Cool Cat Teacher Blog is at coolcatteacher.com

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...

Phone addiction in teens is real — and Australian psychologist Dr. Brad Marshall has evidence-based strategies that actually work from treating 2,500+ families. Dr. Brad Marshall, known as the Unplugged Psychologist and Director of Australia's Screen & Gaming Disorder Clinic, joins Vicki Davis to share what two decades of clinical work and university research reveal about helping kids break free from phone addiction — without shame or judgment. In this episode, you'll learn: Why parental control software fails — and the "handbrake rule" that actually works What happened when Australia banned phones in every school Why sleep is the number one thing to protect from screen overuse Why expecting teens to self-regulate phone use is "neurologically ridiculous" How to have a non-judgmental conversation with teens about their phone habits Show notes and resources: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e928 Love the show? Rate and review on Apple Podcast...

Executive function strategies Kindergarten through 3rd grade teachers can implement today. Dr. Sarah Oberle shares science-backed ways to support working memory, inhibition, and focus in the classroom. Dr. Sarah Oberle is a primary educator and cognitive science expert whose upcoming book, Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom, translates learning science into practical classroom strategies. In this episode, she breaks down the six executive functions developing in young children and explains why they matter more than content knowledge for student success. In this episode, you'll learn: The six executive functions and how they develop in K-3 students (core vs. higher-order) Why working memory is more limited than most teachers realize — and how to offload it with visual reminders, brief instruction bursts, and student-created notations How inhibition affects not just behavior but also attention and focus Why your classroom decor and seating arrangement may be taxing...

Balanced class lists set students and teachers up for success. Principal Carrie Hetzel shares her team approach, time-saving tech tools, and advice for planning ahead. Class Composer is sponsoring this podcast. Sign up now for your free trial of Class Composer. For elementary principals and guidance counselors, this is a must-use. Creating balanced class lists is one of the most important — and labor-intensive — tasks elementary principals tackle each spring. In this episode, Carrie Hetzel, principal of Paradise Canyon Elementary School in California (a National Blue Ribbon School), explains how her team builds balanced class lists using a multi-stage revision process that combines data with deep knowledge of every student. She also shares how Class Composer, a class placement tool, cut hours off their workflow by updating data in real time. In this episode, you'll learn: What a truly balanced elementary class looks like beyond just numbers How a principal, teachers, a...

Too many bright, high-achieving students hit a wall because they lack access, know-how, and the “network advantage” that makes college applications feel possible. In this episode, I talk with Zak Adams, a junior at Harvard University, about how mentorship can help high-potential, low-opportunity students pursue “dream universities” they might not otherwise consider. We discuss Project Access, an international, UK-registered charity that pairs students with mentors connected to their target universities. If you work with juniors right now, this conversation will help you see practical next steps you can take to support students who need a roadmap. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Recognize when a high-achieving student needs mentorship, not just encouragement Identify “high-potential, low-opportunity” indicators that can signal a need for added support Refer students early and plan ahead for deadlines that often arrive around September Understand why mentor matching co...

This episode focuses on how teachers can better welcome and support English Language Learners from the very first day of school. Many educators want to help multilingual students thrive but aren’t always sure what to ask, how to plan, or how to build connection quickly. Andrea Bitner shares practical, experience-based guidance to help teachers create inclusive classrooms where every student feels seen, valued, and capable. What You’ll Learn In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Ask students what name they prefer and ensure it is pronounced and used correctly Learn about a student’s previous school experience to better understand literacy and learning needs Partner intentionally with English Language Learner teachers to plan supports and accommodations Recognize that limited English does not equal limited intelligence Ask families which language they prefer for school communication instead of making assumptions Maintain a learner’s mindset by continuing to gro...

Opening Paragraph In this episode, we tackle the challenges educators face as uncertainty around AI, demographic shifts, and evolving student futures continue to reshape schools. Teachers are feeling the pressure to personalize learning for every student, and we explore how AI might assist rather than overwhelm us in that work. Jennifer Womble, Conference Chair for FETC, joins us to unpack trends that matter now and in the years ahead. Whether you’re attending FETC or not, this conversation will help you make sense of what’s next in education. What You’ll Learn In this episode, you’ll learn how to: think about the implications of today’s kindergarteners graduating in 2035 and what shifting demographics mean for schools reframe AI as an assistant to support teaching and learning rather than a threat recognize why learning as a human-centered, relational skill remains essential consider how schools and teachers can respond to change with clarity and purpose Episode Link...