10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher

Michael Backus had a problem as he was teaching in Google Classroom. So, he programmed add-ons to solve the problem of needing checklists attached to his Google Classroom assignments. He saw a problem and programmed a solution, first by creating an add-on for just within his district. Many people don't know that this is possible or that add on's can be just within a district. We also discuss a "make your own extension" resource by Wanda Terral. Learn about Google Classroom teaching practices as well as a problem-solving attitude that you can bring to your own school. www.coolcatteacher.com/e557 Today's Challenge As I mentioned in the show, I was in Memphis this summer, Wanda Terral had a mini class on programming an extension for your district. There are teachers creating add ons and extensions inside their district. So, your challenge today is to explore and look at the add ons inside your favorite Google App and to find at least one time-saving add on or browser extension. After you find it, or if you already have one – share it to #edtechfind on the social media of your choice. Resources Document Evaluator: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/document-evaluator/dnjkieiolpkkdgabfmneenjoccdlkggg?authuser=0 Slideshow Evaluator: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/slideshow-evaluator/iafonlflbncinmmdcbcdpohmbmnpnfpi?authuser=0 Spreadsheet Evaluator: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/spreadsheet-evaluator/bcjhagclodbbgjajonpknhmkkilckalo?authuser=0 Wanda Terral's - Program Your Own Chrome Extension 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. Blog: https://learn.akrobotnerd.com

She was named America's Top Young Scientist of 2017 by the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, with a patent-pending device to detect lead in water faster than any other current techniques. She then open-sourced this device so people can use the technology across the world. In today's show, Gitanjali talks about her learning journey and the teachers who reached her (and the pedagogies that didn't.) This show is a must-listen for science teachers and teachers everywhere. www.coolcatteacher.com/e556 Bio As submitted Gitanjali Rao is 13 years old and is an 8th grader at STEM School Highlands Ranch in Highlands Ranch, CO. She was named America's Top Young Scientist of 2017 by the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, with a patent-pending device to detect lead in water faster than any other current techniques. She is a Davidson Young Scholar since 2012 and has received several scholarships and awards for achievements in science, arts and community service. She is an active STEM promoter and is involved in promoting STEM-based activities in schools, clubs and the community. She was selected as the STEM Scout of the Year in 2016-2017 and was selected as one of the 12 delegates to Report to the Nation in the year 2017-2018. She was recognized as a Forbes 30 under 30, for science and invention. She is also an EPA Presidential award winner and is recognized as a Gloria Barron 'Young Hero' Honoree for community impact. Gitanjali has open-sourced her lead detector invention processor and app code for the community and it has been used for other applications. She is continuing to perform accuracy testing in Denver Water for the lead sensor and has partnered with an incubator to create reproducible devices. Gitanjali has won awards for her writing in national and international contests. She published her first book at the age of 9, called, "­Baby Brother Wonders." The self-illustrated book, based on the story that won 2nd prize in the PBS national writing contest, described the world through her younger brother's point of view. Gitanjali has also won first place in the International Aviation Art Contest for last four years at the state level. She was a "TIME for Kids" Kid reporter for the 2017-2018 school year and wrote articles bringing awareness to Flint crisis. Apart from writing and art, Gitanjali is part of STEM Scouts and 4-H club. Some of Gitanjali's hobbies include playing the piano, Indian classical dancing and singing, swimming, fencing, and baking. She has been playing classical music for almost 8 years. She shares her talent of playing piano in local assisted living centers. Gitanjali is on the board of Directors for an organization called Children's Kindness Network that spreads an anti-bullying message and promotes the importance of kindness in all of us. She conducts workshops in elementary schools and hopes to educate children about kindness when they are still young. Gitanjali interns in summer at the "The 3D printing store" to shadow designers. She is conducting research in the University of Colorado, Denver in the Department of Cell Biology to find a solution for prescription opioid addiction using the latest in genetic engineering. Gitanjali is also working on implementing a Cyberbullying app based on AI/Machine Learning in the community along with a team and they were awarded a grant of $5K from eCybermission (Army Educational Program). She recently gave four TEDx talks three in India and another in Nashville apart from speaking in several girls' and global conference and being a UNICEF panelist about the role of Youth to power the planet. Gitanjali aspires to study genetics and epidemiology. She hopes to keep writing, discovering, and sharing her knowledge in the future.

