
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.
Latest episodes

Mar 1, 2021 • 13min
How to Close the Learning Gap
Students are returning to school and teachers and administrators know a learning gap is there. What do we do about it? How do we close the gap without stressing everyone out? Turnaround principal Rachael George tells us how. Check out the show notes: www.coolcatteacher.com/e725/ Today’s sponsor: Advancement Courses. Choose from over 280 online graduate-level PD courses in 20 subject areas that are self-paced with up to six months to complete. Go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat and save 20% off each course by using the code COOL20. That’s just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. You can also receive graduate credit through CAEP and regionally accredited university partners for continuing education requirements. Never stop learning! Dr. Rachael George - Bio as Submitted From fighting wildland fires with the U.S. Forest Service to putting out fires in the classroom, education was the last place that Rachael thought she’d end up. It wasn’t until a hard conversation with a base manager in Grangeville, Idaho did Rachael realize she needed to put her chainsaw down and make a bigger impact on the world. Rachael is a member of the ASCD Emerging Leaders Class of 2015, an NAESP Fellow, and currently serves as the principal of Sandy Grade School in the Oregon Trail School District. Over the past six years, Sandy Grade School has moved from being one of the lowest-ranked elementary schools in the state of Oregon to performing in the top 20% of elementary schools. Sandy Grade School has been recognized by the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE) as a Model School for closing the achievement gap. Prior to serving as an elementary principal, she was a middle school principal of an “outstanding” and two-time “Level 5: Model School” as recognized by the State of Oregon. Rachael specializes in curriculum development, instructional improvement as well as working with at-risk students and closing the achievement gap. Connect with Rachael on Twitter @DrRachaelGeorge. www.drrrachaelgeorge.com 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."

Feb 24, 2021 • 13min
Distracted: Why Students Can't Focus and What You Can Do About It
Dr. James Lang has six recommendations in this podcast about how we can better understand student attention and how we can get their attention while we teach - even when teaching online. This important topic will help all of us become better teachers in challenging times. Check out the show notes and links at www.coolcatteacher.com/e724 Today’s sponsor: Advancement Courses. Choose from over 280 online graduate-level PD courses in 20 subject areas that are self-paced with up to six months to complete. Go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat and save 20% off each course by using the code COOL20. That’s just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. You can also receive graduate credit through CAEP and regionally accredited university partners for continuing education requirements. Never stop learning! Dr. James Lang - Bio as Submitted James M. Lang is a Professor of English and the Director of the D’Amour Center for Teaching Excellence at Assumption College in Worcester, MA. He is the author of six books, the most recent of which are Distracted: Why Students Can’t Focus and What You Can Do About It (Basic Books, 2020), Small Teaching Online: Applying Science in Online Classes (2019) Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning (Jossey-Bass, 2016), and Cheating Lessons: Learning from Academic Dishonesty (Harvard University Press, 2013). Lang writes a monthly column on teaching and learning for The Chronicle of Higher Education; his work has been appearing in the Chronicle since 1999. He has conducted workshops on teaching for faculty at more than a hundred colleges or high schools in the US and abroad, and consulted for the United Nations on the development of teaching materials in ethics and integrity. He has a BA in English and Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame, an MA in English from St. Louis University, and a Ph.D. in English from Northwestern University. Dr. Lang's Website: www.jamesmlang.com Dr. Lang's Twitter: @LangOnCourse 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."

Feb 22, 2021 • 12min
Creating Fun Family & Classroom Experiences for Kids Online #723
We can create fun ways to enjoy time with our families online in Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, and more. Today's guest, Sandi Johnson, is an IT Integrator in Indianapolis. She has created fun events for neighbors and families as well as her students to celebrate and grow closer during this time. If you are wondering how to connect with your family in new ways, listen to this show and plan some fun family events. Check out the show notes and links at www.coolcatteacher.com/e723 Today’s sponsor: Advancement Courses. Choose from over 280 online graduate-level PD courses in 20 subject areas that are self-paced with up to six months to complete. Go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat and save 20% off each course by using the code COOL20. That’s just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. You can also receive graduate credit through CAEP and regionally accredited university partners for continuing education requirements. Never stop learning! Sandi Johnson - Bio as Submitted Sandi is a technology integrator at Park Tudor School in Indianapolis, IN. Her career and family have allowed her to teach all over the country. She loves to follow the tech trends and develop activities with the teachers she works with. Sandi presented at ISTE last year, sharing her findings on brain research as it relates to tech use in the classroom. Sandi received a master’s degree in education from the University of Central Florida. For more of Sandi’s fun classroom and personal products, visit her at www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Sandi-Johnson. 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."

