Dr. DANNY STEELE: Support Teachers FIRST to Serve Students Well

→ How can principals do better than superficial gestures of teacher appreciation?→ How can we address teaching colleagues who seem caught in a martyr mindset?→ How can school leaders work efficiently without building a toxic culture of rushing?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.About This Guest, Ruth PoulsenRuth is an international school leader who has spent her career building cultures of care—from China to Colorado, and next up, Jordan. She’s currently on sabbatical and writing Regenerative Schools, a newsletter exploring the mindset shifts and systems changes needed to prevent the crisis of educator burnout and ultimately, to support student wellbeing.Connect with Ruthon LinkedIn, on Substack at regenerativeschools.substack.comIn This Conversation0:00:00 - Ruth Poulsen is a school principal and education writer.1:31 - Stepping from an industrial paradigm to a regenerative mindset4:56 - Distinguishing between efficiency and frantic rushing9:19 - The "fertilizer" in our schools: toxic element or asset?11:48 - How can teachers show appreciation beyond superficial efforts?14:52 - Surveys: How to take the pulse of teachers effectively20:13 - How to set up tree lines in our schools: boundaries that preserve and protect29:04 - Managing parent complaints30:25 - How to coach colleagues caught in a martyr mindset35:01 - Creating intentional moments in schools that connect with mission36:53 - Ruth talks about Regenerative Schools, her Substack38:58 - How and where to connect With Ruth Poulsen onlineVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

→ What does it mean to lead with curiosity over expertise?→ How can we make our schools places where the adults like to come to work?→ How can school leaders build a presence that feels more supportive, less policing?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.About This Guest, Dr. Danny SteeleDanny is a former award winning principal who speaks to educators around the country about the difference they make for kids. He’s also the author of several best-selling books for educators, including The Instructional Leader in You: 10 Strategies for Every School Leader, Essential Truths for Principals, and The Total Teacher: Understanding the Three Dimensions that Define Effective Educators.Connect with Dannyon LinkedIn, on X @SteeleThoughts,on Instagram @SteeleThoughts,on his blog at https://www.steelethoughts.com/In This Conversation1:50 - Passion drift for school leaders4:09 - Leading with curiosity over expertise6:48 - Creating cultural conditions to overcome stagnancy7:53 - Staff come first, students second8:57 - Admitting vulnerability as a building leader10:31 - Observing the student experience instead of teacher performance12:09 - When an expert teacher struggles to integrate into the community13:15 - Being a supportive resource instead of a policing presence15:11 - Shouting out teachers for their great work16:49 - Building fun and meaningful traditions in your school19:14 - Danny raps about the power of good choices21:06 - Danny Steele's six education books22:19 - Danny Steele's speaking services and other resources on his websiteVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

→ How should we approach the tensions around the Science of Reading?→ What does the art of teaching literacy look like in today’s classroom?→ How can we set up our students for successful independent writing?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.About This Guest, Leah MermelsteinLeah collaborates with school districts, educational professionals, learning organizations, and families to enhance K-6 literacy instruction and promote literacy development.Connect with Leahon LinkedIn, on X @MermelsteinLeah,on Instagram @leahmermelsteinconsulting, on her website, leahmermelstein.com, and on her Substack at leahmermelstein.substack.com.In This Conversation0:00:00 - Leah Mermelstein is a literacy consultant based in Hoboken, New Jersey.1:19 - The gradual release model for independent writing5:42 - How to navigate the Science of Reading11:15 - Collaborative writing as the missing link17:53 - The "art" of teaching in a research-aligned classroom23:38 - How to think about teacher feedback29:36 - How parents can support their children in ELA32:46 - Literacy toolkits, personalized coaching, and learning cohorts from Leah34:56 - Where to connect with Leah Mermelstein onlineVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

