
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

Aug 27, 2020 • 10min
Epic E-Book of WebTools
Kristina Holzweiss shares plain and simple terms some of the most timesaving, enriching online resources available to teachers today. www.coolcatteacher.com/e695 Sponsor: Wipebook Flipchart Wipebook is an excellent solution for educators, no matter where you’re teaching. Check out Wipebook Flipchart at www.wipebook.com/coolcatteacher. These flipcharts make it SO easy to snap a picture and upload it to your Google Drive or Dropbox for quick sharing with your students and they are reusable dry erase surfaces you can use again and again. Features like dark, easy-to-see borders and the Wipebook Scan App make it simple to use. Go to wipebook.com/coolcatteacher right now -- and receive 30% off your order. Wipebook flipchart is a fantastic addition to your classroom teaching toolkit - especially if you’re teaching from home. Resources Mentioned in the Show Epic book of Web Tools and Apps The Digital Librarians Survival Toolkit Kristina Holzweiss - Bio as Submitted Kristina A. Holzweiss is a high school educational technology enrichment specialist on Long Island, New York. She shares ideas and resources about her school library and makerspaces on her website http://www.bunheadwithducttape.com/. Kristina was named the School Library Journal Librarian of the Year in 2015, a National School Board 2016 - 2017 "20 to Watch" emerging education technology leader, and a 2018 Library Journal Mover & Shaker. She is also the winner of the 2015 NYSCATE Lee Bryant Outstanding Teacher Award and 2015 Long Island Technology Summit Fred Podolski Leadership and Innovation Award. Kristina is the co-author of "Hacking School Libraries: 10 Ways to Incorporate Library Media Centers into Your Learning Community," as well as two series of Scholastic makerspace books. She is an international speaker on the libraries and the Maker Movement, and has presented at conferences including ISTE, AASL, ALA, and NYSCATE. In 2016 she was invited to represent Long Island, NY in Washington, D.C. during the National Week of Making. Kristina is the Long Island Director of NYSCATE, an affiliate of ISTE, and the founder of SLIME - Students of Long Island Maker Expo. Website: www.bunheadwithducttape.com Twitter: @lieberrian 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."

Aug 26, 2020 • 10min
eSports: The Growing Extra-Curricular Activity NOW!
Believe it or not, gaming is gaining popularity in schools, not just as a pastime, but as part of curriculum. Dr. Kristy Custer is one of the pioneers of the video gaming movement in schools. Now is a great time to investigate esports as an extra-curricular activity that students can enjoy and remain at a distance. www.coolcatteacher.com/e694 Sponsor: This show is sponsored by Advancement Courses. Advancement Courses is a leader in online professional development, with over 280 courses in 20 different subjects, including topics like online instruction, social-emotional learning, and diversity, equity and inclusion. This back to school season, they’re partnering with DonorsChoose and donating 10% of all sales to help fund projects every day until September 25. Visit advancementcourses.com/give to learn more and submit your project for a chance to get funded.When you purchase your PD from Advancement Courses use the code COOL20 to receive 20% off your course. Dr. Kristy Custer - Bio as Submitted Dr. Kristy Custer has been a public educator for almost 25 years. She is currently the principal at Complete High School Maize in Kansas. Over the past 20 years, she has helped lead the CHSM team to state and national honors including a Crystal Star Award for Dropout Prevention Schools, Civic Advocacy Award, Promising Practice Award, and being named a National School of Character. Dr. Custer is a leader in character education and civic advocacy. The Kansas Health Foundation named her a Civic Health Hero, and the Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals named her the 2018 Principal of the Year. Dr. Custer, has written multiple curriculum guides including:186 Days of Character, Gaming Concepts, and most recently she was part of the team called upon by the Kansas State Department of Education that helped write Kansas’ Continuation Learning Plan during the Covid-19 school shutdown. Website: www.usd266.com/chsm Twitter: @CompleteHSM 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."

