What Makes Kids EXCEL at Reading in the Classroom?
Cool Cat Teacher Talk
Discover the secrets to raising thriving readers who are not only proficient in literacy skills but also genuinely engaged in the reading process. Every parent and educator wants their kids to experience reading success, and it all starts with unlocking the literacy secrets that inspire a love for reading. By implementing these strategies, you can help your child become an engaged reader, eager to explore new worlds and ideas through the pages of a book. The key to achieving this lies in understanding what makes kids thrive in reading, and with the right approach, you can set your child on the...
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ISTE Live '25 Supershare: AI, Edtech, and VR with Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth, Jaime Donally, Mike Tholfsen
Cool Cat Teacher Talk
In today's show, some edtech and AI experts share what's hot (and not) as we approach ISTE Live '25 in San Antonio. We have news from AR and VR in edu, AI news, Microsoft's big announcements about some new AI tools for kids 13 and up and for teachers (and how the computer's system architecture has changed dramatically.) I'm copresenting with some of these friends at ISTE Live '25 on Monday at the Edtech and AI Power Hour and it is going to be fast and fun. But if you can't go or if you want to get ahead of the game, this is the talk show you'll want to listen to. Whether you're curious about...
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Expert IEP and RTI Strategies You Need to Know
Cool Cat Teacher Talk
Learn how to master Response to Intervention (RTI) and the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process to help every child succeed. RTI is a proven framework for providing targeted support to students who struggle, while IEPs are personalized plans designed to meet the unique educational needs of students with disabilities. In this episode, we explore strategies and actionable insights to optimize these essential tools, empowering teachers, parents, and administrators to support diverse learners effectively. What You'll Learn about IEP's, RTI and reaching every child: ...
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30 Hot 2025 AI/Tech Wins + Hormone-Smart Weight Loss for Teachers
Cool Cat Teacher Talk
This jam-packed episode covers 15 cutting-edge AI tools, 15 critical education headlines, plus essential wellness strategies specifically for busy teachers. What You'll Learn in This Episode AI Tools That Actually Matter for Your Classroom: Google Gemini's new video parsing and camera sharing features Perplexity Labs for teaching transparent AI research Claude Opus 4's breakthrough coding capabilities NotebookLM mobile app that helped my students ace their finals Critical Cybersecurity Updates: FBI warnings about AI voice scammers targeting families Essential vocabulary: smishing, vishing,...
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Struggling with Classroom Management? 8 Time Tested Tips
Cool Cat Teacher Talk
In today's episode we will share eight tips and two books to help improve classroom management. Michelle Singh will talk about what happens if you feel like you're not engaged as a teacher and what to do about it. Then, Andrew Vanden Heuvel will share how he uses Fortnite Creative to teach physics and resources you can use. The show notes are at
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Find Reliable News, Explore AI Art, and Dive into the Fediverse!
Cool Cat Teacher Talk
his episode of Cool Cat Teacher Talk explores critical topics relevant to educators navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, social media, and artificial intelligence. Host Vicki Davis delves into strategies for managing news consumption, teaching students about AI, and addressing digital privacy concerns. Key segments include: Navigating Social Media and News: Insights on tools like Feedly, Flipboard, and local newspapers to curate trustworthy content while avoiding algorithm-driven misinformation. Artificial Intelligence in Education: Practical examples of integrating...
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10 Ways to Teach Coding to Today's Students
Cool Cat Teacher Talk
Today, we’re exploring one of the most exciting and relevant topics in education—teaching kids to code. Featuring insights from leading computer science educators, this episode provides actionable strategies, tools, and ideas to make coding education engaging for all ages. Featured Guests This episode showcases insights and expertise from these amazing educators and leaders put together with highlights from their interviews that combine to add meaning to the topic of coding. If you want an overview on this topic, watch the whole show. If you want to dig deeper into one of the full...
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Choosing the Tools and Habits to Reach Your Goals
Cool Cat Teacher Talk
In this episode, Vicki Davis interviews James Clear, discusses the news and AI conversations happening in classrooms now, and talks about the tools she uses to build her 20 year platform in educational technology. Show notes: News - James Clear - This show and the full 3 part series on personal branding
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Building Your Platform with a Purpose
Cool Cat Teacher Talk
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Cool Cat Teacher Talk, Vicki Davis opens up about the journey of building her platform with purpose and integrity. From early blogging days to international influence, she shares how her calling, faith, and values shaped every step. This episode isn’t just for educators who want to grow their voice—it’s for anyone navigating the tension between visibility and values. Plus, in the opening news segment, Vicki unpacks the launch of World App’s WorldID—an iris-scanning ID system with major implications for privacy, education, and global...
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How Can Students and Teachers Build a Good Personal Brand?
Cool Cat Teacher Talk
In this episode of Cool Cat Teacher Talk, host Vicki Davis and producer John Davis explore how both students and teachers can build a strong personal brand. Guests Elisabeth Bostwick and Dr. Will Deyamport join the conversation to share real-world advice on personal branding, reputation management, and guiding students in today’s digital age. Highlights include: Practical strategies for building a positive digital footprint How students and teachers can "algorithm-proof" their reputation Inspiring personal branding stories and advice from top educators Insights on using Canva, Google...
info_outlineToday, we’re exploring one of the most exciting and relevant topics in education—teaching kids to code. Featuring insights from leading computer science educators, this episode provides actionable strategies, tools, and ideas to make coding education engaging for all ages.
Featured Guests
This episode showcases insights and expertise from these amazing educators and leaders put together with highlights from their interviews that combine to add meaning to the topic of coding. If you want an overview on this topic, watch the whole show. If you want to dig deeper into one of the full interviews excerpted in the show, visit one below.
- Felinne Hermans: Discover the Hedy programming language, a free tool accessible in 50 languages. Learn more at www.coolcatteacher.com/e847
- Dr. Marina Umaschi Bers: Learn seven key strategies for introducing coding in early childhood. Visit www.coolcatteacher.com/e202
- Aditya Batura: Explore simple steps for teaching coding, including unplugged activities. Check it out at www.coolcatteacher.com/e262
- Doug Bergman: Gain insight into trends like AI, cybersecurity, and computational thinking. Full episode at www.coolcatteacher.com/e433
- Angela Cleveland: Learn how school counselors are helping more girls pursue careers in computer science. Visit www.coolcatteacher.com/e254
- Omar Shepherd: Find out how California is advancing computer science teaching. Learn more at www.coolcatteacher.com/e860
- Alfred Thompson: Discover practical teaching tips for computer science educators. See the episode at www.coolcatteacher.com/e182
- Vicki Davis: Explore 12 creative ways to teach coding during the Hour of Code. Full episode at www.coolcatteacher.com/e871
Episode Highlights
1. Coding Across the Curriculum
Explore how coding can integrate with art, science, and math, creating interdisciplinary learning experiences that engage students.
2. Unplugged Coding Activities
Not all coding lessons need screens! Activities like “Code with Hot Wheels” and outdoor chalk grids are great for teaching sequencing and logic to young learners.
3. Early Childhood Coding
Dr. Marina Umaschi Bers shares seven practical strategies for introducing coding concepts to preschoolers, helping to build problem-solving and logical thinking skills early on.
4. Promoting Diversity in Tech
Angela Cleveland highlights ways to close the gender gap in computer science, from building awareness to creating opportunities for girls and underrepresented groups.
5. Emerging Trends in Computer Science
Doug Bergman discusses how schools can prepare students for the future of coding, with a focus on AI, cybersecurity, and computational thinking.