10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Jam-packed with cool classrooms, cool apps, and cool teaching ideas, full-time teacher and award-winning edtech influencer, Vicki Davis, who blogs as the Cool Cat Teacher Blog, loves to interview awesome teachers and educators from around the world on this teacher podcast. Her goal is to interview the most in-classroom teachers on one helpful teacher podcast. This encouraging show will give you quick ideas you can use right away. You can follow Vicki @coolcatteacher on all social media and join the conversation.
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Top 10 AI Tips for Schools to Do Now
07/21/2025
Top 10 AI Tips for Schools to Do Now
As we prepare to return to school and with all of the announcements over the summer, what are the things we should do right away to prepare. Should we really enable all of the things or how can we slow down and test what really needs to happen to ensure the safety of our students and the educational value we want to offer? Teacher and IT Director, Vicki Davis, gives an overview of the summer's hottest AI announcements and some tips that schools are using to keep kids safe and cover their bases when it comes to implementing this cascade of change in ways that protect learning and kids. As always, each school must make these decisions for themselves to keep kids safe as the responsibility is on each of us to do so but here are some tips that might make sense for you. Show notes and links:
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3 Easy AI Prompts I teach My Students on Day 1
07/11/2025
3 Easy AI Prompts I teach My Students on Day 1
I have three AI prompts I teach my students on the first day. Learn about why I do this and what the prompts are in this turbo tip episode! See the three prompts in the show notes and see a copy of the presentation I use to teach students to prompt:
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Top 5 Copilot Breakthroughs Unveiled at ISTE 2025 with Mike Tholfsen
06/25/2025
Top 5 Copilot Breakthroughs Unveiled at ISTE 2025 with Mike Tholfsen
Microsoft's Mike Tholfsen unveils game-changing AI breakthroughs for educators at ISTE 2025, including Copilot Chat for teens 13+, the revolutionary Teach module that creates standards-aligned lessons in minutes, and AI-powered study guides that transform how students learn. Discover how Learning Zone on Copilot+ PCs brings AI directly to your classroom without internet, plus exciting updates to Learning Accelerators and seamless LMS integration that puts powerful AI tools right where teachers need them. Key takeaways: FREE Copilot Chat now available for students 13+ with enterprise data protection New Teach module creates lesson plans, rubrics, and assessments aligned to standards from 35 countries Study guides in Copilot Notebooks generate personalized quizzes and flashcards Learning Zone app enables offline AI lesson creation on Copilot+ PCs Unified LTI integration brings Microsoft's AI tools directly into Canvas, Schoology, and other LMS platforms Perfect for K-12 teachers ready to save time and enhance learning with responsible AI. Subscribe to the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast for weekly classroom-tested tech tips! Full show notes: @mtholfsen @coolcatteacher | #10MinuteTeacher #MicrosoftEDU #ISTELive #ASCDAnnual #AIinEducation
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3 EFFECTive Strategies: Curiosity Corner, Brain Breaks, Action Teams
06/23/2025
3 EFFECTive Strategies: Curiosity Corner, Brain Breaks, Action Teams
Sometimes it takes a wake-up call to transform from just being "a teacher" to being "THE teacher" who makes a difference. Math teacher and tech director Josh Korb shares three game-changing strategies from his book "Be the Cause" that you can implement immediately: Curiosity Corner spaces that spark student inquiry, energizing brain breaks using his "Jumping Jack Jam" technique, and Action Teams that tackle real-world problems through design thinking. These mastery learning strategies prove you don't need high energy or expensive tools—just intentional choices that put students in control of their learning. See the show notes for definitions of teaching terms and links: Subscribe to the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast and discover practical strategies that create lasting impact in your classroom!
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My 30 Hot June AI and Edtech Tools and EduNews Show (June 2025)
06/19/2025
My 30 Hot June AI and Edtech Tools and EduNews Show (June 2025)
Ready for a deep dive into the latest AI tools and education headlines? In this special extended news episode, Vicki Davis shares 15 cutting-edge AI tools including Gemini's new video parsing capabilities, Claude Opus 4's powerful features, and Perplexity Labs' research tools, plus 15 critical news stories every educator needs to know. From AI ethics and security warnings to practical classroom applications, this episode delivers real classroom tech use insights you can implement immediately. Subscribe for weekly teacher-tested edtech tips and join the conversation at I'm also including vocabulary and links at the show notes. This week's show includes the vocabulary: smishing vishing multimodal conversational AI deep fake rage-bait cinema LOTS (Living off Trusted Services) attack Passkeys Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) This vocabulary and links to resources are included to help educate you and to give you a resource that you can use with students about this particular topic. A Personal Update from Vicki As school got out, my son got married and I had quite a few speeches here in Georgia, so I ended up with 2-3 weeks of news/tool content to share, so I just put them together on my radio show this week and for you on this longer-than-normal episode. I appreciate the grace while I'm in the summer months and recovering and I hope you take care of yourself and recover as well. We need the rest so we can be our best! And stay tuned next week for some amazing ISTE 2025 episodes - whether you're going or not, I want you to see the cool things happening! As always, I want you to feel included, informed, and helped to keep up in practical ways as things are changing.
