How to Close the Learning Gap
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Release Date: 03/01/2021
Stop, Think, Question: A Teacher’s Guide to Responsible AI with Audrey Watters
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
with Audrey Watters | Episode 903 | Tech Tool Tuesday Are we racing toward an AI future without asking the right questions? Author and ed-tech critic Audrey Watters joins me to show teachers how to hit pause, get thoughtful, and keep classroom relationships at the center. Sponsored by Rise Vision Did you know the same solution that powers my AI classroom also drives campus-wide emergency alerts and digital signage? See how Rise Vision can save your school thousands: Highlights Include Why “human first” still beats the newest AI tool: Audrey explains how relationships drive real...
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Teacher Brain Burnout? GPT-4.1 and 8 Other Headlines that Matter
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Looking for ideas to engage your students in conversation? In this week's quick news roundup, I give you stories about: The impact of overwork on the teacher's brain, An idea for an energy drink experiment for science teachers around the chemical "taurine" NASA and the tectonic plates of Venus YouTube's new "Peak Points" Advertising strategy as an AI article to discuss with students ChatGPT 4 going away? And how I teach students to test different models of AI and share their results How some people are installing local LLM's on their machines New AI guidance for teachers and common...
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Real-World Math That Boosts Student Achievement with Dr. Erin Krupa
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Do you want to help students truly understand and enjoy math? In this inspiring episode, Dr. Erin Krupa shares her powerful research and practical classroom strategies that have helped boost student math achievement. From project-based challenges to integrating meaningful tech tools like Geometer’s Sketchpad, Erin brings the research to life in ways every K–12 teacher can use. She discusses how to spark students’ mathematical identity, create engaging tasks, and avoid turning math into a dry, procedural subject. Whether you're a math teacher or school leader, you’ll walk away with...
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AI Gone Wild, Canva Code, and Badger Licking?! 15 Tech Stories for Classrooms Now
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
From rogue AI behaviors to Google Gemini's web-building skills, this week's 10 Minute Teacher Podcast is your fast, fun roundup of the most classroom-worthy education and technology news! 🎙️ Today I'm sharing 15 surprising, hilarious, and serious updates that every teacher and school leader should know—from “GPT tennis” in schools to an AI that tried to be your spiritual guide (yikes - not just yikes but WATCH OUT). Plus, I give a celebratory hat tip to long time blogger and teacher, Larry Ferlazzo, in his retirement. I also explain why people are typing nonsense into...
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Be a More Effective Teacher with Scientific Principles of Teaching
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
What does the science actually say about teaching methods that work? In this episode, Nathaniel Hansford shares how you can become a more effective teacher by applying proven principles from education research. Learn how meta-analysis, spaced practice, retrieval techniques, and data-driven strategies can lead to better learning outcomes in your classroom. Nathaniel also discusses why many PD sessions fall flat—and how we can do better. Whether you're just starting out or refining your craft, this episode is full of actionable insight for educators who want to teach smarter. 🔗 Show Blog...
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How Do We Know Who’s Human? A New Tech Raises Big Questions
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
On May 1, 2025, Sam Altman’s identity project, now called World (formerly Worldcoin), launched iris and face-scanning locations in six U.S. cities. The goal? Prove you're human — and get a World ID in return. In this episode, Vicki Davis breaks down how the tech works, why it's free, and the serious ethical concerns for educators and parents alike. You'll learn the three major reasons this global ID push is happening: Stopping identity fraud and deepfakes Verifying age online to protect children Distinguishing humans from synthetic AI agents With connections to platforms like Match.com,...
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How to Truly Connect with Students (and Why It Matters)
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Students won't learn if they don't feel seen. 💡 In this inspiring episode, veteran educator Dr. Lucy Lambert-Guesnard shares practical ways to build trust, connection, and authentic classroom relationships—especially with students who struggle. From real stories like “Larry with the hoodie” to “Joey with the basketball,” Dr. Lucy offers compassionate strategies that help teachers turn everyday moments into meaningful teaching breakthroughs. Learn how to give better feedback, handle tough behavior with grace, and build a classroom culture where every student feels valued. Sponsor:...
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5 Free Evernote Features Every Educator Should Know
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Want to get more organized as a teacher or school leader—without spending a dime? In this episode, productivity expert Dr. Frank Buck shares five free Evernote features educators can use to simplify their digital lives. From emailing notes to powerful web clipping and searchable snapshots, Frank explains how to turn Evernote into your second brain. 💼 Sponsor Message: This episode is sponsored by Solution Tree. For over 25 years, Solution Tree has partnered with schools and districts to deliver research-driven professional development that helps teachers turn their passion into...
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How to Stop Teacher Burnout Before It Stops You
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Teacher burnout is real — but it doesn’t have to end your career. In this motivational Monday episode, Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson (Dr. PBJ) shares her powerful personal story and real strategies to recognize burnout early, set healthy boundaries, and find your joy in teaching again. 💼 Sponsor Message: This episode is sponsored by Solution Tree. For over 25 years, Solution Tree has partnered with schools and districts to deliver research-driven professional development that helps teachers turn their passion into real progress for their students. 👉 See the results they’ve...
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News Roundup: What’s the Latest in Edtech and AI Right Now?
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
What do teachers need to know this week about AI, edtech tools, privacy risks, and time-saving features? In this fast-paced news update, Vicki Davis — the Cool Cat Teacher — shares teacher-tested headlines that impact the classroom. From Google's bulk grading feature to concerns about AI eye-tracking and international AI policy, this episode is packed with insights that matter. Also, a huge health concern with touching the receipts of many of your local retailers. 💡 Includes a teacher tip on using data for AP test prep — and a heads-up about a surprising classroom health hazard!...
info_outlineStudents are returning to school and teachers and administrators know a learning gap is there. What do we do about it? How do we close the gap without stressing everyone out? Turnaround principal Rachael George tells us how.
Check out the show notes: www.coolcatteacher.com/e725/
Today’s sponsor: Advancement Courses. Choose from over 280 online graduate-level PD courses in 20 subject areas that are self-paced with up to six months to complete. Go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat and save 20% off each course by using the code COOL20. That’s just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. You can also receive graduate credit through CAEP and regionally accredited university partners for continuing education requirements. Never stop learning!
Dr. Rachael George - Bio as Submitted
From fighting wildland fires with the U.S. Forest Service to putting out fires in the classroom, education was the last place that Rachael thought she’d end up. It wasn’t until a hard conversation with a base manager in Grangeville, Idaho did Rachael realize she needed to put her chainsaw down and make a bigger impact on the world. Rachael is a member of the ASCD Emerging Leaders Class of 2015, an NAESP Fellow, and currently serves as the principal of Sandy Grade School in the Oregon Trail School District.
Over the past six years, Sandy Grade School has moved from being one of the lowest-ranked elementary schools in the state of Oregon to performing in the top 20% of elementary schools. Sandy Grade School has been recognized by the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE) as a Model School for closing the achievement gap.
Prior to serving as an elementary principal, she was a middle school principal of an “outstanding” and two-time “Level 5: Model School” as recognized by the State of Oregon. Rachael specializes in curriculum development, instructional improvement as well as working with at-risk students and closing the achievement gap. Connect with Rachael on Twitter @DrRachaelGeorge.
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."