10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher

Creativity is something that we have to nurture as teachers. In this blog post and episode, I share some of the ways I believe nurture creativity in students. See the show notes at www.coolcatteacher.com/582  Sponsor: The U.S. Toyota Dream Car Art Contest invites youth, ages 4-15, to submit their original hand-drawn artworks that answer the question, “If you could design a car to make the world a better place, what would it look like?” Artwork submissions for this free youth art contest are accepted this year from November 1, 2019, through January 31, 2020. Teachers can download a FREE K-12 standards-aligned lesson plan on car design that includes STEM concepts and art. Go to www.ToyotaDreamCarUSA.com/CoolCat to download artwork guidelines, an entry form, official rules, and the lesson plan today. Encourage your students to create Toyota Dream Car artworks today.   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."

Have you ever had a moment when your life changed? Perhaps it was a comment or it was a moment and although it may not have seemed to be anything to others around you, you experienced a seismic shift in how you viewed yourself. Dr. Michael Rousell studies these moments and relates them to neuroscience. Today he shares the surprising science behind the commonalities in these life-changing moments. As teachers, we hope to be part of these moments. You could say these small but very epic life-changing moments are the seconds that could take years of relationship building and effort to cultivate and then, light a bolt of lightning - it happens - and a child is transformed for the good. You'll want to learn to understand these moments as a teacher. This is one of those episodes to share and discuss due to the exciting impacts it can have in the life of children. www.coolcatteacher.com/e581  Sponsor: The U.S. Toyota Dream Car Art Contest invites youth, ages 4-15, to submit their original hand-drawn artworks that answer the question, “If you could design a car to make the world a better place, what would it look like?” Artwork submissions for this free youth art contest are accepted this year from November 1, 2019, through January 31, 2020. Teachers can download a FREE K-12 standards-aligned lesson plan on car design that includes STEM concepts and art.   Go to www.ToyotaDreamCarUSA.com/CoolCat to download artwork guidelines, an entry form, official rules, and the lesson plan today. Encourage your students to create Toyota Dream Car artworks today. Show Notes about Surprising Moments Most moments that transformed people were in moments that surprised people. Flattery doesn't work and seems to be "empty calories for kids.  " When you deliver a comment, make it declarative so it doesn't sound empty. Learn how to share comments in a way that can transform how a child views him or herself. What is a surprise from a neuroscience perspective and how does it help children change their views? How to pain struggles in the landscape of life. Michael Rousell, Ph.D. - Bio as Submitted I’m a teacher, associate professor, psychologist, and author. I taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. As an academic, I study formative moments, those events that instantly change what you believe about yourself. My next book is titled, The Power of Surprise: How Our Brain Secretly Changes Our Beliefs, (not yet published). My slogan: Whoever learns the most wins. You can see my recent TEDxSalem talk at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5O6mFWpgZo Blog: michaelrousell.com Articles: https://medium.com/age-of-awareness/how-do-you-craft-a-formative-moment-the-answer-is-literally-a-surprise-a9f55be67ed8 https://medium.com/age-of-awareness/how-a-single-comment-can-craft-or-slay-a-growth-mindset-48442dd1dd94 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."

Lynn Colón, co-author of Empowering Girls: Opening the Door for Girls to Achieve More, helps us understand what schools need to be doing to intentionally empower their female students to achieve more. Lynn shares some of her journey and the nuances of understanding girls today. www.coolcatteacher.com/e580  Lynn Colón - Bio As Submitted Lynmara Colón brings the perspective of a teacher, assistant principal, and principal positions she has held since joining education in 2003 to her work in literacy. As principal of Mary Williams Elementary School in 2014, she served over 1,000 students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade and was able to increase reading engagement by leading a culture of literacy. She now heads the office that provides comprehensive registration services to English learners and immigrant children, including translation and interpretation services, to a school division serving over 90,000 students. These students represent 124 countries and 149 languages. Colón holds two master’s degrees: a degree in curriculum and instruction, and the other in educational leadership. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in education through Old Dominion University. Book: Empowering Girls: Opening the Door for Girls to Achieve More Blog: leadwithmagic.com Twitter: @TheColon_s Instagram: LynmaraCosme 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.