Aug 25, 2020 • 12min
Love Letter to Teachers: Boundaries, Good Health and Encouragement
Hello teachers, you are not alone! Shannon Reed knows all about the importance of setting boundaries and self-care and gives you encouragement to survive and thrive this fall. Let's work hard and teach well - our students need us. And as my husband told me just last weekend, "if you don't take care of yourself, no one else will!" www.coolcatteacher.com/e693 Sponsor: This show is sponsored by Advancement Courses. Advancement Courses is a leader in online professional development, with over 280 courses in 20 different subjects, including topics like online instruction, social-emotional learning, and diversity, equity and inclusion. This back to school season, they’re partnering with DonorsChoose and donating 10% of all sales to help fund projects every day until September 25. Visit advancementcourses.com/give to learn more and submit your project for a chance to get funded.When you purchase your PD from Advancement Courses use the code COOL20 to receive 20% off your course. Shannon Reed - Bio as Submitted Shannon Reed is the author of Why Did I Get a B? And Other Mysteries We're Discussing in the Faculty Lounge, a book of essays and humor about her twenty-year teaching career, which has taken her from teaching preschool in Western Pennsylvania to teaching English and theatre at a Brooklyn public high school. She frequently contributes to The New Yorker and McSweeney's Internet Tendency, and her work has been published at The Paris Review, Slate, and the Washington Post, among many others. Shannon is now a Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Pittsburgh. You can read more about her and her work at her website. 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."

Aug 24, 2020 • 11min
How to Create a Safe and Uplifting Classroom Environment this Fall with Joseph Hamer
We don't know what the future holds but we know there are things we can do to help children cope with anxiety. We also know there are things we can do to be prepared for distance learning. Joseph Hamer, a second-grade teacher from Wichita Kansas, and author of Brain Awakes joins Vicki to discuss how to help students and teachers cope with anxiety and stress and how to create a safe and uplifting classroom this fall. Sponsor: This show is sponsored by Advancement Courses. Advancement Courses is a leader in online professional development, with over 280 courses in 20 different subjects, including topics like online instruction, social-emotional learning, and diversity, equity and inclusion. This back to school season, they’re partnering with DonorsChoose and donating 10% of all sales to help fund projects every day until September 25. Visit advancementcourses.com/give to learn more and submit your project for a chance to get funded.When you purchase your PD from Advancement Courses use the code COOL20 to receive 20% off your course. Joseph Hamer - Bio as Submitted Inspiring children to become aware of their greatest potential is why Joseph chose the path of an educator. Mr. Hamer is known by his colleagues for creating a safe and uplifting environment for his students to continuously learn and grow. To further expand his ability to positively impact children, Joseph is currently pursuing his master's degree in administration. After beginning his own journey of awareness in 2017, Joseph started teaching his students how to monitor and manage their emotions using mindfulness. The activities made such an incredible impact on his classroom community each year that he knew he needed to develop a tool for teachers and parents to replicate the results. Thus, Joseph began his writing career to empower parents, teachers, and their children. Website: http://www.BrainAwakes.com Twitter: @MrJosephHamer 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."

Aug 20, 2020 • 11min
A 4 Part Distance Learning Instructional Framework that Works
Doug Fisher has some great ideas about how to schedule break-out rooms, practice time, and other hard-to-manage areas of distance learning. www.coolcatteacher.com/e691 Sponsor: This show is sponsored by Advancement Courses. Advancement Courses is a leader in online professional development, with over 280 courses in 20 different subjects, including topics like online instruction, social-emotional learning, and diversity, equity and inclusion. This back to school season, they’re partnering with DonorsChoose and donating 10% of all sales to help fund projects every day until September 25. Visit advancementcourses.com/give to learn more and submit your project for a chance to get funded.When you purchase your PD from Advancement Courses use the code COOL20 to receive 20% off your course. Doug Fisher - Bio as Submitted Doug Fisher is professor of educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High in San Diego, CA. He is the co-author of The Distance Learning Playbook, along with several other books. 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.

