Teachers on Fire

Tim Cavey

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

  1. Curiosity Sets Up Direct Instruction: OLIVIA ODILEKE

    2d ago

    Curiosity Sets Up Direct Instruction: OLIVIA ODILEKE

    → 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.

    46 min
  2. Dr. BRAD JOHNSON: Build Your RQ, Build Your Learning Community

    Jun 13

    Dr. BRAD JOHNSON: Build Your RQ, Build Your Learning Community

    → 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.

    32 min
  3. 7 Steps to School Success - with Dr. James Lane, Former Superintendent of the Year

    Jun 7

    7 Steps to School Success - with Dr. James Lane, Former Superintendent of the Year

    → 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.

    29 min
  4. AI Literacy and Design Thinking - with Alex Gray

    May 31

    AI Literacy and Design Thinking - with Alex Gray

    → 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.

    40 min
  5. Better Questions, Deeper Learning - with Connie Hamilton

    May 16

    Better Questions, Deeper Learning - with Connie Hamilton

    → 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.

    32 min
  6. Teach Internationally - with Greg Lemoine

    May 10

    Teach Internationally - with Greg Lemoine

    → 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.

    28 min
  7. Competency-Based Assessment with Danielle Paloposki

    May 2

    Competency-Based Assessment with Danielle Paloposki

    → 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.

    40 min
  8. Money and Financial Literacy in YOUR Classroom: Debra Kierstead

    Apr 25

    Money and Financial Literacy in YOUR Classroom: Debra Kierstead

    → 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)

    24 min
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4.8
out of 5
26 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
    330
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tim Cavey
  • Show Website
    Teachers on Fire

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