

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

Jan 22, 2024 • 59min
379: The Leader's Algorithm with Pablo Muñoz
Pablo Muñoz is the Managing Director of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization. He has 30 years of public education experience as a teacher and administrator and was a superintendent of schools for 16 years. Pablo was recognized as the 2008 Union County School Superintendent of the Year by the Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce in New Jersey and named as one of the George Lucas Educational Foundation’s 2008 Daring Dozen – a prestigious group of twelve educators “who are reshaping the future of education.” In addition, Pablo is a leadership coach, teacher, trainer, and speaker with the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team; an Adjunct Professor at Lehigh University; a member of the Forbes Coaches Council; and the author of The Leader’s Algorithm. Pablo graduated from Yale University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Ivy League pitching honors. A lifelong athlete and sports fan, he has coached baseball at all levels from little league to professional, having been a minor league pitching coach with the Chicago Cubs. After Yale, Pablo continued his education at Teachers College, Columbia University where he earned a Master of Arts in Educational Administration in 1996.When there are systemic problems, effective leaders must make systemic changes. In The Leader’s Algorithm, Pablo Muñoz outlines a strategic framework for developing a viable, personal Theory of Action to transform your organization, work, and relationships while positively impacting those who need you most.Websitewww.themunozcompany.comResources Mentionedwww.themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithmMaxwell LeadershipThe Broad CenterShow Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/SEND Conference Friday 26th April – Hybrid eventLondon School of Public Relations – www.lspr-education.com/podcasting-course/Delivered by Mark Taylor.The 1-day Essentials of Podcasting Certificated short course is highly practical and packed full of useful information to get you on the road to producing your own professional podcasts. The Podcasting course will help you to create, edit, deliver and promote your podcast. The course also provides useful tips and tricks from industry experts on producing professional and effective results.Watch the Education on Fire Live Show every Tuesday www.educationonfire.com/youtubeMentioned in this episode:London School of Public Relations - Podcasting Course with Mark TaylorThe 1-day Essentials of Podcasting Certificated short course is highly practical and packed full of useful information to get you on the road to producing your own professional podcasts. The Podcasting course will help you to create, edit, deliver and promote your podcast. The course also provides useful tips and tricks from industry experts on producing professional and effective results.LSPR

Jan 15, 2024 • 40min
378: The Kid Across the Hall with Reid Saaris
Reid’s story begins at his own high school, where his life began to diverge from that of his best friend Jamie as soon as he enrolled in advanced classes across the hall. After graduation, the gap widened as Reid pursued an elite degree studying educational opportunity in America. In an attempt to close the opportunity gap between students like him and Jamie, Reid took a job as a teacher at Battery Creek High, a severely under-resourced school in South Carolina where students were flunking out of their classes not because they were incapable, but because the coursework was too easy. Reid and a team of teachers and students rallied to increase enrollment in the advanced track for those who didn’t fit the honor student mold. In one year, the program doubled to become the largest provider in the state, and performance on the college-level tests increased by 20%.Wanting to effect change on a larger scale, Reid founded Equal Opportunity Schools (EOS) to find and help students all over the country who have been overlooked, discouraged, or are otherwise missing from higher-level learning opportunities.Backed by new research and original survey data of millions of teachers and students across the country, his forthcoming book THE KID ACROSS THE HALL: The Fight for Opportunity in Our Schools (Redwood Press/Stanford University Press; September 5) vividly chronicles Reid’s triumphs, setbacks, and insights as he learned firsthand that the hard task of educational reform will take much more than the Hollywood myth of the well-intentioned teacher who saves the day.Websitewww.reid4waschools.comTHE KID ACROSS THE HALL: The Fight for Opportunity in Our SchoolsSocial Media Informationhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/reid-saarishttps://www.facebook.com/reid4waschools?mibextid=ZbWKwLShow Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/SEND Conference Friday 26th April - Hybrid eventLondon School of Public Relations - www.lspr-education.com/podcasting-course/Delivered by Mark Taylor. The 1-day Essentials of Podcasting Certificated short course is highly practical and packed full of useful information to get you on the road to producing your own professional podcasts. The Podcasting course will help you to create, edit, deliver and promote your podcast. The course also provides useful tips and tricks from industry experts on producing professional and effective results. Watch the Education on Fire Live Show every Tuesday www.educationonfire.com/youtube Mentioned in this episode:London School of Public Relations - Podcasting Course with Mark TaylorThe 1-day Essentials of Podcasting Certificated short course is highly practical and packed full of useful information to get you on the road to producing your own professional podcasts. The Podcasting course will help you to create, edit, deliver and promote your podcast. The course also provides useful tips and tricks from industry experts on producing professional and effective results.LSPR

