10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher

Creativity is something that we have to nurture as teachers. In this blog post and episode, I share some of the ways I believe nurture creativity in students. See the show notes at www.coolcatteacher.com/582 Sponsor: The U.S. Toyota Dream Car Art Contest invites youth, ages 4-15, to submit their original hand-drawn artworks that answer the question, "If you could design a car to make the world a better place, what would it look like?" Artwork submissions for this free youth art contest are accepted this year from November 1, 2019, through January 31, 2020. Teachers can download a FREE K-12 standards-aligned lesson plan on car design that includes STEM concepts and art. Go to www.ToyotaDreamCarUSA.com/CoolCat to download artwork guidelines, an entry form, official rules, and the lesson plan today. Encourage your students to create Toyota Dream Car artworks today. Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a "sponsored podcast episode." The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Have you ever had a moment when your life changed? Perhaps it was a comment or it was a moment and although it may not have seemed to be anything to others around you, you experienced a seismic shift in how you viewed yourself. Dr. Michael Rousell studies these moments and relates them to neuroscience. Today he shares the surprising science behind the commonalities in these life-changing moments. As teachers, we hope to be part of these moments. You could say these small but very epic life-changing moments are the seconds that could take years of relationship building and effort to cultivate and then, light a bolt of lightning - it happens - and a child is transformed for the good. You'll want to learn to understand these moments as a teacher. This is one of those episodes to share and discuss due to the exciting impacts it can have in the life of children. www.coolcatteacher.com/e581 Sponsor: The U.S. Toyota Dream Car Art Contest invites youth, ages 4-15, to submit their original hand-drawn artworks that answer the question, "If you could design a car to make the world a better place, what would it look like?" Artwork submissions for this free youth art contest are accepted this year from November 1, 2019, through January 31, 2020. Teachers can download a FREE K-12 standards-aligned lesson plan on car design that includes STEM concepts and art. Go to www.ToyotaDreamCarUSA.com/CoolCat to download artwork guidelines, an entry form, official rules, and the lesson plan today. Encourage your students to create Toyota Dream Car artworks today. Show Notes about Surprising Moments Most moments that transformed people were in moments that surprised people. Flattery doesn't work and seems to be "empty calories for kids. " When you deliver a comment, make it declarative so it doesn't sound empty. Learn how to share comments in a way that can transform how a child views him or herself. What is a surprise from a neuroscience perspective and how does it help children change their views? How to pain struggles in the landscape of life. Michael Rousell, Ph.D. - Bio as Submitted I'm a teacher, associate professor, psychologist, and author. I taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. As an academic, I study formative moments, those events that instantly change what you believe about yourself. My next book is titled, The Power of Surprise: How Our Brain Secretly Changes Our Beliefs, (not yet published). My slogan: Whoever learns the most wins. You can see my recent TEDxSalem talk at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5O6mFWpgZo Blog: michaelrousell.com Articles: https://medium.com/age-of-awareness/how-do-you-craft-a-formative-moment-the-answer-is-literally-a-surprise-a9f55be67ed8 https://medium.com/age-of-awareness/how-a-single-comment-can-craft-or-slay-a-growth-mindset-48442dd1dd94 Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a "sponsored podcast episode." The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Lynn Colón, co-author of Empowering Girls: Opening the Door for Girls to Achieve More, helps us understand what schools need to be doing to intentionally empower their female students to achieve more. Lynn shares some of her journey and the nuances of understanding girls today. www.coolcatteacher.com/e580 Lynn Colón - Bio As Submitted Lynmara Colón brings the perspective of a teacher, assistant principal, and principal positions she has held since joining education in 2003 to her work in literacy. As principal of Mary Williams Elementary School in 2014, she served over 1,000 students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade and was able to increase reading engagement by leading a culture of literacy. She now heads the office that provides comprehensive registration services to English learners and immigrant children, including translation and interpretation services, to a school division serving over 90,000 students. These students represent 124 countries and 149 languages. Colón holds two master's degrees: a degree in curriculum and instruction, and the other in educational leadership. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in education through Old Dominion University. Book: Empowering Girls: Opening the Door for Girls to Achieve More Blog: leadwithmagic.com Twitter: @TheColon_s Instagram: LynmaraCosme Disclosure of Material Connection: This episode includes some affiliate links. This means that if you choose to buy I will be paid a commission on the affiliate program. However, this is at no additional cost to you. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." This company has no impact on the editorial content of the show.

