• How to Shift to Student-Centered Learning in Your Classroom with Kyle Wagner

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    🔥 What is one mindset shift I need to make as a teacher in 2024?

    🔥 Why do student-centered approaches matter now more than ever?

    🔥 How can generative AI support project-based learning in the classroom?

    Join me for this conversation with Hong Kong educator Kyle Wagner as he shares his insights on these and other questions.

    About This Guest

    Kyle is the founder and lead PBL/Learning Design Coach for Transform Educational Consulting, an organization that empowers forward thinking schools and educators to create more globally, socially and emotionally aware citizens through project-based experiences and student-centered environments.

    Kyle is also the former Coordinator of Futures Academy at the International School of Beijing, has 12 years classroom teaching experience, and worked as a Humanities Teacher at world-renowned High Tech High. He has authored The Power of SIMPLE and Where is the Teacher, hosts a popular podcast, and holds an M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership.

    Connect with Kyle

    on Linkedin,

    on X @kwagssd3,

    on Instagram @kylewagner3,

    on YouTube at @transformschool,

    at his website, www.transformschool.com, and

    on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/transformyourschool.

    Tune in for my regular Teachers on Fire interviews, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:00am Pacific and 11:00am Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast.

    In This Conversation

    0:28 – Who is Kyle Wagner?

    1:58 – Kyle tells a story of losing his job in his second year of teaching

    4:22 – In the age of AI, why do student-centered approaches matter now more than ever?

    6:52 – Kyle explains what he means in the title of his book: Where is the Teacher?

    9:09 – Shift: Moving student learning from content-driven to inquiry-driven

    10:58 – Shift: Moving motivation from grades to problem-solving (deeper purpose)

    13:36 – How can Chat GPT power deeper project-based learning experiences?

    17:09 – “Simple designs beget complex behaviours”

    21:33 – Kyle’s work at the Transformative Learning Experiences Podcast

    22:43 – Kyle’s plans for his YouTube channel, ‪@transformschool‬ 

    24:34 – A passion outside of education: song-writing

    26:08 – A productivity habit: reflecting in his journal every morning

    26:58 – Kyle’s morning routine

    28:38 – Favorite tech tools: Chat GPT and Canva

    29:35 – A book recommendation: The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay 

    30:59 – An educator to follow on LinkedIn: Benjamin Freud and Loni Bergqvist on LinkedIn

    32:06 – What Kyle’s streaming: Big Bang Theory

    33:03 – How to connect with Kyle Wagner and follow him online

    DISCOUNT CODE: Pick up Kyle’s book Where Is the Teacher? using code WT30 or at this link to receive 30% off: https://www.routledge.com/Where-Is-the-Teacher-The-12-Shifts-for-Student-Centered-Environments/Wagner/p/book/9781032484716.

    (This interview episode is not sponsored.)

    Connect with Me

    On X @TeachersOnFire (https://X.com/TeachersOnFire)

    On Facebook @TeachersOnFire (https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/)

    On YouTube @Teachers On Fire (https://www.youtube.com/@teachersonfire)

    On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwcavey/

    Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.

    Song Track Credit

    Tropic Fuse by French Fuse

    GO! by Neffex

    *All songs retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

  • How to Build Belonging in Your School Community with Morgane Michael

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    🔥 How can we create a sense of belonging for every learner?

    🔥 How can we make the physical spaces of our schools more welcoming?

    🔥 What are 1-2 tangible daily practices that we can use to promote cultures of positivity in our schools?

    Join me for this conversation with BC educator Morgane Michael as she shares her insights on these and other questions.

    About This Guest

    Morgane is a teacher and mother of two boys in Victoria, Canada. She is also a coach, speaker, and host of the KindSight 101 podcast. She has written two books: From Burnt Out to Fired Up (2021) and Blueprint for Belonging, A: Building a Positive School Culture From the Ground Up (2024).

    Connect with Morgane

    • on Linkedin,
    • on X @MorganeMichael,
    • on Instagram @SmallActBigImpact,
    • on TikTok @Morgane.Michael,
    • on YouTube at Small Act Big Impact,
    • and at her website, https://morganemichael.com/.

