

Education On Fire - Sharing creative and inspiring learning in our schools
Mark Taylor
Do you feel the education system is sucking the life out of you and the pupils you serve? I think many of us wish we could click our fingers and make it fit for purpose. A place of growth with shared learning that empowers pupils to be their best selves, so they can create a world they want to inhabit now and in the future.
While a magic wand or a visionary politician might sound like the answer I believe change is already happening. Educators are changing futures one conversation at a time. New technology and the environments where we learn are beginning to look different both in and out of the classroom. I hope you are seeing this first hand and are excited about what you can share with your pupils. We are having conversations, sharing organisations and communities that are supporting education in a way that you may have not experienced.
Educational change will come from us all working in way that supports the best interests of each of our pupils, personalised learning. Governments and policy makers will follow when they see fully how it can be different. So let us teach, coach, mentor and create an environment that fuels every child with feedback, inspiration, resilience and empowerment. The Education on Fire community is shining the torch, so no matter where you are in the world or how you are supporting children this podcast is here for you.
‘Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.’
While a magic wand or a visionary politician might sound like the answer I believe change is already happening. Educators are changing futures one conversation at a time. New technology and the environments where we learn are beginning to look different both in and out of the classroom. I hope you are seeing this first hand and are excited about what you can share with your pupils. We are having conversations, sharing organisations and communities that are supporting education in a way that you may have not experienced.
Educational change will come from us all working in way that supports the best interests of each of our pupils, personalised learning. Governments and policy makers will follow when they see fully how it can be different. So let us teach, coach, mentor and create an environment that fuels every child with feedback, inspiration, resilience and empowerment. The Education on Fire community is shining the torch, so no matter where you are in the world or how you are supporting children this podcast is here for you.
‘Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.’
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 16, 2024 • 8min
We are back from our holidays!
We are back this week with a catch up / new season launch show.I'm interested in knowing your thoughts on having personalised playlists for different education sectors, ages or subjects. Let me know if this would be helpful.https://www.educationonfire.com/

Aug 12, 2024 • 6min
Summer Break
While I take a short break over the summer holidays here are some resources you may not have seen or heard that will keep your FIRE burning.There are LIVE video podcasts on YouTube which have not been released on the audio platforms due to the visual elements. You can find them at www.youtube.com/@educationonfire5530/I have been a guest on a number of podcasts where I get to share thoughts and ideas that may be new to you because they have a slightly different educational focus.They are:Podcasters United with Tracy Hazzard - How Global Teaching Techniques Empower Your Child’s Learning With Mark Taylor Of Education On FireGreat Dad Talks with Paul Banas - The Power of Open Conversations with Mark TaylorDeal By Me Podcast with Dr. James W. Smith - Mark Taylor says that he doesn’t remember much about the education policies at the time he was at school but he does remember the classes and teachers that got him excited about learning, and those that created an environment for him to grow, thrive and be himself. WHAT AN EXCITING AND ENJOYABLE INTERVIEW!!! Out of the Trenches Podcast with Dana Goodier - Are you in the trenches as an educator? You're not alone. Hear from those who have been in the trenches and managed to come out intact. Hear their stories! Mark Taylor's EpisodeCoffee Time Again with Dale Hutchinson - The major differences between English and American Education systems today and yesterday.Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) www.nape.org.ukSupport the show at www.educationonfire.com/support

Aug 5, 2024 • 44min
John Coe - National Association for Primary Education
This is a recording from 2018 with John Coe. He shares his educational experiences, views and involvement with the National Association for Primary Education since 1980. John sadly passed away earlier this year and I wanted to share this conversation so you can hear the essence of NAPE and their continued support for primary education.This is my celebration and commemoration of John who has influenced me greatly.John Coe began teaching in Essex. After primary headships, first of a small rural school and then of an urban school serving an underprivileged community; he joined the West Riding of Yorkshire authority as Inspector of Schools. His second local authority appointment extended over 16 years as Senior Adviser to Oxfordshire. In 1984 he moved into Higher Education as Course Leader of the PGCE Primary Course at the London Institute of Education. A later move to Oxford Brookes University involved him in research and both initial and in-service education. He is a Fellow of the University and a founding member of NAPE.John Coe obituary in The Guardianwww.nape.org.uk