Take care of yourself! We often tell each other this as teachers and rightly so. I once read that teachers work the same amount of time in ten months that most people work in a year. Teaching is not for the faint of heart or weak of the back but we must rest and stay strong to be our best. But how? Today, Mandy Froehlich gives us advice for self-care. www.coolcatteacher.com/e579 Challenge Press pause and take a few minutes after listening to this show to evaluate how you are doing with self care. If you do not change something, what will be the result of the direction you're heading with your health? Make one change. Mandy Froehlich - Bio As Submitted Mandy Froehlich passionately encourages educators to create innovative change in their classrooms. A former Director of Innovation and Technology, technology integrator, and teacher, she has experience at many levels of the organizational structure. Her interest lies in reinvigorating and re-engaging teachers back into their profession, as well as what's needed to support teachers in their pursuit of innovative and divergent thinking and teaching. She consults internationally with school districts and post-secondary institutions in the effective use of technology to support great teaching, mental health support for educators, and how to create organizational change. Her first book, The Fire Within: Lessons from defeat that have ignited a passion for learning, discusses mental health awareness for teachers. Her second book, Divergent EDU, is based on an organizational structure she developed to support teachers in innovative and divergent thinking. Blog: www.mandyfroehlich.com Twitter: @froehlichm Free Self Care Course: divergentedu.thinkific.com Instagram: @divergentedu Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leadershipinnovationanddivergentteaching/ Disclosure of Material Connection: This episode includes some affiliate links. This means that if you choose to buy I will be paid a commission on the affiliate program. However, this is at no additional cost to you. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." This company has no impact on the editorial content of the show.

Many schools are reimagining the learning spaces that some call libraries or media centers. Carolyn Foote takes us to the center of this trend to take us inside how she redesigned her learning space and the thought process behind it. As you plan your school's strategy, you'll want to have conversations about this show. www.coolcatteacher.com/e578 Carolyn Foote - Bio As Submitted Carolyn Foote is a techno-librarian, fascinated by the confluence of technology, students, and libraries. A White House Champion of Change in 2013, and recipient of the AASL Library Collaboration Award in 2019, she is a leader in the library field, especially on 1:1 technologies, library design, and student voice. Her blog can be found at Not So Distant Future http://www.futura.edublogs.org. Twitter: @technolibrary Favorite Hashtags: Follow the #TXLCHAT and #TLCHAT hashtags for all things libraries! Instagram: @technolibrary

Lots of things are labeled "STEM" these days but many of them are just rote instructions for students to follow. Is this truly STEM learning? Taylor Ryan is STEM coordinator for his school as they work to integrate STEM into every class. He shares what he's learned about true STEM learning in the past year in this role. Hear about STEM from the trenches of a school that is doing it. www.coolcatteacher.com/e577 Challenge Have conversations about the STEM learning at your school. Is it authentic STEM learning? What could you apply from this podcast in terms of longer-term or shorter projects? How about cross-curricular? Taylor Ryan - Bio As Submitted Taylor is a teacher and STEM Officer at Fulford Academy, a private school in Brockville, Ontario. School Website: https://fulfordacademy.com/

Tara Martin has written a book to help children (and adults) face their fears called Cannonball In! Today, we talk about a powerful metaphor and the risks of life and how sometimes we have to jump! Enjoy! www.coolcatteacher.com/e576 Your Challenge I have a saying in my office by Eleanor Roosevelt that says "do something every day that scares you." Again, we're talking rational risk and getting out of our comfort zone. So, that's your challenge – get out of your comfort zone today. Tara Martin - Bio As Submitted Tara Martin is an enthusiastic educator, speaker, and author. Her ambition is to lead a culture of innovative change and to motivate others to become the best they can be, all while staying REAL-- Relatable Exposing Vulnerability Always Approachable, and Learning Through Life. Blog: http://www.tarammartin.com/ Books: Be REAL: Educate from the Heart Cannonball In! Disclosure of Material Connection: This episode includes some affiliate links. This means that if you choose to buy I will be paid a commission on the affiliate program. However, this is at no additional cost to you. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." This company has no impact on the editorial content of the show.