    Tune in for my regular Teachers on Fire interviews, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:00am Pacific and 11:00am Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast.

    In This Conversation (timestamps are clickable)

    0:30 – Who is Morgane Michael?

    1:54 – Morgane’s experience of not speaking English as a student

    6:28 – Is belonging actually important in the learning environment?

    10:20 – Daily practices that build cultures of positivity in our school

    17:17 – How to make our physical spaces in our schools feel welcoming

    23:37 – How boundaries contribute to a sense of belonging

    27:16 – Morgane’s sense of teacher morale across North America today

    31:15 – Morgane’s coaching services for educators looking to offer more

    34:30 – Passions outside of education: kids, working out, and travel

    35:23 – A productivity hack: the Pomodoro Technique

    35:56 – An edtech tool pick: Canva

    36:38 – Book recommendations: Atomic Habits, the Coaching Habit

    37:19 – Inspiring educators to follow: Tyler Comeau, Lisa Baylis

    38:14 – What Morgane’s streaming: The Boys

    38:58 – How to connect with Morgane and follow her work online

    Mentions: James Clear, Michael Bungay Stanier, Tyler Comeau, Lisa Baylis

    Connect with Teachers on Fire

    On X @TeachersOnFire (https://X.com/TeachersOnFire)

    On Facebook @TeachersOnFire (https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/)

    On YouTube @Teachers On Fire (https://www.youtube.com/@teachersonfire)

    On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwcavey/

    Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.

    Song Track Credit

    Tropic Fuse by French Fuse

    GO! by Neffex

    *All songs retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

  • Play-Based Learning, Cultures of Collaboration, and Core Competencies

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    Award-winning Vancouver-area teacher Ashley Bodnar shares insights from her professional journey

    🔥 How can play-based learning change mindsets in Math class?

    🔥 How can teachers develop core competencies in their students?

    🔥 What can a collaborative learning model look like in your classroom?

    Join me for this conversation with award-winning British Columbian educator Ashley Bodnar as she reflects on these and other important questions.

    About This Guest

    Ashley is a teacher in Coquitlam, Canada. She was a 2023 recipient of the Prime Minister’s Teaching Excellence Certificate of Achievement and is known for her work in inquiry, collaboration, and building students’ core competencies. 

    Connect with Ashley on Linkedin and on Instagram @teachreflectrepeat.

    Tune in for my regular Teachers on Fire interviews, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:00am Pacific and 11:00am Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast.

    Timestamps from This Conversation (clickable)

    0:28 – Who is Ashley Bodnar?

    1:27 – A story of resistance before collaboration

    3:51 – What is a collaborative learning model?

    7:43 – Beginning the teacher journey as a paraprofessional

    10:22 – Teaching in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

    13:30 – Core competencies for every student in BC

    14:43 – Ashley’s book aims to support core competency integration

    17:07 – Play-based learning in the Math classroom

    20:24 – Ashley’s learning outside of education: yoga, wellness, self-care

    21:30 – A productivity hack: bookmarking ideas on teacher Instagram

    22:21 – Two edtech app picks: Canva and Classroom Screen

    23:35 – Ashley’s book recommendation: What Happened to You

    24:29 – An educator to follow online: ‪Edutopia

    25:18 – What Ashley’s streaming: the sitcom classics

    25:56 – How to connect with Ashley online

    Mentions: Dr. Peter Liljedahl, Judy Halbert, Linda Kaser, Oprah, Dr. Bruce Perry, Edutopia

    Connect with Me

    On X @TeachersOnFire (https://X.com/TeachersOnFire)

    On Facebook @TeachersOnFire (https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/)

    On YouTube @Teachers On Fire (https://www.youtube.com/@teachersonfire)

    On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwcavey/

    Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.

    Song Track Credit

    Tropic Fuse by French Fuse

    GO! by Neffex

    *All songs retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

  • Smartphones and the Psychology of Learning

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    🔥 Have generative AI tools killed the essay?

    🔥 In a world of screens, why are paper books more important than ever?

    🔥 How are smartphones changing the ways that students learn, and how should educators respond?