Rob Donatelli shares with us five more easy brain breaks. As a follow up to one of the most popular 10 Minute Teacher episodes, 5 Easy Brain Breaks for Your Classroom, Rob gives us more ideas to bring to our classroom. www.coolcatteacher.com/e555 Sponsor: E4Effort is a tool built upon the research behind helping students improve. Check out e4Effort for more information and to start encouraging effort with your students. Also, check out my recent review of e4Effort and sign up for a 30-day free trial. Rob Donatelli - Bio As Submitted Rob Donatelli is a business & computer science teacher at Dallastown Area High School. He is also the founder of the Donatelli EdZone. His passions include school leadership, education technology, presenting, entrepreneurship, and coaching. Follow him on YouTube at the Donatelli EdZone or on Twitter @DTown_MrD. Blog: http://donatelliedzone.blogspot.com/ Twitter: @DTown_MrD

Charles "Chuck" Poole shares how to build relationships that matter. While content and passion for our content and the craft of teaching are all essential parts of teaching that cannot be dismissed - relationships with students are also in the mix as an essential part of reaching today's students. We can do this! Let's listen, learn, and apply this in our classrooms! Sponsor: E4Effort is a tool built upon the research behind helping students improve. Check out e4Effort for more information and to start encouraging effort with your students. Also, check out my recent review of e4Effort and sign up for a 30-day free trial. Challenge Select a colleague or student and intentionally work this week to build a relationship with that person using something you learned in this show. Remember -- we can listen but we don't learn until we DO something with it. Charles Poole - Bio as Submitted Chuck Poole is a veteran teacher of nearly 20 years who has made it his mission to inspire and encourage teachers all over the world to be the best they can be. He is the visionary behind http://www.teachonomy.com/, a podcaster, the author of "uNforgettable: Your Roadmap to Being the Teacher They Never Forget," and the host of the upcoming virtual Teacher Success Summit (http://www.teachersuccesssummit.com/). Chuck lives in New Jersey with his wife and enjoys mentoring, creating laughter in the classroom, and the continued pursuit of his next adventure. Blog: http://www.teachonomy.com/ Twitter: @cpoole27 Instagram: @teachonomy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teachonomy 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."

Mel Paradis, author of Teaching Improv: The Essential Handbook, shares four ways to use Improv to teach in the classroom. Here are some fantastic ideas to share in your classroom. Sponsor: E4Effort is a tool built upon the research behind helping students improve. Check out e4Effort for more information and to start encouraging effort with your students. Also, check out my recent review of e4Effort and sign up for a 30-day free trial. Challenge Use improv in the classroom to teach your CONTENT at least one time! Mel Paradis - Bio as Submitted For more than 25 years, Mel Paradis has performed and facilitated improv with groups ranging from preschoolers through adults. Mel is a certified elementary teacher, currently working as a gifted and talented teacher and coordinator for five elementary schools in Wyoming. Since 2011, she has been a member of Jackson Hole's improv comedy troupe, The Laff Staff (https://www.facebook.com/TheLaffStaff/). Her passion for writing, love of teaching and addiction to improv drove her to write the book Teaching Improv: The Essential Handbook. She lives on the backside of the Teton Mountain Range in Idaho with her husband and two children. Twitter: @ParadisMel 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."

Virtual Reality is improving for use in the classroom. Augmented Reality/ Virtual Reality Education Expert, Jaime Donally, thinks that the Oculus Quest is a game-changer for the classroom. From less "queasiness" to some amazing apps, Jaime explains why she thinks the Oculus Quest is such a big deal. Sponsor: E4Effort is a tool built upon the research behind helping students improve. Check out e4Effort for more information and to start encouraging effort with your students. Also, check out my recent review of e4Effort and sign up for a 30-day free trial. Challenge Learn about the Oculus Quest and virtual reality for your challenge today: How to Create in AR and VR - Jaime Donally AR and VR in the Classroom - Hall Davidson Virtual Reality Protocols in the Classroom - Jaime Donally Virtual Reality (VR) as a new educational paradigm - Enrique Cachafeiro Simple virtual reality with Google Streetview and Google Cardboard - Donnie Piercey Jaime Donally - Bio from Her Website Jaime Donally is a passionate technology enthusiast. She began her career as a math teacher and later moved into Instructional Technology. Her desire to build relationships have brought about opportunities to collaborate with students and educators around the world. She provides staff development and training on immersive technology as an edtech consultant. Her latest adventures include the launch of Global Maker Day and the #ARVRinEDU community. She works as an author and speaker to provide practical use of augmented and virtual reality with more resources at ARVRinEDU.com. Website: https://www.arvrinedu.com/ Twitter: @jaimedonally Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/208017029807896/ Instagram: @jaimedonally LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimedonally/ 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."

