Teaching Fireworks: Why Zest Simmons Loves Teaching #LoveTeaching
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Release Date: 02/17/2020
AI in Education: Friend or Foe? A Student Perspective #AILiteracyDay
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Today is AI Literacy Day, Friday, March 28, 2025. So, as my part in celebrating this day, I thought the best people to speak about this topic is my students. So, I issued a call to my AP students and two of them showed up this past Tuesday and we recorded this show. I think that their honest, intelligent, reflective thoughts of the issue of their generation and their concerns and hopes for the future. If you didn't want to talk to your students about Artificial Intelligence, you will after this show. I'm going to watch this with my other classes to start the conversation. The boldness and...
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Personalizing Learning for Teachers & Students
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Courtney Walker, NASSP National Assistant Principal of the year for 2024 talks about personalize learning for both teachers and students at her school and how to get started. The collaboration at her school will inspire you! Show notes and full transcript:
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How to Build a Thriving Music Program: Expert Advice from Adrian Gordon
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Adrian Gordon, a seasoned music educator with over 20 years of experience, as he shares his insights on building a thriving music program. Discover how to connect with students, foster creativity, and overcome common challenges in music education. Whether you're a music teacher or simply passionate about the arts, this episode offers valuable advice and motivation. Show notes and bio: Key Takeaways: Prioritize self-care to sustain your energy and passion. Remember your "why" to stay focused on the impact of music education. Meet students where they...
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How Fortnite Can be Free Physics Fun for Everyone!
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
In the ever-evolving landscape of educational technology, Fortnite Creative is emerging as a groundbreaking tool for physics education and game-based learning. Andrew Vanden Heuvel, an innovative educator, is transforming the way students engage with STEM education through virtual laboratories and interactive learning experiences. By leveraging the immersive world of Fortnite, Heuvel's Fortnite physics project is redefining student engagement and creative learning environments. This digital curriculum not only enhances physics education but also bridges the gap between e-sports in education...
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How to Reduce Teacher Stress: Self-Care Strategies for 2025
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
In this episode, we dive into the essential topic of self-care for educators with expert Morgane Michael, author of "Burn Out and Fired Up" and "Blueprint for Belonging." Teaching is a high-stress profession, often leading to burnout and compassion fatigue. Morgane shares practical strategies to help educators maintain their well-being, foster a positive classroom environment, and build a supportive school culture. - Discover the power of mindfulness in just three minutes a day. - Learn how to assess your career and projects with two simple questions. - Explore the benefits of gratitude...
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How to Shorten the Line at the Principal's Office
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Traditional discipline isn’t working—so what should we do instead? In this episode, Joshua Stamper, educator and co-author of The Language of Behavior, shares how he transformed school discipline by replacing punishment with relationship-driven strategies. 💡 Learn how to: ✅ Handle disruptive behavior without removing students from class ✅ Implement the Push-In Model to strengthen teacher-student trust ✅ Use trauma-informed strategies to support emotional regulation ✅ Build a school culture that improves behavior long-term 📖 Show Notes & Resources: 📩 Subscribe &...
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Teaching Writing in an AI World: A Practical Guide
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
As AI tools like ChatGPT become more accessible, how can teachers help students develop authentic writing skills? In this episode, Vicki Davis talks with Dawne Beck, an experienced ELA teacher, about practical strategies for integrating AI into writing instruction while maintaining academic integrity. You’ll learn: ✅ How to teach writing as a process to reduce AI misuse. ✅ Ways to use AI for feedback and editing without replacing student creativity. ✅ How to design writing prompts that AI can’t complete well. ✅ Why students often prefer their own writing over AI-generated...
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11 Simple Hacks for Teachers to Save Time | Dr. Desiree Alexander
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Are you a teacher feeling overwhelmed by endless tasks and struggling to find time for what truly matters—your students? In this episode of The 10 Minute Teacher Podcast, Dr. Desiree Alexander, an award-winning educator and consultant, shares 11 practical time management hacks every teacher can use to reclaim their time and reduce stress. 📋 Show Notes: Access the full show notes and links mentioned in this episode at coolcatteacher.com/e879. 🎓 About Dr. Desiree Alexander: Dr. Desiree Alexander is the Founder and CEO of Educator Alexander Consulting, LLC, and the Deputy Director for the...
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Why RTI and MTSS Matter: Strategies to Support Every Learner with Mike Mattos
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Discover how to revolutionize student support with RTI (Response to Intervention) and MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) in this expert-led episode. Mike Mattos, an internationally recognized educator, author, and co-creator of the RTI at Work™ model, shares proven strategies to help schools ensure every learner thrives. Drawing from decades of experience as a teacher, principal, and thought leader in professional learning communities, Mike breaks down practical tips, common mistakes to avoid, and insights for building a powerful framework of student success. Whether you're a teacher,...
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Breaking the Algorithm: How Flipboard and the Fediverse Empower Educators (Episode 877)
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Discover how to break free from algorithmic echo chambers and reclaim your personalized news feed. In this episode, William “Coach” Jeffery, an experienced educator and innovator, shares insights on using tools like Flipboard and the Fediverse to curate reliable, authentic, and diverse content for educators. Learn how to overcome filter bubbles, follow relevant hashtags, and amplify your professional learning with human-curated tools. Whether you're an educator or someone curious about alternative approaches to consuming news, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and inspiring...
info_outlineWe can get out of education, but the kids can't. Today's students need educators who love them and who love teaching. Zest Simmons, award-winning AP Teacher and Alabama State Teacher of the Year 2019 tells the story of how she ignites learning and loves students in her classroom. We can reach every child. Zest talks about how.
Zest Simmons - Bio as Submitted
Inspired to become an educator by her own teachers, Zestlan Simmons, a National Board Certified teacher, was once told by a family friend to “reconsider her options” when she shared her dream. However, for her, the joy of seeing students engaged in mastering writing skills has been the catalyst for pursuing her dream. This love of empowering students with the awareness of their capabilities led her to return to Booker T. Washington (BTW) Magnet where she once benefited from an arts education through the Carver Creative and Performing Arts Program (CCPAC), which is now BTW. In her role as an educator at BTW, she contributes to cross-curricular planning initiatives, which encourage art and academic teachers to collaborate on special projects and classroom instruction.
When her school partnered with the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) and A+ College Ready, she started teaching Advanced Placement (AP) Language and Composition in 2009 and was recognized by NMSI as the AP English Teacher of the Year for increasing the AP Language exam scores for minority students.
In 2017, she pursued a certification in Instructional Leadership so that she could continue to mentor new teachers. Her greatest joy has been to see her former students become teachers in Montgomery, in Alabama, and in the nation
Twitter: @ZestlanSimmons
Instagram: @zsimmons99