    Join me for this conversation with BC educator LISA GREEN as she shares her insights on these and other questions.

    About This Guest

    Lisa is a teacher, author, and educational consultant in Victoria, Canada. Her master’s degree and ongoing work lead her to explore the connections between work, psychology, coaching, and learning.

    Connect with Lisa on Instagram @lisagreen_heretolearn and at her website, https://heretolearn.ca/.

    Tune in for my regular Teachers on Fire interviews, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:00am Pacific and 11:00am Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast.

    Timestamps from This Conversation

    0:29 – Who is Lisa Green?

    1:24 – An experience of professional adversity for Lisa

    3:25 – Why Lisa wrote Outsmarted, the book

    6:55 – Lisa’s position on phone bans in schools and districts

    11:13 – Why Lisa discourages students from taking phones to bed

    15:23 – Why physical books are still important for students to read

    20:04 – Is the essay dead in our schools?

    23:31 – Teacher assessment in the age of generative AI

    29:50 – How to build cultures of reflection and celebration of, for, and as learning

    35:23 – Digital tools for student portfolios

    38:45 – A learning passion outside of education: travel

    41:13 – Productivity hacks for teachers and students

    44:16 – Lisa’s favorite app right now: Canva

    45:11 – Book recommendation: Pat Summit’s Reach for the Summit

    46:25 – An educator to follow online: Trevor MacKenzie

    48:41 – How to connect with Lisa Green online

    Mentioned in this conversation: Jonathan Haidt, Johann Hari, Canva, Pat Summit, Trevor MacKenzie

    Song Track Credit

    Tropic Fuse by French Fuse

    GO! by Neffex

    *All songs retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

  • Jake Miller is Back: Duct Tape, Technology, and Personalized Learning

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    The well-loved Ohio educator, speaker, presenter, podcaster, and author drops by to discuss education technology, AI tools for teachers, and his content creation aims for the year.

    🔥 What is next for Jake Miller?

    🔥 What does duct tape teach us about education technology?

    🔥 How should teachers be thinking about AI tools as they return to school?

    Join me for this conversation with Jake Miller as he shares his insights on these and other questions.

    About This Guest

    Jake is an accomplished educator, speaker, presenter, podcaster, and author. This fall, he enters his third year as a personalized learning specialist in Ohio. 

    Connect with Jake on Linkedin, on X, Instagram, and YouTube @JakeMillerEdu, on his podcast Educational Duct Tape, at his website, JakeMiller.net, and in his book, Educational Duct Tape: An EdTech Integration Mindset.

    Tune in for my regular Teachers on Fire interviews, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:00am Pacific and 11:00am Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast.

    In This Conversation

    0:27 – Who is Jake Miller?

    2:03 – Jake’s ups, downs, and pivots from his last five years in education

    6:45 – Jake’s podcasting and YouTubing plans for 2024-2025

    11:48 – Jake discusses his book, Educational Duct Tape: An EdTech Integration Mindset

    15:49 – How should educators be thinking about AI tools this fall?

    18:39 – Jake lists 8 tools to learn about this fall

    21:11 – How edtech tools can support student learning AND teacher sustainability

    26:50 – The importance of fun and laughter in our buildings

    30:28 – Jake’s other learning outside of education

    32:05 – A personal habit that Jake relies on: no work email at home

    33:42 – An app that Jake is using a lot right now: Padlet

    34:59 – Book picks: Drive by Daniel Pink and Never Enough by Jennifer Wallace

    35:49 – Someone to follow: Molly Klodor, Dan Stitzel

    38:09 – What Jake is watching: the Olympics

    39:08 – How to connect with Jake Miller and Edu Duct Tape online

    Mentioned in This Conversation

    Jennifer Womble, FETC, Holly Clark, Stephanie Jacobs, Kim Zajac, Padlet, Adobe Express, Canva, Gemini, Book Creator, Diffit, Magic School, Suno, Alfie Kohn, Daniel Pink, Jennifer Wallace, Molly Klodor

    Song Track Credit

    Tropic Fuse by French Fuse

    GO! by Neffex

    *All songs retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.