13 snips
Jan 8, 2024 • 43min
377: The London Interdisciplinary School with Prof Carl Gombrich
The London Interdisciplinary School (LIS) aims to tackle complex real-world problems through an interdisciplinary curriculum integrating arts, sciences, and humanities. The podcast discusses the challenges of introducing this radical system to the current education structure. It also explores the significance of London as a city for experiential learning and showcases the speaker's career transition from music to teaching physics. The importance of slowing down, focusing, and self-awareness is also touched upon.

Jan 1, 2024 • 46min
376: Diversity in teaching, teacher recruitment and retention with Dr. Joshua Fullard
Joshua Fullard is an Assistant Professor at the Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, and a Research Associate at the Research Centre on Micro-Social Change, University of Essex.His research can broadly fit into three categories: teachers and teacher labour markets, education inequalities and research methods. His work is regularly cited in the media, government reports and in parliamentary debates.Dr Fullard received his PhD from the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex and has previously held positions in the Department of Economics at the University of Essex, the Education Policy InstituteInstitute, and the Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.ifo Institute in Munich.Websitehttps://sites.google.com/view/joshuafullard/homeSocial Media Information@WarwickBSchool@uniofwarwickResources MentionedAudio booksShow Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)https://nape.org.uk/For support with podcasting & video please visit www.educationonfire.com/media Watch the Education on Fire Live Show every Tuesday www.educationonfire.com/youtubeMentioned in this episode:NAPE Al Kingsley Summit PromoWatch Mark Taylor interview Al Kingsley about 'Creating Digital Strategies for Schools' as part of the Primary Education Summit 2023 - Visions for the Future - presented by National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
https://www.educationonfire.com/creating-digital-strategies-for-schools/

Dec 25, 2023 • 36min
375: Mindspire Tutoring and Test Prep with Shahar Link
Shahar Link, the CEO and founder of Mindspire Tutoring and Test Prep, has been at the forefront of the test preparation and academic excellence arena for over a decade. With a career spanning 25 years, Shahar has honed his expertise in high school teaching and tutoring standardized tests, including the SAT and ACT. Holding a Master’s degree in History from Stanford University, where he delved into the history of IQ testing, Shahar founded Mindspire driven by the deep reward in empowering students to exceed their own expectations and achieve remarkable success in even the most formidable academic and mental endeavors.Shahar’s exceptional contributions have not gone unnoticed. He has been featured as a quoted expert in the renowned US News & World Report and has been invited as a keynote speaker at numerous educational institutions, captivating audiences with his innovative approaches to learning. Through Mindspire Tutoring and Test Prep, Shahar has transformed the lives of countless students, providing them with invaluable strategies and guidance to conquer academic challenges and unleash their true potential.Websitewww.mindspire.comSocial Media Informationwww.facebook.com/mindspireprepResources MentionedSiddhartha - Hermann HesseMan's Search for Meaning - Viktor FranklShow Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)https://nape.org.uk/For support with podcasting & video please visit www.educationonfire.com/media Watch the Education on Fire Live Show every Tuesday www.educationonfire.com/youtubeMentioned in this episode:NAPE Al Kingsley Summit PromoWatch Mark Taylor interview Al Kingsley about 'Creating Digital Strategies for Schools' as part of the Primary Education Summit 2023 - Visions for the Future - presented by National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
https://www.educationonfire.com/creating-digital-strategies-for-schools/

Dec 18, 2023 • 52min
374: How to become the solution to any problem with Tracy Pleschourt
Tracy Pleschourt, certified professional and personal coach, entrepreneur, and host of Tracy & Gracie Becoming Podcast shares techniques for personal fulfillment, exploring generational perspectives, understanding oneself, impact of a supportive teacher, and the importance of feedback.

