Cool Cat Teacher Blog is at coolcatteacher.com

AI didn’t break assessments—it revealed just how flawed they already were. Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE+ASCD, shares how schools can prepare AI-ready graduates, address bias, and rethink what learning really looks like. Show notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e912 3 Takeaways: • Assessments weren’t broken by AI—they were broken already. • An AI-ready graduate needs strong human skills like storytelling and problem-solving. • Addressing bias requires both human awareness and AI tools for cross-checking. Growth Reflection: How should schools redefine assessments in the age of AI? Check out this episode!

Cyber attacks on schools are growing. Auburn University’s Jay James shows how student-led cybersecurity operations prepare learners and protect campuses. 3 Takeaways: • Student SOCs give real-world, hands-on cybersecurity training. • AI tools like Microsoft Security Co-Pilot mentor students in real time. • K-12 schools can start small with focused projects and grow from there. Growth Prompt: How do you prepare students—or staff—for real cybersecurity threats? Show notes link: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e911   Check out this episode!

Staff morale slipping or culture feeling off? In minutes, Stand Tall Steve Bollar shares quick, no-cost moves to lift school climate, empower staff, and unite your campus. Full links + guest bio:  https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e910 . Follow the 10 Minute Teacher for weekly classroom-ready tips. 3 Takeaways • Run a 7-week student-to-staff micro-challenge to build relationships fast. • Use five levels of decision-making to boost empowerment and morale. • Choose shared “anchors” to align subcultures and reduce toxicity. Growth Prompt Which micro-move will you try first—learn names, compliment shoes, thumbs-up signal, or eye contact + smile? Check out this episode!

This week's education news brings critical warnings every educator needs to hear. We're covering a major Apple security update, OpenAI's new Study Mode (and why a Cambridge expert gives it a C+), and most importantly - alarming findings about AI social companion apps that 70% of students are already using. Plus, concerning comments from OpenAI's CEO about the future of education. If you work with students, this episode could be a game-changer for the conversations you need to start having. Visit coolcatteacher.com/e909   for all the links and resources mentioned.  This 8-12 minute news segment always is the start to my weekly radio show, Cool Cat Teacher Talk. Sometimes I cross post them to 10 minute teacher. Both are available wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss a thing! Check out this episode!

As we prepare to return to school and with all of the announcements over the summer, what are the things we should do right away to prepare. Should we really enable all of the things or how can we slow down and test what really needs to happen to ensure the safety of our students and the educational value we want to offer? Teacher and IT Director, Vicki Davis, gives an overview of the summer's hottest AI announcements and some tips that schools are using to keep kids safe and cover their bases when it comes to implementing this cascade of change in ways that protect learning and kids. As always, each school must make these decisions for themselves to keep kids safe as the responsibility is on each of us to do so but here are some tips that might make sense for you. Show notes and links: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e908   Check out this episode!

I have three AI prompts I teach my students on the first day. Learn about why I do this and what the prompts are in this turbo tip episode! See the three prompts in the show notes and see a copy of the presentation I use to teach students to prompt: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e907   Check out this episode!