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In today’s episode of The 10-Minute Teacher Podcast , we sit down with well-known educator and author George Couros to dive into his latest book, What Makes a Great Principal: The Five Pillars of Effective School Leadership . With insights from educators, principals, and contributors from around the world, George discusses how great principals build strong relationships, encourage continuous learning, and create environments that elevate both teachers and students. (I also was able to contribute a chapter about my principal and we talk about that a little as well.) Questions Answered in This Podcast: What makes a great principal? What are the five pillars of effective school leadership? How can principals build strong relationships with their staff and students? Why is servant leadership important in education? How do principals promote a collaborative school environment? What is the role of vision in school leadership, and how should it be developed? How can principals supp...

We want our students to be engaged and to want to learn. Particularly since the pandemic, many schools have struggled to engage learners. Today's episode shows us not only how we can creatively include play in our classrooms, no matter the age group or subject, but also why it's never too late to re-engage students.  Additionally, Dr. Nash shares fascinating data from a recent survey involving over 6,000 administrators, teachers, parents, and students that reveals the importance of student engagement and how play-based learning can drive meaningful educational experiences across all ages. Additionally, we learn how play-based learning can drive meaningful educational experiences across all ages. Show Notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e863   Key Questions We Answer in the Show:  How does play-based learning impact student engagement and educational outcomes? What does the latest research from LEGO Education tell us about current engagement levels in schools? How...

Nicki Slaugh is a trailblazing principal who pioneered personalized competency-based learning at Question Academy Junior High in Utah. Nicki's innovative approach has captured national attention, increasing student engagement, test scores, and teacher retention. In today's episode, Nicky shares the journey of shifting from a traditional school to a dynamic, customized learning environment where every student thrives at their own pace. Here’s what we’ll cover in today’s episode: How did Nicki transform her school culture to engage students and raise test scores? What strategies did she use to retain teachers and increase enrollment? How does personalized, competency-based learning work in a real classroom setting? What role does technology play in her innovative model? How did Nicki empower teachers and students with voice and choice in learning? What advice does she have for schools looking to implement similar changes? Show notes and transcript: https://www.coolcatte...

Join us as Pam Allyn, a renowned literacy expert and author of influential books such as Every Child a Super Reader, shares her unique insights on how teachers can foster a love of reading in their students. She not only defines the Science of Reading movement but also addresses concerns from critics who fear it might diminish the role of skilled teachers. Pam discusses common mistakes in how many students are taught reading and shares practical strategies for teachers to improve reading instructional methods. Whether you're a veteran educator, parent, or new to teaching, this episode is packed with practical advice and strategies to help you inspire your students to become lifelong readers. Questions Answered in this Episode What is the science of reading movement, and how does it benefit students? How can teachers balance phonics instruction and fostering a love of reading? What common mistakes do schools make when teaching reading, and how can they be avoided? H ow can te...

How can teachers without a computer science background effectively teach the subject? What does effective Computer Science professional development look like? Today, Omar Shepherd from California shares how they are seeking to train teachers in California with the Seasons of CS program to do just that. Computer Science can be integrated into any subject. Furthermore, Computer Science for everyone is a strategic issue for states and countries. Omar shares the importance of Computer Science and how California computer science teachers like him are working to reach more teachers with the knowledge they need to integrate computer science. Show notes and full bio of the guest: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e860 Sponsor: EVERFI from Blackbaud Do you want to equip your students for success in both their careers and personal lives, but find yourself racing against the clock? EVERFI is your go-to solution! Their entire suite of K-12 products aligns with state standards and has earned the ...

In today's episode, we dive into the transformative potential of AI in promoting equity in education with Victoria Thompson, one of ISTE's 2023 "Top 20 to Watch" and author of the book Elevate Equity in EdTech. While many educators are understandably concerned about AI's potential biases, Victoria shares her perspective on how AI tools like speech-to-text, translators, and others are leveling the playing field in classrooms in remarkable ways. Victoria works to give you some actionable insights on introducing AI, how we're already using it, and ways we can understand how AI can be used positively. She also encourages us to look at AI startups and certifications with a critical eye and shares what she looks for in a certification program. Show notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e859   Sponsor: EVERFI from Blackbaud Do you want to equip your students for success in both their careers and personal lives, but find yourself racing against the clock? EVERFI is...

Monica Burns and I talk about three AI strategies for every classroom. In this podcast we'll answer the following questions: How can AI be used to generate ideas and connect to student interests? What privacy considerations should be taken into account when using AI tools? How can teachers prepare for the discontinuation of EdTech tools? Why are Diffit and Brisk Teaching two of Monica's favorite AI tools, and how can they be used in education? In today's show, Monica Burns discusses three AI strategies for every classroom, emphasizing the use of AI to generate ideas, connect to student interests, and speed up communication. Additionally, we discuss the importance of expertise in supervising AI, the role of AI in formative assessment, and how to protect student privacy if you're using a public AI tool. As we discuss new tools, we must be realistic about tools that may go away at some point, as many did during Web 2.0. So, Monica shares insights on preparing for th...