Dec 11, 2023 • 38min
373: Raising financially responsible children with Kevin Whelan
Education, support and guidance to help parents, grandparents and relatives raise financially responsible children, teenagers and young adults.Kevin Whelan is an economist, author, the Founder of WealthBuilders and one of the UK's leading experts and authorities on SSAS Pensions (Small Self Administered Scheme).Kevin and WealthBuilders are on a mission to help parents leave a financial legacy for their children and be great money role models.WealthBuilders for Families provides education, support and connections to help bring financial conversations into the home and give children that much-needed financial confidence to hit the ground running when they start their careers.Websitewww.wealthbuilders.co.uk/familieshttps://www.wealthbuilders.co.uk/educationonfire -Special Freebies For 'Education On Fire' Podcast ListenersResources MentionedThe CASHFLOW Quadrant - Robert T. KiyosakiSeven Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen R. CoveyShow Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)https://nape.org.uk/For support with podcasting & video please visit www.educationonfire.com/media Watch the Education on Fire Live Show every Tuesday www.educationonfire.com/youtubeMentioned in this episode:NAPE Al Kingsley Summit PromoWatch Mark Taylor interview Al Kingsley about 'Creating Digital Strategies for Schools' as part of the Primary Education Summit 2023 - Visions for the Future - presented by National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
https://www.educationonfire.com/creating-digital-strategies-for-schools/

Dec 4, 2023 • 55min
372: Professional Learning Community with Nathaniel Provencio
Nathaniel Provencio has worked in the public education field since 2001 as a classroom teacher, building administrator and associate superintendent . In 2010, he became the principal of Minnieville Elementary in Prince William County, Virginia. Under his leadership, Minnieville Elementary was recognized as a Virginia Distinguished Title 1 School, became a National Model Professional Learning Community and was the winner of the 2019 Richard DuFour PLC Award.Mr. Provencio has been honored as the 2017 Prince William County principal of the year, the 2017 Washington Post Principal of the Year and the 2019 Virginia National Distinguished Principal of the Year.Mr. Provencio is the author of Community Connections and Your PLC at Work, which focuses on how schools can utilize the professional learning community framework to enhance family and community engagement.Mr. Provencio graduated from the University of North Alabama in 2001 with a degree in education and has a master’s degree in education administration from George Mason University in which he was recognized as one of 50 all-time George Mason University Alumni.Websitewww.provenprincipalllc.comSocial Media Information@provenprincipalResources MentionedUnder Presssure - Queen/David BowieShow Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)https://nape.org.uk/https://www.educationonfire.com/blog/ - Video with Al KingsleyFor support with podcasting & video please visit www.educationonfire.com/media Watch the Education on Fire Live Show every Tuesday www.educationonfire.com/youtubeMentioned in this episode:NAPE Al Kingsley Summit PromoWatch Mark Taylor interview Al Kingsley about 'Creating Digital Strategies for Schools' as part of the Primary Education Summit 2023 - Visions for the Future - presented by National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
https://www.educationonfire.com/creating-digital-strategies-for-schools/

Nov 27, 2023 • 60min
371: How to create a compelling and unique CV with Graeme Jordan
Graeme helps people to understand and communicate their value to their next employer. Delivering workshops in schools, he encourages students to recognise the achievements they already have and the value of the things they are already doing so that their CV can be compelling and unique.With 11 years experience as a CV writer across 6 continents, Graeme has worked with people from apprentice to CEO level.He applies a combination of experience from recruitment consultancy, business management, consulting, research, and being an employer and a level 7 qualified Chartered Marketer.www.thekasacommunity.com/project/graeme-jordanWebsitewww.GraemeJordanCV.comSocial Media Informationwww.linkedin.com/company/graemejordancvwww.facebook.com/GraemeJordanCVShow Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)www.nape.org.uk/rosemary-evans-award-2023For support with podcasting & video please visit www.educationonfire.com/media Watch the Education on Fire Live Show every Tuesday www.educationonfire.com/youtube

Nov 20, 2023 • 52min
370: Online mentoring program for tweens from I believe in Me
Katie, Becky, and Allie are three moms who know what it's like to raise a family, with a total of 17 children between them, they are in the trenches of motherhood. But along with being a mom, with their education and professional backgrounds in business, health, and beauty, these 3 women came together to create a company called I Believe in Me- which is an online mentoring program for tweens. For over 30 years, these women have worked in their communities, online and at special events to help girls strengthen their confidence and realize their potential. And now, with statistics of sadness and the harms of social media, they are more determined than ever to help parents and girls face the challenges today. "I Believe in Me," promotes self-motivation and resilience through tools and daily habits to foster growth. Becky, Katie and Allie are working to strengthen the hearts and minds of young girls.Websitewww.bloomfully.com/ibelieveinmeSocial Media InformationInstagram: @ibelieveinmegirlsFacebook: ibelieveinmeResources MentionedMiracle Morning Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)www.nape.org.uk/rosemary-evans-award-2023For support with podcasting & video please visit www.educationonfire.com/media Watch the Education on Fire Live Show every Tuesday www.educationonfire.com/youtube