Thom Gibson has fun ways to greet students as he walks around campus. He shared them on Twitter recently and I started using some of them and it adds a whole element of fun and engagement while interacting with students. Learn about these ideas and become the kind of person that kids love to greet! www.coolcatteacher.com/e575 Sponsored By Advancement Courses The holidays are just around the corner, and this is the perfect time to start planning your PD. Get started by going to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to explore over 240 graduate-level online PD courses in 19 different subject areas. Plus, you can save 20% of your order the code COOL20. That's just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. You can take courses on helpful topics like classroom management, teacher wellness, education technology, special education classes and more. Advancement Courses is flexible and lets you work at your own pace to create things to improve your classroom. Links from this Show For more on how Thom greets his students, listen to his narrative about it here. Five Ways Thom Greets His Students Merry Mini Fist Bump Monday Happy Two Thumbs up Tuesday Waving Wednesday Thankful Thursday - shake hand and asks what they are thankful for that day High 5 Friday I've adopted some of these and have adapted my own. I do Happy Fist Bump Friday and Happy Thumb Wrestle Thursday. Thom Gibson - Bio As Submitted Thom Gibson is a two-time teacher-of-the-year educator in Austin, TX, teaching math, robotics, YouTube Video Production, and the esports elective. He's the creator and host of the 'Stories from the Classroom' podcast, he posts weekly teacher vlogs / teaching tip videos on his YouTube channel, and is the creator of the 'Create & Manage A Classroom Economy' course for teachers. Outside of education, he's a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, learner of Mandarin, an avid runner, a chicken wing connoisseur, and is actively involved in his church. I created a course for teachers on how to create & manage a classroom economy. http://thomgibson.com/classroomeconomy Blog: http://thomgibson.com Twitter: @gibsonedu Instagram: @gibsoneducation Facebook: http://facebook.com/gibsonedu YouTube: http://youtube.com/gibsonedu LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/thomgibson e Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a "sponsored podcast episode." The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"Room service" door hangers are one of the unique ideas that André Sasser shares on the show. From a Woot Wagon to more, André talks about little things that encourage her as a teacher. I also talk about the "fun committee" at my school and some ideas to build community and collegiality. www.coolcatteacher.com/e574 Sponsored By Advancement Courses The holidays are just around the corner, and this is the perfect time to start planning your PD. Get started by going to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to explore over 240 graduate-level online PD courses in 19 different subject areas. Plus, you can save 20% of your order the code COOL20. That's just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. You can take courses on helpful topics like classroom management, teacher wellness, education technology, special education classes and more. Advancement Courses is flexible and lets you work at your own pace to create things to improve your classroom. Challenge Make someone's day or implement one of these ideas at your school to help your school have more fun! Door Hanger "Room Service" from André [PDF] André Sasser - Bio As Submitted André Sasser has been teaching math in Louisiana for ten years. She is currently teaching 6th-grade math, 7th-grade math, Geometry, Algebra II, Dual Enrollment Statistics, and an Introduction to Education class for future educators. Teaching math is a dream come true for André. She comes from a family of educators, and teaching is all she has ever wanted to do. Peek into André's classroom and you will find her students engaged in math conversation, working problems on the vertical whiteboards, or enjoying a Desmos activity. Her daily goal is to make math class an exciting experience for every student who walks through her door. Blog: https://sassafracs.wordpress.com/ Twitter: @MrsSasser Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a "sponsored podcast episode." The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Families want to engage in classrooms but as students get older, it can be challenging. In today's episode, Jeromie Heath helps teachers understand how to engage families in the classroom in positive, proactive ways. www.coolcatteacher.com/e573 Sponsored By Advancement Courses The holidays are just around the corner, and this is the perfect time to start planning your PD. Get started by going to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to explore over 240 graduate-level online PD courses in 19 different subject areas. Plus, you can save 20% of your order the code COOL20. That's just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. You can take courses on helpful topics like classroom management, teacher wellness, education technology, special education classes and more. Advancement Courses is flexible and lets you work at your own pace to create things to improve your classroom. Challenge Engage your parents one way this week. Jeromie Heath - Bio As Submitted Jeromie Heath is an expert on instilling and igniting the love of learning. As a National Board Certified Teacher with 16 years of experience, he's crafted successfully-proven innovative student and family engagement strategies that he's developed as he taught in diverse elementary school demographics (including Title 1, High ELL, High Poverty, and Advanced Learning). Jeromie's students gain nation-wide attention for doubling test scores! He's developed the KEYS to his success in engaging students and now shares these highly effective strategies in engaging and informative workshops, trainings, pds, and coaching sessions. Blog: https://sites.google.com/site/mrheathfunteacher/home Twitter: @teachheath Instagram: @teachheath Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a "sponsored podcast episode." The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Deep