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Stop, Think, Question: A Teacher’s Guide to Responsible AI with Audrey Watters
06/03/2025
Stop, Think, Question: A Teacher’s Guide to Responsible AI with Audrey Watters
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 learning. Personalized learning myths busted: How algorithmic “solutions” can isolate students. Practical guardrails for AI: Three reflection questions every teacher should ask before hitting “assign.” 🔗 Show page: Call to Action 🎧 Love the show? Head to and see today’s sponsor in action—and don’t forget to subscribe & leave a quick review!
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Teacher Brain Burnout? GPT-4.1 and 8 Other Headlines that Matter
05/20/2025
Teacher Brain Burnout? GPT-4.1 and 8 Other Headlines that Matter
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 patterns I'm noting Google's AIME and the future of medical chat bots DuoLingo goes AI, and A Star-Wars themed personality test gone to the dark side? Once a week, I work to share news articles and stories with you that I'm using. I want you to have quick ideas for turning headlines into a warm-up, debate, or story starter. Show notes and links: Sponsor: Rise Vision Do you want to know how I have students share their prompts and test various models of AI? I use my Rise Vision Board! When teaching AI, seeing how each student uniquely interacts with technology is essential. Rise Vision's screen sharing solution turned my aging display into a modern wireless hub without replacement costs. I can now securely moderate which student screens appear—perfect for AI demonstrations and collaborative learning. The Rise Vision system is incredibly user-friendly and costs just a fraction of new interactive displays. I'm saving my school money while enhancing our tech capabilities! Visit to see how you can refresh rather than replace your classroom displays. Link:
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Real-World Math That Boosts Student Achievement with Dr. Erin Krupa
05/13/2025
Real-World Math That Boosts Student Achievement with Dr. Erin Krupa
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 practical strategies and renewed encouragement. Sponsored by Solution Tree For over 25 years, Solution Tree has helped teachers and leaders improve student learning with research-based professional development. Discover how real schools are seeing big results in reading and math. 👉 Learn more at Highlights include: Math That Matters: How real-world connections improve engagement and retention Empowering Identity: Helping students see themselves as "math people" From Tools to Transformation: Smart ways to use tech beyond computation Creative Challenges: How “Design & Pitch” STEM tasks build deep understanding 🔗 Show page: Will you share it? 🎧 Love the show? Don’t miss an episode — subscribe and leave a review!
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AI Gone Wild, Canva Code, and Badger Licking?! 15 Tech Stories for Classrooms Now
05/10/2025
AI Gone Wild, Canva Code, and Badger Licking?! 15 Tech Stories for Classrooms Now
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 Google and asking for "meanings" and how this can be a great lesson to use to share the limitations of Google Gemini or any generative AI tool. Highlights Include: The Rise of MCP (Model Context Protocol): A new open standard that could revolutionize how your AI connects with school tools. AI Agent in Windows 11: Microsoft’s AI now helps manage your settings—what this means for edtech. Gemini 2.5 Builds Better Websites (and Raises Questions): Why we still need humans to supervise AI creation. Don't Play "GPT Tennis": A warning about lazy AI practices in schools. How AI Is Messing With Spirituality: The wildest (and weirdest) AI news this week. Bonus Insight: A hilarious viral phrase—"You can’t lick a badger twice"—and what it teaches us about AI hallucinations. 🔗 Show page with all the links: • 📲 Never miss an update! Subscribe to the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Be a More Effective Teacher with Scientific Principles of Teaching
05/08/2025
Be a More Effective Teacher with Scientific Principles of Teaching
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 Post: Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Solution Tree. For over 25 years, Solution Tree has provided research-based professional development that helps schools achieve real results. Learn more at
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How Do We Know Who’s Human? A New Tech Raises Big Questions
05/03/2025
How Do We Know Who’s Human? A New Tech Raises Big Questions
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, Discord, and Reddit, and the backing of Visa, this story is about far more than tech — it’s about privacy, control, and the future of our students. I've included lots of links and commentary at the show notes: 🔍 Highlights Include: What is “World” and how does it work? A free iris scan for ID and crypto — but what’s the cost to your privacy? Why human identity matters now: From AI phishing attacks to deepfakes, we’re at a turning point. Classroom connections: Ways teachers can discuss the ethics of biometric data and identity with students. Surprising partnerships: Why Match Group and Visa are testing this with dating apps and payment systems. Why I’m not doing it. Ethical and privacy concerns along with the concern of abuse of power if such a tool is controlled by one group. 🔗 Show page: ❤️ Found this helpful? • 🎧 Don’t miss an episode — subscribe and leave a review! • 💬 Tag an educator or parent who needs to hear this! • 📲 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
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How to Truly Connect with Students (and Why It Matters)
05/01/2025
How to Truly Connect with Students (and Why It Matters)
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: This episode is sponsored by Solution Tree. For over 25 years, Solution Tree has provided research-based professional development that helps schools achieve real results. Learn more at 🔗 Show notes and links: 📲 Subscribe to the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcatcher. New episodes every weekday.
