Cool Cat Teacher Blog is at coolcatteacher.com

What students achieve is tied to whether they feel valued — and the same is true for the teachers who serve them. In this Motivational Monday conversation, coach and author Debbie Simões (founder of Best Questers, co-author of High Five to Thrive ) shows teachers how valuing students transforms a classroom, even on the hardest days. Drawing on years in inner-city classrooms, Debbie shares how to see past a child's behavior to the person of value underneath, how to communicate to connect instead of to correct, and how to be a "hope agent" for yourself and your colleagues in a season of burnout and teacher shortages. In this episode, you'll learn: Why "communicate to connect" changes how kids respond to correction The difference between behavior-based praise and identity-based praise How to respond when a student is at their worst What it means to be a "hope agent" when your own tank is low The mantra that can transform a school: people of va...

Summer reading for teachers — 11 books I've highlighted over 6,800 times and keep coming back to. This Significant Saturday special is my personal summer list for educators and lifelong learners, spanning AI ethics, productivity, faith, and the classroom-management classics I hand every first-year teacher. In this episode, you'll learn: Why The Age of AI by Jason Thacker belongs at the top of a Christian educator's list The one big-picture idea from The Future Is Faster Than You Think that brings hope about technology Which books to reach for when you're feeling burned out or overwhelmed The productivity and knowledge-management book that changed how Vicki organizes ideas The two classroom-management classics worth giving every new teacher Pick just one or two — you don't have to read them all. Choose what speaks to where you are right now. Full list with links to every book: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e949 If this list pointed you to your next read, ...

Adobe Express and Canva are packed with AI tools that save teachers hours — Amy Storer shares the features her teachers love most. Innovative learning specialist Amy Storer (Montgomery ISD, TX) walks through the AI-powered tools inside Adobe Express and Canva that teachers and students are getting most excited about — from studio-style student podcasts to interactive games you can build without writing a line of code. She also shares a favorite bonus tool for creating step-by-step how-to guides, and closes with a word of encouragement for any teacher feeling buried by "all the things." In this episode, you'll learn: How Adobe Express's Create a Podcast and one-click Enhance make student podcasting simple Why Animate a Character is an easy win for your youngest learners and GT projects How Canva Code lets you build interactive, self-grading activities with no coding A hidden Canva presentation timer and how Scribe turns clicks into a how-to guide Amy's ...

Teacher burnout isn't weakness — it's disconnection. Michelle Singh shares how teachers can reconnect, set boundaries, and feel fulfilled again. Michelle Singh — National Board Certified Teacher, founder of The Restful Teacher, and CEO of LCT-E Learning Solutions — spent more than 20 years in the classroom and district leadership before her own burnout forced a change. In this honest conversation with Vicki Davis, she offers teachers a path back to the work they love. In this episode, you'll learn: Why teacher disengagement is an "iceberg" with far more below the surface How to serve from fulfillment instead of sacrifice The power of starting with acknowledgement How to build a support team so you're not doing it alone The "clarity audit" — a simple self-reflection tool you can try this week Why writing down small wins carries you through the hard days Full show notes and resources: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e947 Share this episode w...

Why do we have to prove we're human in the age of AI? STEM educator and AI coach Brandie Wright shares the real story behind her ISTE main-stage talk on sparking curiosity — and why the presence of a teacher still matters. When Vicki first heard Brandie's story on the ISTE main stage, she wasn't sure the student was real — that's how believable AI-generated stories have become. This Wonderful Classroom Wednesday conversation is about curiosity, human connection, and the artisanship of teaching in an age when a kid alone with a screen simply isn't enough. In this episode, you'll learn: How "crew" — school-family grouping — builds the relationships that spark curiosity Why one student calls the whiteboard marker "magical" What teachers misunderstand about where AI's believable stories actually come from Why small classes and real human connection matter more than ever Three quick ways to spark curiosity in your own classroom Full ...

Steve Swanson built an AI grading tool — and then deleted the feature that would have returned AI-generated grades straight to students. He's a high school engineering teacher who was staring down 150 assignments after a field-trip week, and he built ClassLens because he needed it for his own gradebook. But when he got to the point where he could push one button and have everything graded and sent back automatically, it felt wrong. So he took the button out. In this Tech Tip Tuesday conversation, Steve makes the case for "human in the loop" — not as a buzzword, but as the actual job of teaching. He also answers a question he pitched to me by email, and it's the right one: what is the single question every teacher should ask before letting an AI tool grade student work? In this episode, you'll learn: The 30-second checklist to run before you let AI grade a stack of student work The one question to ask any vendor about where student data goes — and what "t...