fake videos are now possible. In this disturbing trend, convincing videos, audio, and photos are viewed and shared by those who somehow think you can trust what you see and hear. Wesley Fryer takes us deep into the world of deep fakes in this resource-full lesson in a trend that is dangerous and threatening, particularly for a gullible population. This is a special extended episode of the 10 minute teacher and includes resources in the show notes. Sponsored By Advancement Courses The holidays are just around the corner, and this is the perfect time to start planning your PD. Get started by going to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to explore over 240 graduate-level online PD courses in 19 different subject areas. Plus, you can save 20% of your order the code COOL20. That's just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. You can take courses on helpful topics like classroom management, teacher wellness, education technology, special education classes and more. Advancement Courses is flexible and lets you work at your own pace to create things to improve your classroom. Links from this episode Can be found in the show notes at www.coolcatteacher.com/e572 Wesley Fryer- Bio As Submitted Dr. Wesley Fryer is a teacher, technology director, digital learning consultant, author, digital storyteller, and change agent. With respect to school change, he describes himself as a "catalyst for creative engagement and collaborative learning." He is the Director of Technology for the Casady School in Oklahoma City. In 2013-2015 he taught 4th and 5th grade STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) at Independence Elementary in Yukon Public Schools in Oklahoma. Wesley completed his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas Tech University in 2011. He is the author of several books on effectively using digital technologies to communicate and assess learning. His "Mapping Media to the Curriculum" book series and digital literacy framework focuses on helping students "show what they know" with media and create digital portfolios. He is an organizer for Oklahoma EdCamp and the PLAYDATE OKC professional development conferences. He has taught technology integration courses for in-service and pre-service teachers as an adjunct instructor for the University of Montana, the University of Central Oklahoma, the University of North Texas, and Wayland Baptist University. Wesley has served as an organizer for the annual K-12 Online Conference since it began in 2006. His blog, "Moving at the Speed of Creativity" (www.speedofcreativity.org) was selected as the 2006 "Best Learning Theory Blog" by eSchoolnews and Discovery Education, and is utilized regularly by thousands of educators worldwide. He leads 3 day iPad Media Camps, STEM camps for teachers and students, and digital oral history workshops with Storychasers. Wesley is a passionate advocate for digital oral history and works to empower people to archive the stories of their families and community. Blog: https://www.wesfryer.com/ Twitter: @wfryer Show What You Know With Media (PBL Resource by Wes): http://showwithmedia.com/ Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a "sponsored podcast episode." The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Do you have that difficult student who seems to fight you each time you try to reach him? Coach D was that student. He tells a powerful story of a teacher who was a reacher in his life and changed his life with a two-minute conversation in sixth grade. For all of those teachers who struggle to reach students (as many of us do), this show is for you. www.coolcatteacher.com/e571 Sponsored By Advancement Courses The holidays are just around the corner, and this is the perfect time to start planning your PD. Get started by going to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to explore over 240 graduate-level online PD courses in 19 different subject areas. Plus, you can save 20% of your order the code COOL20. That's just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. You can take courses on helpful topics like classroom management, teacher wellness, education technology, special education classes and more. Advancement Courses is flexible and lets you work at your own pace to create things to improve your classroom. Darrell Andrews - "Coach D" - Bio As Submitted Darrell "Coach D" Andrews is an internationally recognized education/workforce development consultant, strategist, motivator and author. His books, Believing The HYPE-Seven Keys To Motivating Students of Color, The Purpose Living Teen-A Teen's Guide To Living Your Dreams and The Parent As Coach-Developing A Family Dream Team has transformed thousands of students, teachers, educators and parents worldwide. His story, 5 Garbage Bags and a Dream is one of the top stories in the national bestseller Chicken Soup For The African-American Soul. As an expert and motivator, he has been invited to be a featured speaker at conferences such as the National PTA, The National Association of Secondary School Principals, ASCD and many state, regional and local events. Coach D takes great pride in the fact that he and his team of associates have been invited to present motivational strategies at thousands of schools and workforce development organizations all over the USA. Blog: https://www.coachdspeaks.com Twitter: @coachdspeaks Facebook: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachdspeaks/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachdspeaks/ Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a "sponsored podcast episode." The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Chad Klein is a 22-year educator. He shares his advice for teachers to take care of themselves and love teaching in this quick motivational talk. www.coolcatteacher.com/e570 Chad Klein - Bio as Submitted I've been teaching and coaching since 1997. I've worked with mainly middle years' students. I coach volleyball, baseball, basketball and golf and help as a trainer with a local youth football team. I am also a three term local association president. I have a loving, patient wife and I'm a proud dad. I believe in wanting the best for my students and players and pushing them to reach their highest potential. Twitter: @mrchadklein