Aug 12, 2020 • 11min
Successful Distance Learning for Young Kids
You may be worried that the youngest kids can't learn at a distance, but Dr. Nancy Frey, co-author of the Distance Learning Playbook comes alongside us to help us understand how it can be done. From successful online meetings to screentime and essential things to include, Nancy encourages us to do what seems impossible. She also gives us some mistakes to avoid. We can reach the youngest students at a distance and support families. Thanks, Nancy for helping us learn how. www.coolcatteacher.com/e690 Sponsor: This show is sponsored by Advancement Courses. Advancement Courses is a leader in online professional development, with over 280 courses in 20 different subjects, including topics like online instruction, social-emotional learning, and diversity, equity and inclusion. This back to school season, they’re partnering with DonorsChoose and donating 10% of all sales to help fund projects every day until September 25. Visit advancementcourses.com/give to learn more and submit your project for a chance to get funded.When you purchase your PD from Advancement Courses use the code COOL20 to receive 20% off your course. Nancy Frey with Doug Fisher - Bio as Submitted We are professors at San Diego State University in Educational Leadership and focus on policies and practices in literacy and school leadership. For over two decades, our work has been dedicated to the knowledge and skills of caring teachers and school leaders needed to help students attain their goals and aspirations. Our shared interests include instructional design, curriculum development, and professional learning. We are co-authors of articles and books on literacy and leadership, including This is Balanced Literacy, The Teacher Clarity Playbook, PLC+: Better Decision and Greater Impact by Design, Comprehension: The Thrill, Will and Skill, The Teacher Credibility and Collective Efficacy Playbook, and most recently The Distance Learning Playbook. In 2007, with our colleague and friend Ian Pumpian, we founded Health Sciences High and Middle College, an award-winning open-enrollment public school in the City Heights neighborhood of San Diego. There we learn from students, teachers, and families every day. We strive to have an impact in everything we do! 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.

Jul 24, 2020 • 16min
7 Things to Consider as We Return to Learn This Fall
As we prepare to learn this fall, we need to consider some teaching best practices. In this episode we cover quite a few topics: What the fall will look like (we think) How to plan for instruction How to differentiate online instruction Blended learning best practices How to support parents Using community resources to support your classroom Self Care This show includes sponsored content from Advancement Courses and is an advertorial. The 10 Minute Teacher only has several advertorials a year, but all editorial content is my own. I hope this helps you get started! www.coolcatteacher.com/e689 This show is sponsored by Advancement Courses and includes advertorial content from the sponsor. All editorial content is my own. When you purchase your PD from Advancement Courses use the code COOL20 to receive 20% off your course. Courses Mentioned in this Episode If you're interested in the topics mentioned in this show, here are some suggestions for professional development that may help you. Remember to use the code COOL20 to receive a 20% discount from this sponsor: Building Relationships in Online Learning How to Stop Playing Catch Up: Time Management for Teachers Designing Online Assessments for Students Better Teaching and Learning with Formative Assessment Flipping Your Classroom: Redefining Homework and Instruction Essential Classroom Technology for Teachers Building Parent Engagement Building Meaningful Partnerships: Connecting Schools, Families, and Communities Building Your School’s Brand Becoming a Calm, Happy Teacher From Burnout to Productivity: Creating a Path for Teacher Wellness Dawn Stansbury - Bio as Submitted I am currently working as an Instructional Designer for Advancement Courses, A Wiley Brand. I hold a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education, earned at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. My Masters Degree was earned at University of South Dakota in the area of Educational Administration. During my years of working in elementary education, I spent time as a classroom teacher as well as a school leader, all with the Sioux City Community School District in Sioux City, Iowa. I enjoyed teaching for six years in grades 2-5 as well as working as a reading specialist. Although I loved teaching children, I spent the next thirteen years of my career as the elementary principal of a K-5 school. During my time as an elementary principal I led my building of 700 students and 80 staff members to becoming one of the first elementary STEM schools in the state of Iowa, offering many specialized programs to our students. As a STEM school we were proud to have the 2017 Northwest Iowa STEM Teacher of the Year, as well as a state of Iowa Teacher of the Year top five finalist. I am passionate about offering educational opportunities to students and educators alike, realizing that the stronger teachers are, the better the learning opportunities for students. When we offer current and impactful learning to teachers, our students, families, and communities’ benefit. As an educational leader, I recognize that it is impossible for administrators to be all-knowing on all aspects of education. Advancement Courses offers valuable resources to educational leaders so that they can best meet the needs of their teachers and allowing those teachers to best meet the needs of their students. I am proud to be a part of providing these resources to the world of education so that we can more efficiently and appropriately differentiate the ways in which our educators are learning. 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.

