I’m writing this post from a delightful cafe in a quaint little touristy town near my home.

The sunshine is pouring in through three walls of windows.

Steam from my freshly brewed coffee wafts lazily upward.

A creamy slice of carrot cake sits waiting to be consumed.

Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections, which you can find on the Teachers on Fire Magazine at Medium.com.

Read the blog post featured in this episode at https://medium.com/teachers-on-fire/you-can-love-teaching-love-your-students-and-love-time-away-12f2c3750c28.

My name is Tim Cavey, and I’m proud to contribute to the education conversation through the Teachers on Fire podcast. Make sure to connect with me @TeachersOnFire on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to catch more from me and hear from amazing educators who are bringing growth and transformation to K-12 education today.

CONNECT with ME

On Twitter @TeachersOnFire (https://twitter.com/TeachersOnFire)

On Instagram @TeachersOnFire (https://www.instagram.com/teachersonfire/)

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

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

On Voxer @TeachersOnFire (https://web.voxer.com/u/teachersonfire) 

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

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

SONG TRACK CREDIT

Chef Brian by Latasha

Dude by Patrick Patrikios

Tropic Fuse by French Fuse

How’s It Supposed to Feel (Instrumental) by NEFFEX

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

Love or hate the policy decision — speaking, teaching, and breathing just became physically easier for exhausted educators across North America.

Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections, which you can find on the Teachers on Fire Magazine at Medium.com.

Read the blog post featured in this episode at https://medium.com/teachers-on-fire/two-years-later-a-breath-of-fresh-air-for-a-pounded-profession-f75ac74964b2.

My name is Tim Cavey, and I’m proud to contribute to the education conversation through the Teachers on Fire podcast. Make sure to connect with me @TeachersOnFire on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to catch more from me and hear from amazing educators who are bringing growth and transformation to K-12 education today.

CONNECT with ME

On Twitter @TeachersOnFire (https://twitter.com/TeachersOnFire)

On Instagram @TeachersOnFire (https://www.instagram.com/teachersonfire/)

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

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

On Voxer @TeachersOnFire (https://web.voxer.com/u/teachersonfire)

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

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

SONG TRACK CREDIT

Dude by Patrick Patrikios

New Year by Bad Snacks

Turtle Time by Verified Picasso

Steps by Anno Domini Beats

Fast and Run by Nico Staf

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

The reality: not every student has submitted the required products for a particular learning activity by the due date or deadline. What should the responsible teacher do?

Here’s how some teachers respond:

They update checklists of unsubmitted assignments on a weekly or daily basis.

They regularly post names of students whose work is overdue on the classroom whiteboard or digital equivalents. Missing essays: Brian, Jackie, Solomon, Jenny, Stefan.

They meet 1:1 with the students whose work is missing.

They email students or send direct reminders via the LMS.

They set up special study hall sessions (at recess breaks, lunch breaks, or after school) that offending students must attend in order to complete and submit all required assignments.

They email parents to inform them of the specific assignments that their children have not submitted.

These teachers mean well. And some of these measures have their place, at least in spirit.

But it’s also true that this pattern of teacher behavior can become a bottomless pit. All of the tracking and communication I’ve listed here can take huge amounts of time on top of everything else a teacher must do week in and week out.

Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections, which you can find on the Teachers on Fire Magazine at Medium.com.

Read the blog post featured in this episode at https://medium.com/teachers-on-fire/heres-your-permission-to-stop-chasing-missing-student-assignments-c5685c526441.

My name is Tim Cavey, and I’m proud to contribute to the education conversation through the Teachers on Fire podcast. Make sure to connect with me @TeachersOnFire on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to catch more from me and hear from amazing educators who are bringing growth and transformation to K-12 education today.

CONNECT with ME

On Twitter @TeachersOnFire (https://twitter.com/TeachersOnFire)

On Instagram @TeachersOnFire (https://www.instagram.com/teachersonfire/)

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

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

On Voxer @TeachersOnFire (https://web.voxer.com/u/teachersonfire)

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

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

SONG TRACK CREDIT

Flight to Tunisia by Causmic

Tangled by Emmit Fenn

Road Tripzzz by Ofshane

Sunrise Drive by South London Hifi

Business as Usual by Causmic

Anthem by The Grand Affair

Fast and Run by Nico Staf

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

I knew that if we were to improve this student-teacher relationship and get learning back on track, this student would need to feel fully heard by the teacher. And the teacher would need to feel heard by the student. A meeting seemed like a logical next step.

