Teachers on Fire

May 16, 2018

Episode 16: Maria Thompson

IBL, Maryland, Middle School, PBL, Podcasts, USA

IBL, Inquiry Based Learning, Interview, Maryland, PBL, Podcast, Snow Hill Middle School, Summit Learning
LISTEN to this episode on iTunes and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast!

In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast we speak with Maria Thompson. Maria is a middle school teacher at Snow Hill Middle School in Snow Hill, Maryland.

Maria is an expert in Summit Learning, a program that personalizes learning and supports students while they direct the focus of their own studies. She has great insights to share that fit nicely within the models of project-based and inquiry-based learning that many educators are seeking to move towards. Maria also offers some helpful recommendations for a Twitter account to follow, a book to read, a YouTube channel to subscribe to, and more.

Follow Maria on Twitter @MThompsonSHMS.

In this episode, Maria discusses …
- 1:21 – her current teaching situation
- 2:16 – her most challenging year of teaching, and what she took from it
- 5:45 – why she’s passionate about Summit Learning
- 16:23 – another area of personal learning
- 17:24 – a personal habit that contributes to her success
- 18:26 – an account to follow on Twitter: @SteeleThoughts
- 19:08 – an edtech tool to use in the classroom: NaturalReaders.com
- 19:51 – a book recommendation: Change Your Mind and Your Life Will Follow, by Karen Casey
- 21:33 – a podcast recommendation: Summit Sparks
- 22:28 – a YouTube channel recommendation for the classroom: Mr. Zoller
- 23:24 – what she’s watching on Netflix right now: Flint Town
Song Track Credits
- Intro: Relax (by Simon More)
- Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)
LISTEN to this episode on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes!
May 14, 2018

Episode 15 – Adam Miller

Middle School, PE, Saudi Arabia

Adam Miller, Aramco, Dhahran, Interview, PE Teacher, Podcast, Saudi Arabia
ADAM MILLER is a middle school physical education teacher in Dhahran, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.

In this conversation Adam tells a hilarious story of having to manage a swim class for a group of kindergarteners within 20 minutes of their first day of school. He shares about why he’s so passionate about physical education, the pleasure he finds in brewing good beers, and a personal habit that translates into personal success in every area of his life. You’ll also want to hear his recommendations for books to read, an awesome edtech tool that provides formative assessment in the gym, and more.

Follow Adam on Twitter @MillerAdamL and on Instagram @ALMiller50.

In this episode, Adam discusses …
- 0:53 – his current teaching situation
- 3:25 – an over-the-top teaching experience
- 10:19 – why he’s passionate about physical education
- 17:16 – another area of personal interest and learning
- 21:27 – a personal habit that contributes to his success
- 24:34 – an educator to follow on Twitter: Tim Stuart
- 26:25 – an app he uses to provide formative assessment in PE classes: BaM Video Delay
- 30:08 – a book recommendation: Legacy by James Kerr
- 33:05 – a YouTube channel recommendation: Phys Ed Games
- 34:39 – the best ways to follow him
Song Track Credits
- Intro: Relax (by Simon More)
- Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)
LISTEN to this episode on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes!
May 14, 2018

Episode 15: Adam Miller

Middle School, PE, Podcasts, Saudi Arabia

Adam Miller, Aramco, Dhahran, Interview, PE Teacher, Podcast, Saudi Arabia
LISTEN to this episode on iTunes and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast!

In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast we speak with Adam Miller. Adam is a middle school physical education teacher in Dhahran, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.

In this conversation Adam tells a hilarious story of having to manage a swim class for a group of kindergarteners within 20 minutes of their first day of school. He shares about why he’s so passionate about physical education, the pleasure he finds in brewing good beers, and a personal habit that translates into personal success in every area of his life. You’ll also want to hear his recommendations for books to read, an awesome edtech tool that provides formative assessment in the gym, and more.

Follow Adam on Twitter @MillerAdamL and on Instagram @ALMiller50.

In this episode, Adam discusses …
- 0:53 – his current teaching situation
- 3:25 – an over-the-top teaching experience
- 10:19 – why he’s passionate about physical education
- 17:16 – another area of personal interest and learning
- 21:27 – a personal habit that contributes to his success
- 24:34 – an educator to follow on Twitter: Tim Stuart
- 26:25 – an app he uses to provide formative assessment in PE classes: BaM Video Delay
- 30:08 – a book recommendation: Legacy by James Kerr
- 33:05 – a YouTube channel recommendation: Phys Ed Games
- 34:39 – the best ways to follow him
Song Track Credits
- Intro: Relax (by Simon More)
- Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)
LISTEN to this episode on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes!
May 10, 2018

Episode 14 – Antonio Vendramin

Administration, Assessment, BC, Canada, K-12, Surrey

Antonio Vendramin, Assessment, BC, Canada, Curriculum, Interview, Principal, Surrey
ANTONIO VENDRAMIN is the District Principal of Communicating Student Learning in the Surrey School District of BC, Canada.