Jul 20, 2020 • 12min
Morgan Green the Idea Machine with Ideas on How to Improve This Fall
Educator Morgan Green is an idea machine. Here she gives us the ways she's working to improve her classroom this fall. www.coolcatteacher.com/e688 Sponsor: Welcome TGR Foundation and Discovery Education as a sponsor to my podcast. For nearly 25 years, the TGR Foundation, a Tiger Woods Charity, visualized a world where opportunity is universal and potential is limitless. Their mission is to empower students to pursue their passions through education - instilling in them the strength and skills to persevere and define their own path. Their award-winning curricula has already reached more than one million students. Now in the age of COVID-19 the TGR Foundation and Discovery Education introduce the first module in a new series of no-cost digital professional learning resources, empowering educators with new strategies to support student success far beyond school campuses. The PD series provides every educator, especially those from under-resourced communities, the access and materials needed to transform teaching during COVID-19 and beyond. Check it out at coolcatteacher.com/tgr. Morgan Green - Bio as Submitted Morgan Green is starting her seventh year of teaching high school social studies. Currently, she teaches AP U.S. History to 11th-grade students at Creekview High School in Canton, Georgia. She serves as Social Studies Department Chair and is a member of Creekview’s technology committee, instructional leadership team, and the district’s Advanced Placement (AP) collaborative workgroup. Additionally, Morgan is involved at her school by serving as the founder and advisor for Creekview’s Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society chapter and group leader for Education First (EF) International Tours that she takes with her students each summer. Morgan presented in Fall 2019 at the Advanced Placement (AP) Regional Conference in Georgia and the Georgia Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference where she shared engaging ways to bring history to life using technology tools in the classroom. Morgan earned her master’s degree in instructional technology and her specialist degree in curriculum and instruction with endorsements in gifted, online learning, and leadership. 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.

Jul 15, 2020 • 13min
Practical Strategies for Flipping Our Classroom this Fall
Blended learning and distance learning will be different this fall. Dig into flipping your classroom and how it looks when you teach effectively in an online classroom. How do you use video effectively? www.coolcatteacher.com/e687 Kate Baker - Bio as Submitted Kate Baker, M.Ed and MAIT, is the Senior Community Engagement Manager at Edmodo, a former high school English teacher with 20+ years of classroom experience, board member of the Flipped Learning Network, & contributing author of Flipping 2.0: Practical Strategies for Flipping Your Classroom. Passionate about evolving authentic learning into digital formats, Kate leads by example and shares her expertise with the global Edmodo Community and on Twitter @KtBkr4. 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.

Jul 10, 2020 • 34min
Courageous Conversations: Let's Talk about Fighting Racism with Dr. Andrea Dozier and Vicki Davis
Today, the topic of racism has brought about discussions of not only organizational reform but also reform in our personal perceptions. Today, Dr. Andrea Dozier and I will talk about hope in the midst of understanding. We approach this topic with humility and sincerity and I hope as you listen to our perspectives of being two different women living in the southern United States that we might come away realizing that we’re not as different as we might think. In this podcast, we share our thoughts about working with others, dealing with injustice, and standing for positive change. Andrea is a friend and she also has a blog that I recommend "Strength for Your Mountain Diaries." Check out Andrea and let me know on Twitter what you think. www.coolcatteacher.com/e686 Dr. Andrea Dozier - Bio as Submitted Dr. Andrea Dozier has been providing instruction in higher education for over 18 years. She is currently employed as an assistant professor of nursing and undergraduate pre-licensure clinical coordinator at Albany State University. She is also a Faculty Internationalization Fellow. Dr. Dozier is certified in online instruction and serves as hybrid nursing program professor, graduate faculty member, and mentor. She is a published author whose research interests include teacher efficacy, instructional methodologies, and course design in nursing education. Dr. Dozier received her Associate of Science in Nursing in 1995 from Darton State College, Bachelor of Science from Georgia Southwestern State University (2004), Master’s from Albany State University (2012), and Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Valdosta State University (2018). Dr. Dozier is a member of the Georgia Association for Nursing Education and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for Nursing. Blog: https://strengthforyourmountaindiaries.blogspot.com/ Instagram: @strengthforyourmountaindiaries Twitter: @strengthforyou1