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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...

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...