Feb 15, 2021 • 16min
5 Tips to Help Busy Teachers Stay Healthy - 722
Richard Byrne is a busy teacher. He teaches full time during the day. He writes his Free Tech for Teachers Blog. He's a father of two, and active in many online spaces. And yet -- he takes time to take care of himself. Today you·ll learn how to achieve better health and wellness with these tips and ideas. Check out the show notes and links at www.coolcatteacher.com/e722 Today’s sponsor: Advancement Courses. Choose from over 280 online graduate-level PD courses in 20 subject areas that are self-paced with up to six months to complete. Go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat and save 20% off each course by using the code COOL20. That’s just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. You can also receive graduate credit through CAEP and regionally accredited university partners for continuing education requirements. Never stop learning! Richard Byrne - Bio as Submitted Richard Byrne is the President of Byrne Instructional Media, LLC. which manages multiple websites and training programs for teachers. Richard is a former high school social studies teacher best known for developing the award-winning blog Free Technology for Teachers. He has been invited to speak at events on six continents and would gladly speak in Antarctica too. He also provides online training and guidance for teachers and technology coaches. https://practicaledtech.com @rmbyrne

Feb 8, 2021 • 12min
721 5 Ways to Build Trust Between Principals and Teachers
Things can be a little tense between teachers and the principals, but less in-person communication can put a real strain on those relationships, and eventually, turn into distrust. To alleviate those problems, today·s guest, Craig Randall, wrote Trust-Based Observations. His experience as a counselor, coach, teacher, and principal in the US and overseas led him to develop the Trust-Based Observations model of observation and evaluation based on building trusting relationships between the principal and teacher that sparks teacher risk-taking and innovation. Today’s sponsor: Advancement Courses. Choose from over 280 online graduate-level PD courses in 20 subject areas that are self-paced with up to six months to complete. Go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat and save 20% off each course by using the code COOL20. That’s just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. You can also receive graduate credit through CAEP and regionally accredited university partners for continuing education requirements. Never stop learning! Craig Randall - Bio as Submitted Craig Randall is the author of Trust-Based Observations. His experience as a counselor, coach, teacher, and principal at schools in the US and overseas led him to develop and then write Trust-Based Observations, a model of observation and evaluation focused on building trusting relationships between principal and teacher that spark teacher risk-taking and innovation, and result in teaching and learning growth. Currently, Craig consults and trains schools on the model. www.trustbased.com @TrustbasedCraig 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."

Feb 2, 2021 • 14min
720 Teaching Python - How Even Younger Children Can Get an Early Start
Teaching coding can be challenging and expensive, but our guests Sean and Kelly have a solution. We can start teaching the second most popular coding language - Python - in our schools. Kelly Schuster-Paredes and Sean Tibor host the Teaching Python Podcast where they share how to help kids of all ages learn this valuable language. Before you think it is too hard or too difficult, you'll want to hear their story about how Kelly is a teacher who became a coder and Sean is a coder who became a teacher and how it can be done at your school as well. Sponsor: It’s a new year and time to plan your professional development with Advancement Courses. They offer over 280 online graduate-level PD courses in 20 subject areas. They are online and self-paced, so you can take them anywhere, any time with up to six months to complete. Receive graduate credit through CAEP and regionally accredited university partners or for continuing education units that meet your state requirements. And right now, you can save 20% off each course with the code COOL20 — that’s just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. Go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat and use the coupon code COOL20. Kelly Schuster-Paredes - Bio as Submitted Kelly Schuster-Paredes is a mom, world traveler and a netizen. She loves learning about cultures and her children were born on two different continents. Kelly has a Masters in Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology. She has taught all over the world and specializes in curriculum design, coaching and development. She got started with integrating technology in the classroom in 2003 and dabbled with app design in File Maker and HTML. She currently teaches sixth and seventh grade computer science at Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This is her third year using Python. Sean Tibor - Bio as Submitted Sean is a dad, coder, teacher, geek, marketer, salmon enthusiast, Star Wars fan, and 3D-printing nut living in Florida. Prior to teaching, he has worked in IT and marketing for [Procter & Gamble](https://www.pg.com), Kaplan University (now [Purdue University Global](https://www.purdueglobal.edu/)), and [Diagnostic Centers of America](http://www.dcamedical.com). Sean is the founder of [Red Reef Digital](https://www.redreefdigital.com), a digital marketing consulting firm and is a certified [HubSpot](https://www.hubspot.com) partner. He has a bachelor's and master's degree in information systems from [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.cmu.edu) in Pittsburgh, PA.

Feb 2, 2021 • 15min
719 Edupreneur Rising - How Educators Are Creating Side Hustles for Profit and Purpose with Dr. Will Deymaport
In today's episode, Dr. Will Deymaport talks about the trends, topics, and timeliness of something called, edupreneurship. Teachers everywhere are doing some inventive things to make ends meet. In March 2019, Dr. Will made a documentary The Edupreneur. Learn about the trends shaping how educators work and make money now besides their classroom work. Sponsor: It’s a new year and time to plan your professional development with Advancement Courses. They offer over 280 online graduate-level PD courses in 20 subject areas. They are online and self-paced, so you can take them anywhere, any time with up to six months to complete. Receive graduate credit through CAEP and regionally accredited university partners or for continuing education units that meet your state requirements. And right now, you can save 20% off each course with the code COOL20 — that’s just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. Go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat and use the coupon code COOL20. Dr. Will Deymaport - Bio As Submitted As seen on Forbes.com, Schoology Exchange, District Administration, EdSurge, iNACOL, and TechEdge magazine, Will Deyamport, III, Ed.D. is an entrepreneurial educator who specializes in assisting educators in going digital. Dr. Will, as he is better known as, is a podcaster, writer, documentary filmmaker, and District Instructional Technologist for Hattiesburg Public School District. Dr. Will is the creator and host of The Dr. Will Show where he interviews educators and entrepreneurs on leveling up. In March of 2019, EduMatch Publishing released Dr. Will’s first documentary, The Edupreneur. The video explores the lives and careers of eight educators who have become educational consultants. You can find the documentary on Vimeo OnDemand as well as Amazon Prime. Blog: https://thedrwillshowpodcast.simplecast.com/ Twitter: @iamDrWill