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5 Free Evernote Features Every Educator Should Know
04/30/2025
5 Free Evernote Features Every Educator Should Know
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 real progress for their students. 👉 See the results they’ve helped schools achieve at Whether you're new to Evernote or reconsidering it in 2025, this episode delivers practical time-saving tips to help you stay focused, reduce stress, and find what you need—when you need it. Show Notes & Links: 🔗 Blog Post and Frank's Bio: Dr. Frank Buck's Books (2nd Edition)
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How to Stop Teacher Burnout Before It Stops You
04/28/2025
How to Stop Teacher Burnout Before It Stops You
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 helped schools achieve at Learn how to stop digging when you’re overwhelmed, take micro-breaks that make a difference, and rethink school support systems to better care for educators. 🔗 Show notes and links: 🎧 Love the show? Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen!
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News Roundup: What’s the Latest in Edtech and AI Right Now?
04/25/2025
News Roundup: What’s the Latest in Edtech and AI Right Now?
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! 🗓️ Show notes + resources: 💬 Tag a teacher friend who needs to hear this episode!
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How to Help Every Child Feel Like They Belong
04/24/2025
How to Help Every Child Feel Like They Belong
In this inspiring episode, Principal Carlos Ramirez, named "2024 Principal of the Year" by the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents shares how he turned a school tradition into a movement for community and inclusion. Discover how he builds trust with families, shows up for students, and leads a school where every child feels they belong. This is a must-listen for school leaders and teachers who want to create a culture of care and connection. 🎯 Highlights Include Leading with Compassion During Crisis: How Carlos returned to school during the pandemic to support families without internet access. A Walk to End Homelessness: How replacing Halloween with a community fundraiser became a new, inclusive tradition. Making Attendance Personal: The powerful impact of walking students to school and starting conversations that build trust. Why Belonging Matters More Than Buzzwords: Carlos explains how to avoid division by focusing on every student’s humanity. 🔗 Show page: 📲 Don’t Miss an Episode 🎧 Love the show? Don’t miss an episode — subscribe and leave a review!
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Fun Grammar Strategies That Actually Work
04/22/2025
Fun Grammar Strategies That Actually Work
Can grammar really be fun? Yes! In this episode, literacy coach and author Patty McGee shares fresh, playful ways to teach grammar that actually work—and won't leave kids groaning. If you've ever struggled to make grammar stick, you'll love these shame-free, curiosity-fueled strategies that bring joy and purpose back into your language lessons. (And personally I also like that there can be alternatives to diagramming sentences.) Solution Tree 💼 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 helped schools achieve at Highlights Include How to Break Grammar Shame: Why traditional approaches often fail—and what works better Sentence-Based Strategies: From simple to complex, how sentence play builds understanding Fun, Free, and Flexible Ideas: SPF-approved activities that require no fancy tools 🔗 Show page: Call to Action 📲 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 🎧 Don’t miss an episode of the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast!