→ Why must attention become the curriculum of our schools?→ How are classrooms disrupting student attention and learning?→ What is the important choice that our schools and districts must make?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.About this guest, Andrew CantaruttiAndrew is an educator and writer with over a decade of experience teaching in public and private schools across Canada and the world. His work bridges classroom practice with educational theory, drawing on insights from philosophy, developmental psychology, and cognitive science to reimagine how learning environments can cultivate focus, depth, and intellectual resilience. Connect with Andrew Cantaruttion LinkedIn, on X @walledgardenedu, on Instagram @walledgardenedu, and at https://walledgardenedu.substack.com.In This Conversation0:00:00 - Andrew Cantarutti is an educator and writer with international experience1:12 - Imagining schools as walled gardens for deep attention and critical thinking4:54 - Teacher reactions to "Why Attention Must Become Curriculum"7:38 - How are we disrupting student attention in the classroom?12:49 - Why schools must avoid the Marketplace Mirror Model16:29 - Gamification of learning, "engagement"18:22 - How do we make attention the curriculum itself?27:19 - Andrew on the role of AI in schools 34:29 - The choice facing schools today37:56 - Where to connect with Andrew Cantarutti onlineVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

→ How did a new running habit transform one educator’s life?→ What’s brewing in the coffee world, and what is one bean that we need to try?→ How can we take our own next steps of personal and professional growth in 2026?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.About this guest, Edmond ChinToday’s Teacher on Fire is Edmond Chin. Edmond is a runner, coffee connoisseur, and high school teacher in Vancouver, Canada. He’s also a colleague and personal friend of the host, Tim Cavey, which makes this episode extra special.Connect with Edmondon LinkedIn, on X @EdmondC87, andon Instagram @edmondc87In This Conversation0:00:00 - Edmond Chin is a runner, coffee connoisseur, and high school teacher in Vancouver.1:35 - Edmond's running story: how and why it started5:22 - The challenge of building the habit6:26 - The benefits of a running habit8:55 - Keys to consistency13:16 - Edmond's running goals for 202618:46 - How Edmond's coffee quest began20:36 - Coffee highlights from 202522:47 - Why teachers should cultivate passions outside of the classroom24:37 - Edmond's professional goals for this year26:13 - How and where to connect with Edmond Chin onlineVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

→ What hope is there for the school leader who feels constantly overwhelmed?→ What’s the most common productivity pitfall that school leaders fall into?→ How can we manage fires and interruptions without burning out?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.About this guest, Rich CzyzRich is a school principal, cofounder of fouroclockfaculty.com, the author of four books on education and leadership. Rich is dedicated to creating productive environments and engaging all stake-holders in meaningful and relevant learning opportunities.Connect with Richon LinkedIn, on X @RACzyz,at his website, https://fouroclockfaculty.com.In This Conversation0:00:00 -  Rich Czyz is the principal of an elementary school in New Jersey1:21 - The vision for school leaders in Autopilot: Practical Productivity for School Leaders2:45 - A misconception about productivity4:13 - One immediate shift that education leaders can make5:29 - A common productivity pitfall for school leaders8:08 - Being visible on campus as a building leader9:54 - How to manage interruptions in the weekly calendar12:00 - How to think about delegation when it feels like only you can do it13:57 - 5th Grade students do the intercom announcements15:34 - Doing the work that powers the mission before email18:08 - How to conduct a personal time inventory20:33 - Rich's daily routine, from wake-up to end of day24:47 - Managing substitute shortages27:04 - How and where to connect with Rich CzyzVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

→ How can direct instruction impact student learning and growth?→ Where are schools going wrong with technology in the classroom?→ Is it possible for every student to succeed without lowering expectations?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.About Dr. Zach GroshellZach is a highly distinguished teacher, instructional coach, and education consultant. Based in Seattle, he works with schools nationwide and internationally to develop high quality instruction based on the science of how kids learn. Zach is the author of Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching, and hosts a podcast, Progressively Incorrect.Connect with Zachon LinkedIn, on X @mrzachg,on Substack at mrzachg.substack.com, and at his website, https://educationrickshaw.com/.In This Conversation0:00:00 - Introducing Dr. Zach Groshell, author of Just Tell Them1:23 - The thesis of Just Tell Them3:00 - The opposite of direct instruction5:20 - Using examples and non-examples in instruction8:17 - Zach's take on success criteria10:14 - Teaching to a group of students effectively13:59 - The role of teacher talk in the classroom18:36 - Can all students succeed without lowering expectations?21:13 - What is effective classroom management?24:23 - The value of starting the class on time26:44 - How schools are getting it wrong with technology34:54 - Can AI tools support student learning toward mastery?37:39 - One idea for teachers from the science of learning39:38 - Resources for teachers at educationrickshaw.com42:20 - How and where to connect with Dr. Zach GroshellVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