Dr. Lee Graham is working with teachers to teach them principles of game-based learning to teach writing. Her anecdotes of classroom behavior-changing results are - pardon the pun - game-changing. Learn more. www.coolcatteacher.com/e569 Dr. Lee Graham - Bio As Submitted Dr. Lee Graham teaches courses in educational technology and pre-service teaching at the State University of New York, College at Oneonta. Her initial contact with Verena Roberts and Vicki Davis in 2014 helped her to futher her understanding of game-based learning and open education. Publications: https://suny.academia.edu/LeeGraham

Jeremy Rinkel has added technical writing to his traditional English Literature course. As a form of relevant non-fiction writing, Jeremy uses drones, robots, and 3d printers to give students an exciting topic on which to write their how-to and technical manuals. Dive deeper into what he's doing and learn how to apply it to your classroom. www.coolcatteacher.com/e568 Jeremy Rinkel - Bio as Submitted Jeremy is a husband, father, and high school English teacher. He earned a Masters in Educational Policy from the University of Illinois and a Masters in Teaching from Greenville University. His goal is to inspire students, teachers and anyone he comes into contact with to be a life long learner. Jeremy believes education is the key to solving our world's problems. ​​In his free time, Jeremy enjoys travelling, writing, spending time in coffee shops, and spending time with his family watching old TV shows on Netflix. In the summer, he can be found at a Lake Sara in Central Illinois teaching Standup Paddleboard Yoga. Blog: jeremyrinkel.com Twitter: @RinkelJeremy

Programming doesn't have to be so hard. Computer Science teacher, Michael Backus, gives us advice to help make programming easier. www.coolcatteacher.com/e567 Michael Backus - Bio As Submitted \Michael Backus teaches computer literacy and computer science at Teeland Middle School in Wasilla, Alaska. As the creator of the https://www.akrobotnerd.com, he has shared many projects that he has developed over the years, the most famous being his Artificial Intelligence with Arduinos curriculum. His most recent project is Build and Program Games with Arduino, a curriculum that introduces students to Arduino by walking them through how to make an electronic Tug-o-War and Simon Says game. In addition to creating curriculum, Michael also writes software to make life easier for teachers. His most recent work is a trio of G Suite add-ons (Document Evaluator, Slideshow Evaluator, and Spreadsheet Evaluator) that make communicating assignment requirements, managing peer evaluations and grading much faster and easier.