Hope isn't just a feeling — it's a practice you can build. Psychologist and author Dr. Julia Garcia ( The 5 Habits of Hope ) joins Vicki Davis to redefine hope as something educators can practice, even in the hardest seasons. Recorded shortly after Vicki lost her father, this is an honest, encouraging conversation about hopelessness, grief, and the small habits that help us hold on to hope. In this episode, you'll learn: Why we experience hope as a feeling — and how to practice it instead The habit of reflection: pausing long enough to connect with something real The habit of receiving: learning to name and accept support How to reshape the thought patterns that keep us stuck How to keep teaching and creating through grief Full show notes and transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e944 If this episode encouraged you, share it with a teacher friend who needs a little hope today. Check out this episode!

How do students actually learn? AP Psychology teacher Blake Harvard — The Effortful Educator — shares the cognitive science of attention and memory that every K-12 teacher can use tomorrow. In this episode of the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast, Vicki Davis talks with Blake Harvard about why attention is a necessary component of learning, the simple pre-test that primes the brain, and the mistake of making hard content even harder. Blake breaks down the two strategies with more than a century of research behind them — retrieval practice and spaced practice — and why rereading notes just doesn't work. In this episode, you'll learn: Why attention is where we lose students the most — and how to win it back The power of a quick pre-test to prime the brain for new content How limited working memory means complex material needs simpler activities Why retrieval practice (not rereading) builds lasting memory How spaced practice beats cramming — in less total study time Listen, then...

Heart first, tools second. That's the secret to teaching well in the age of AI — and on this Cool Cat Teacher Talk, Vicki Davis and three educators show you how. Great teaching still happens, even in the hardest times, and the research is clear: the most powerful thing in any classroom is still a human relationship. In this episode, Vicki talks with Dr. Patricia Dickenson (author of "Smart Teaching in the Age of AI") about teacher-driven instruction and using AI to plan, differentiate, and rethink assessment; with Dr. Jie Tao (founding director of Fairfield University's AI & Technology Institute) about building AI out of compassion and using agentic AI without giving up control; and with instructional coach Amy Storer about the practical tools teachers are most excited about right now. In this episode, you'll learn: Why teacher-driven instruction still wins — and how to bring your authentic self into the room How to use AI to plan, differentiate, and asse...

Experiential learning through travel changes students for good — and Denver science and CTE teacher Angela Cannava proves any teacher can lead it. In this episode of the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast, Angela shares how curriculum-aligned international trips with EF Explore America transformed her students: a forensics lab in Great Britain where they did real DNA fingerprinting, and a Belize Ridge-to-Reef conservation expedition with a midnight bat workshop. She tells the story of a student who barely spoke in three years coming home changed, and a Belize traveler now headed back to work at the conservation NGO he visited on the trip. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why curriculum-aligned travel makes lessons “stick” long after the trip ends - How travel transforms your relationships with students — and the culture of your whole classroom - The two things to nail before your first trip: a diverse chaperone team and clear student expectations - How to make international travel doable o...

Art teacher Tim Needles brings AI art into the classroom without losing the watercolors, clay, and joy of real art. In this Tech Tool Tuesday, Tim shares how he uses Adobe Express and text-to-image to amplify student imagination, why the kids who use AI well are simply more descriptive, and the daily 10-minute creativity habit that helps teachers fight burnout. Plus: the legacy mural project that reaches a whole community, and the student who broke INTO the art room to keep working — and now works at Industrial Light & Magic. In this episode, you'll learn: How to bring AI art into any subject with Adobe Express (works on a Chromebook) Why specificity makes the difference between weak and strong AI art prompts How to keep students respecting traditional media in the age of AI A simple daily creativity habit that protects against teacher burnout Why "fun is underrated" — and how passion projects change kids' lives Full show notes and resources: https://www....