→ What are some moves that teachers can make to protect their mental health?→ What’s better: stay at school til the work is done, or leave as soon as possible?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.Today’s Teacher on Fire is Rae Hughart. Rae is the CEO and Founder of Teachers Deserve It. She’s also a TEDx Speaker and author of two books: Teachers Deserve It and Teach Better. Growing up with IEP support after being diagnosed with Specific Learning Disabilities in Reading, Writing, and Math, Rae has made it her mission to collaborate with educators and districts nationwide to design mastery learning classrooms that reach all learners. Through Teachers Deserve It, she leads a movement dedicated to empowering educators with sustainable, standards-based grading practices that promote clarity, equity, and student success.Connect with Raeon LinkedIn, on Instagram @RaeHughart,  on TikTok @RaeHughartEDU,on Substack at raehughart.substack.com, and  at her website, teachersdeserveit.com.In This Conversation0:00:00 - Rae Hughart is the founder of Teachers Deserve It2:39 - Boundary 1: Leaving the building after contract hours4:07 - How Rae followed this boundary as a teacher5:49 - Boundary 2: Taking a sick day when we're sick11:58 - Boundary 3: Declining voluntary committees that we don't have capacity for17:08 - Boundary 4: Taking quiet moments on your lunch break19:54 - Boundary 5: Setting email hours23:45 - Should we turn off mobile notifications for email?27:11 - Resources for teachers available at TeachersDeserveIt.com31:01 - How and where to connect with Rae Hughart on social mediaVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

→ How can our assessment decisions increase equity for all learners?→ Are learning targets actually a valuable part of instruction and assessment?→ Should teachers give zeros for cheating or deduct marks for late assignment submissions?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.Today’s Teacher on Fire is Karley Alleyn. Karley is a BC-based assessment consultant, a sessional instructor for the University of Victoria's BEDILR (Bachelor of Education in Indigenous Language Revitalization) program, and a consultant with the Canadian Assessment Centre. Karley's research in assessment identity has led her to speak across BC, Hawaii, London, and in 2026, Singapore.Connect with Karleyon LinkedIn, on Instagram @accessible_assessment, andin her newsletter at https://www.karleyalleyn.com/assessment-identified.In This Conversation0:00:00 - Karley Alleyn is an assessment consultant and former teacher based in BC1:47 - What IS assessment?2:40 - What is the purpose of assessment?4:11 - How can assessment produce greater equity for learners?5:52 - Making every learner feel good?6:38 - Assessment identity as an educator9:54 - Are learning targets valuable or a waste of time?14:01 - Should teachers ever give zeros?19:32 - A great formative assessment strategy23:56 - What does Extending proficiency mean in BC?32:54 - Assessment resources offered by Karley Alleyn35:25 - How and where to connect with Karley Alleyn onlineVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

→ How can we reimagine parent-teacher conferences?→ What are the issues most responsible for burning out teachers today?→ What are some rhythms and activities that can keep our fire for teaching alive?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.Today’s Teacher on Fire is Jeff Smith. Jeff has taught in 12 schools over 32 years, with high school courses including mathematics (Pre-Algebra through AP Calculus), AP Comparative Government, Human Geography, and US History. He writes about teacher whitespace on Substack on Teachers' Unmuted.Connect with Jeffon LinkedIn andon Substack at https://jeffuson.substack.com/In This Conversation0:00:00 - Jeff Smith is a high school teacher in Illinois1:46 - Are teachers just customer service representatives?4:18 - What Jeff means by "whitespace" - where teachers find agency6:52 - More about whitespace as a metaphor for freedom7:58 - Bringing one story, one question into our conferences10:28 - Jeff's view: what causes teacher burnout?13:11 - What is the Teachers Unmuted blog on Substack all about?16:10 - Why Jeff writes about his professional practice20:08 - The hobbies and interests that keep Jeff on fire23:38 - Where to connect with Jeff Smith and Teachers UnmutedVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.