6:26 - The benefits of a running habit 8:55 - Keys to consistency 13:16 - Edmond's running goals for 2026 18:46 - How Edmond's coffee quest began 20:36 - Coffee highlights from 2025 22:47 - Why teachers should cultivate passions outside of the classroom 24:37 - Edmond's professional goals for this year 26:13 - How and where to connect with Edmond Chin 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 at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

    29 min
  5. Powerful Productivity for School Leaders - with RICH CZYZ

    12/14/2025

    Powerful Productivity for School Leaders - with RICH CZYZ

    → What hope is there for the school leader who feels constantly overwhelmed? → What’s the most common productivity pitfall that school leaders fall into? → How can we manage fires and interruptions without burning out? 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. About this guest, Rich Czyz Rich is a school principal, cofounder of fouroclockfaculty.com, the author of four books on education and leadership. Rich is dedicated to creating productive environments and engaging all stake-holders in meaningful and relevant learning opportunities. Connect with Rich on LinkedIn,  on X @RACzyz, at his website, https://fouroclockfaculty.com. In This Conversation 0:00:00 -  Rich Czyz is the principal of an elementary school in New Jersey 1:21 - The vision for school leaders in Autopilot: Practical Productivity for School Leaders 2:45 - A misconception about productivity 4:13 - One immediate shift that education leaders can make 5:29 - A common productivity pitfall for school leaders 8:08 - Being visible on campus as a building leader 9:54 - How to manage interruptions in the weekly calendar 12:00 - How to think about delegation when it feels like only you can do it 13:57 - 5th Grade students do the intercom announcements 15:34 - Doing the work that powers the mission before email 18:08 - How to conduct a personal time inventory 20:33 - Rich's daily routine, from wake-up to end of day 24:47 - Managing substitute shortages 27:04 - How and where to connect with Rich Czyz 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 at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

    28 min
  6. The Power of Direct Instruction - with Dr. Zach Groshell

    12/07/2025

    The Power of Direct Instruction - with Dr. Zach Groshell

    → How can direct instruction impact student learning and growth? → Where are schools going wrong with technology in the classroom? → Is it possible for every student to succeed without lowering expectations? 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. About Dr. Zach Groshell Zach is a highly distinguished teacher, instructional coach, and education consultant. Based in Seattle, he works with schools nationwide and internationally to develop high quality instruction based on the science of how kids learn. Zach is the author of Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching, and hosts a podcast, Progressively Incorrect. Connect with Zach on LinkedIn,  on X @mrzachg, on Substack at mrzachg.substack.com, and  at his website, https://educationrickshaw.com/. In This Conversation 0:00:00 - Introducing Dr. Zach Groshell, author of Just Tell Them 1:23 - The thesis of Just Tell Them 3:00 - The opposite of direct instruction 5:20 - Using examples and non-examples in instruction 8:17 - Zach's take on success criteria 10:14 - Teaching to a group of students effectively 13:59 - The role of teacher talk in the classroom 18:36 - Can all students succeed without lowering expectations? 21:13 - What is effective classroom management? 24:23 - The value of starting the class on time 26:44 - How schools are getting it wrong with technology 34:54 - Can AI tools support student learning toward mastery? 37:39 - One idea for teachers from the science of learning 39:38 - Resources for teachers at educationrickshaw.com 42:20 - How and where to connect with Dr. Zach Groshell 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 at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

    44 min
  7. 5 Boundaries for Teacher Flourishing - with RAE HUGHART

    11/29/2025

    5 Boundaries for Teacher Flourishing - with RAE HUGHART

    → What are some moves that teachers can make to protect their mental health? → What’s better: stay at school til the work is done, or leave as soon as possible? 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 Rae Hughart. Rae is the CEO and Founder of Teachers Deserve It. She’s also a TEDx Speaker and author of two books: Teachers Deserve It and Teach Better. Growing up with IEP support after being diagnosed with Specific Learning Disabilities in Reading, Writing, and Math, Rae has made it her mission to collaborate with educators and districts nationwide to design mastery learning classrooms that reach all learners. Through Teachers Deserve It, she leads a movement dedicated to empowering educators with sustainable, standards-based grading practices that promote clarity, equity, and student success. Connect with Rae on LinkedIn,  on Instagram @RaeHughart,   on TikTok @RaeHughartEDU, on Substack at raehughart.substack.com, and   at her website, teachersdeserveit.com. In This Conversation 0:00:00 - Rae Hughart is the founder of Teachers Deserve It 2:39 - Boundary 1: Leaving the building after contract hours 4:07 - How Rae followed this boundary as a teacher 5:49 - Boundary 2: Taking a sick day when we're sick 11:58 - Boundary 3: Declining voluntary committees that we don't have capacity for 17:08 - Boundary 4: Taking quiet moments on your lunch break 19:54 - Boundary 5: Setting email hours 23:45 - Should we turn off mobile notifications for email? 27:11 - Resources for teachers available at TeachersDeserveIt.com 31:01 - How and where to connect with Rae Hughart on social media 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 at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

    33 min
  8. Assessment Practices for Student Success - with KARLEY ALLEYN

    11/22/2025

    Assessment Practices for Student Success - with KARLEY ALLEYN

    → How can our assessment decisions increase equity for all learners? → Are learning targets actually a valuable part of instruction and assessment? → Should teachers give zeros for cheating or deduct marks for late assignment submissions? 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 Karley Alleyn. Karley is a BC-based assessment consultant, a sessional instructor for the University of Victoria's BEDILR (Bachelor of Education in Indigenous Language Revitalization) program, and a consultant with the Canadian Assessment Centre. Karley's research in assessment identity has led her to speak across BC, Hawaii, London, and in 2026, Singapore. Connect with Karley on LinkedIn,  on Instagram @accessible_assessment, and in her newsletter at https://www.karleyalleyn.com/assessment-identified. In This Conversation 0:00:00 - Karley Alleyn is an assessment consultant and former teacher based in BC 1:47 - What IS assessment? 2:40 - What is the purpose of assessment? 4:11 - How can assessment produce greater equity for learners? 5:52 - Making every learner feel good? 6:38 - Assessment identity as an educator 9:54 - Are learning targets valuable or a waste of time? 14:01 - Should teachers ever give zeros? 19:32 - A great formative assessment strategy 23:56 - What does Extending proficiency mean in BC? 32:54 - Assessment resources offered by Karley Alleyn 35:25 - How and where to connect with Karley Alleyn 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 at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

    37 min
See All (310)

4.8
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

Warming your heart, sparking your thinking, and igniting your professional practice. Reach out on any social media platform @TeachersOnFire. Hosted by Tim Cavey.

Information

  • Creator
    Tim Cavey
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    310
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tim Cavey
  • Show Website
    Teachers on Fire

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