Leadership in education isn't a title — it's seeing a gap and building the bridge. A 16-year-old coder, a college-readiness expert, and a national principal show how. In this episode of Cool Cat Teacher Talk, Vicki Davis brings together three voices on what leadership really looks like at every stage. Ky'lin Spears, a 16-year-old who taught himself to code, built a free chemistry simulation platform (Atomency) when his school lacked lab equipment. Dr. Johanna David-Tramantano shares her evidence-based CONNECT framework for the hard bridge from high school to college — and why "showing up is a habit, not a skill." And Raquel Martinez, the first Latina president of NASSP, explains how leaders grow other leaders through what they choose to say, and why multilingual learners are an advantage, not a deficit. In this episode, you'll learn: Why initiative — seeing a need and meeting it — is the heart of leadership at any age How to build the "enduring sk...

Vibe coding for teachers means describing what you want in plain English and letting AI write the code — no coding background required. 2021 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Donnie Piercey joins Vicki Davis to show how any teacher can build custom classroom tools that save real time. Donnie shares the small-problem-first method he used to build printable daily student task lists, auto-translate his classroom newsletter into five languages, and create self-checking games — plus the dead-simple troubleshooting trick of screenshotting the error and pasting it back to the AI. Vicki shares how she rebuilt a unit into a game that raised her eighth graders' scores five points with zero retests. In this episode, you'll learn: - What vibe coding actually is (and what it isn't) - How to pick the one small problem worth solving first - How to fix broken code without knowing how to code - Why publishing to HTML lets your tool work anywhere - How AI tools like Gemini, ChatGPT, Canva ...

MIT's Justin Reich interviewed 120 teachers and students about AI in the classroom — and his honest takeaway is that there are no research-based best practices yet. Here's what to do instead. In this episode of the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast, Justin Reich (MIT Teaching Systems Lab, host of The Homework Machine) joins Vicki Davis to talk about what AI is really doing in K-12 classrooms, why the research is still in its infancy, and how teachers can run their own small "local science" experiments right now. In this episode, you'll learn: Why classroom teachers and students — not thought leaders — give the truest picture of AI in schools Why there are no AI "best practices" yet (and the 25-year research timeline that explains it) How to run a small, honest "local science" experiment in your own classroom this week Why your domain knowledge — not the tool — is what makes AI actually useful Four ways teachers are handling AI cheating (and ...

Moviemaking in the classroom isn't the fun thing you do at the end of the year — it's how Jessica Pack gets to know her students on day one. The 2014 California Teacher of the Year and author of "Moviemaking in the Classroom" shares the exact projects she uses in the first two weeks of school to lift student voice, build creative confidence, and weave in generative AI the right way. You can use it now or next school year as you plan ahead this summer! I want to give you lots of ideas for what you can do in your classroom with moviemaking!   In this episode, you'll learn: Two day-one projects that turn new students into whole people (using the book "The Best Part of Me" and the "I Am" poem) How to introduce generative AI through Adobe Express and build "AI citizenship" from the start Why growth over grades helped her long-term English learners blossom How to balance high-tech and low-tech so creativity — not the tool — stays ...

Data-driven schools aren't about spreadsheets — they're about seeing students. AJ Juliani led 150 educators in building AI-powered data dashboards using Claude Code, no coding required. Victoria Setaro introduces the framework of cold data vs. warm data that will transform how you use every number in your school. And Dr. Deborah Dennie, NASSP 2026 National Principal of the Year finalist, shows what a decade of data-driven leadership looks like when it's done with heart. In this episode, you'll  learn: How non-coders built custom AI data dashboards that replaced expensive vendor tools  The critical data privacy steps every school must follow when using AI Victoria Setaro's cold data vs. warm data framework  for making data actionable How Dr. Dennie uses attendance, discipline,  and climate data together — not just test scores Creative incentive strategies that actually work  ( classic car shows, Miss Maryland! ) Why collaborative planning time is th...

Dr. Sarah Thomas says AI is a creativity amplifier — a tool that gives teachers back their time so they can do the work only humans can do. In this episode of the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast, Dr. Sarah Thomas — founder of EduMatch and a Regional Technology Coordinator — reframes artificial intelligence as a creativity amplifier rather than a replacement for human thinking. We talk about what she actually automates, how to use AI ethically with students, and why staying pro-human matters more than ever. In this episode, you'll learn: Why AI works best as a creativity amplifier that frees up your time The "big rocks" to protect first: COPPA, FERPA, and student data (PII) How to move teachers from fear to confidence with AI The 80/20 rule for verifying AI output — and the "find the lie in AI" classroom game Why a robot will never replace the relationship at the heart of teaching Full show notes and links: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e937 If this ep...

