
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 7, 2023 • 13min
Teaching with AI: Harnessing the Future without Losing Our Way – An In-Depth Conversation with Pat Yongpradit
Pat Yongpradit, AI education advocate from Code.org, discusses the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI in education. He explores the benefits and drawbacks, sharing concerns about students seeking emotional advice from AI and the potential laziness it may foster. The importance of communication and innovation in supporting students is emphasized.

Aug 5, 2023 • 11min
AI: The Future of Classroom Efficiency with Mary Howard
What do you do when award-winning teachers tell you there is a way to save time? Mary Howard, author of Artificial Intelligence to Streamline Your Teacher Life: The ChatGPT Guide for Educators shares some quick tips to streamline teacher productivity with ChatGPT. Mary won ISTE's 2018 "Virtual Pioneer of the Year" and was a New York State Teacher of the Year finalist in 2018 and 2020. She is an actual classroom teacher and doesn't "do" hype, but I think she wants to help. In this show, she shares some ideas for streamlining and discusses the future of AI in VR and AR and how she thinks it can help us use these advanced tools even more. I hope this show helps you think about what you can do today and what is possible tomorrow. Full Show notes, transcript, guest bio, and links to resources at http://www.coolcatteacher.com/e810 Sponsor: This show is sponsored by Microsoft. Check out their new AI Course. All opinions are my own.

Aug 1, 2023 • 12min
The Great Student AI Writing Experiment with Steve Dembo
Are you an educator troubled by the looming question of how AI will impact writing instruction? Look no further. As this experiment unfolds, you'll be interested in his findings' powerful implications on student creativity and expression. Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and equipped to navigate the future of writing in a world where humans and AI learn to work together to communicate in better ways. In this episode, we step into the captivating world of AI and writing with Steve Dembo, a seasoned classroom educator at the forefront of AI integration for years. In this eye-opening podcast, Steve uncovers his ingenious writing experiment that holds the keys to helping us all unlock the true potential of students and AI in writing papers. Show Notes, Transcript, and Video with Captions: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e809 Sponsor: This show is sponsored by Microsoft. Check out their new AI Course. All opinions are my own. Once a year, I have a newsworthy topic that I accept that has advertorial content. This is the show for 2023 with Microsoft.

Jul 28, 2023 • 11min
Revolutionizing Classrooms: How Microsoft's AI is Changing Education
Artificial intelligence is the top conversation among educators everywhere. It was truly a thrill for me, as a classroom teacher, for Lydia Smyers, the Vice President of US Education for Microsoft, to sit down with me at ISTE. As educators, we're at the forefront of this exciting (and scary) change with unprecedented learning opportunities (and threats.) Whether you're new to AI or a seasoned AI-enthusiast, you'll gain invaluable insights into one of the companies on the forefront of AI in education. Brought to you by Microsoft, this podcast offers a glimpse into the future of education and an AI-infused landscape where possibilities are endless (and challenges abound.) Let's do this! Read the full transcript, show notes, and video here: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e808 Sponsor: This show is sponsored by Microsoft. Check out their new AI Course. All opinions are my own. Once a year, I have a newsworthy topic that I accept that has advertorial content. This is the show for 2023 with Microsoft. Lydia Smyers, Vice President of US Education for Microsoft Lydia Smyers is the Vice President of US Education for Microsoft. She leads the sales teams supporting the adoption and sales of Microsoft’s solutions across K-12 organizations and higher education customers in the United States. Before joining Microsoft, Smyers was group vice president of Worldwide Alliances, Channels Programs and Communications at Oracle Corp. In this role, she had global responsibility for Oracle Partner Network (OPN) programs, strategy, marketing and communications. Her organization supported Oracle’s channel ecosystem with an emphasis on driving partner profitability and satisfaction. Smyers is a member of the EDUCAUSE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board and has been named as one of CRN’s “Top 100 Women of the Channel” 2009–2013 and named to its advisory board. She is also committed to empowering the next generation of leaders and supporting her local community. She serves on the board of several community nonprofits including Friends of Marblehead Public Schools, MassCUE, and the Marblehead Family Fund. Smyers holds an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Trinity College-Hartford. She is a sports enthusiast, an active triathlete in the summer and an alpine backcountry skier in the winter. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two sons.

Jul 24, 2023 • 11min
The Human Side of AI: A Student ChatGPT Experience
As we continue with the series, '80 Days of AI and AI,' after a much-needed summer break, this interview with my student, William, marks a return to the learning journey. But this journey is not just for me and my students. This learning journey is ours as educators venturing into this rapidly changing area of AI. In April, William Price, one of my senior students, shared his proposal for a capstone project. William was curious: what would happen if he pit ChatGPT against the assignments from our Computer Science class. The question? Could this AI perform as well, or possibly even outperform the human students/ And if so, which assignments would it excel in, and where would it fall short? William returned to our classroom just a week after graduation to share what he learned, his honest observations about this new tool, and what his generation is saying about it. While many are talking about the role of AI in education, as a classroom teacher with my students, we are taking a different approach. We're not just discussing it but implementing, testing, and learning from it. We're learning out to supervise AI and when it is effectively used (or not.) So, on Day 16 of my '80 Days of AI and HI' series, it seems only fitting to showcase one of my inspiring student's contributions to this exploration. The show notes include a full transcript and reflection questions for educators, administrators and preservice teachers: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e807

