"You can choose to be an outlier. Being above average is a choice." - from Create Something Awesome by @robertoblake.bsky.social

Sometimes you open your email in the middle of a quite-stressful day + out-of-the-blue there is an email a student wrote just to say they appreciate how the class is going so far + yes, for the thousandth time, this work is really, really difficult but students, despite everything, are incredible.

From @visualcap.bsky.social: Teacher Salaries in America.

I'm enjoying another quality conversation on the @edtechbites.bsky.social podast! This one features student voice and the legendary @jcasatodd.bsky.social. youtu.be/x26Li12m0VY

BREAKING: The Teachers on Fire Podcast is BACK. Big thanks to recent guests @marcusluther.bsky.social, @smgaillard.bsky.social, and @mrnunesteach.bsky.social for helping me recover my footing. This Saturday will be my sixth straight weekend recording and publishing, and I couldn't be happier.

Good afternoon Tim & Scott! “Supporting Student Learnjng Beyond the Classroom” @teachersonfire.bsky.social with guest @mrnunesteach.bsky.social They talk AI in Edu, Health Journey and what’s going on with Scott. So good. youtube.com/shorts/hRS_F... @freshairatfive.bsky.social 6.3km ☀️ 11C

"I've seen _______ make great strides throughout this year." Regularly asking students to anonymously nominate their classmates for how they are living out our classroom values and making our space better? One of my favorite traditions in our room:

NEW VIDEO: Supporting Student Learning Beyond the Classroom -- with @mrnunesteach.bsky.social. youtu.be/-mi5_q3eFQw

Attention, Seesaw teachers! Here are the #Seesaw settings I recommend, especially in the middle years. youtu.be/tKt5yQi2bkc

Going LIVE at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern on the Teachers on Fire YouTube channel. Join us!

Reason #192391 that I continue to love connecting with other teachers here: 1️⃣ found a poem activity from @thevogelman.bsky.social 2️⃣ had students to read/annotate/discuss 3️⃣ then asked them to write their own "ingredients" poem 4️⃣ each student shared one line to create our "classroom ingredients"

"It is often an overlooked skill or task, but the principal is the face and the voice of the campus. Communication is key. Branding your campus is important." from Inside the Principal's Office by Charles Williams and Michael McWilliams

The lesson I'm taking from Friday and into this week? I don't mind that the "pile of stuff to do" will still be sitting atop my desk as I walk into the classroom tomorrow. Having those kneel-down conversations mattered much more, and every single one of them was worth it.

NEW VIDEO: Experience the 3-minute leadership reset and rekindle your fire for education - with @smgaillard.bsky.social. 🔥 youtu.be/UHzo8rDEzhA

Good Morning Tim and Marcie! “Rethinking Kahoot and Blooket - with MARCIE SAMAYOA” @teachersonfire.bsky.social ScientistInTheMaking showcases a through review process for deepening understanding for student. Why screens at all. youtube.com/shorts/0JqAV... @freshairatfive.bsky.social 3.5km 🌌 6C

Join me and Sean Gaillard LIVE on YouTube this Saturday! youtu.be/BTpitXL0zDw

Leave school within an hour after the last bell. - Liz Prather

Is there a downside to our students using AI tools? Los Angeles chemistry teacher Marcie Samayoa shares an angle on this.

Hi teachers. It's time for an update: which of these online in-class quiz tools do you use the most right now? A. Blooket B. Gimkit C. Kahoot D. Quizlet E. Wayground F. Other

Cell phones have been an academic distraction and a source of social drama in schools for almost as long as they’ve been in existence. State legislatures are taking action. 🧵 1/7 #EduSky #education

Do Kahoot and Blooket actually support student learning? Marcie Samayoa takes a closer look.

Are our students truly ready for AI tools? Marcie Samayoa shares.

Are there better ways to review unit material than by using Kahoot or Blooket? Check out my conversation with Los Angeles high school chemistry teacher Marcie Samayoa.