Four STEM teachers. Four trips that changed students forever. From Panama to the UK to MIT to DC. When a student does real science in a real place, STEM stops being abstract. Miranda Grabowski's biology class planted mangroves in Panama. Angela Cannava's biomed students ran a live DNA fingerprinting experiment in London. Karen Spencer's seventh graders toured MIT and Harvard in Boston. Edith Cortez's eighth graders from Laredo, Texas competed at science museums in Washington DC. In every story, something very cool happens: students look up at the scientists and engineers in the room and realize — "I could do this for a living." In this episode, you'll learn: - How to align a STEM trip to what you're already teaching in the classroom - What happens when a student's classroom finally connects to what scientists actually do - Why taking students to see real labs, real campuses, and real professionals changes what they believe is possible - How ...

Are we being honest about what AI is really doing in our classrooms? Two leading thinkers say the conversation most of us need to have isn't happening yet. MIT's Justin Reich and philosopher Dr. Christian Miller join Vicki Davis for Season 6's Big Picture Conversations series, exploring one of the most pressing questions in education today: What does honesty about AI actually look like — in research, in classrooms, and in ourselves? In this episode, you'll learn: Why the AI in education research base is thinner than most people realize — and what teachers should do in the meantime (hint: become a micro-experimenter) Why domain knowledge matters more than ever when students use AI — and how handing off cognitive work too early may shortcut the learning that matters most What The Homework Machine podcast found when it interviewed 90+ teachers and 30+ students about what AI is really doing in K-12 classrooms What 30 years of research on honor codes can teach us a...

Jean-Claude Brizard, President and CEO of Digital Promise, joins Vicki on this Thought Leader Thursday episode of the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast. From his beginning teaching incarcerated youth at Rikers Island, where he met a young man his own age who couldn’t do basic math, to leading a global nonprofit that’s reshaping how teachers and developers co-create AI tools — Jean-Claude shares why he’s been in education for 38 years and counting. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why teachers must be “crew, not passengers” on AI How Digital Promise is co-creating with teachers to extend a science-of-reading platform for multilingual learners How Gen AI is letting students talk to the “average Americans” history forgot — including a Georgia housewife who captured seven British soldiers Why mitigating AI bias requires educators in the room from the start How to spot certified tech versus “shiny object” fluff Full show notes, transcript, and resources: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e935 ...

Five teachers — from Laredo to Denver to rural Colorado — share what really happens when you take students traveling. The fundraising. The quiet student who finds his voice. The FFA kids in Irish pastures. The principal who watches a student "come to life" on a Boston trip. After 20 years of leading student trips around the world, Vicki Davis brings together five educators who say the same thing: travel changes lives. In this episode, you'll learn: How a teacher in a high-poverty Title I district makes international travel happen for her 8th graders Why curriculum-aligned trips create classroom moments that last for years How a rural Colorado ag teacher and FFA advisor took 10 FFA kids to dairy farms in Ireland Practical tips: passport copies, the 10-minute "buffer zone," chaperone strategy, and why you need a med kit What a school principal looks for when choosing a travel partner Show notes: coolcatteacher.com/travel  If this episode helped you,...

In this episode, we dive into essential qualities of effective school leadership. From building relationships to tackling teacher burnout, our guest principals and educational experts share their strategies for creating positive, high-impact school environments. Hear from award-winning principals like Tracie Anderson Swilley and Carlos Ramirez, alongside thought leaders George Couros, Eric Sheninger, and top episodes from the past including Nancy Blair, Chris Chappotin, Pam Moran and more… This full episode and show notes can be found at https://www.coolcatteacher.com/talkleadership   Cool Cat Teacher Talk episode:

Welcome to Cool Cat Teacher Talk Episode 6, where we dive into the essential role of teachers, parents, and communities in helping children heal from trauma. This episode focuses on supporting children impacted by recent natural disasters and life's storms, with insights from leading educators, child psychologists, and leaders who know firsthand the challenges and power of resilience. As you watch, remember that every small act of kindness and support can make a difference in a child's life. Whether it's a smile, a listening ear, or a classroom community built on understanding, these moments shape healing. I hope this episode offers both practical strategies and heartfelt encouragement as we support our children. Show notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/talkstorm   Dr. Steven Berkowitz Dr. Michael Catt  Dr. Brianna Kurtz Joe Mazza Your host, Vicki Davis Cool Cat Teacher Talk episode:

