Teachers on Fire

JON HARPER is an Assistant Principal at Sandy Hill Elementary School in Cambridge, Maryland. He’s the smooth-sounding voice of the My Bad Podcast & Co-Host of the Teachers Aid podcast. Follow Jon online here: TW: https://twitter.com/Jonharper70bd IG: https://www.instagram.com/jonharper70/ Blog: https://jonharper.blog/ The My Bad Podcast: https://www.bamradionetwork.com/my-bad/ The Teachers Aid Podcast: https://www.bamradionetwork.com/teachers-aid/ In our conversation, Jon describes a time in his career when the stresses of work and life overtook him and he was unable to get out of bed for two days. Since then, he’s seen the power of being vulnerable and reaching out for support, and it’s become a mission that drives his creative work. Jon also explains why he’s excited about education today, talks about a professional goal, and gives us some great picks on Twitter, books, podcasts, and more. Visit https://teachersonfire.net/ for show notes and links from this episode. Follow the Teachers on Fire podcast on social media! TW: https://twitter.com/TeachersOnFire. IG: https://www.instagram.com/teachersonfire/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/ Song Track Credits Intro: Relax (by Simon More) Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)

DR. TODD SCHMIDT is the principal of Harbor View Elementary School in Corona del Mar, CA. Follow Todd on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/tsschmidty and catch his thoughts on education at http://tsschmidty.blogspot.com/. In our conversation, Todd recalls the challenges he faced around entering administration and describes his ongoing journey with Shiny Object Syndrome. He discusses his commitment to fatherhood, the inspiration he takes from #LeadUpChat, and the reasons he’s so passionate about caring for the whole child in today’s education system. He also shares a great productivity tool, a personal habit that contributes to his success, a book worth reading, and much more. Follow Todd online here: TW: https://twitter.com/tsschmidty IG: https://www.instagram.com/tsschmidty/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/hv.principal Blog: http://tsschmidty.blogspot.com/ Visit https://teachersonfire.net/ for show notes and links from this episode. Follow the Teachers on Fire podcast on social media! TW: https://twitter.com/TeachersOnFire. IG: https://www.instagram.com/teachersonfire/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/ Song Track Credits Intro: Relax (by Simon More) Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)

JEFF KUBIAK is the principal of Nelda Mundy Elementary School in Fairfield, CA. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffreykubiak and catch his blog posts at http://principalkubiak.blogspot.com/. In our conversation, Jeff recalls feeling so broken and unsupported as a rookie teacher that he left education entirely. He describes the strategies he is following to build school culture, and explains why he is so passionate about the state of education today. He tells us about the personal passions and routines that give him energy and contribute to his success. He also gives his picks in Twitter, books, edtech tools, and much more. Follow Jeff online here: TW: https://twitter.com/jeffreykubiak IG: https://www.instagram.com/aquakube/ Blog: http://principalkubiak.blogspot.com/ Subscribe to the Teachers on Fire podcast on your mobile device: On iTunes: https://apple.co/2ozOTRb On Google Podcasts: https://goo.gl/iA6swC On Anchor: https://anchor.fm/teachersonfire On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QkF2KW Visit https://teachersonfire.net/ for show notes and links from this episode. Follow the Teachers on Fire podcast on social media! TW: https://twitter.com/TeachersOnFire. IG: https://www.instagram.com/teachersonfire/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/ Song Track Credits Intro: Relax (by Simon More) Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)

CURTIS WIEBE is an elementary school teacher in Surrey, BC, Canada. He’s interested in the ways that technology augments learning, boosts creativity, and creates new opportunities for learners. Follow Curtis on Twitter https://twitter.com/DivisionW and see his work at https://mrwiebesclass.weebly.com/. In our conversation, Curtis identifies the key to bringing about positive changes in schools and structures in education. He describes why he’s passionate about preparing students to find creative solutions that address real-world problems, and he explains what his learners are doing with makerspaces and robotics. He tells us where he gets his best ideas, and offers us top picks on Twitter, in books, and much more. Follow Curtis online here: TW: https://twitter.com/DivisionW Tech Blog: https://mrwiebesclass.weebly.com/texploration.html Visit https://teachersonfire.net/ for show notes and links from this episode. Follow the Teachers on Fire podcast on social media! TW: https://twitter.com/TeachersOnFire. IG: https://www.instagram.com/teachersonfire/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/ Song Track Credits Intro: Relax (by Simon More) Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)

You might know Paul Stevens-Fulbrook better on Instagram as @TeacherofSci. Paul is a father of five and head of Year 7 and 8 Science at his school in the UK. He writes at teacherofsci.com with the mission of “supporting teachers’ lives through strategy, wellbeing and extra income.” In our conversation here, Paul explains why it’s critical for teachers to remain true to who they really are, even - or especially - when they’re in the classroom. He tells us the most exciting opportunity that edtech tools offer: improved student engagement. He shares about some of his other loves outside of the classroom: running, cooking, and spending quality time with his family. He also offers us his picks on Twitter, in books, on YouTube, and more. Follow Paul online here: TW: https://twitter.com/TeacherOfSci1 IG: https://www.instagram.com/teacherofsci/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/243218023094483/ Blog: https://teacherofsci.com/ Visit https://teachersonfire.net/ for show notes and links from this episode. Follow the Teachers on Fire podcast on social media! TW: https://twitter.com/TeachersOnFire. IG: https://www.instagram.com/teachersonfire/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/ Song Track Credits Intro: Relax (by Simon More) Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)