But I wanted to approach this very carefully. I wanted to think about ways to allow the student to feel heard without creating a slam session against the teacher. And I wanted to allow the teacher to feel heard by the student without them feeling collectively dumped on. So I worked with my principal to craft a professional first: a mediation agenda.

Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections, which you can find on the Teachers on Fire Magazine at Medium.com.

Read the blog post featured in this episode at https://medium.com/teachers-on-fire/when-a-middle-school-student-goes-on-strike-mapping-next-steps-e13c327fe569.

My name is Tim Cavey, and I’m proud to contribute to the education conversation through the Teachers on Fire podcast. Make sure to connect with me @TeachersOnFire on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to catch more from me and hear from amazing educators who are bringing growth and transformation to K-12 education today.

CONNECT with ME

On Twitter @TeachersOnFire (https://twitter.com/TeachersOnFire)

On Instagram @TeachersOnFire (https://www.instagram.com/teachersonfire/)

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

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

On Voxer @TeachersOnFire (https://web.voxer.com/u/teachersonfire)

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

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

SONG TRACK CREDIT

Flight to Tunisia by Causmic

Tangled by Emmit Fenn

Anthem by The Grand Affair

Road Tripzzz by Ofshane

Fast and Run by Nico Staf

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

We recognize that our assessment beliefs and practices fundamentally shape every other aspect of learning that occurs in the school environment.

As such, we engage in constant professional learning and seek to apply evidence-based thinking to our practices.

Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections, which you can find on the Teachers on Fire Magazine at Medium.com.

Read the blog post featured in this episode at https://medium.com/teachers-on-fire/what-is-the-purpose-of-assessment-a1c4be4d7635.

My name is Tim Cavey, and I’m proud to contribute to the education conversation through the Teachers on Fire podcast. Make sure to connect with me @TeachersOnFire on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to catch more from me and hear from amazing educators who are bringing growth and transformation to K-12 education today.

CONNECT with ME

On Twitter @TeachersOnFire (https://twitter.com/TeachersOnFire)

On Instagram @TeachersOnFire (https://www.instagram.com/teachersonfire/)

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

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

On Voxer @TeachersOnFire (https://web.voxer.com/u/teachersonfire)

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

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

SONG TRACK CREDIT

Flight to Tunisia by Causmic

Tangled by Emmit Fenn

Road Tripzzz by Ofshane

Sunrise Drive by South London Hifi

Fast and Run by Nico Staf

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

Following the thread, I had a startling realization. It’s a thought that I’m sure has crossed many educators’ minds over the last two years.

We don’t even let our middle schoolers behave like this.

Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections, which you can find on the Teachers on Fire Magazine at Medium.com.

Read the blog post featured in this episode at https://medium.com/teachers-on-fire/compassion-over-cancellation-seeing-the-humanity-across-the-aisle-2ea326ed7a8c.

My name is Tim Cavey, and I’m proud to contribute to the education conversation through the Teachers on Fire podcast. Make sure to connect with me @TeachersOnFire on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to catch more from me and hear from amazing educators who are bringing growth and transformation to K-12 education today.

CONNECT with ME

On Twitter @TeachersOnFire (https://twitter.com/TeachersOnFire)

On Instagram @TeachersOnFire (https://www.instagram.com/teachersonfire/)

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

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

On Voxer @TeachersOnFire (https://web.voxer.com/u/teachersonfire)

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

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

SONG TRACK CREDIT

Flight to Tunisia by Causmic

Tangled by Emmit Fenn

Road Tripzzz by Ofshane

Sunrise Drive by South London Hifi

Fast and Run by Nico Staf

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

How could you be so sure that your wonderful class or school community was X … only to hear that others view it as Y?

Simple. You’re doing lots of great things within your own walls. But you’re doing a really bad job of telling your story.

Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections, which you can find on the Teachers on Fire Magazine at Medium.com.

Read the blog post featured in this episode at https://medium.com/teachers-on-fire/why-schools-must-tell-their-stories-d51f04d392f8.

My name is Tim Cavey, and I’m proud to contribute to the education conversation through the Teachers on Fire podcast. Make sure to connect with me @TeachersOnFire on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to catch more from me and hear from amazing educators who are bringing growth and transformation to K-12 education today.

