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 enthusiastic writers. Discover how to encourage creativity and self-expression in your classroom for all grades. Show notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e869  Questions Answered in This Show: What are the best free writing apps for classrooms, including tools like Book Creator? How can teachers use interactive strategies to make writing more engaging? Why is sharing writing with an authentic audience crucial for student motivation? How can speech-to-text tools support struggling writers? What role does student choice play in creating excitement for writing projects? How do graphic organizers help students overcome writer's block? How can teachers balance the demands of teaching foundational skills with writing practice? Key Takeaways: Free Apps for Writing: Explore tools like Book Creator, Canva, and Google Docs to enable multimodal storytelling and provide accessibility options such as speech-to-text. Interactive Strategies: Foster excitement with activities like project pitches, peer feedback, and sharing stories with family or classmates. Practical Tips: Encourage frequent writing through journaling, passion projects, and low-pressure feedback to build confidence. Authentic Experiences: Showcase student work with tools like eBooks, digital displays, and class libraries to celebrate their creativity. Sponsor: Book Creator Book Creator is my favorite tool for teaching writing and promoting student creativity! With its user-friendly platform, students can create vibrant eBooks featuring text, images, audio, and even video. ✅ Get 3 months FREE of Book Creator Premium with the code COOLCATTEACHER! 🎨 Connect directly to Canva, personalize books, and ignite a love for writing in your classroom. 👉 Learn more about how Book Creator can improve literacy in your classroom! Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. While I was compensated by Book Creator, all opinions expressed here are my own. I only share tools I personally use and believe will benefit my audience.

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 Structures: Step-by-step plans for read-alouds, shared reading, phonics, and close reading. Art Meets Science: How structured lessons allow teachers to bring creativity and adaptability into their reading instruction. Emerging Research Areas: What’s next in reading comprehension, engagement, and the role of executive functioning in literacy? Tune in to get inspired and equipped with tools to make reading instruction more engaging, manageable, and impactful. Perfect for teachers, administrators, and anyone passionate about literacy education. Show notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e868

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: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e867  

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 What Makes a Great Principal: The Five Pillars of Effective Leadership out this year. (You can listen to my earlier interview with George 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, emphasizing his proactive rather than reactive philosophy. We talked about his strategies to build trust with teachers and how he uses observations positively. (I like his philosophy of observations; that is what the tweet was about in the first place.) He also discusses how he builds positive relationships with students in a way that improves student culture. This is a unique interview in that I see this firsthand and know the positive results it has when principals leave their offices, walk the halls, and spend time in classrooms. This approach is powerful, and it works! Show notes and transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e866 Disclosure of Material Connection: This episode includes some affiliate links. This means that if you choose to buy I will be paid a commission on the affiliate program. However, this is at no additional cost to you.  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.” This company has no impact on the editorial content of the show.

Lana Penley, an advocate for supporting students and educators during crises, shares her powerful journey of transformation after her school burned down. She emphasizes that healing is crucial before academics can resume, highlighting the importance of community and connection. Penley discusses the impact of social and emotional learning, showcasing strategies like mindfulness that help students manage anxiety. By prioritizing emotional well-being, schools can foster engaged students, reduce teacher burnout, and enhance overall educational outcomes.

George Couros, a recognized educator and author, shares insights from his latest book on effective school leadership. He discusses the five pillars that make a great principal, focusing on building relationships and fostering a collaborative school environment. Couros emphasizes the importance of servant leadership and how principals can support teacher growth. He also highlights the impact of a principal’s presence in the classroom on culture and performance, providing vital lessons for educators and aspiring leaders alike.

Dr. Nash, an expert on student engagement through creative play, shares insights into how play-based learning revitalizes interest in education, especially post-pandemic. With data from over 6,000 surveys, he highlights alarming levels of student disengagement and the benefits of hands-on, playful experiences. Learn how teachers can integrate enjoyable, purpose-driven activities across all grades, balance fun with learning objectives, and tackle real-world classroom challenges. Engage students and cultivate a love for learning!

Nicki Slaugh, a trailblazing principal at Quest Academy Junior High, discusses her groundbreaking work in personalized competency-based learning. She shares her successful strategies for transforming student engagement and raising test scores through innovative practices. Nicki highlights the importance of fostering a positive school culture and empowering both teachers and students with choice in their learning. She also addresses the role of technology in her approach and offers valuable advice for schools looking to implement similar changes.

Join us as Pam Allyn, a renowned literacy expert and author of influential books such as Every Child a Super Reader, shares her unique insights on how teachers can foster a love of reading in their students. She not only defines the Science of Reading movement but also addresses concerns from critics who fear it might diminish the role of skilled teachers. Pam discusses common mistakes in how many students are taught reading and shares practical strategies for teachers to improve reading instructional methods. Whether you're a veteran educator, parent, or new to teaching, this episode is packed with practical advice and strategies to help you inspire your students to become lifelong readers. Questions Answered in this Episode What is the science of reading movement, and how does it benefit students? How can teachers balance phonics instruction and fostering a love of reading? What common mistakes do schools make when teaching reading, and how can they be avoided? H ow can teachers integrate writing into their reading instruction to enhance literacy? What practical strategies can teachers implement to make phonics and fluency instruction more engaging for students? Show notes and full bio of the guest: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e861 Sponsor: EVERFI from Blackbaud Do you want to equip your students for success in both their careers and personal lives, but find yourself racing against the clock? EVERFI is your go-to solution! Their entire suite of K-12 products aligns with state standards and has earned the prestigious ISTE Seal. These digital lessons are crafted to empower your students to excel in our dynamic world. Engage and inspire with interactive, self-paced lessons, meticulously designed by content experts. From financial literacy and workforce readiness to character building, mental health and prevention education – these lessons are tailored for students across all grade levels. Best of all, thanks to EVERFI’s generous partners, these research-based resources come at no cost to all K-12 schools, districts and students. Visit everfi.com/coolcat to get started today for free. 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."

How can teachers without a computer science background effectively teach the subject? What does effective Computer Science professional development look like? Today, Omar Shepherd from California shares how they are seeking to train teachers in California with the Seasons of CS program to do just that. Computer Science can be integrated into any subject. Furthermore, Computer Science for everyone is a strategic issue for states and countries. Omar shares the importance of Computer Science and how California computer science teachers like him are working to reach more teachers with the knowledge they need to integrate computer science. Show notes and full bio of the guest: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e860 Sponsor: EVERFI from Blackbaud Do you want to equip your students for success in both their careers and personal lives, but find yourself racing against the clock? EVERFI is your go-to solution! Their entire suite of K-12 products aligns with state standards and has earned the prestigious ISTE Seal. These digital lessons are crafted to empower your students to excel in our dynamic world. Engage and inspire with interactive, self-paced lessons, meticulously designed by content experts. From financial literacy and workforce readiness to character building, mental health and prevention education – these lessons are tailored for students across all grade levels. Best of all, thanks to EVERFI’s generous partners, these research-based resources come at no cost to all K-12 schools, districts and students. Visit everfi.com/coolcat to get started today for free.   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."