Jul 29, 2024 • 52min
The Adventures of Jelly Bean
Follow Jelly Bean on her exciting adventures as a fourth-grader facing challenges that resonate with children of her age. From navigating friendships and family dynamics to discovering the complexities of life, Jelly Bean’s journey is filled with valuable life lessons.Amy Meislin Pollack, a retired teacher, parent and grandparent, highlights how to raise happy children, how to talk to them about difficult topics and how to help them face challenges like bullying, low-self esteem, friendship, popularity, death, race, drugs, alcohol, feeling neglected and family issues.Ever since she was in fourth grade – back in 1960 – Amy was writing and telling stories about a character named Jelly Bean. She never stopped telling those stories, sharing them with her students over a teaching career that spanned 40+ years. She shared them with her three children when they were younger – and then with her seven grandchildren. Now her stories have been made available to everyone with the recent publishing of two coming-of-age books intended for middle-graders, The Adventures of Jelly Bean and The Further Adventures of Jelly Bean.The Adventures of Jelly Bean and The Further Adventures of Jelly Bean are the stories of a fourth-grader who faces challenges that just about all children her age can recognize. Her parents don’t approve of her favorite friend in the whole world. She has trouble getting along with the brother who is closest in age to her. The uncle she loves so much is about to marry the most awful woman she could ever imagine, and the girl who used to be her best friend has turned on her. Jelly Bean faces these and other stumbling blocks, including: the difficulties in achieving and maintaining popularity and how important having certain friends should be to her; difficulties inherent in relationships with various friends and family members; and learning how to make decisions on her own. In these first two books of my middle-grade series, Jelly Bean comes to understand that much of life is trial and error, and that the only constant in life is that it is always changing.Websitewww.amypollack.comSocial Media Informationinkedin.com/in/amy-pollack-9b111882twitter.com/AdvOfJellyBeanfacebook.com/Author.AmyMeislinPollackinstagram.com/jellybeanthebookseriesShow Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) www.nape.org.ukSupport the show at www.educationonfire.com/supportHave you seen our live shows on YouTube? www.EducationOnFire.com/youtube

Jul 22, 2024 • 52min
America in Therapy with Phyllis E. Leavitt, MA
Phyllis Leavitt has worked extensively with abuse and dysfunctional family dynamics, their aftermath, and some of the most important elements for healing. Her focus today is on her latest book, America in Therapy: A New Approach to Hope and Healing for a Nation in Crisis.'When I became a psychotherapist, I never imagined I would one day be entering a “political” arena. But the more I worked with widespread family dysfunction and its horrifying legacy of pain and violence, the more I realized that the greatest threat to our survival as a country and as a species is our declining mental health.I knew that what we have learned about healing family violence can and must be applied to healing America. I felt compelled to leave the confines of my office and speak to a broader audience. I wanted to share my message of urgency to get ourselves on a path of healing, and I wanted to share a message of Hope that we can restore ourselves to Safety, Peace, and Love by healing the wounds we have suffered and the wounds we have inflicted that keep a cycle of violence going. I wrote America in Therapy for all those hungry for this message.'Websitewww.phyllisleavitt.comSocial Media Informationwww.facebook.com/phyllis.leavittwww.youtube.com/channel/UCOdxqvDK9N421AZ5TTxqUgQwww.linkedin.com/in/phyllis-leavitt-630179255/www.instagram.com/pel2347/twitter.com/PhyllisLeavitt2substack.com/@phyllisleavitt1Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) www.nape.org.ukSupport the show at www.educationonfire.com/supportHave you seen our live shows on YouTube? www.EducationOnFire.com/youtube

Jul 15, 2024 • 28min
Children's books crafted with love and imagination by Rella B
Rella B Books believes that childhood should be a magical journey filled with imagination, adventure, and valuable life lessons. Our store is the brainchild of the creative and playful alter ego, Rella B, who knows that growing up should never mean giving up on the joy of discovery and wonder. We're on a mission to bring the ultimate mashup of work and play to the lives of little ones and their families.Discover this delightful collection of children's books, crafted with love and imagination.Rella B's journey began with a shift from conventional adult aspirations to the joy of inspiring young minds. With a background in education, business, and technology, she realized the importance of merging work with play. Her platform is a manifestation of this philosophy, emphasizing values like self-confidence, self-expression, self-love, and self-care for littles. Rella B represents an advocate for creative thinking and cherishing childhood, encouraging kids to explore, learn, and grow in a fun and imaginative environment.Websitewww.rellabbooks.comSocial Media Informationyoutube.com/@rellabbookspinterest.com/RellaBBooksinstagram.com/rellabbooks/twitter.com/rellabbooksfacebook.com/rellabbooksShow Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) www.nape.org.ukSupport the show at www.educationonfire.com/supportHave you seen our live shows on YouTube? www.EducationOnFire.com/youtube