Take care of yourself! We often tell each other this as teachers and rightly so. I once read that teachers work the same amount of time in ten months that most people work in a year. Teaching is not for the faint of heart or weak of the back but we must rest and stay strong to be our best. But how? Today, Mandy Froehlich gives us advice for self-care. www.coolcatteacher.com/e579  Challenge Press pause and take a few minutes after listening to this show to evaluate how you are doing with self care. If you do not change something, what will be the result of the direction you're heading with your health? Make one change. Mandy Froehlich - Bio As Submitted Mandy Froehlich passionately encourages educators to create innovative change in their classrooms. A former Director of Innovation and Technology, technology integrator, and teacher, she has experience at many levels of the organizational structure. Her interest lies in reinvigorating and re-engaging teachers back into their profession, as well as what’s needed to support teachers in their pursuit of innovative and divergent thinking and teaching. She consults internationally with school districts and post-secondary institutions in the effective use of technology to support great teaching, mental health support for educators, and how to create organizational change. Her first book, The Fire Within: Lessons from defeat that have ignited a passion for learning, discusses mental health awareness for teachers. Her second book, Divergent EDU, is based on an organizational structure she developed to support teachers in innovative and divergent thinking. Blog: www.mandyfroehlich.com Twitter: @froehlichm Free Self Care Course: divergentedu.thinkific.com Instagram: @divergentedu Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leadershipinnovationanddivergentteaching/ 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.

Many schools are reimagining the learning spaces that some call libraries or media centers. Carolyn Foote takes us to the center of this trend to take us inside how she redesigned her learning space and the thought process behind it. As you plan your school's strategy, you'll want to have conversations about this show. www.coolcatteacher.com/e578  Carolyn Foote - Bio As Submitted Carolyn Foote is a techno-librarian, fascinated by the confluence of technology, students, and libraries. A White House Champion of Change in 2013, and recipient of the AASL Library Collaboration Award in 2019, she is a leader in the library field, especially on 1:1 technologies, library design, and student voice. Her blog can be found at Not So Distant Future http://www.futura.edublogs.org. Twitter: @technolibrary Favorite Hashtags: Follow the #TXLCHAT and #TLCHAT hashtags for all things libraries! Instagram: @technolibrary

Lots of things are labeled "STEM" these days but many of them are just rote instructions for students to follow. Is this truly STEM learning? Taylor Ryan is STEM coordinator for his school as they work to integrate STEM into every class. He shares what he's learned about true STEM learning in the past year in this role. Hear about STEM from the trenches of a school that is doing it. www.coolcatteacher.com/e577    Challenge Have conversations about the STEM learning at your school. Is it authentic STEM learning? What could you apply from this podcast in terms of longer-term or shorter projects? How about cross-curricular? Taylor Ryan - Bio As Submitted Taylor is a teacher and STEM Officer at Fulford Academy, a private school in Brockville, Ontario. School Website: https://fulfordacademy.com/  

Tara Martin has written a book to help children (and adults) face their fears called Cannonball In! Today, we talk about a powerful metaphor and the risks of life and how sometimes we have to jump! Enjoy! www.coolcatteacher.com/e576    Your Challenge I have a saying in my office by Eleanor Roosevelt that says “do something every day that scares you.” Again, we’re talking rational risk and getting out of our comfort zone. So, that’s your challenge – get out of your comfort zone today. Tara Martin - Bio As Submitted Tara Martin is an enthusiastic educator, speaker, and author. Her ambition is to lead a culture of innovative change and to motivate others to become the best they can be, all while staying REAL-- Relatable Exposing Vulnerability Always Approachable, and Learning Through Life. Blog: http://www.tarammartin.com/ Books: Be REAL: Educate from the Heart Cannonball In! 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. 

