

10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Vicki Davis
A teacher podcast for busy educators—about 10 minutes, every week. Stay current on artificial intelligence in education (plain English), edtech, and what matters in the classroom: culture, instruction, assessment, digital health and wellness, and more. Simple ideas you can use right away.
Hosted by AP Computer Science teacher Vicki Davis (Cool Cat Teacher)—author and longtime edtech blogger—this teaching podcast features best-selling teachers, researchers, and in-the-classroom administrators sharing practical strategies that connect with today's students.
Follow the 10 Minute Teacher—the podcast for teachers and school leaders—for weekly, classroom-ready tips.
Show notes & resources: https://coolcatteacher.com/podcast
Hosted by AP Computer Science teacher Vicki Davis (Cool Cat Teacher)—author and longtime edtech blogger—this teaching podcast features best-selling teachers, researchers, and in-the-classroom administrators sharing practical strategies that connect with today's students.
Follow the 10 Minute Teacher—the podcast for teachers and school leaders—for weekly, classroom-ready tips.
Show notes & resources: https://coolcatteacher.com/podcast
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 9, 2019 • 11min
How to Make Programming Easier
Programming doesn't have to be so hard. Computer Science teacher, Michael Backus, gives us advice to help make programming easier. www.coolcatteacher.com/e567 Michael Backus - Bio As Submitted \Michael Backus teaches computer literacy and computer science at Teeland Middle School in Wasilla, Alaska. As the creator of the https://www.akrobotnerd.com, he has shared many projects that he has developed over the years, the most famous being his Artificial Intelligence with Arduinos curriculum. His most recent project is Build and Program Games with Arduino, a curriculum that introduces students to Arduino by walking them through how to make an electronic Tug-o-War and Simon Says game. In addition to creating curriculum, Michael also writes software to make life easier for teachers. His most recent work is a trio of G Suite add-ons (Document Evaluator, Slideshow Evaluator, and Spreadsheet Evaluator) that make communicating assignment requirements, managing peer evaluations and grading much faster and easier.

Oct 8, 2019 • 11min
How to Empower Teachers
Administrators can empower teachers and principal Evan Robb shares some of the techniques. Evan is author of The Ten- Minute Principal and The Principal's Leadership Sourcebook: Practices, Tools, and Strategies for Building a Thriving School Community. www.coolcatteacher.com/e566 Evan Robb - Bio as Submitted Distinguished Principal, TEDx Speaker, Author Evan Robb is presently Principal of Johnson-Williams Middle School in Berryville, Virginia. He has over twenty years of experience serving as a building level principal including opening a Junior High School in Warren County, Virginia. Prior to being a school principal, he was an English teacher, department chair, and Assistant Principal. Early in his career, Evan received the Horace Mann Educator of the Year Award. In addition, the NCTE Commission on Reading selected him to serve on its board. Evan leads sustainable change initiatives that transform school culture, increase achievement, and prepare students for their future. In addition to being a full-time principal, Evan speaks across the country on leadership, how to improve literacy in schools, the digital principal, social media, how to involve all staff in goal setting, how to organize effective work teams, and the impact of culture and positivity on work. His first book titled, The Principal's Leadership Sourcebook: Practices, Tools, and Strategies for Building a Thriving School Community was published by Scholastic in the fall of 2007. His newest book, The Ten- Minute Principal is being published by Corwin in May 2019. Evan and Laura Robb collaborated with Davis Burgess Publishing to write, Team Makers which will be published in the summer of 2019. In addition, Evan and Laura will publish, A School Full of Readers with Benchmark Education in the fall of 2019. Evan gave his first TEDx Talk titled, Two Ways to Get Into a Swimming Pool in June 2019 at TEDxFieldstoneDriveEd. Evan's talk has stories of his leadership journey, challenges, and choices he made along the way. Please explore The Robb Review Blog and ScholasticEDU for more of his thoughts on teaching, learning, and leadership. The Robb Review Blog focuses on looking ahead, not looking back. Evan also has a podcast, The Robb Review Podcast. He has been named one of the top 25 educational leaders to follow on Twitter. Scholastic EDU named Evan one on the 10 educators to follow on Twitter. Twitter: @ERobbPrincipal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evanrobbprincipal/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erobbprincipal/ 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.

