Teachers on Fire

May 2, 2018

Episode 12: Roy Smith

English, High School, Secondary, TX, USA

English Teacher, Interview, Podcast, Round Rock, Texas, TOTY
LISTEN to this episode on iTunes and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast!

In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Roy Smith. Roy is an English teacher and department chair at Round Rock High School in Round Rock, Texas, USA.

In this interview, Roy describes what it was like to fight thyroid cancer while remaining in education, and credits his students with supplying the energy needed to get through his most difficult days. He also tells us what currently ignites his passion for learning and shares a core personal habit that has stood the test of time. Roy is an avid reader and he gives us some great recommendations in books, educators to follow on Twitter, and more.

Follow Roy Smith on Twitter @english_roy and visit his blog at englishroy.com.

In this episode, Roy discusses …
- 1:22 – his current education context
- 2:33 – a challenging experience from a few years ago
- 4:44 – what ignites his passion for education today
- 7:20 – other areas of personal interest and learning
- 8:45 – a personal habit that contributes to his success
- 10:29 – Twitter accounts worth following: Susan Barber, Jori Krudler, Karla Hillard, Brian Sztabnick, Melissa Smith
- 11:23 – his favorite edtech tools for the English classroom: Google Docs and Sheets, Twitter, Voxer, and Flipgrid
- 13:16 – book recommendations: The Poet X (Elizabeth Avevedo), Beartown (Fredrick Backman), and Embarrassed (C.J. Person).
- 15:30 – his top podcast recommendations: Brian Sztabnik’s Talks with Teachers
- 16:18 – a YouTube channel recommendation: TED Talks
- 17:00 – favourite shows when he’s looking to laugh and relax: Tudors, House of Cards, Schitts Creek, Big Bang Theory
- 17:31 – the best ways to follow him online
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!
April 28, 2018

Episode 11 – Terry Jones

Administration, BC, Canada, High School, Trail

BC, Canada, Coaching, Educator, Hockey, Interviews, JL Crowe, Podcast, Terry Jones, Trail
TERRY JONES is a vice principal at JL Crowe Secondary School in Trail, BC, Canada.

In this interview, Terry describes the incredible influence that positive and supportive leadership can make within the culture of a school. He talks about another one of his life passions, coaching hockey, and affirms the value of healthy relationships and community in every walk of life. Terry also gives us some great recommendations for accounts to follow on Twitter, books to read, tools to use, and more.

Follow Terry on Twitter @Teeray8.

In this episode, Terry discusses …
- 0:53 – his current education context
- 3:19 – a challenging experience early in his career
- 6:39 – what ignites his passion for education today
- 8:54 – another one of his greatest passions: coaching hockey
- 13:16 – a personal habit that contributes to his success
- 14:47 – Twitter accounts to follow: Jon Gordon, Eddie Woo, Pasi Sahlberg
- 15:37 – an edtech tool recommendation: Google Forms
- 16:26 – book recommendations: The Energy Bus and The Hard Hat (both by Jon Gordon), The Power of Moments (by Heath & Heath)
- 18:08 – his YouTube channel recommendation: TED Talks
- 18:52 – a TV series that he’s finding interesting: Genius Season 1 – Einstein
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!
April 28, 2018

Episode 11: Terry Jones

Administration, BC, Canada, High School, Trail

BC, Canada, Coaching, Educator, Hockey, Interviews, JL Crowe, Podcast, Terry Jones, Trail
LISTEN to this episode on iTunes and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast!

In this episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Terry Jones, vice principal at JL Crowe Secondary School in Trail, BC, Canada.

In this interview, Terry describes the incredible influence that positive and supportive leadership can make within the culture of a school. He talks about another one of his life passions, coaching hockey, and affirms the value of healthy relationships and community in every walk of life. Terry also gives us some great recommendations for accounts to follow on Twitter, books to read, tools to use, and more.

Follow Terry on Twitter @Teeray8.

