The IEP Journey: The Heart of Special Education Planning
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Release Date: 09/26/2023
12 Easy Ways to Teach Kids to Code: Hour of Code & CS4Ed Week 2024
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Get ready for CS4Ed Week 2024 and the Hour of Code with this special episode of the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast! 🎉 We’re sharing 12 practical and fun coding activities that will inspire creativity and teach kids computational thinking. From gamified platforms like CodeCombat to app development with Mad Learn, hands-on robotics, and unplugged challenges, there’s something here for every educator and student. 💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How to use CodeCombat and Code.org to engage students in coding. Creative ideas like Dance Party, Minecraft, and coding with Anna and Elsa....
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Teaching and Having Gratitude and Thankfulness
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
This special extended episode is for family and friends to listen to in the car or around the holidays. It is from what I call my "legacy project," Cool Cat Teacher Talk, soon to be released as its separate podcast. In this, I'll tell you about the Cool Cat Teacher Talk Show project, why I'm doing it, and how it is being created and shared. Then, I'll share my 58-minute Cool Cat Teacher talk episode on Gratitude and Thankfulness. I hope you enjoy the show. Show notes:
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10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Speech-to-text, audio, personal drawings and pictures, and writing about things kids love are all part of helping kids get excited about writing. In today's show, we talk to 15-year educator Randi Ahrndt about encouraging kids to get excited about writing as we discuss interactive writing strategies and one of the best free tools for teaching writing. We also talk about an authentic project of having kids write a personal book and the various steps of making it happen. We'll explore how to leverage technology and interactive strategies to turn even the most reluctant students into...
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Practical Tips on How to Teach Reading from Jennifer Serravallo
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Sometimes, teachers can struggle to "fit it all in" when it comes to reading. What a relief it is to hear reading instructional leaders like Jennifer Serravallo talk about the artistry of teaching, how to overcome the challenges of teaching reading, and teacher autonomy and responsiveness. Jennifer also reflects on where the research is "fuzzy" in reading instruction needs more work and discusses where we go next (including the challenges of teaching children with changing attention spans). If you teach reading, Jennifer's show is a must-listen. Episode Highlights: Effective Lesson...
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NASSP Principal of the Year 2025: Dr. Tracie Anderson Swiley
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley the Principal of Fairfield High School in South Carolina was named the 2025 Principal of the Year for the United States by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Today we're going to talk to her about the culture transformation at her school that improved their graduation rate and built a school pride that is promoting excellence in everything they do. She also talks about school safety and how she has approached this sensitive topic. Listen to this inspiring principal and make your school a better place too. Show notes:
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An Interesting Interview with My Principal: Meet Jonathan Dyal
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
This episode of The 10 Minute Teacher was a lot of fun. Not only did I get to interview my principal, Jonathan Dyal, but my film class, the "Sherwood Showstoppers," filmed the interview. (I'm so proud of how much they are learning!) After a tweet I sent out in October 2023, George Couros and Allyson Apsey invited me to write a chapter about Jonathan in their book out this year. (You can about what truly makes a great principal and the five pillars shared in the book.) Principal Dyal shares his philosophy of walking the halls frequently to stay connected with teachers and students,...
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How to Help Students and Schools in Traumatic Times
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
In today’s episode, we discuss a critical issue many schools are facing—how to help students and staff heal from trauma. Whether it's a safety event, severe weather like Hurricane Helene, or individual traumas, schools across the nation are navigating unprecedented challenges. To help students learn, we must first help them process what they've been through. As Lana Penley says, "In moments of crisis, we need to provide space for students and teachers to process what they've been through before diving back into academics." I want to acknowledge those still in the midst of trauma, like...
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10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
In today’s episode of The 10-Minute Teacher Podcast, we sit down with well-known educator and author George Couros to dive into his latest book, . With insights from educators, principals, and contributors from around the world, George discusses how great principals build strong relationships, encourage continuous learning, and create environments that elevate both teachers and students. (I also was able to contribute a chapter about my principal and we talk about that a little as well.) Questions Answered in This Podcast: What makes a great principal? What are the five pillars of effective...
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10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
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The Spectacular Story of Quest Academy: Whole School Competency-Based Learning
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Nicki Slaugh is a trailblazing principal who pioneered personalized competency-based learning at Question Academy Junior High in Utah. Nicki's innovative approach has captured national attention, increasing student engagement, test scores, and teacher retention. In today's episode, Nicky shares the journey of shifting from a traditional school to a dynamic, customized learning environment where every student thrives at their own pace. Here’s what we’ll cover in today’s episode: How did Nicki transform her school culture to engage students and raise test scores? What strategies did she...
info_outlineIn today's episode, we sit down with Stephanie DeLussey, a dual-certified veteran special education teacher, IEP coach, and author of the upcoming book "The Intentional IEP." Stephanie shares her unique insights into the often daunting process of writing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). She emphasizes the importance of collaboration between parents and teachers, and offers practical tips to make the IEP process more effective and less stressful for everyone involved.
Read the full transcript and show notes at: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e818
Sponsor: This show is sponsored by Microsoft. Check out their new AI Course. All opinions are my own. Once a year, I have a newsworthy topic that I accept that has advertorial content. This is the show for 2023 with Microsoft.
Show Outline:
Introduction
Timestamp: 00:00:00 - 00:01:00
In this episode, Vicki Davis sits down with Stephanie DeLussey to discuss the importance of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and how to approach them intentionally. Stephanie shares her expertise in creating effective IEPs that genuinely cater to the needs of each student.
The Importance of Parent Input
Timestamp: 00:01:01 - 00:04:48
Stephanie emphasizes the crucial role that parent input plays in shaping an effective IEP. She suggests using input forms to gather valuable information from parents, which can then be used to write the present-level section of the IEP.
Writing the IEP: The Present Level Section
Timestamp: 00:04:48 - 00:05:22
Stephanie walks us through the process of writing the PLAAFP (Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance) section of the IEP, which serves as the foundation for the entire plan.
Gathering Additional Input
Timestamp: 00:05:22 - 00:06:08
Stephanie advises sending out teacher input forms and consulting with other professionals who work with the child. This additional input helps in determining the skills to focus on when writing IEP goals.
Drafting and Revising the IEP
Timestamp: 00:06:08 - 00:07:16
Stephanie talks about sending a proposed draft IEP to the family for review. She emphasizes the importance of open communication and flexibility in making any necessary changes.
Communication and Feedback
Timestamp: 00:07:16 - 00:07:48
Vicki and Stephanie discuss the best ways to communicate with families, whether it's through email, phone calls, or face-to-face meetings, depending on the family's preference.
The IEP Meeting and Follow-Up
Timestamp: 00:07:48 - 00:09:11
Stephanie outlines what happens during the IEP meeting and the importance of ongoing communication with general education teachers and parents throughout the year.
Addressing Misconceptions
Timestamp: 00:09:11 - 00:11:09
Vicki and Stephanie tackle some common misconceptions about IEPs, including the difference between being "fair" and being "equitable."
Conclusion and Resources
Timestamp: 00:11:09 - 00:12:02
Vicki wraps up the episode by thanking Stephanie for her insights and mentioning Stephanie's upcoming book, "The Intentional IEP," set to release in January.