Lately, I’ve had people tell me, “Just breathe,” or “Take care of yourself.” But how? When life is a constant whirlwind of responsibilities, how do we actually make time for self-care? In this episode of Cool Cat Teacher Talk , I’ve gathered some of the most powerful interviews I've done on teacher well-being. These “best of” excerpts will encourage and inspire you to prioritize yourself—because self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential. ✨ Michelle Blanchet , co-author of Startup Teacher Playbook , explains how understanding our frustrations is the first step toward real self-care. ✨  Tinashe Blanchet tackles procrastination—because sometimes, taking care of ourselves starts with getting things done. ✨ Stephanie Dorsey offers sustainable self-care habits that have helped her navigate the toughest seasons of teaching. ✨  Lana Penley , an Oregon principal, shares how self-care became a crucial part of her school’s recovery after a devastating fire. ✨ Sarah Parker Wol...

How can we create safer schools while fostering strong relationships with students? In this episode of Cool Cat Teacher Talk , Vicki Davis speaks with experts who have firsthand experience in school safety, crisis response, and student relationship-building. These powerful conversations shed light on what truly makes schools safer and more supportive environments for students. Featured Guests: Frank DeAngelis , former principal of Columbine High School, shares lessons on leading through crisis and rebuilding a community. Scarlett Lewis , Sandy Hook mother and founder of the Choose Love Movement, explains how SEL can help prevent school violence. Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley , an award-winning principal, discusses proactive school safety measures. Darrell “Coach D” Andrews , educator and speaker, reveals how strong student relationships improve school culture. Key Topics: Lessons from Columbine and how schools can support students after tragedy The role of SEL in pr...

How can we engage students in learning from the moment they step into the classroom? In this episode of Cool Cat Teacher Talk , Vicki Davis explores hands-on, playful, and project-based learning strategies that spark curiosity and excitement. Our expert guests share powerful insights on why engagement matters, the neuroscience behind movement in learning, and how play prepares students for success in an uncertain world. Featured Guests: Dave Burgess , author of Teach Like a PIRATE , shares high-energy strategies for student engagement. Suzanne Creswell , occupational therapist, explains the neuroscience of movement and learning. Nancy Frey , acceleration research expert, discusses effective engagement strategies. David Gann , author of The Playful Entrepreneur , shares the business case for play in education. Dr. Jenny Nash , head of education impact for LEGO Education, talks about hands-on learning. Eric Sheninger , educator and author of Personalize , explores pers...

🚀 What happens when a whole school shifts to a mastery-based model? Principal Nicki Slaugh shares how Quest Academy made the leap, improving student engagement and outcomes. Plus, hear from three educators using mastery-based learning in science, language arts, and math! 🔥 In This Episode: ✅ What competency-based learning is & how it differs from traditional models ✅ How Quest Academy implemented a school-wide mastery-based system ✅ Strategies that boost student engagement & academic performance ✅ How teachers personalize learning in science, language arts, & math ✅ Misconceptions about mastery-based learning & how to overcome them ✅ Practical tips for bringing mastery-based learning to ANY classroom 🎧 Read the show notes and bios of today's guests: coolcatteacher.com/talkmastery 💡 Tag us! Share your takeaways on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, or Instagram @coolcatteacher! Cool Cat Teacher Talk episode:

🎙 Host: Vicki Davis | Cool Cat Teacher 🚀 Episode Summary: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming education—but how are teachers adapting? In this premiere episode, we explore AI's impact on teaching, learning, and ethics with expert guests. From classroom experiments to AI in higher education, discover how educators are navigating this evolving landscape. 🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Real classroom experiments with AI AI’s impact on student writing and academic integrity Ethical concerns & AI’s future in education 🎙 Featured Guests: Jason Thacker – AI and Ethics Expert Victoria Thompson – Equity & AI in Education Advocate Steve Dembo – AI in Student Writing Experiments Tom Mullaney – The Eliza Effect & AI Misconceptions Omar Shepherd – AI & Computer Science Education Laurel Aguilar-Kirchhoff – Preventing AI Cheating Hear from these expert voices on AI's impact in education 🔗 Show Notes & Resources: 📌 Full episod...