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Teaching Math in 2025: Dan Meyer on Tools, Trends, and True Engagement
04/22/2025
Teaching Math in 2025: Dan Meyer on Tools, Trends, and True Engagement
How do we move beyond drill-and-kill and actually engage students in math? In this visionary episode, Dan Meyer shares how Desmos and Amplify are transforming math classrooms—and what every teacher needs to know for the future of math instruction. Highlights from Dan Meyer include: • Real-Time Math Engagement: How Desmos shifts math from static worksheets to dynamic experiences. How Amplify also works in this area. • Embedded PD That Works: Why the best professional development happens inside the tools teachers already use. • The Mindset Shift: Why great math teachers start with what students already know—not just what’s in the book. 🔗 Episode Page: 💬 Call to Action: 📲 Tag a teacher friend who needs to hear this!
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56% of New Teachers in Texas Are Uncertified: The Impact on Learning
04/21/2025
56% of New Teachers in Texas Are Uncertified: The Impact on Learning
Is passion enough to teach? In this powerful episode, Dr. Jacob Kirksey—Assistant Professor of Education Policy at Texas Tech University—reveals research on the rise of uncertified teachers (56% of new teachers in Texas are uncertified) and the real cost to student learning. Discover why teacher training matters more than ever and how we can fix the broken pipeline in education. 💼 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 helped schools achieve at 🧠 Highlights of this episode include: • The Cost of Uncertified Teachers: Students lose 3–4 months of learning in a single year when taught by uncertified teachers. • Impact on Dyslexia Diagnosis: Early learners are significantly less likely to be diagnosed correctly when taught by uncertified educators. • Veteran Teachers Under Strain: Certified teachers are absorbing the load—facing burnout, pacing gaps, and unfair support burdens. 🔗 Episode Page: 🎧 Love the show? Don’t miss an episode — subscribe, leave a review, and share with a fellow educator!
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8 Insights About Early Childhood Education
04/16/2025
8 Insights About Early Childhood Education
Isabelle Hau, executive director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, joins Vicki Davis to explore why the early years gap is our greatest educational inequity. Discover how 90% of brain development happens before age five and why relationships are fundamental to learning. Hau's book "Love to Learn" (the #1 new release on Amazon in Early Childhood Education) reveals why we need more "relational intelligence" in education and less focus on standardized metrics. She explains why young children today play 50% less outdoors than their parents did and how early childhood educators are literally "sculpting brains." A must-listen for anyone passionate about early childhood education! Show notes, bio, and infographic at Solution Tree - Show Sponsor For over 25 years, 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 helped schools achieve at .
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5 Ways to Help Students Succeed in School and Life
04/09/2025
5 Ways to Help Students Succeed in School and Life
Daron Franklin also known as “Coach Frank,” is a former Algebra I teacher turned human performance coach. His practical advice to help teachers reach kids and to help kids reach their goals is spot on. He talks about strategies for improving student motivation. Additionally, he shares the importance of building relationships and things you can say and do to support student mental health. I like how he encourages us teachers to be honest when we make mistakes (we all make them.) He also encourages us to bring relevance into every lesson. Finally, his encouragement to develop keystone habits is something we can all do. Show notes: Download the infographic and read Coach Frank's bio on the show notes page.
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How to Actually Engage Students Who Have Zero Attention Span
04/02/2025
How to Actually Engage Students Who Have Zero Attention Span
Dr. Marc Isseks, author of Captivate: Engaging and Empowering Students in a World of Digital Distractions, talks bluntly about cell phone policies and his opinion that attempting to ban cell phones is pointless. He also discusses the ways that you can engage students who have a short attention span (sometimes it feels like zero, but there are a few seconds -- 3 seconds. Some would say that is zero!) His thoughts on starting class are important ones to discuss. Whether it is pop culture, or other tips he offers, we can engage students in learning from the moment they walk in the door. Show notes:
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AI in Education: Friend or Foe? A Student Perspective #AILiteracyDay
03/28/2025
AI in Education: Friend or Foe? A Student Perspective #AILiteracyDay
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 honesty shines through and I know I'm biased, but I'm just so, so proud of them! Way to go Will and Lucy. Thanks for speaking out! Get the full show notes at
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Personalizing Learning for Teachers & Students
03/24/2025
Personalizing Learning for Teachers & Students
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
03/17/2025
How to Build a Thriving Music Program: Expert Advice from Adrian Gordon
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 are and set incremental goals. Build a community through fun, engaging activities outside the classroom. Emphasize the importance of patience and discipline in mastering music. Tune in to learn how to create a supportive and dynamic environment for your students. Don't forget to check out Adrian Gordon's book, "Note to Self," and share this episode with your favorite music teacher!
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How Fortnite Can be Free Physics Fun for Everyone!
03/10/2025
How Fortnite Can be Free Physics Fun for Everyone!
