The Balance, by Dr. Catlin Tucker

In this episode, I chat with Suzy Evans and Dr. Shane Saeed about how learner agency, metacognition, and assessment can work together rather than be siloed or disconnected. We explored what the science of learning tells us about helping students take more ownership of their thinking and how teachers can design routines that make assessment something they do with students, not to them. Shane and Susie shared concrete strategies they use in classrooms across their district, along with insights from hosting their popular podcast, Vrainwaves. They also talked about what it looks like to seek balance while juggling so many roles in education. This episode brings the pieces together for anyone trying to make their practice feel more connected and purposeful. Click here to check out SchoolAI!   Episode Resources X: @‌drshanesaeed  Instagram handle: @‌drshanesaeed X: @‌SuzannahEvans2 LinkedIn: Suzy Evans

In this episode, I dig into one of the most common challenges teachers face when using the Station Rotation Model: managing noise while maintaining meaningful collaboration. I walk through six quiet, high-engagement collaborative routines—from virtual scavenger hunts to shared visual artifacts—that help students think together without the chaos. These strategies are easy to set up, work across subjects, and support deeper learning in secondary classrooms. I also share tips for balancing station types and setting clear expectations so teachers can stay focused on their small-group instruction. If you want rotations that run smoothly and keep students engaged, this episode gives you concrete moves to try tomorrow. Click here to check out SchoolAI! Episode Resources Related Blog: Station Rotation: 6 Silent Collaborative Activities for Secondary Classrooms Googlel Slides Scavenger Hunt The Station Rotation Model & UDL: Elevate Tier 1 Instruction and Cultivate Learner Agency

In this episode, I talk about using video strategically for explanations or models that we plan to present the same way for all students, and that they often need to revisit. I dig into the common concerns teachers raise about video and explain why it can actually remove barriers that live instruction sometimes creates. I share strategies that turn watching into an active, collaborative experience so students are thinking, talking, and making meaning together. I also explain how this shift frees teachers to support individuals and small groups while keeping the whole class engaged. This episode is all about moving from delivery to discovery and designing classroom experiences that let students take a more active role in their learning. Episode Resources Click here to check out SchoolAI! Related Blog: Using Video for Tier 1 Instruction: From Passive Watching to Active Learning

In this episode, I talk with Matt Graham, an award-winning educator and the digital media specialist for Chesapeake Public Schools. Matt shares how he first used podcasting with middle school students, then expanded that work and eventually led efforts to create a districtwide podcast focused on clear, consistent communication with families and the larger community. We dig into the origin story, the early challenges, and the systems he put in place to get the district podcast off the ground. Matt also talks about how this work has helped the district build trust, highlight student and staff voices, and strengthen the connection between schools and the community. It’s a practical look at how one district is using podcasting to open doors and keep families informed. Episode Resources Check out Chesepeake Public Schools' Podcast Amplified Connect with Matt Graham on LinkedIn

In this episode, I explore how we can make Tier 1 whole group instruction more intentional, engaging, and effective for every learner. I share how chunking content into manageable segments prevents cognitive overload and keeps students engaged in their learning, rather than passive listeners. I share how cooperative learning strategies, like Numbered Heads Together, can transform teacher-led lessons into rich opportunities for thinking, dialogue, and collaboration. Finally, I unpack how Depth of Knowledge (DOK) questions can deepen thinking and move students beyond recall to reasoning and application. If you’re ready to strengthen your Tier 1 instruction and reach more learners, this episode is for you! Related Blog: Making Tier 1 Whole Group Instruction More Effective: Chunking, Cooperative Learning, and DOK Questions [Resource] Numbered Heads Together (NHT) Cooperative Learning Strategy

In this episode, I share how a simple seating chart can transform the Station Rotation Model into a more focused and productive learning experience. I talk about how intentional grouping can minimize distractions, strengthen collaboration, and make it easier to assign a facilitator or group leader at each station. I also offer tips for displaying groups and numbering stations so both teachers and students can navigate rotations smoothly and stay on task. Episode Resources Related Blog Grouper — Grouping Tool  [Template] Grouping Sheet  [Template] Grouping Display

In this episode, I chat with Christine Feenstra, Executive Director of the California Association for Leading Innovation in Education (CALIE)—formerly known as CUE—about the organization’s evolution and rebrand. Christine shares the why behind the shift, how her team engaged educators and stakeholders throughout the process, and what this change means for the community moving forward. We discuss CALIE’s renewed mission to inspire learning, empower educators, and expand access to professional growth opportunities. Episode Resources JoinCALIE.org Linkedin Twitter/x Facebook Instagram

In this episode, I explore how AI can make differentiation not only doable but sustainable. I share how I use AI tools to support differentiation across content, process, product, and learning environment—helping teachers meet diverse learner needs without doubling their workload. From creating leveled texts and choice boards to designing asset-based rubrics and flexible online spaces, I highlight practical ways AI can enhance equity and efficiency. My goal is to help you spend less time prepping and more time connecting with students as learners. Related Blog

Differentiation doesn’t have to mean creating 30 different versions of a lesson. In this episode, I unpack what differentiation really looks like in practice and why it’s essential in today’s diverse classrooms. I share examples from elementary, middle, and high school to show how teachers can adjust content, process, product, and learning environment to make learning more accessible and engaging for every student. You’ll hear how small, intentional design choices can strengthen Tier 1 instruction, reduce the need for intervention, and make teaching more sustainable over time. Related Blog: Differentiation in Action: Why It Matters, What It Is, and How It Works

In this episode of The Balance, Jessica Vance joins me to discuss her new book, Evidence of Inquiry: Exploring, Questioning, and Documenting with Learning Walls. We explore what it means to “follow your learners” and how inquiry shifts the way teachers engage students around the topics and concepts at the center of the curriculum. Jessica unpacks the purpose and power of learning walls, explaining how they make student thinking visible, create space for collaborative meaning-making, and even serve as professional playgrounds for teachers themselves. Together, we reflect on the mindset, culture, and practical strategies that help both teachers and students embrace uncertainty, curiosity, and deeper learning. Episode Resources Jessica’s Instagram: @‌jess_vanceedu Evidence of Inquiry: Exploring, Questioning, and Documenting with Learning Walls Leading with a Lens of Inquiry: Cultivating Conditions for Curiosity and Empowering Agency