Students need our help to regulate their own emotions. Today, psychologist Dr. Jody Carrington helps us understand five ways we can connect with our students and help them regulate their emotions. Understanding these simple principles can help us connect, improve classroom management, and be better teachers. www.coolcatteacher.com/e551 Sponsor: E4Effort is a tool built upon the research behind helping students improve. Check out e4Effort for more information and to start encouraging effort with your students. Also, check out my recent review of e4Effort and sign up for a 30-day free trial. Challenge We learned 5 ways to step back in but today, I'm giving you the Name that Child Challenge. I challenge you to call the names of as many children as possible in a positive way today as many times as possible. If you do this challenge with a friend, then share at the end of the day the kind of response you received from the children. Dr. Jody Carrington - Bio from Her Website I grew up on a farm in rural Alberta. My parents were high school sweethearts. My brother and I grew up together in a pretty happy place. Then my parents divorced. As adults, my brother and I learned that we had a full biological sister – who my parents had given up for adoption before we were born. I learned that even when you have a "secure base" and "safe haven", sometimes you need a little help sorting out "your story". For me, sorting out my own early story helps me be a better writer of the next chapters of my story – the one's called "wife", "mother", "sister", "friend", and "psychologist". My "story" of becoming a psychologist started at Red Deer College. I transferred to the University of Alberta, where I earned my Bachelor of Arts with distinction in 1998. I completed a year-long internship during that degree with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and became very passionate about police work and the significant toll that trauma can take on people. I was also lucky enough to spend some time working with some amazing families through Ronald McDonald House and I also volunteered with Victim Services. I then continued my studies at the University of Regina with the thought of pursuing a career in Police Psychology. Although I loved that work, my passion began to shift to families, especially those who experienced trauma. I completed my pre-doctoral residency in Nova Scotia in 2006 where I trained primarily in Cognitive-Behavioural and Narrative approaches. I completed rotations both with adults and children and learned that I really enjoyed understanding the "stories" of children—particularly those who had difficult experiences. I returned home to Alberta and accepted a job at the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary on the Inpatient and Day Treatment Units, a position that would forever change the course of my career. I quickly learned my "cognitive-behavioral skills" were not enough for kids and families with long and often traumatic stories with multi-generational influences. I needed to connect in order to have any significant impact. Desperate to learn more about attachment, I set off on a quest for mentors who "got it" and have been very lucky to have been influenced by some of "the greats". You will see a lot in my story about attachment. I have learned the power of the relationship. Empathy. Connection. I have learned that these are important for anyone who might want to understand their story and shift it in some way. Or heal in some way. Or repair it in some way. Or change their story once and for all. So that their next chapter as "teenager", "spouse", "parent", or "friend" can be better. I have worked with adults and children, as well as families, and I would be honored to learn about your story and perhaps influence your next chapters. Website: http://www.drjodycarrington.com/ Twitter: @jodycarrington Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjodycarrington/ Instagram: @drjodycarrington 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."