Jul 20, 2023 • 10min
Promoting Real World Change and Success in Schools Today with Misa Sato
Today, we spotlight Misa Sato, an award-winning assistant principal who recently earned the prestigious NASSP Assistant Principal of the Year title. Serving at Reagan High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Misa has made a profound impact through her dynamic approach to educational leadership. Under her guidance, the school has not only seen significant growth in its International Baccalaureate (IB) Career Program but also received numerous awards for student achievement. In this episode, Misa shares her journey, discussing her proudest accomplishments, her experiences of implementing and expanding the IB Career-Related Program, and how she's fostered the critical connection between students, parents, and the wider community. This episode is a must-listen for those looking for inspiration on how to be a great assistant principal and seeking practical advice on successfully navigating the challenges of school leadership. So, tune in to explore Misa's remarkable story, and don't miss her nuggets of wisdom that could help you make a meaningful difference in your role as an assistant principal. Remember, you're just a podcast away from becoming an even better leader! Transcript and Show Notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e806 Show Sponsor: Research Quest Are you looking for engaging NGSS-aligned science lessons designed to improve critical thinking in your middle school students? Now is the time to sign up for Research Quest from the Natural History Museum of Utah. Designed by teachers for teachers, these online investigations are lead by museum scientists and use the museum’s incredible collections to create engaging learning experiences that are fun for your students and easy to implement! Check out Research Quest today at www.coolcatteacher.com/researchquest.

Jun 26, 2023 • 26min
Breaking News: Microsoft AI Announcements at ISTELive 2023 #NotatISTE
Today, I have a breaking news announcement from Microsoft at ISTE 2023. This was prerecorded for a simultaneous release with today's news so that all of you who are not at ISTE could get this news. It will also be released on my podcast and YouTube channel, although I have embedded the YouTube channel below and included the transcript. Mark Sparvell sat down with me to share these amazing announcements. This show is sponsored by Microsoft. Check out their new AI course. All opinions are my own. Some of these awesome announcements include: Generative AI features built into Reading Progress inside Microsoft Teams are game-changers for teachers. Excellent generative AI features are now being used inside Kahoot and PowerSchool that will help teachers. These are powered by the Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service. A cool collaboration between Microsoft and New York City Public Schools to support their exploration of the development of generative AI tools tailored for their own use. A fantastic Microsoft AI Course is now available for educators at aka.ms/AIforEducators. Check out today's announcement from Microsoft. Full transcript at https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e805

May 4, 2023 • 11min
Fantastic Figjam Makes Brainstorming and Collaboration in the Classroom Better
What is Figjam? Figjam is a cool, flexible, fun, collaborative space for student projects, presentations, and collaborations. Today's guest, Tom Mullaney, shares how he uses Figjam with students and teachers; he explains why it is useful and gives tips and tricks that will engage students in the collaborative skills they need to be creative collaborators in today's world. Figjam is part of the Adobe Figma suite of tools and is free for educators and their students. Check out the shownotes, resource links, guest bio, and a full transcript at: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e804 Show Sponsor: Research Quest Are you looking for engaging NGSS-aligned science lessons designed to improve critical thinking in your middle school students? Now is the time to sign up for Research Quest from the Natural History Museum of Utah. Designed by teachers for teachers, these online investigations are lead by museum scientists and use the museum’s incredible collections to create engaging learning experiences that are fun for your students and easy to implement! Check out Research Quest today at www.coolcatteacher.com/researchquest.

Apr 28, 2023 • 13min
How to Teach Better: Master Reading Differentiation Strategies
This podcast with Jennifer Seravallo is dedicated to helping reading teachers improve their teaching methods by providing practical tips and in-depth insights into differentiated reading strategies. If you're a reading teacher looking for ways to make your teaching more effective, you're in the right place. We know that every student is unique and has their own learning needs. That's why in this podcast, we'll explore various differentiated reading strategies that can be adapted to fit the needs of every student in your classroom. From process-based approaches to individualized instruction, we'll cover a range of strategies to help you teach better and, ultimately, help your students become better readers. Show Notes, Guest Bio, and Transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/803 Show Sponsor: Propello is a free online platform offering an amazing NGSS-aligned science curriculum for grades 6-8, with ELA lessons coming in the fall. With built-in student differentiation and support, every student gets a personalized learning experience designed for their unique needs. Propello's curriculum is focused on inquiry-driven instruction, with high-quality resources and embedded supports like language translations for English language learners. Even if you already have a science curriculum, Propello is an excellent classroom-ready supplement - with everything you need for a personal, fun learning experience for your students. So what are you waiting for? Head to Propello and create your account today!

Apr 17, 2023 • 12min
Social Media Success: Easy Strategies For Schools And Districts
This podcast with Andrea Gribble will help school administrators and principals create a school social media strategy to drive engagement, build community, and enhance their organization's online presence. Schools and districts are leveraging the power of social media social more and more because it engages them with parents, students, and the larger community. But with so many platforms and strategies, it can be challenging to know where to start. That's where this podcast comes in. In this episode, we'll explore successful social media strategies proven to work for schools and districts. We'll cover all you need to know so your school and district can understand how to effectively use social media and create a strategy that works. Show Notes, Guest Bio, and Transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e802 Show Sponsor: Propello is a free online platform offering an amazing NGSS-aligned science curriculum for grades 6-8, with ELA lessons coming in the fall. With built-in student differentiation and support, every student gets a personalized learning experience designed for their unique needs. Propello's curriculum is focused on inquiry-driven instruction, with high-quality resources and embedded supports like language translations for English language learners. Even if you already have a science curriculum, Propello is an excellent classroom-ready supplement - with everything you need for a personal, fun learning experience for your students. So what are you waiting for? Head to Propello and create your account today!