10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher

Students can build apps and collaboration skills at the same time. Today's episode features my friend Alefiya Master, the CEO of MAD-Learn, and the sponsor of today's show. We discuss the transformative role of app-building, collaborative learning, design thinking, and the importance of authentic learning experiences. Alefiya shares how app building can enhance STEM education and how it also teaches essential skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and passion-based learning. If you're doing collaborative projects and design in your classroom, you'll get practical ideas for how you can modify your projects to encourage collaboration and real-world learning. Show notes, transcript, and author bio: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e846  Show Sponsor: MAD-Learn is a free, easy tool for students to use to build apps of their own in a private space for just you and your students. You can publish it and share it with a limited audience, or design something bigger. When people ask me my favorite App-building tool, I always say MAD-Learn. MAD-Learn is an amazing collaborative app building tool. Not only have I used MAD-Learn for the first global collaborative app-building project, I love having my students build together and host a "shark tank competition." I love how my students can edit together but can also view live changes on their smartphones using a QR code demo that is still private just to them and me. Their site is full of every presentation, rubric, and even a full curricuulm to teach design thinking and app building. Go to coolcatteacher.com/freetrialmadlearn  to start your trial today.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking with Brian Page, a former Milken National Educator of the Year with 15 years of experience in the education field. Brian is the creator of the Homework Hacks Course, designed to equip students aged 13 to 20 with research-backed homework hacks and independent learning strategies. In this show, we dive into the essential homework hacks that every parent and student should know, focusing on developing lifelong learning skills, enhancing organizational abilities, and promoting a growth mindset. We can help our children learn! This show is a great one to share with parents!   Show Notes, Guest Bio, and Transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e845    Show Sponsor: MAD-Learn is a free, easy tool for students to use to build apps of their own in a private space for just you and your students. You can publish it and share it with a limited audience, or design something bigger. When people ask me my favorite App-building tool, I always say MAD-Learn. MAD-Learn is an amazing collaborative app building tool. Not only have I used MAD-Learn for the first global collaborative app-building project, I love having my students build together and host a "shark tank competition." I love how my students can edit together but can also view live changes on their smartphones using a QR code demo that is still private just to them and me. Their site is full of every presentation, rubric, and even a full curricuulm to teach design thinking and app building. Go to coolcatteacher.com/freetrialmadlearn  to start your trial today.

Every school has a vibe, a culture, a feeling. Sometimes the same school can have a different vibe at different times during the year. Today, Dr. Jim Van Allan shares powerful strategies to create a vibrant school environment that supports students, teachers, and the community alike. From inviting everyone on board to enjoying the journey, this episode will help us educators who want to help our school improve in a massive way that impacts everybody. Show notes, transcript, guest bio: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e844 

Tom Hierck, 41-year educator and author of 25 books, discusses the importance of creating a sense of belonging in students for their success. He highlights valuing student individuality, building trust, and fostering respectful behavior to help every student become a valuable member of the community.

How are you doing, educators? Are you stressed? While that can be typical, we also want to consider the habits that will help us teach long-term with a high quality of life. Today will be a refreshing encouragement for educators everywhere. Learn how to set boundaries, embrace self-care, and manage your mindset to transform stress into strength. This is a great show for teachers to see balance and encouragement so they can be their best in the classroom. Today, I interviewed Barb Flowers, an elementary school principal and host of the Teacher Burnout Podcast and the Less Stressed Principal Podcast. Listen to today's show to take care of yourselves, educators, and learn the mindsets to help you enjoy teaching even when it is stressful. Show notes, guest bio, and full transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e842 

In today's Tech Tuesday, I record my screen as I make a custom GPT to evaluate my student websites. This is being released as a podcast and as a YouTube video. First, I make the custom GPT and talk through how that happens. Then, I load it onto my phone and have students take pictures of their web pages and receive feedback on them. This is much faster than you think and is so very useful. When you listen, you'll see how AI can provide a valuable feedback mechanism for student projects, even those with many visual elements and in this case, graphic design needs. Show Notes and Link to YouTube Video: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e841 (link will be live at 7 am EST or you can go to www.coolcatteacher.com prior to that time and it will be on the homepage.)

Today, I interview Alex Kajitani, the 2009 California Teacher of the Year, and a Top-4 Finalist for National Teacher of the Year and author of the book "You're a Teacher Now, What's Next?" In this podcast, we offer encouragement for new teachers and old alike with an emphasis on those in their first year of teaching and how it feels to be at this point in the school year. Alex emphasizes the importance of finding hope and perspective in teaching and shares how any teacher can start fresh at any point in the year to improve their practice. This podcast is full of fresh from the classroom teacher wisdom. If you need some encouragement, you'll enjoy this episode. Show notes, guest bio, and full transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e840  

In today's episode, we're celebrating World Compliment Day; I find myself reflecting on the profound impact that giving compliments can have—not just on the recipients but on us as givers. It's a journey of noticing the beauty in everyday interactions, whether the strength we see in others, like the resilience Johnny Cash found through June Carter's encouragement or the wisdom in Martin Luther King Jr.'s words about the power of love and strength. Giving a compliment isn't about grand gestures but the simple, genuine moments of connection—acknowledging someone's effort, as Ludwig van Beethoven did through his music or the encouragement Sugar Ray Robinson offered to a young Flojo, igniting a dream. As we dive into the art of giving compliments, remember that this is about sharing small pieces of kindness that can brighten someone's day and when you do, you might just notice a big smile on your own face. Let's do this! Show notes and full transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e839 

What is the Learning Pit metaphor? How can this illustration be used with students to help them learn? On today's episode, fifth-grade teacher James Nottingham from the UK explains how he uses this example with his students, discusses misconceptions, and how explaining to students how the learning process works helps them grow and be more successful. With insights that bridge the gap between theory and practice, James will shed light on how facing difficulties head-on can lead to profound understanding and growth in our students. He also discusses the importance of drawing the Learning Pit correctly and how to teach it to students. This practical episode from a classroom teacher will help us explain learning to our students. As you learn about the Learning Pit, prepare to move from challenge to triumph. Show notes and full transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e838 Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links for which I may receive compensation. Please click here to read my full FTC Affiliate Disclosure policy

In this episode, we're diving deep into a crucial topic for every student but often overlooked in the curriculum: financial literacy. Brian Curcio joins us from Rapunzl, an organization dedicated to providing financial literacy resources for students and educators. If you've ever wondered how to prepare your students for the real-world challenges of budgeting, investing, and understanding debt, this episode is your roadmap to making money management an engaging and essential part of your teaching. Show notes and full transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e837  Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links for which I may receive compensation. Please click here to read my full FTC Affiliate Disclosure policy