Oct 7, 2019 • 8min
5 Ways to Improve Your Classroom Library Without Spending a Dollar
Colby Sharp author of Game Changer! Books for All shares some ways to improve your classroom library without spending any money at all. There are some ideas for all of us here. www.coolcatteacher.com/e565 Colby Sharp - Bio As Submitted Colby Sharp is a husband and father of five. He teaches fifth grade in Parma, Michigan. Colby is the co-founder of Nerdy Book Club, and he serves on the Nerd Camp Michigan team. He co-hosts The Yarn podcast with Travis Jonker. Colby currently serves as the president-elect of the Michigan Reading Association. He co-authored Game Changer! Book Access for All Kid with Donalyn Miller, and he is the editor of The Creativity Project: An Awesometastic Story Collection. Blog: http://www.mrcolbysharp.com Twitter: @colbysharp Book: Game Changer! Books for All 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.

Oct 4, 2019 • 12min
When I Knew It Was Time to Leave the Classroom
Starr Sackstein reflects on when she knew it was time to leave the classroom. www.coolcatteacher.com/e564 Starr Sackstein - Bio As Submitted Over 16 years ago, Starr Sackstein started her teaching career in Far Rockaway High School, eager to make a difference. Quickly learning to connect with students and develop rapport, she was able to recognize the most important part of teaching, relationships. Fostering relationships with students and peers, to encourage community growth and a deeper understanding of personal contribution through reflection, Sackstein has continued to elevate her students by putting them at the center of the learning. Starr Sackstein currently works at Long Island City High School as a Teacher Center Teacher and ELA teacher. She spent nine years at World Journalism Preparatory School in Flushing, NY as a high school English and Journalism teacher where her students run a multi-media news outlet at WJPSnews.com. In 2011, the Dow Jones News Fund honored Sackstein as a Special Recognition Adviser and 2012 Education Updated recognized her as an outstanding educator. Currently Sackstein has thrown out grades, teaching students that learning isn't about numbers, but about the development of skills and ability to articulate that growth. In 2012, Sackstein tackled National Board Certification in an effort to reflect on her practice and grow as an educational English facilitator. After a year of closely looking at her work with students, she achieved the honor. She is also a certified Master Journalism Educator through the Journalism Education Association (JEA). Sackstein also serves at the New York State Director to JEA to help serve advisers in New York better grow journalism programs. Author of Teaching Mythology Exposed: Helping Teachers Create Visionary Classroom Perspective, Blogging for Educators, Teaching Students to Self Assess: How do I help students grow as learners?, The Power of Questioning: Opening up the World of Student Inquiry, Hacking Assessment: 10 Ways to Go Gradeless in a Traditional Grades School, Hacking Homework: 10 Strategies that Inspire Learning Outside the Classroom and most recently Peer Feedback in the Classroom: Empowering Students to be the Experts. (You can find all of the books here: https://amzn.to/2Me7gX8 ) She blogs on Education Week Teacher at "Work in Progress" where she discusses all aspects of being a teacher and education reform. Sackstein co-moderates #sunchat as well as contributes to #NYedChat. She has made the Bammy Awards finals for Secondary High School Educator in 2014 and for blogging in 2015. In speaking engagements, Sackstein speaks about blogging, journalism education, throwing out grades and BYOD, helping people see technology doesn't have to be feared. Most recently, Sackstein was named one of ASCD's Emerging leaders class of 2016, in addition to presenting a TedxTalk about throwing out grades. Balancing a busy career of writing and teaching with being the mom to 10 year old Logan is a challenging adventure. Seeing the world through his eyes reminds her why education needs to change for every child. Contact information: mssackstein@gmail.com @MsSackstein on Twitter Starr Sackstein, MJE Facebook Fan page

Oct 2, 2019 • 11min
Unconventional Project Based Learning that Engages Learners
Project Based Learning (PBL) works if you know how to bring it into your classroom. Today, Noa Daniels shares how. www.coolcatteacher.com/e563 Noa is a passionate educator and enthusiastic learner. She is a classroom teacher, podcaster, blogger. She is also a coach, consultant and Chief Building Officer at Building Outside the Blocks, creating projects and initiatives for students and educators that build skill, autonomy, community and connection. https://buildingoutsidetheblocks.com/

Oct 1, 2019 • 14min
8 Apps to Improve Your Health (and helped me lose 28 pounds)
I've lost 28 pounds since late June and am running 8-10 miles a week. And yes, I just turned 50 and feel great. In this show, I'll share the apps and tips for living a healthier lifestyle including the "eating plan" I'm using at My Shibboleth. www.coolcatteacher.com/e562