Jan 28, 2021 • 12min
718 - The 5 Minute Lesson Plan with Ross McGill
In today's episode, Ross McGill, shares his powerful 5 minute lesson plan format that the UK Department of Education has listed as a best practice for teacher effectiveness and time savings. His tips will save you some valuable time. Teachers can spend hours typing up and writing a lesson plan that takes just 30 or 45 minutes to share! Ross McGill gives us a better way. See: The 5 Minute Lesson Plan to download resources and watch more about how to follow this technique. Sponsor: Join me at the upcoming insightful online conference, Engage 2021 sponsored by Kognity! I’ll be sharing my 50+ ways to use technology in the classroom updated with new tools and tips for the challenges of teaching in 2021. Many of your favorite speakers including George Couros, Eric Sheninger, Monica Burns and David Geurin, and more will be sharing their expert tips with you. Engage 2021 is a must-attend online event for educators. To register for this event, and to find out more about the speakers, go to engage.kognity.com/register. This is going to be a fantastic event where we can share experiences and explore new digital possibilities! I hope you’ll join me on February 4 for Engage 2021 sponsored by Kognity! Ross McGill - Bio as Submitted Ross works with pupils, teachers and school leaders across the world, supporting teaching and learning, workload and mental health. A former deputy headteacher, he has been teaching for 27 years working in some of the most challenging secondary schools in London. In 2015, he was nominated as one of the ‘500 Most Influential People in Britain’ by The Sunday Times as a result of being most influential in the field of education. He remains the only classroom teacher to feature to this day... https://www.teachertoolkit.co.uk/ross-morrison-mcgill/?ad=20190130learnaboutrossmpu Twitter: @TeacherToolkit

Jan 22, 2021 • 13min
717 A Look Back at 2020 Teaching What It Means for 2021 with Pamela Livingston Gaudet
Yes, 2020 has been a year like no other, and today's guest, Pamela Livingston Guadet, interviewed a wide variety of school tech directors to hear their stories of triage teaching during the COVID-19 emergency. Today, she shares their wisdom, including the positives, negatives, the things that shocked her, and what her research shows that everyone should know about moving forward in 2021. Pamela is the author of the book, “Like No Other School Year: 2020, COVID-19 and the Growth of Online Learning." Sponsor: It’s a new year and time to plan your professional development with Advancement Courses. They offer over 280 online graduate-level PD courses in 20 subject areas. They are online and self-paced, so you can take them anywhere, any time with up to six months to complete. Receive graduate credit through CAEP and regionally accredited university partners or for continuing education units that meet your state requirements. And right now, you can save 20% off each course with the code COOL20 -- that’s just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. Go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat and use the coupon code COOL20. www.coolcatteacher.com/e717 Pamela Livingston Gaudet - Bio As Submitted Pamela (Livingston) Gaudet is the author of “Like No Other School Year: 2020, COVID-19 and the Growth of Online Learning” For the book, Pamela interviewed public, independent and international school technology directors to hear their stories of triage teaching during the COVID-19 emergency including what was important and what is still needed for online learning. Pamela was a technology director and teacher at public, charter and independent schools and then moved to education technology companies where she built products used by millions of students in K-12 schools. 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."

Jan 20, 2021 • 12min
Episode 716 Google Jamboard 2021 Update with Tom Mullaney
One of the most popular shows of 2018 was with Tom Mullaney on Google Jamboard so we've updated it for 2021! In this show, Tom shows us how teachers are using Google Jamboard, why it is so popular, and how you can use it to teach. Let's Jam! Sponsor: It’s a new year and time to plan your professional development with Advancement Courses. They offer over 280 online graduate-level PD courses in 20 subject areas. They are online and self-paced, so you can take them anywhere, any time with up to six months to complete. Receive graduate credit through CAEP and regionally accredited university partners or for continuing education units that meet your state requirements. And right now, you can save 20% off each course with the code COOL20 -- that’s just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. Go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat and use the coupon code COOL20. www.coolcatteacher.com/e716 Tom Mullaney - Bio As Submitted Tom Mullaney is a Digital Learning Integration Designer for the San Francisco Unified School District. Tom’s education experience includes Special Education, Social Studies, and educational technology coaching in New York, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. He is a Google for Education Certified Innovator and Trainer. Tom hosts the Sustainable Teaching Podcast where he interviews teachers about their careers and passions. Connect with him on Twitter, @TomEMullaney. Blog: https://tommullaney.com/