In this conversation, Antonio discusses the exciting opportunities made possible by the recent shift toward a competency-based curriculum in British Columbia. He describes the power of good digital storytelling, and explains how the habit of running has transformed his mental and physical health in recent years. He also shares a number of great recommendations for books to read, edtech tools to consider using in the classroom, hashtags to follow on Twitter, and more.

Some highlights and takeaways from this interview:
- Whatever your passion is, spend a lot of time living there because that passion will rub off on your students.
- The most successful learners are the ones who know how to learn.
- At the end of the day our job is not to teach curricular content. Our job is to teach children and build the competencies that we know they will need today and in the future.
- Transformative uses of technology do not include using technology to replicate things that could be done without technology. Transformative technology creates unique learning experiences that could not happen without technology.
Follow Antonio on Twitter @Vendram1n and visit his blog at https://abvendramin.com/.

In this episode, Antonio discusses …
- 1:07 – his current context in education
- 2:50 – a challenging year he experienced early in his teaching career
- 6:38 – why he’s excited about the new BC curriculum
- 9:14 – an area of passion and learning: digital storytelling
- 11:14 – a personal habit that contributes to his success: running
- 13:52 – hashtags he recommends following on Twitter (#SD36 and #SD36Learn)
- 16:08 – edtech tools to consider using in your teaching practice (Skype or other video conferencing applications)
- 18:40 – book recommendations: The Invisible Classroom by Kirke Olson, Mindset by Carol Dweck, and The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
- 21:05 – a podcast recommendation: Radiolab
- 22:05 – a YouTube channel recommendation: Poke My Heart
- 23:22 – what he’s currently watching on Netflix: Riverdale, Peaky Blinders
- 25:04 – the best ways to follow him online: @Vendram1n and https://abvendramin.com/.
Song Track Credits
- Intro: Relax (by Simon More)
- Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)
LISTEN to this episode on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes!
May 10, 2018

Episode 14: Antonio Vendramin

Administration, Assessment, BC, Canada, K-12, Surrey

Antonio Vendramin, Assessment, BC, Canada, Curriculum, Interview, Principal, Surrey
LISTEN to this episode on iTunes and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast!

In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast we speak with Antonio Vendramin. Antonio is the District Principal of Communicating Student Learning in the Surrey School District of BC, Canada.

In this conversation, Antonio discusses the exciting opportunities made possible by the recent shift toward a competency-based curriculum in British Columbia. He describes the power of good digital storytelling, and explains how the habit of running has transformed his mental and physical health in recent years. He also shares a number of great recommendations for books to read, edtech tools to consider using in the classroom, hashtags to follow on Twitter, and more.

Some highlights and takeaways from this interview:
- Whatever your passion is, spend a lot of time living there because that passion will rub off on your students.
- The most successful learners are the ones who know how to learn.
- At the end of the day our job is not to teach curricular content. Our job is to teach children and build the competencies that we know they will need today and in the future.
- Transformative uses of technology do not include using technology to replicate things that could be done without technology. Transformative technology creates unique learning experiences that could not happen without technology.
Follow Antonio on Twitter @Vendram1n and visit his blog at https://abvendramin.com/.

In this episode, Antonio discusses …
- 1:07 – his current context in education
- 2:50 – a challenging year he experienced early in his teaching career
- 6:38 – why he’s excited about the new BC curriculum
- 9:14 – an area of passion and learning: digital storytelling
- 11:14 – a personal habit that contributes to his success: running
- 13:52 – hashtags he recommends following on Twitter (#SD36 and #SD36Learn)
- 16:08 – edtech tools to consider using in your teaching practice (Skype or other video conferencing applications)
- 18:40 – book recommendations: The Invisible Classroom by Kirke Olson, Mindset by Carol Dweck, and The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
- 21:05 – a podcast recommendation: Radiolab
- 22:05 – a YouTube channel recommendation: Poke My Heart
- 23:22 – what he’s currently watching on Netflix: Riverdale, Peaky Blinders
- 25:04 – the best ways to follow him online: @Vendram1n and https://abvendramin.com/.
Song Track Credits
- Intro: Relax (by Simon More)
- Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)
LISTEN to this episode on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes!

Episode 16: Maria Thompson

Episode 15 – Adam Miller

Episode 15: Adam Miller

Episode 14 – Antonio Vendramin

Episode 14: Antonio Vendramin