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 and video game design, offering students a unique platform to explore and create. Key Takeaways: Fortnite Creative is utilized as a virtual laboratory for physics education. The Fortnite physics project offers a game-based learning approach to STEM education. Students can engage in interactive learning experiences, such as skydiving and racing simulations. The project encourages students to become creators, not just consumers, in the digital curriculum. E-sports in education is gaining traction, with potential for significant growth and academic integration. Explore the full potential of educational gaming and discover how Fortnite Creative is shaping the future of interactive learning. Show notes and bio:
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How to Reduce Teacher Stress: Self-Care Strategies for 2025
03/03/2025
How to Reduce Teacher Stress: Self-Care Strategies for 2025
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 practices and how they can transform your mindset. - Understand the importance of connection and reflection for personal and professional growth. Tune in to learn how to be the sunshine on someone's cloudy day and create a positive impact in your school community. Don't forget to subscribe and share this episode with fellow educators who could use a boost of inspiration and support. Link to show notes and guest bio:
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How to Shorten the Line at the Principal's Office
02/24/2025
How to Shorten the Line at the Principal's Office
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 & Follow The 10-Minute Teacher Podcast: 🎙️ Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube Let’s transform student behavior—without just handing out suspensions!
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Teaching Writing in an AI World: A Practical Guide
02/17/2025
Teaching Writing in an AI World: A Practical Guide
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 text. I isn’t going anywhere—so let’s teach students to use it wisely without losing their unique voice. 🎙️ 🔗 Show notes & resources:
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11 Simple Hacks for Teachers to Save Time | Dr. Desiree Alexander
02/10/2025
11 Simple Hacks for Teachers to Save Time | Dr. Desiree Alexander
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 Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana. With over two decades of experience in education, she is an award-winning speaker, consultant, and advocate for teachers. Her work focuses on empowering educators with practical strategies and tools to thrive in their profession. 📧 Subscribe to the Cool Cat Teacher Newsletter: Stay up-to-date with inspiring teaching tips and resources by subscribing to our newsletter at coolcatteacher.com/newsletter. 📺 Watch on YouTube: Want to see more engaging content? Watch this episode and subscribe to our YouTube channel at youtube.com/coolcatteacher. 🎧 Where to Listen: Subscribe and listen to The 10 Minute Teacher Podcast on your favorite platforms. Classroom Organization Tips: 01:24 ⏳ 1. Get Organized Declutter your workspace and avoid the dreaded “stack of death.” Set up a simple and functional filing system to make paperwork more manageable. 01:45 📂 2. Use a Simple Filing System Whether digital or paper, having an easy-to-use system will keep your materials accessible and prevent last-minute scrambling. 02:15 📝 3. Empower Students to File Their Own Work Save time by letting students take responsibility for filing their assignments. This simple step fosters organization skills and lightens your workload. Personal Productivity Hacks: 03:02 📅 4. Plan Lessons Early to Reduce Last-Minute Stress Gather resources ahead of time—copies, books, manipulatives—to avoid scrambling when the copier inevitably breaks right before class. 05:03 👥 5. Have Multitasking Moments to Socialize and Get Work Done Balance productivity with connection! Grade papers or file documents while chatting with colleagues, so you don’t have to take as much work home. 05:54 🚪 6. Close the Door and Minimize Distractions Find a quiet space to focus during planning periods, so you can get work done efficiently without unnecessary interruptions. 06:10 🏡 7. Protect Your Peace and Work-Life Balance Your well-being matters. Set limits on how much work you bring home, and make time for family, rest, and hobbies. Technology and Task Management Tips 06:50 ✅ 8. Use the Answer, File, Delete (AFD) or Three D’s (Delegate, Dump, Do) Method Prioritize your tasks by immediately answering, filing, or deleting emails. If it doesn’t need your attention, delegate or dump it! 08:03 📧 9. Use Email Tools Like Sweep to Stay Organized Leverage email automation tools like Sweep to clear out old emails, filter messages, and keep your inbox manageable. Important principles to remember as you manage your time 09:30💡 10. Put People First When Prioritizing Tasks Before diving into your to-do list, check in with students and colleagues. Prioritizing people builds stronger relationships and improves your day. 10:21 🚧 11. Set Boundaries and Say No Educators are natural people-pleasers, but overcommitting leads to burnout. Practice saying “no” and protect your time. Thank you for listening to the show! Subscribe to my newsletter at coolcatteacher.com/newsletter and let's connect on social @coolcatteacher wherever you connect! See you later educator!
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