Cool Cat Teacher Blog is at coolcatteacher.com

This special extended episode is for family and friends to listen to in the car or around the holidays. It is from what I call my "legacy project," Cool Cat Teacher Talk, soon to be released as its separate podcast. In this, I'll tell you about the Cool Cat Teacher Talk Show project, why I'm doing it, and how it is being created and shared. Then, I'll share my 58-minute Cool Cat Teacher talk episode on Gratitude and Thankfulness. I hope you enjoy the show.  Show notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/talkgratitude Check out this episode!

Speech-to-text, audio, personal drawings and pictures, and writing about things kids love are all part of helping kids get excited about writing. In today's show, we talk to 15-year educator Randi Ahrndt about encouraging kids to get excited about writing as we discuss interactive writing strategies and one of the best free tools for teaching writing. We also talk about an authentic project of having kids write a personal book and the various steps of making it happen. We'll explore how to leverage technology and interactive strategies to turn even the most reluctant students into enthusiastic writers. Discover how to encourage creativity and self-expression in your classroom for all grades. Show notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e869   Questions Answered in This Show: What are the best free writing apps for classrooms, including tools like Book Creator? How can teachers use interactive strategies to make writing more engaging? Why is sharing writing with an au...

Sometimes, teachers can struggle to "fit it all in" when it comes to reading. What a relief it is to hear reading instructional leaders like Jennifer Serravallo talk about the artistry of teaching, how to overcome the challenges of teaching reading, and teacher autonomy and responsiveness. Jennifer also reflects on where the research is "fuzzy" in reading instruction needs more work and discusses where we go next (including the challenges of teaching children with changing attention spans). If you teach reading, Jennifer's show is a must-listen. Episode Highlights:  Effective Lesson Structures: Step-by-step plans for read-alouds, shared reading, phonics, and close reading. Art Meets Science: How structured lessons allow teachers to bring creativity and adaptability into their reading instruction. Emerging Research Areas: What’s next in reading comprehension, engagement, and the role of executive functioning in literacy? Tune in to get inspired and equippe...

Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley the Principal of Fairfield High School in South Carolina was named the 2025 Principal of the Year for the United States by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Today we're going to talk to her about the culture transformation at her school that improved their graduation rate and built a school pride that is promoting excellence in everything they do. She also talks about school safety and how she has approached this sensitive topic. Listen to this inspiring principal and make your school a better place too. Show notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e867   Check out this episode!