Brain first AI teaching: a new MIT Media Lab study shows students who think before they use AI have a clear advantage over those who start with AI. Philip Seyfried — Teachers College, Columbia doctoral student and co-author of AI-Enhanced Literacy — shares the brain-first framework, why AI detectors don’t work, how to monitor AI use in the classroom transparently, and how to build the kind of trust that lets students tell you the truth about how they actually used the tools. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why MIT’s research shows brain-first / AI-second produces stronger writers • Why AI detectors fail — and what to do instead for academic integrity (with danah boyd’s em-dash story) • Why you should push AI to your students instead of grading WITH AI yourself — Vicki’s classroom approach • The “Beautiful Sentence” moment: why human teacher feedback still beats anything an algorithm can give • Why we shouldn’t anthropomorphize AI — and where beginning teachers should actually st...

What does real world STEM education look like in a high school where students run actual manufacturing contracts on industry-grade equipment, intern at MIT, and learn AI ethics alongside CAD? Joe Fatheree (Top 10 Global Teacher Prize, Illinois Teacher of the Year) and Dr. Mark Buckner (Smart Industry Top 50 Innovator, founder of Oak Ridge High School's iSchool and Wildcat Manufacturing) take Vicki inside a $1.25 million state grant program where 26 student-run contracts with 18 companies have produced near-net-shape metal 3D printing, augmented reality experiences, and graduates already working four to five years ahead of their college peers. This extended episode also tackles the AI conversation educators most need: where AI belongs in classrooms, where it doesn't, what neuroscience says about kids' developing brains in the attention economy, and why "just because you can does not mean you should" is the most important lesson STEM students will learn this ye...

ADHD misconceptions are sabotaging your students’ confidence and success. In this episode, Jheri South—a certified ADHD specialist and mom of seven neurodivergent kids—reveals the five things that actually engage an ADHD brain, the hidden emotional struggle affecting 95% of people with ADHD (rejection sensitivity dysphoria), and why “just try harder” is the worst advice you can give. Learn practical strategies for classroom engagement, how to recognize hyper-focus, and why consistency matters more than you think. In this episode: The difference between ADHD behaviors and ADHD neurology The five things that engage an ADHD brain: novelty, interest, challenge/competition, urgency, and passion Why urgency triggers hyper-focus (and why it’s not laziness) Rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) and why it’s often more disabling than distractibility How classroom placement and private conversations rebuild self-confidence Why inconsistency erodes ADHD students’ self-worth The role of p...

Free AI literacy resources for every K- 12 teacher — not just computer science. Karim Meghji, President and CEO at Code.org, shares how to teach AI in any classroom. In this episode, you 'll learn: Why AI literacy belongs in every subject, not just CS class How  to get started with Code.org 's free Hour of AI activities at hourofai.org Unplugged AI activities that work without any computers — perfect for K- 5 Why teachers need  to invest in their own AI education first ( and a free way to do it) Where to start by grade level: elementary, middle school, and high school resources Karim explains that students need to understand not just how to use AI tools, but how they actually work under the hood. Code.org 's Hour of AI brings together hundreds of partners offering one-hour activities across grade levels and subjects. And their new unplugged AI curriculum lets students explore generative AI through conversation and collaboration befor...

Inquiry-based learning doesn't have to mean overhauling your entire schedule. Terra Tarango, Chief Education Officer at Van Andel Institute for Education, shares practical ways K-8 teachers can weave inquiry and hands-on science into any subject — starting small and building from there. Sponsored by the VAI Educator's Studio from Van Andel Institute for Education. In this episode, you'll learn: How a 5-lesson kindergarten bee project covers science, math, ELA, and SEL Why "Beat the Bot" is the perfect activity for teaching kids what humans do better than AI How to flip your planning — start with what's interesting, then connect the content What ethical PD looks like (and why Terra says theory-heavy PD is "unethical") Small first steps: pledge forms, student pitch tanks, and flipping instruction order Show notes and resources: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e930 Get 50% off VAI Educator's Studio membership with promo code COOL...

In this episode, Malia Hollowell shares actionable, science-backed strategies to transform early reading instruction. Learn how to organize sight words by phonics rules, leverage spoken language as your teaching superpower, support dyslexic learners, and use word ladders for real reading growth. You'll also discover why leveled readers fall short and how to find trustworthy literacy resources. In this episode, you'll learn: How to organize sight words by phonics rules instead of random lists Why spoken language and sound tapping beats flashcard drilling How to support the 20% of learners with dyslexia using audio-focused strategies Why word ladders are more effective than traditional leveled readers Where to find trustworthy literacy sources backed by research Free editable sight word games from Playdough to Plato Show Notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e929 About the Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Van Andel Institute for Education. The Educator's S...