Thom Gibson has fun ways to greet students as he walks around campus. He shared them on Twitter recently and I started using some of them and it adds a whole element of fun and engagement while interacting with students. Learn about these ideas and become the kind of person that kids love to greet! www.coolcatteacher.com/e575  Sponsored By Advancement Courses The holidays are just around the corner, and this is the perfect time to start planning your PD. Get started by going to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to explore over 240 graduate-level online PD courses in 19 different subject areas. Plus, you can save 20% of your order the code COOL20. That’s just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. You can take courses on helpful topics like classroom management, teacher wellness, education technology, special education classes and more. Advancement Courses is flexible and lets you work at your own pace to create things to improve your classroom.    Links from this Show For more on how Thom greets his students, listen to his narrative about it here. Five Ways Thom Greets His Students Merry Mini Fist Bump Monday Happy Two Thumbs up Tuesday Waving Wednesday Thankful Thursday - shake hand and asks what they are thankful for that day High 5 Friday I've adopted some of these and have adapted my own. I do Happy Fist Bump Friday and Happy Thumb Wrestle Thursday. Thom Gibson - Bio As Submitted Thom Gibson is a two-time teacher-of-the-year educator in Austin, TX, teaching math, robotics, YouTube Video Production, and the esports elective. He's the creator and host of the 'Stories from the Classroom' podcast, he posts weekly teacher vlogs / teaching tip videos on his YouTube channel, and is the creator of the 'Create & Manage A Classroom Economy' course for teachers. Outside of education, he's a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, learner of Mandarin, an avid runner, a chicken wing connoisseur, and is actively involved in his church. I created a course for teachers on how to create & manage a classroom economy. http://thomgibson.com/classroomeconomy Blog: http://thomgibson.com Twitter: @gibsonedu Instagram: @gibsoneducation Facebook: http://facebook.com/gibsonedu YouTube: http://youtube.com/gibsonedu LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/thomgibson e 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."

"Room service" door hangers are one of the unique ideas that André Sasser shares on the show. From a Woot Wagon to more, André talks about little things that encourage her as a teacher. I also talk about the "fun committee" at my school and some ideas to build community and collegiality. www.coolcatteacher.com/e574  Sponsored By Advancement Courses The holidays are just around the corner, and this is the perfect time to start planning your PD. Get started by going to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to explore over 240 graduate-level online PD courses in 19 different subject areas. Plus, you can save 20% of your order the code COOL20. That’s just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. You can take courses on helpful topics like classroom management, teacher wellness, education technology, special education classes and more. Advancement Courses is flexible and lets you work at your own pace to create things to improve your classroom.    Challenge Make someone's day or implement one of these ideas at your school to help your school have more fun! Door Hanger "Room Service" from André [PDF] André Sasser - Bio As Submitted André Sasser has been teaching math in Louisiana for ten years. She is currently teaching 6th-grade math, 7th-grade math, Geometry, Algebra II, Dual Enrollment Statistics, and an Introduction to Education class for future educators. Teaching math is a dream come true for André. She comes from a family of educators, and teaching is all she has ever wanted to do. Peek into André’s classroom and you will find her students engaged in math conversation, working problems on the vertical whiteboards, or enjoying a Desmos activity. Her daily goal is to make math class an exciting experience for every student who walks through her door. Blog: https://sassafracs.wordpress.com/ Twitter: @MrsSasser 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."

Families want to engage in classrooms but as students get older, it can be challenging. In today's episode, Jeromie Heath helps teachers understand how to engage families in the classroom in positive, proactive ways. www.coolcatteacher.com/e573  Sponsored By Advancement Courses The holidays are just around the corner, and this is the perfect time to start planning your PD. Get started by going to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to explore over 240 graduate-level online PD courses in 19 different subject areas. Plus, you can save 20% of your order the code COOL20. That’s just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. You can take courses on helpful topics like classroom management, teacher wellness, education technology, special education classes and more. Advancement Courses is flexible and lets you work at your own pace to create things to improve your classroom.  Challenge Engage your parents one way this week. Jeromie Heath - Bio As Submitted Jeromie Heath is an expert on instilling and igniting the love of learning.  As a National Board Certified Teacher with 16 years of experience, he's crafted successfully-proven innovative student and family engagement strategies that he's developed as he taught in diverse elementary school demographics (including Title 1, High ELL, High Poverty, and Advanced Learning).  Jeromie's students gain nation-wide attention for doubling test scores! He's developed the KEYS to his success in engaging students and now shares these highly effective strategies in engaging and informative workshops, trainings, pds, and coaching sessions. Blog: https://sites.google.com/site/mrheathfunteacher/home Twitter: @teachheath Instagram: @teachheath 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."