MANDY FROEHLICH is the Director of Innovation & Technology for the Ripon Area School District in Ripon, WI. She is a blogger, speaker, and co-host on the @bamradionetwork’s Teacher's Aid podcast. She is also the author of The Fire Within: Lessons from Defeat That Have Inspired a Passion for Learning (https://amzn.to/2EdqBH4) and the soon-to-be-released Divergent EDU. In our conversation, Mandy recalls an experience of discouragement and burnout early in her career, and describes the formula that helped her recover and recapture her passion: avoiding negativity, reading uplifting and accessible education books, engaging on Twitter, and starting a blog. She explains the heart and message of The Fire Within: the journey to view past trauma not as a source of shame or stigma but as a potential source of strength in order to serve students better. She talks about the joys of raising teenagers, the benefits of working outdoors, and her top picks on Twitter, books, edtech tools, and more. Follow Mandy online here: TW: https://twitter.com/froehlichm IG: https://www.instagram.com/froehlichmandy/ Blog: https://mandyfroehlich.com/ Visit https://teachersonfire.net/ for show notes and links from this episode. Follow the Teachers on Fire podcast on social media! TW: https://twitter.com/TeachersOnFire. IG: https://www.instagram.com/teachersonfire/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/

BETHANY PETTY is a teacher, coffee fanatic, and 2017 EdTech Digest School Leader Finalist. She writes about thoughtful uses of technology in education at http://usingeducationaltechnology.com/ and is also the author of Illuminate: Technology Enhanced Learning (https://amzn.to/2DGx6lz). In our conversation, Bethany recalls the challenges around teaching students not much younger than her. She discusses the main message of her book, Illuminate, and the ways that her passion for history plays out in and out of the classroom. She also talks about coffee, the importance of exercise, and some of her top picks on Twitter, edtech tools, and more. Follow Bethany online here: TW: https://twitter.com/Bethany_Petty IG: https://www.instagram.com/bethanypetty_educ8 Blog: http://usingeducationaltechnology.com/ Visit https://teachersonfire.net/ for show notes and links from this episode. Follow the Teachers on Fire podcast on Twitter at https://twitter.com/TeachersOnFire.

COLBY SHARP is a husband, father of five, fifth grade teacher, avid reader and book reviewer, runner, and self-proclaimed nerd. He is the author of The Creativity Project: An Awesometastic Story Collection (https://amzn.to/2zpzGZf) and 2018’s Game Changer!: Book Access for All Kids (https://amzn.to/2QTtsqX). In our conversation, Colby recalls the discouragement of a harsh professional evaluation and explains how he grew from the experience. He describes the mission and process of The Creativity Project, and explains how teachers can use this anthology to inspire creative expression in their English classrooms. He also shares about his passion for reading, putting books in the hands of kids, creativity, daily exercise, podcasts, Casey Neistat, and much more. Follow Colby online here: TW: https://twitter.com/colbysharp IG: https://www.instagram.com/colbysharp/ Blog: https://www.mrcolbysharp.com/ YT: https://bit.ly/2OIfAyt Visit https://teachersonfire.net/ for show notes and links!

CRAIG KEMP is a head of Digital Learning and Innovation, teacher of teachers, blogger, workshop facilitator, and speaker. Although he hails from New Zealand and now calls Singapore home, Craig is truly a global force for innovation in education. In our conversation, recalls the challenge of rebuilding a school community after the tragic loss of a student. He describes how his current role constantly requires him to look, investigate, and use technology in new ways that improve learning. He tells us why team sports represent the perfect mix of fitness, play, and collaboration … and how he always plays to win! Craig also shares great recommendations in books, Twitter, YouTube, and more. Follow Craig online here: TW: https://twitter.com/mrkempnz FB: https://www.facebook.com/Mrkempnz/ Blog: http://mrkempnz.com/ Follow Teachers on Fire! TW: https://twitter.com/TeachersOnFire IG: https://www.instagram.com/teachersonfire/ Visit https://teachersonfire.net/ for show notes, links, and more.

KIMBERLY SNODGRASS is a 7th grade ELA teacher. She advocates for creative thinking, BookSnaps, Sketchnotes, Edu GIFS, and other creative ways for students to represent their learning. In our conversation, Kim recalls the challenge of beginning a high school teaching assignment with a lot of preparation required and next to no experience in education. She credits this period with allowing her to learn the art of teaching without preconceived ideas or the pressure of textbook mentality. Kim talks about the importance of staying hungry as an educator, cultivating creativity and critical thinking in the classroom, and engaging regularly with other education thinkers. She also passes on some solid recommendations for books to read, educators to follow on Twitter, edtech tools to try in the classroom, and much more. Follow Kim online here: TW: https://twitter.com/KimSnodgrass Class blog: https://kimsnodgrass.weebly.com/ https://teachersonfire.net/ https://twitter.com/TeachersOnFire