Sep 30, 2019 • 14min
One Surprising Thing About Gen Z Everyone Should Know
The Millennials aren't the youngest generation anymore. Generation Z is here. They are the kids in K12 education right now who have only known social media and the Internet. Ninety percent of preschool children are online. This has good and bad consequences. Dig deep as researcher Dr. Tim Elmore helps us understand Gen Z, their anxiety, and unique strengths. "The average adolescent today has the same level of anxiety as a psychiatric patient in the 1950's." says cognitive behavioral therapist, Dr. Robert Laheay. Let's learn how to help this generation survive and thrive. www.coolcatteacher.com/e561 Dr. Tim Elmore - Bio As Submitted Tim Elmore: Millennial Expert & Generation Z Expert Dr. Tim Elmore, CEO and Founder of Growing Leaders, is a best-selling author and international speaker. A world-renowned expert on Generation Y and Generation Z, Dr. Elmore uses his knowledge to equip educators, coaches, leaders, parents, and other adults to impart practical life and leadership skills to young adults that will help them navigate through life. His new Book is Generation Z Unfiltered. (Preorder)

Sep 27, 2019 • 9min
5 Easy STEM Activities any Teacher Can Do
Today high school math teacher, Chris Woods, gives us simple ideas of STEM activities any teacher can do. Get some ideas for how you can integrate STEM in the classroom. www.coolcatteacher.com/e560 Chris Woods - Bio as Submitted Chris Woods has taught High School Math for over 20 years in rural Michigan. After sharing relevant STEM connections with his own students for years, Chris realized that not every teacher notices STEM everywhere. He decided to start sharing all of the ideas from his classroom, simple examples of STEM in the world around us everyday, ideas of how STEM is more than just robots and 3d printing and a buzzword used by politicians. Chris also started the STEM Educator Podcast to give educators a voice and share how they're incorporating STEM in simple ways into their classrooms. He continues to promote a STEM mindset while speaking at conferences, on his YouTube channel, at school science nights, and most importantly in his classroom. Blog: http://dailystem.com/ Twitter: @dailystem Podcast: The STEM Everyday Podcast https://remarkablechatter.com/category/podcasts/stem-everyday/

Sep 13, 2019 • 14min
How to Help Bilingual Students
Dania Santana, author of the bilingual children's book, Sebastian's Game Day Surprise, and multicultural parenting expert, shares how we can reach bilingual students. She discusses the current thought on best supporting bilingual students. www.coolcatteacher.com/e559 Challenge Have a conversation with one of your bilingual students and reflect on their situation based on what you've learned in today's episode. I also share some responses to a recent question about engagement with ideas from teachers. What is the most engaging thing you've done in your classroom this week? Got pics? Please share! — Vicki Davis (@coolcatteacher) September 11, 2019 Dania Santana - Bio As Submitted Dania Santana is a multicultural parenting expert who raises cultural awareness to create social change. She is also a published author and speaker on the subject of multiculturalism, diversity and inclusion. Twitter: @DiversityUS Blog: https://embracingdiversity.us/

Sep 11, 2019 • 12min
4 Steps to Improve Student Engagement
Engaging students can be a challenge. A student from Jeromie Heath's class shares her perspective on learning and why she wanted to learn for Jeromie in this episode. Today, join in the conversations about learning and engagement and all your own thoughts on social media. www.coolcatteacher.com/e578 Jeromie Heath - Bio As Submitted Jeromie Heath's students experience a revitalization in the love of learning. Jeromie's passionate mission to engage every student is the key to more equitable learning higher quality education, helping to close opportunity gaps, higher student growth/performance, and happier learners. His students love school, love learning, and love each and every day. He attributes this increase in student engagement and performance based on the 3 key principles of engagement: accessibility, value, and stimulation. These three principles include innovative and effective methods that inspire, motivate, and challenge every learner. These methods not only produce results in student growth on test scores, but also (and more importantly) create experiences for life-long learners. He is a NBCT who holds experience in teaching in several diverse elementary schools. He now shares his 3 key principles to student engagement all across America. His presentations are not only informative - they are dynamic. For more info, visit: https://sites.google.com/site/teachermrheath/jeromie-heath-presenter-and-trainer