CONNECT with ME

On Twitter @TeachersOnFire (https://twitter.com/TeachersOnFire)

On Instagram @TeachersOnFire (https://www.instagram.com/teachersonfire/)

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

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

On Voxer @TeachersOnFire (https://web.voxer.com/u/teachersonfire)

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

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

SONG TRACK CREDIT

Flight to Tunisia by Causmic

Tangled by Emmit Fenn

Road Tripzzz by Ofshane

Sunrise Drive by South London Hifi

Fast and Run by Nico Staf

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

Dale Carnegie once said that “A person’s name is to that person, the sweetest, most important sound in any language.”

And so it is. If we want to build meaningful culture, community, and relationships in our schools, we need to learn our students’ names.

This is one way to do it.

Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections, which you can find on the Teachers on Fire Magazine at Medium.com.

Read the blog post featured in this episode at https://medium.com/teachers-on-fire/my-best-hack-for-memorizing-student-names-4c005a24beae.

My name is Tim Cavey, and I’m proud to contribute to the education conversation through the Teachers on Fire podcast. Make sure to connect with me @TeachersOnFire on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to catch more from me and hear from amazing educators who are bringing growth and transformation to K-12 education today.

CONNECT with ME

On Twitter @TeachersOnFire (https://twitter.com/TeachersOnFire)

On Instagram @TeachersOnFire (https://www.instagram.com/teachersonfire/)

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

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

On Voxer @TeachersOnFire (https://web.voxer.com/u/teachersonfire)

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

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

SONG TRACK CREDIT

Flight to Tunisia by Causmic

Tangled by Emmit Fenn

Road Tripzzz by Ofshane

Sunrise Drive by South London Hifi

Fast and Run by Nico Staf

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

This episode comes to you from a Tim Hortons coffee shop. Host Tim Cavey is joined by fellow edu podcasters Tim Stephenson (Science 360) and Bryon Carpenter (Fresh Air at Five).

This is a learning conversation. We talk about what’s firing us up, the content that keeps us going, and the practices that stoke our fires. Join us.

My guests today are:

My name is Tim Cavey, and I’m proud to contribute to the education conversation through the Teachers on Fire podcast. Make sure to connect with me @TeachersOnFire on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to catch more from me and hear from amazing educators who are bringing growth and transformation to K-12 education today.

CONNECT with ME

On Twitter @TeachersOnFire (https://twitter.com/TeachersOnFire)

On Instagram @TeachersOnFire (https://www.instagram.com/teachersonfire/)

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

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

On Voxer @TeachersOnFire (https://web.voxer.com/u/teachersonfire)

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

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

SONG TRACK CREDIT

Fast and Run by Nico Staf

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

Guess what, administrators. If you want your educators to teach responsively, dynamically, and sustainably, then you’ve got to create safe spaces for experimentation.

That means that it has to be okay for teachers to try some new things. To leave the familiar from time to time. To make spontaneous decisions. And to make mistakes.

That means that it has to be okay for you as an administrator to walk into a classroom where the lesson plan hasn’t been completely defined. Where the learning activity has yet to appear in a unit plan. Where the teacher asks students to try out new technologies that don’t work exactly as intended.

That has to be okay with you. Because if it’s not — if every instructional decision has to be planned, defined, and described in advance — then experimentation simply won’t happen as often. Or ever.

Welcome to SPARKS: mini-segments intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on my written reflections, which you can find on the Teachers on Fire Magazine at Medium.com.

Read the blog post featured in this episode at https://medium.com/teachers-on-fire/its-okay-to-be-messy-at-the-start-c4471dc2888c.

My name is Tim Cavey, and I’m proud to contribute to the education conversation through the Teachers on Fire podcast. Make sure to connect with me @TeachersOnFire on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to catch more from me and hear from amazing educators who are bringing growth and transformation to K-12 education today.

CONNECT with ME

On Twitter @TeachersOnFire (https://twitter.com/TeachersOnFire)

On Instagram @TeachersOnFire (https://www.instagram.com/teachersonfire/)

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

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

On Voxer @TeachersOnFire (https://web.voxer.com/u/teachersonfire)

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

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

SONG TRACK CREDIT

Flight to Tunisia by Causmic

Tangled by Emmit Fenn

Road Tripzzz by Ofshane

Sunrise Drive by South London Hifi

Fast and Run by Nico Staf

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