Jul 8, 2024 • 38min
BlueSky Education with Ally Sousa
Ally Sousa has worked in education for more than 16 years and has a longstanding interest in teachers’ CPD and supporting ECTs. She’s a former teacher and currently leads the content creation at BlueSky Education where she works with a wide range of teachers to create professional development resources.Prior to joining BlueSky, Ally taught in secondary education. While teaching physical education at Gosport and Fareham MAT, she took on the role of Initial Teacher Training manager and professional mentor, supporting primary, secondary and special phase trainees across a range of training pathways, and developing continued professional development programmes for trainees, ECTs and experienced members of the school community.Ally is keen to help teachers to have more constructive conversations about professional development with those who support them. She would love to discuss how teachers can take more ownership of professional development, how PD can happen throughout the year, the approaches early career teachers take to CPD, and why she is so pleased to see performance-related pay consigned to the education policy bin.Websitewww.blueskyeducation.co.ukSocial Media Information@BlueSkyMatters - twitter.com/BlueSkyMattersfacebook.com/blueskymatterslinkedin.com/company/bluesky-educationResourcesSchubert - Symphony No. 4Parenting Hell PodcastShow Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) www.nape.org.ukSupport the show at www.educationonfire.com/supportHave you seen our live shows on YouTube? www.EducationOnFire.com/youtube

Jul 1, 2024 • 44min
Deaf Choices UK with Kathy Kenny
Deaf Choices UK support parents of deaf children to make the best CHOICE(S) for Language, Literacy and Communication.They believe that every deaf child and every family has a unique set of needs and DCUK is here to help you navigate and explore the choices that are available to you, so that you can make an informed choice.Deaf Choices UK is the only charity in the UK that provide training in Cued Speech.Kathy Kenny works as a family advisor for Deaf Choices UK. She has a background in education and has a Deaf daughter who is now in her 20s.Websitewww.deafchoicesuk.comSocial Media InformationDeaf Choices UK - FB & IGResourcesQuote 'Don't compare.... The only person you should try to beat is the person you were yesterday'The Kite RunnerShow Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) www.nape.org.ukSupport the show at www.educationonfire.com/supportHave you seen our live shows on YouTube? www.EducationOnFire.com/youtube

Jun 28, 2024 • 15min
Past Present & Future - Celebrating 400 episodes
A kind of State of the Union episode with Mark looking back over the last 8 years and plans for the future of Education on Fire.To find out more about Ecamm the software I use to record my podcasts, videos and live streams visit https://www.educationonfire.com/ecammYou can use my affiliate link to get a 14 day free trials and they have a 30% discount during July 2024.Have you seen the Education on Fire YouTube channel? https://www.youtube.com/@educationonfire5530/

Jun 24, 2024 • 42min
Designing innovative, high-performing educational facilities with HED Design
Mary Ruppenthal is a registered architect and an Associate Principal at HED, one of the oldest and largest architecture and engineering firms in the country, with 400+ employees and annual revenues above $100M.They serve clients nationwide in a broad range of market sectors, including Healthcare, Higher Education, Mission Critical, Housing and Mixed-Use, Pre-K 12, Science, Manufacturing and Product Development, Workplace, Community, and Government.With nearly 30 years of experience in public and private sector educational, civic, and cultural design, Mary oversees Pre K-12 and community education projects at HED and is a regular speaker at trade and industry events on the best practices of flexible and adaptive learning environments for tomorrow’s pedagogical needs and the needs of tomorrow’s workforce and incorporating wellness into educational space design.She has devoted her career to collaborating with school districts in the design of innovative, high-performing educational facilities that enhance the user experience, maximize efficiency, and help shape the future for students of all ages.Websitewww.hed.designSocial Media Informationwww.linkedin.com/in/mary-ruppenthal-6bab8713/www.linkedin.com/company/hedadvances/Resources MentionedPowers of TenFilm on YouTubeShow Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) www.nape.org.ukSupport the show at www.educationonfire.com/supportHave you seen our live shows on YouTube? www.EducationOnFire.com/youtube


