10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher

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 https://www.coolcatteacher.com/ailiteracyday2025 

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: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e885

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: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e884 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!

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: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e883

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: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e882  

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: 🔗 https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e881 📩 Subscribe & Follow The 10-Minute Teacher Podcast: 🎙️ Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube Let’s transform student behavior—without just handing out suspensions!

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: coolcatteacher.com/e880

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!

Discover how to revolutionize student support with RTI (Response to Intervention) and MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) in this expert-led episode. Mike Mattos, an internationally recognized educator, author, and co-creator of the RTI at Work™ model, shares proven strategies to help schools ensure every learner thrives. Drawing from decades of experience as a teacher, principal, and thought leader in professional learning communities, Mike breaks down practical tips, common mistakes to avoid, and insights for building a powerful framework of student success. Whether you're a teacher, principal, or district leader, this episode is packed with actionable advice to make RTI and MTSS work in your school. Learn more about Mike Mattos, his books, and resources at www.coolcatteacher.com/rti-mtss.

Discover how to break free from algorithmic echo chambers and reclaim your personalized news feed. In this episode, William “Coach” Jeffery, an experienced educator and innovator, shares insights on using tools like Flipboard and the Fediverse to curate reliable, authentic, and diverse content for educators. Learn how to overcome filter bubbles, follow relevant hashtags, and amplify your professional learning with human-curated tools. Whether you're an educator or someone curious about alternative approaches to consuming news, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and inspiring discussions. Episode Highlights Include: How Flipboard supports personalized, algorithm-free content curation. The role of the Fediverse in expanding digital reach and connectivity. Practical tips for educators to curate professional learning resources. Perfect for K–12 teachers, administrators, and EdTech enthusiasts who want to stay informed without algorithmic constraints. Listen now and start breaking the algorithm today! Show notes: www.coolcatteacher.com/e877