Teachers on Fire

Choosing to leave the classroom and go all-in as an administrator wasn't an easy decision. Here were some of the factors I considered.

→ What is Universal Design for Learning?→ How does UDL look different in the early grades?→ What is a first step that any educator can take tomorrow to make their lessons more accessible for all learners?ABOUT THIS GUEST, Jeff HorwitzJeff is a veteran educator and school leader who's spent over two decades in early childhood education, from classroom teaching to school administration in St. Louis. He specializes in bringing Universal Design for Learning into early childhood classrooms, helping teachers turn big frameworks into practical, joyful strategies for their youngest students. He's worked with schools and educators across North America, and he's currently putting the finishing touches on his first book, UDL for Little Learners, coming out this December.CONNECT with JEFF HORWITZon LinkedIn,on X @mrteachersir,on Instagram @edtech_jeff, andat udlforlittlelearners.com. TIMESTAMPS0:00:00 - Jeff Horwitz has spent two decades in primary classrooms1:28 - Define Universal Design for Learning2:04 - Misunderstandings about UDL3:37 - UDL in primary classrooms5:48 - Practical first steps into UDL15:00 - UDL and neurodivergence19:04 - Technology's place in the classroom24:00 - The future of elementary education26:05 - Book preview - UDL for Little Learners28:24 - How and where to connect with Jeff 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.

→ How can we learn to recognize our body’s stress signals as data?→ What is a daily micro-move educators can practice to regulate themselves?→ How can prioritizing our own wellness directly impact our students and create generational change?TIMESTAMPS0:00:00 - Dr. Jen Rafferty is an educator, author, and speaker2:14 - A turning point from burnout to wellbeing3:20 - Writing The Empowered Educator5:45 - The body's stress signals as data7:29 - Other stress signals12:47 - Emotional intelligence15:26 - Increasing our self-awareness19:11 - Categorizing repetitive tasks23:07 - Generational change27:42 - A path to sustainability30:38 - Recovering personal identity35:13 - How and where to connect with Dr. RaffertyABOUT THIS GUEST, Dr. JEN RAFFERTYDr. Rafferty is an educator, author, TEDx speaker, and the founder of Empowered Educator, an organization transforming the culture of education by placing educator well-being at the center of school success. She holds a PhD in educational psychology, degrees in music education, and certifications in Emotional Intelligence and Neuro-Identity Evolution. As a former middle school music teacher, Jen knows firsthand the challenges and joys of life in the classroom, and the toll it can take when personal well-being comes last. Her own journey from burnout to balance ignited her mission to help educators reconnect with their purpose, restore their energy, and feel empowered as leaders both in and out of the classroom.Dr. Rafferty is the author of a brand new book, The Empowered Educator: 10 Lessons to Prevent Burnout, Reclaim Your Joy, and Unlock Your Teaching Potential.CONNECT with Dr. RAFFERTYon Facebook and LinkedIn,on Instagram @jenrafferty_,and on her website, empowerededucator.com.Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library.

→ How can we make this school year the best of our professional careers?→ What is a Resilience Bank Account, and how can it support busy educators on the hard days?→ What is the Scribble and Scrap technique, and how can it help us against negative self-talk?Welcome back to 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. Naomi HallDr. Hall is a speaker, educator, and stress management coach dedicated to helping high-achieving professionals reclaim their well-being and reignite their passion for their work through building resilience. With 22 years of experience spanning classroom teaching, district leadership, and consulting, she brings a deep understanding of the challenges today’s professionals face—because she has lived them herself.Timestamps from This Episode0:00:00 - Dr. Naomi Hall is an experienced educator, speaker, and coach2:11 - Dr. Hall's personal journey with burnout5:31 - Resilience bank accounts7:08 - The 5 foundations of wellness10:40 - Intermittent fasting12:57 - Building wellness habits16:10 - Managing anxiety with Zones of Control22:31 - Scribble and Scrap26:59 - Managing boundaries30:33 - Professional development33:58 - Receive support from Dr. Naomi Hall37:36 - How and where to connect with Dr. Hall onlineYou can connect with Dr. Naomi Hallon Facebook and LinkedIn,on Instagram @drnaomirhall,and at her website, nrhdynamic.com.Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library.

→ How did today’s guest go from high school dropout to PhD, and what can we learn from his story?→ How can we shift our focus from merely managing behavior to truly captivating our students?→ What is the first step educators must take to reverse the burnout cycle?Welcome back to 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 Dr. Anthony Richiez. Dr. Richiez is a recognized expert in the area of Dynamic Teaching. He revolutionizes teaching by guiding educators to elevate their methods, resulting in more dynamic classrooms and improved student learning. For 15 years, Anthony has offered seminars and workshops for schools and educators, helping them increase student engagement and maximizing comprehension in their classrooms.You can connect with Dr. Richiezon LinkedIn,on X and Instagram @AnthonyRichiez, andAt his website, myteachcraft.com.