Administrators can empower teachers and principal Evan Robb shares some of the techniques. Evan is author of The Ten- Minute Principal and The Principal's Leadership Sourcebook: Practices, Tools, and Strategies for Building a Thriving School Community. www.coolcatteacher.com/e566 Evan Robb - Bio as Submitted Distinguished Principal, TEDx Speaker, Author Evan Robb is presently Principal of Johnson-Williams Middle School in Berryville, Virginia. He has over twenty years of experience serving as a building level principal including opening a Junior High School in Warren County, Virginia. Prior to being a school principal, he was an English teacher, department chair, and Assistant Principal. Early in his career, Evan received the Horace Mann Educator of the Year Award. In addition, the NCTE Commission on Reading selected him to serve on its board. Evan leads sustainable change initiatives that transform school culture, increase achievement, and prepare students for their future. In addition to being a full-time principal, Evan speaks across the country on leadership, how to improve literacy in schools, the digital principal, social media, how to involve all staff in goal setting, how to organize effective work teams, and the impact of culture and positivity on work. His first book titled, The Principal's Leadership Sourcebook: Practices, Tools, and Strategies for Building a Thriving School Community was published by Scholastic in the fall of 2007. His newest book, The Ten- Minute Principal is being published by Corwin in May 2019. Evan and Laura Robb collaborated with Davis Burgess Publishing to write, Team Makers which will be published in the summer of 2019. In addition, Evan and Laura will publish, A School Full of Readers with Benchmark Education in the fall of 2019. Evan gave his first TEDx Talk titled, Two Ways to Get Into a Swimming Pool in June 2019 at TEDxFieldstoneDriveEd. Evan's talk has stories of his leadership journey, challenges, and choices he made along the way. Please explore The Robb Review Blog and ScholasticEDU for more of his thoughts on teaching, learning, and leadership. The Robb Review Blog focuses on looking ahead, not looking back. Evan also has a podcast, The Robb Review Podcast. He has been named one of the top 25 educational leaders to follow on Twitter. Scholastic EDU named Evan one on the 10 educators to follow on Twitter. Twitter: @ERobbPrincipal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evanrobbprincipal/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erobbprincipal/ Disclosure of Material Connection: This episode includes some affiliate links. This means that if you choose to buy I will be paid a commission on the affiliate program. However, this is at no additional cost to you. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." This company has no impact on the editorial content of the show.

Colby Sharp author of Game Changer! Books for All shares some ways to improve your classroom library without spending any money at all. There are some ideas for all of us here. www.coolcatteacher.com/e565 Colby Sharp - Bio As Submitted Colby Sharp is a husband and father of five. He teaches fifth grade in Parma, Michigan. Colby is the co-founder of Nerdy Book Club, and he serves on the Nerd Camp Michigan team. He co-hosts The Yarn podcast with Travis Jonker. Colby currently serves as the president-elect of the Michigan Reading Association. He co-authored Game Changer! Book Access for All Kid with Donalyn Miller, and he is the editor of The Creativity Project: An Awesometastic Story Collection. Blog: http://www.mrcolbysharp.com Twitter: @colbysharp Book: Game Changer! Books for All Disclosure of Material Connection: This episode includes some affiliate links. This means that if you choose to buy I will be paid a commission on the affiliate program. However, this is at no additional cost to you. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." This company has no impact on the editorial content of the show.