One More Thing… Oct 23, 2025 “4 Ways to Uplift Our Students with Marcus Luther” @teachersonfire.bsky.social @marcusluther.bsky.social youtube.com/shorts/AY_Xh... @freshairatfive.bsky.social 3.5km ☁️ 9C

Make these small, research-backed classroom management tweaks for *big* results! 🌟 #ClassroomManagement #EduSky

"Going into this year, I'd describe myself as a [add word here] writer because..." Starting up our Writing Story reflection documents with sophomores tomorrow—and as I tell them, this is probably the most important artifact in our room over the year (because everything else is tied to it!)

Yes, it's heavy right now as a teacher. But moments like this? It makes it a bit lighter. (And better.)

POWERFUL: “Everyone write down what ___ said!” - @marcusluther.bsky.social

4 Ways to Lift up Our Students in the Classroom with @marcusluther.bsky.social! Now edited and time-stamped on YouTube. Tune in at youtu.be/vXp7szfnSNQ

Really, really enjoyed the chance to share more about why these type of moves in the classroom matter 🙏 (Especially in an education system in which most strategies/systems are designed around the values of efficiency and uniformity)

Hi there, teachers. 🔥 What are four uplifting moves you can make in your classroom? Join me and @marcusluther.bsky.social LIVE at the top of the hour. 📺 Grab a cup of coffee and join the conversation in the chat. ☕️ GO TIME is 8:00am Pacific, 11am Eastern. ⏰ See you there. ➡️ youtu.be/kxdg2zHN5Ng

Also: hopping on @teachersonfire.bsky.social at 8am PST to talk about different uplifting moves you can use in the classroom (and I'm sure we'll end up talking about AI, too, because, well, we all know) youtu.be/kxdg2zHN5Ng

What is your reasonable adaptations worked for everyone? 🤔

7 Classroom Questioning Strategies That Boost Engagement and Critical Thinking https://www.10publications.com/blog/7-classroom-questioning-strategies-that-boost-engagement-and-critical-thinking via @HackMyLearning

Is writing DEAD?

We can help students internalize it by using learning targets and success criteria as more than things we put on a board. We use language they can use to talk about their own learning and advocate for their own growth.

"It’s not enough just to tell students the standard or place it on an assignment sheet. Students must be able to internalize it." from Hacking Assessment by @mssackstein.bsky.social

Young teachers GET IT.

NEW VIDEO: 5 Powerful Daily Rituals for Every Teacher, featuring 30-year high school writing teacher Liz Prather. youtu.be/ctNZJdd6LAg

Happy 🇨🇦 Thanksgiving, educators! I’m grateful to be on this learning journey with you. 🙏🏼

Hi teachers. What is one thing you do to bring joy to your classroom environment?

Something I see all too often—and definitely underrated earlier in my career? Teachers missing out on the opportunity that authentic feedback offers to build rapport and confidence for students.

Hi there, teachers. 🔥 What are the five daily rituals that will keep you on fire? Join me and Liz Prather LIVE at the top of the hour. 📺 Grab a cup of coffee and join the conversation in the chat. ☕️ GO TIME is 8:00am Pacific, 11am Eastern. ⏰ See you there. ➡️ youtu.be/jjdF5Y5fOHI

Being present outside at recess. The smiles for unstructured fun is hard to replicate.

What is one small daily ritual that keeps you on fire for teaching?

Well, after a ten-month break, I've decided to go back to weekly education conversations on my podcast and YouTube channel. My question for you: Which education voices or authors are inspiring you right now? Who would you like to hear more from?

This past week was really challenging at times in the classroom—but at the same time, I kept reminding myself to not give into that challenge with my own actions. Something that helped? Having some "uplift moves" in the tool belt as a teacher. Here are four of my favorites:

When students (and parents) are obsessed with grades, undoing that mindset is no easy task. Here are a few shifts you can consider to emphasize *learning* over scores. 📚🌱 #EduSky #assessment

“Mr. V, I’m so glad you made me read that book!” Favorite words I heard at school today 🙂 It was a reminder if the importance of physical books and student choice. I “made” him read it, but it was a title he chose from the classroom library. Glad to read in a place that is not just passages 📚

"People who make major strides are rarely freaks of nature. They’re usually freaks of nurture." from Hidden Potential by Adam Grant