Posts

How Teachers Can Be Intentional About Self Care

We teachers need to take care of ourselves. Sarah Parker Wolf, author of Daily Intentions for the Classroom Teacher , talks about some intentional things every teacher can do to improve their thought process and how they take care of themselves. Can you try just one thing from this show?  Show Sponsor:  This summer, I’m taking my professional development with Advancement Courses. Recently, I shared the five-step process I used to select the perfect course for me at Advancement Courses. Go to  https://www.coolcatteacher.com/5-steps-to-choose-your-summer-pd/  to see how I selected my course. Your professional development should be customized to your current needs and what will benefit your career. Advancement Courses makes it easy to pick a course so you don’t have to stress out. The filters on their website are simple to use so you can find the perfect course for your grade level, subject area, or need. You can also use the coupon code COOL20 to get 20% off your cour...

3 Things Educators Should Debate As We Return to In Person Learning

As we return to in-person learning, we should not return to business as usual. David Bott gives us three things that, based upon current research, we should rethink in schools.  Show Sponsor: This summer, I’m taking my professional development with Advancement Courses. Recently, I shared the five-step process I used to select the perfect course for me at Advancement Courses. Go to https://www.coolcatteacher.com/5-steps-to-choose-your-summer-pd/  to see how I selected my course. Your professional development should be customized to your current needs and what will benefit your career. Advancement Courses makes it easy to pick a course so you don’t have to stress out. The filters on their website are simple to use so you can find the perfect course for your grade level, subject area, or need. You can also use the coupon code COOL20 to get 20% off your course today. So go to coolcatteacher.com/select and begin picking out your courses today. Notes: https://www.coolcatteacher....

How to Assess with Respect with Starr Sackstein

Assessment is part of what teachers have to do in school. Although it is required, we teachers can make sure we assess with respect. Today's guest, Starr Sackstein, author of Assessing with Respect: Everyday Practices That Meet Students' Social and Emotional Needs , shares an overview of what is needed so that every student feels respected even as they are given the necessary feedback to improve and level up their learning. https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e739   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 cente...

Joel Lookadoo: 2020 Arkansas Teacher of the Year

Joel Lookadoo, 2020 Arkansas Teacher of the Year, shares why he loves teaching, the stories he is seeing of teachers (and students) overcoming and encouragement for teachers now.  Show Notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e738 Related Resources The Well-Rounded Educator Podcast (started in the fall of 2020) Joel Lookadoo - Bio as submitted   Joel Lookadoo is an eighth-year educator in Springdale, Arkansas who coached basketball for three years before transitioning to full-time teaching in the classroom where he has taught Algebra 1 and is a National Board Certified Teacher in High School Mathematics. He created “Beyond”, which is a college-prep program, that supports first-generation college students by mentoring students and discussing college admissions and scholarship opportunities. Lookadoo, the 2020 Arkansas Teacher of the Year, is also certified in English as a Second Language and has led professional development on teaching English Learners, building high-perf...

The Opportunities from the Pandemic to Have Disruptive Thinking in the Classroom

Previous Shows Relating to This topic Bio as submitted   Eric is an Associate Partner with the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE) . Prior to this, he was the award-winning Principal at New Milford High School. Under his leadership, his school became a globally recognized model for innovative practices. Eric oversaw the successful implementation of several sustainable change initiatives that radically transformed the learning culture at his school while increasing achievement.  We all have undergone disrupted thinking because of our disrupted society due to the pandemic. But many of us hope we don’t go back to business as usual. Thought Leader Eric Sheninger has a challenge for us today about what we can learn from the pandemic and the opportunities we have to use disruptive thinking in the classroom for the good of our students. Check out Eric Sheninger’s new book, Disruptive Thinking in Our Classrooms .   Episode Sponsor: The Stone Soup Leader...

Leadership Spotlight: How a Student Held a Virtual Summer Camp in Summer 2020

Sophia is a student in Oman. During the 2020 shut down, Sophia wanted to help the children in her neighborhood have a fun learning experience -- so she created a virtual summer camp online. We can learn about learning in this example where the teacher and students are kids and everything is optional. What an exciting story. https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e736 Sophia - Bio As Submitted Sophia is a 15 year old rising sophomore from Cooperstown, NY, who attends Al Batinah International School in Sohar, Oman. She started a virtual camp for the children in the neighborhood as a way to offer summer activities based around art, science, STEAM, drama and Getting Ready for School! Each week she sends out several different activities based on the theme of the week. At the end of each week she sets up online meetings for the campers to attend if they want to share what they've created, what they've learned, or even just to talk about what they've been doing. She hopes to develop ...

How to Talk About Sustainability In Your Classroom

Caring for our earth is a focus of Earth Day. Today we discuss ways that any classroom can talk about sustainability and caring for the environment, no matter the political landscape of your community or school. Teachers will find ideas they can use to help their students year-round know how to care for their environment and community. https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e735 Episode Sponsor: The Stone Soup Leadership Institute would like to invite you and your students to be delegates at the 17th Youth Leadership Summit for Sustainability - from June 21-25, featuring inspiring speakers from their new book, Stone Soup for a Sustainable World: Life-Changing Stories of Young Heroes . In May, there will be a teacher orientation on how to use the companion educational curriculum. At the culmination of the Summit, you will be guests at the World's Largest Book Signing. And in honor of Earth Day, the Institute is offering you a pre-order link on Amazon to buy the book at a discounted ra...