Starr Sackstein reflects on when she knew it was time to leave the classroom. www.coolcatteacher.com/e564 Starr Sackstein - Bio As Submitted Over 16 years ago, Starr Sackstein started her teaching career in Far Rockaway High School, eager to make a difference. Quickly learning to connect with students and develop rapport, she was able to recognize the most important part of teaching, relationships. Fostering relationships with students and peers, to encourage community growth and a deeper understanding of personal contribution through reflection, Sackstein has continued to elevate her students by putting them at the center of the learning. Starr Sackstein currently works at Long Island City High School as a Teacher Center Teacher and ELA teacher. She spent nine years at World Journalism Preparatory School in Flushing, NY as a high school English and Journalism teacher where her students run a multi-media news outlet at WJPSnews.com. In 2011, the Dow Jones News Fund honored Sackstein as a Special Recognition Adviser and 2012 Education Updated recognized her as an outstanding educator. Currently Sackstein has thrown out grades, teaching students that learning isn't about numbers, but about the development of skills and ability to articulate that growth. In 2012, Sackstein tackled National Board Certification in an effort to reflect on her practice and grow as an educational English facilitator. After a year of closely looking at her work with students, she achieved the honor. She is also a certified Master Journalism Educator through the Journalism Education Association (JEA). Sackstein also serves at the New York State Director to JEA to help serve advisers in New York better grow journalism programs. Author of Teaching Mythology Exposed: Helping Teachers Create Visionary Classroom Perspective, Blogging for Educators, Teaching Students to Self Assess: How do I help students grow as learners?, The Power of Questioning: Opening up the World of Student Inquiry, Hacking Assessment: 10 Ways to Go Gradeless in a Traditional Grades School, Hacking Homework: 10 Strategies that Inspire Learning Outside the Classroom and most recently Peer Feedback in the Classroom: Empowering Students to be the Experts. (You can find all of the books here: https://amzn.to/2Me7gX8 ) She blogs on Education Week Teacher at "Work in Progress" where she discusses all aspects of being a teacher and education reform. Sackstein co-moderates #sunchat as well as contributes to #NYedChat. She has made the Bammy Awards finals for Secondary High School Educator in 2014 and for blogging in 2015. In speaking engagements, Sackstein speaks about blogging, journalism education, throwing out grades and BYOD, helping people see technology doesn't have to be feared. Most recently, Sackstein was named one of ASCD's Emerging leaders class of 2016, in addition to presenting a TedxTalk about throwing out grades. Balancing a busy career of writing and teaching with being the mom to 10 year old Logan is a challenging adventure. Seeing the world through his eyes reminds her why education needs to change for every child. Contact information: [email protected] @MsSackstein on Twitter Starr Sackstein, MJE Facebook Fan page

Project Based Learning (PBL) works if you know how to bring it into your classroom. Today, Noa Daniels shares how. www.coolcatteacher.com/e563 Noa is a passionate educator and enthusiastic learner. She is a classroom teacher, podcaster, blogger. She is also a coach, consultant and Chief Building Officer at Building Outside the Blocks, creating projects and initiatives for students and educators that build skill, autonomy, community and connection. https://buildingoutsidetheblocks.com/

I've lost 28 pounds since late June and am running 8-10 miles a week. And yes, I just turned 50 and feel great. In this show, I'll share the apps and tips for living a healthier lifestyle including the "eating plan" I'm using at My Shibboleth. www.coolcatteacher.com/e562

The Millennials aren't the youngest generation anymore. Generation Z is here. They are the kids in K12 education right now who have only known social media and the Internet. Ninety percent of preschool children are online. This has good and bad consequences. Dig deep as researcher Dr. Tim Elmore helps us understand Gen Z, their anxiety, and unique strengths. "The average adolescent today has the same level of anxiety as a psychiatric patient in the 1950's." says cognitive behavioral therapist, Dr. Robert Laheay. Let's learn how to help this generation survive and thrive. www.coolcatteacher.com/e561 Dr. Tim Elmore - Bio As Submitted Tim Elmore: Millennial Expert & Generation Z Expert Dr. Tim Elmore, CEO and Founder of Growing Leaders, is a best-selling author and international speaker. A world-renowned expert on Generation Y and Generation Z, Dr. Elmore uses his knowledge to equip educators, coaches, leaders, parents, and other adults to impart practical life and leadership skills to young adults that will help them navigate through life. His new Book is Generation Z Unfiltered. (Preorder)

Today high school math teacher, Chris Woods, gives us simple ideas of STEM activities any teacher can do. Get some ideas for how you can integrate STEM in the classroom. www.coolcatteacher.com/e560 Chris Woods - Bio as Submitted Chris Woods has taught High School Math for over 20 years in rural Michigan. After sharing relevant STEM connections with his own students for years, Chris realized that not every teacher notices STEM everywhere. He decided to start sharing all of the ideas from his classroom, simple examples of STEM in the world around us everyday, ideas of how STEM is more than just robots and 3d printing and a buzzword used by politicians. Chris also started the STEM Educator Podcast to give educators a voice and share how they're incorporating STEM in simple ways into their classrooms. He continues to promote a STEM mindset while speaking at conferences, on his YouTube channel, at school science nights, and most importantly in his classroom. Blog: http://dailystem.com/ Twitter: @dailystem Podcast: The STEM Everyday Podcast https://remarkablechatter.com/category/podcasts/stem-everyday/