Students need to be surrounded by books that inspire them to read and rejoice in books. But how do we curate those texts to inspire our readers? Julie Wright gives practical advice for librarians and all of us teachers (including me) who like to surround students with rich texts that inspire reading. www.coolcatteacher.com/e550 Sponsor: Advancement Courses is today's sponsor From now until September 28, Advancement Courses, an online provider of professional development for K-12 teachers, is donating 10% of their sales to funding DonorsChoose.org projects. Go to coolcatteacher.com/give to submit your project. AND if you need some awesome PD, 10 Minute Teacher listeners get 20% off any online courses with the code COOL20. With this coupon, a 3 grad credit course for continuing education, salary advancement, or recertification is only $359. So, go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to learn more and use the code COOL20. Today's Challenge Use this episode as a conversation starter about ensuring that all students are engaged in their education. Also, check out "Build Your Stack: Short Texts, Big Engagement" by Julie. Julie Wright - Bio As Submitted With over twenty-five years of experience in rural, suburban, and urban settings. She is the co-author of What Are You Grouping For?, Grades 3-8: How to Guide Small Groups Based on Readers—Not the Book (Corwin, 2019.) She is currently working on a new book focused on the power of using short texts, to be released later this year by Benchmark Education. Website: www.juliewrightconsulting.com Twitter: @juliewright4444 YouTube: What Are You Grouping For? Webinar

Dr. Anael Alston is Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Access, Equity and Community Engagement in the New York State Education Department. He talks about what works to engage young men of color in education and his journey and passion for helping all students engage in school and do their best. If this is your heart's passion, you'll want to hear what Anael has to say. www.coolcatteacher.com/549 Advancement Courses is today's sponsor From now until September 28, Advancement Courses, an online provider of professional development for K-12 teachers, is donating 10% of their sales to funding DonorsChoose.org projects. Go to coolcatteacher.com/give to submit your project. AND if you need some awesome PD, 10 Minute Teacher listeners get 20% off any online courses with the code COOL20. With this coupon, a 3 grad credit course for continuing education, salary advancement, or recertification is only $359. So, go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to learn more and use the code COOL20. Dr. Anael Alston - Bio As Submitted Born and raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant Brooklyn, Dr. Anael Alston "Dr. A" is currently the Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Access, Equity and Community Engagement in the New York State Education Department. In this capacity, he informs educational policy across the state and administers over $200 million dollars to help support students across New York State from pre-Kindergarten through college. Prior to that, he was the Superintendent of Schools for the Hamilton Central School District. As a superintendent, Dr. A distinguished himself as one of the few superintendents across the state to have a 100% graduation rate while moving an agenda that included creating a program that allows international students to pay tuition to attend public school and involving the entire school community in creating a Board-adopted 5-year strategic plan to improve access, opportunity, and fiscal responsibility to the small rural school district. A recognized leader in the field, this year Dr. A was a main stage featured speaker at MBK Rising!, the inaugural national gathering marking the 5th year anniversary since President Obama launched My Brother's Keeper. A former Golden Gloves champion, Dr. A fights for children each day knowing that if not for the battles waged for him as a child, he would not be where he is today. Twitter: @DrAAlston 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."

Meredith Akers is a principal who has been using some unconventional methods of teacher PD. In this episode, she talks about the revolutionary way she recently held teacher PD (using video instruction and face to face meetings) and what she learned. Let's give teachers choice in their professional development about what they learn. Of course, we all must continue to improve our craft of teaching and need to learn, but giving choice as to content can make professional development more relevant and helpful. www.coolcatteacher.com/e548 Advancement Courses is today's sponsor From now until September 28, Advancement Courses, an online provider of professional development for K-12 teachers, is donating 10% of their sales to funding DonorsChoose.org projects. Go to coolcatteacher.com/give to submit your project. AND if you need some awesome PD, 10 Minute Teacher listeners get 20% off any online courses with the code COOL20. With this coupon, a 3 grad credit course for continuing education, salary advancement, or recertification is only $359. So, go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to learn more and use the code COOL20. Your Challenge for This Episode Today, your challenge is to discuss with your administrators and colleagues some ways that teachers can experience the opportunity to make choices in their own PD. Use today's episode as a conversation starter about what could work in your district. Also remember the advice Meredith gives about having the conversation earlier in the day and not at the end. I think this is important advice we can use. Please share what you're doing! I'm @coolcatteacher on Twitter and instagram. Meredith Akers - Bio As Submitted Meredith Akers is an Elementary Principal who believes that the best way to help others grow is to build relationships, offer support, serve, love, and be transparent about how she is working to grow herself. Her daily aspiration is to make a positive impact and to leave those she serves better off for having interacted with her. Blog: http://blog.acthompson.net Twitter: @meredithakers 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." M