In this episode, Terry discusses …
- 0:53 – his current education context
- 3:19 – a challenging experience early in his career
- 6:39 – what ignites his passion for education today
- 8:54 – another one of his greatest passions: coaching hockey
- 13:16 – a personal habit that contributes to his success
- 14:47 – Twitter accounts to follow: Jon Gordon, Eddie Woo, Pasi Sahlberg
- 15:37 – an edtech tool recommendation: Google Forms
- 16:26 – book recommendations: The Energy Bus and The Hard Hat (both by Jon Gordon), The Power of Moments (by Heath & Heath)
- 18:08 – his YouTube channel recommendation: TED Talks
- 18:52 – a TV series that he’s finding interesting: Genius Season 1 – Einstein
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!
April 25, 2018

Episode 10 – Adi Aharon

BC, Canada, K-12, Technology, Vancouver

Adi Aharon, BC, Canada, Crofton House, Technology Specialist, Vancouver
ADI AHARON is a technology integration specialist at the top-rated Crofton House School in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

In this interview, Adi discusses the challenge of working with everybody but nobody at the same time and affirms the value of building a strong professional learning network. She fills us in on the mission and vision behind her latest project, The Emotive Web, a resource for parents, educators, and learners of all ages seeking to manage technology in healthy and reflective ways. Adi is definitely an authentic lifelong learner and gives us some solid recommendations for books to read, thought leaders to follow, podcasts to listen to, and more.

Follow Adi on Twitter @_adi and check out the great resources she offers at EmotiveWeb.ca and PlayCreateInnovate.com.

In this episode, Adi discusses …
- 1:03 – her current context and position
- 2:32 – a challenging aspect of her current work, and the value of her PLN
- 3:29 – a current passion: her work at The Emotive Web
- 6:02 – another source of passion and learning outside of education
- 7:19 – a personal habit that contributes to her success
- 8:34 – a Twitter recommendation: Manoush Zomorodi
- 9:02 – her favourite edtech tool right now: Breakout EDU
- 11:37 – a book recommendation: The Self-Driven Child (especially ch. 9)
- 12:05 – some solid podcast recommendations: Note to Self, IRL: Online Life is Real Life, The Hidden Brain, Change Agent, What Were You Thinking
- 13:55 – a YouTube channel recommendation: Super Awesome Sylvia
- 15:01 – when she finds the time for Netflix, she’s watching: This is Us
- 15:48 – the best ways to find her online
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!
April 25, 2018

Episode 10: Adi Aharon

BC, Canada, K-12, Technology, Vancouver

Adi Aharon, BC, Canada, Crofton House, Technology Specialist, Vancouver
LISTEN to this episode on iTunes and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast!

In our tenth episode of the Teachers on Fire podcast, we chat with Adi Aharon, technology integration specialist at the top-rated Crofton House School in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

In this interview, Adi discusses the challenge of working with everybody but nobody at the same time and affirms the value of building a strong professional learning network. She fills us in on the mission and vision behind her latest project, The Emotive Web, a resource for parents, educators, and learners of all ages seeking to manage technology in healthy and reflective ways. Adi is definitely an authentic lifelong learner and gives us some solid recommendations for books to read, thought leaders to follow, podcasts to listen to, and more.

Follow Adi on Twitter @_adi and check out the great resources she offers at EmotiveWeb.ca and PlayCreateInnovate.com.

In this episode, Adi discusses …
- 1:03 – her current context and position
- 2:32 – a challenging aspect of her current work, and the value of her PLN
- 3:29 – a current passion: her work at The Emotive Web
- 6:02 – another source of passion and learning outside of education
- 7:19 – a personal habit that contributes to her success
- 8:34 – a Twitter recommendation: Manoush Zomorodi
- 9:02 – her favourite edtech tool right now: Breakout EDU
- 11:37 – a book recommendation: The Self-Driven Child (especially ch. 9)
- 12:05 – some solid podcast recommendations: Note to Self, IRL: Online Life is Real Life, The Hidden Brain, Change Agent, What Were You Thinking
- 13:55 – a YouTube channel recommendation: Super Awesome Sylvia
- 15:01 – when she finds the time for Netflix, she’s watching: This is Us
- 15:48 – the best ways to find her online
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 12: Roy Smith

Episode 11 – Terry Jones

Episode 11: Terry Jones

Episode 10 – Adi Aharon

Episode 10: Adi Aharon