Tim Cavey is an 8th grade educator teaching in Surrey, BC, Canada. He recently completed his Master’s of Educational Leadership. Tim’s Masters program re-invigorated his passion for education and led the way to the Teachers on Fire podcast, where Tim profiles agents of growth and transformation in K-12 education. Each week, he chats with an inspiring educator to bring his listeners their, “highs and lows, passions and goals, and the voices and influences that are shaping their thinking and inspiring their practice.”
Tim did his Masters to open doors for administrative opportunities, but he also really wanted to take his learning to the next level. He is in his 19th year of teaching, and he feels that it is a richer experience having teaching years behind him and knowing the profession as he did, although he wishes that he had pursued this degree a bit earlier.
The Teacher’s on Fire podcast evolved through Tim’s Masters thesis. Carol Dweck’s book Mindset was the catalyst for him in shifting how he looks at teaching and learning. “One of my biggest personal takeaways was this idea that if we aren't pushing ourselves into uncomfortable space, we are no longer growing.” He felt that getting into podcasting would be a challenge, and he sure he was going to do a lot of learning on the way. Having a growth mindset, he took the leap. “We tend to get better at our craft over time but, just as rewarding , are all these conversations that we get to have and these connections that we get to have with education leaders and the way they stimulate our thinking and our practice further; It’s like scheduled professional development every week.” The faculty at VIU (Vancouver Island University) encouraged him to align his work with his current passions and endeavours, so he started the podcast. “As it turns out, there has been a lot of research in the space of podcasting...but there is very very little research that has been done on the space that you and I are in.” Educational podcasts are increasingly making an impact on educators and our profession. “It’s such an incredible medium.”
Tim is not a big music fan, so preparing for his P3 posed a bit of a challenge. He’s at a place where podcasts have replaced his music listening time, unless it's instrumental. He had traditionally listened to music at the gym, but he prefers podcasts even there, too. Still, looking back at the experience, Tim found it a positive one.
Tim’s nostalgic song takes him to his roots in The Peg. He grew up as a Winnipeger, playing a lot of hockey, and cheering for the Winnipeg Jets. “From the time I was 6 years old, some of my favourite winter memories were going with dad and my brothers to The Jets game.” They often walked from a distant parking lot to the arena in freezing winter evenings, but the buzz and the warmth of the building melted the cold. The memories are powerful for him, and he recalls hearing this song as the team hit the ice. Here is Van Halen’s Jump:
Tim’s identity song reflect his beliefs. He wanted to choose something that showed his core values, and this song really stands out for him. He struggled as a from a variety of scenarios including an unsuccessful first marriage, having his rental house go up in flames and, as a result, being temporarily without a home. He was far from his family, but his faith really got him through it all. He shared that he is a much better place. “I have seen God work in my life, in a very personal, very real way.” Tim has remarried and is thankful to be in a life-giving relationship with two steps sons, trying to bring another child into their family. His deep inner peace and calm about this comes from his belief in God and the power of his faith. This song talks about being a believer and acknowledges that God is present throughout all of our times, good and bad. Tim hopes this song speaks to others to reassure them that they are not alone and that things will get better. Here is Do it Again by Elevation Worship:
Tim’s motivational song is a collaboration between two groups. After a Coldplay concert in Vancouver last year, this song and its lyrics gave him a glimpse of the growth mindset that drives his thinking, so it became part of his playlist. He also shared that the accompanying video for this song has some cool animation. Tim is thinking of using this song at a school assembly where he will be speaking about mindset. Connecting to the lyrics, we were reflecting on the celebrity culture of kids’ worlds, it’s good to remind them that they matter and that you don't have to be a famous person or YouTuber to make a difference or have a voice. The allusions in the song can teach us about the aspects of people that draw us in. Even when they are super, it’s their humanity and fallibility, as opposed to their perfection, that makes them so special. Here are The Chainsmokers and Coldplay with Something Just Like This:
If you want to learn more about Tim, check out his podcast, Teachers on Fire and follow Teachers on Fire on all the social medias. On the shown, Tim profiles agents of growth and transformation in k-12 education.