Dania Santana, author of the bilingual children's book, Sebastian's Game Day Surprise, and multicultural parenting expert, shares how we can reach bilingual students. She discusses the current thought on best supporting bilingual students. www.coolcatteacher.com/e559 Challenge Have a conversation with one of your bilingual students and reflect on their situation based on what you've learned in today's episode. I also share some responses to a recent question about engagement with ideas from teachers. What is the most engaging thing you've done in your classroom this week? Got pics? Please share! — Vicki Davis (@coolcatteacher) September 11, 2019 Dania Santana - Bio As Submitted Dania Santana is a multicultural parenting expert who raises cultural awareness to create social change. She is also a published author and speaker on the subject of multiculturalism, diversity and inclusion. Twitter: @DiversityUS Blog: https://embracingdiversity.us/

Engaging students can be a challenge. A student from Jeromie Heath's class shares her perspective on learning and why she wanted to learn for Jeromie in this episode. Today, join in the conversations about learning and engagement and all your own thoughts on social media. www.coolcatteacher.com/e578 Jeromie Heath - Bio As Submitted Jeromie Heath's students experience a revitalization in the love of learning. Jeromie's passionate mission to engage every student is the key to more equitable learning higher quality education, helping to close opportunity gaps, higher student growth/performance, and happier learners. His students love school, love learning, and love each and every day. He attributes this increase in student engagement and performance based on the 3 key principles of engagement: accessibility, value, and stimulation. These three principles include innovative and effective methods that inspire, motivate, and challenge every learner. These methods not only produce results in student growth on test scores, but also (and more importantly) create experiences for life-long learners. He is a NBCT who holds experience in teaching in several diverse elementary schools. He now shares his 3 key principles to student engagement all across America. His presentations are not only informative - they are dynamic. For more info, visit: https://sites.google.com/site/teachermrheath/jeromie-heath-presenter-and-trainer

Michael Backus had a problem as he was teaching in Google Classroom. So, he programmed add-ons to solve the problem of needing checklists attached to his Google Classroom assignments. He saw a problem and programmed a solution, first by creating an add-on for just within his district. Many people don't know that this is possible or that add on's can be just within a district. We also discuss a "make your own extension" resource by Wanda Terral. Learn about Google Classroom teaching practices as well as a problem-solving attitude that you can bring to your own school. www.coolcatteacher.com/e557 Today's Challenge As I mentioned in the show, I was in Memphis this summer, Wanda Terral had a mini class on programming an extension for your district. There are teachers creating add ons and extensions inside their district. So, your challenge today is to explore and look at the add ons inside your favorite Google App and to find at least one time-saving add on or browser extension. After you find it, or if you already have one – share it to #edtechfind on the social media of your choice. Resources Document Evaluator: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/document-evaluator/dnjkieiolpkkdgabfmneenjoccdlkggg?authuser=0 Slideshow Evaluator: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/slideshow-evaluator/iafonlflbncinmmdcbcdpohmbmnpnfpi?authuser=0 Spreadsheet Evaluator: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/spreadsheet-evaluator/bcjhagclodbbgjajonpknhmkkilckalo?authuser=0 Wanda Terral's - Program Your Own Chrome Extension Michael Backus - Bio as Submitted Michael Backus teaches computer literacy and computer science at Teeland Middle School in Wasilla, Alaska. As the creator of the https://www.akrobotnerd.com, he has shared many projects that he has developed over the years, the most famous being his Artificial Intelligence with Arduinos curriculum. His most recent project is Build and Program Games with Arduino, a curriculum that introduces students to Arduino by walking them through how to make an electronic Tug-o-War and Simon Says game. In addition to creating curriculum, Michael also writes software to make life easier for teachers. His most recent work is a trio of G Suite add-ons (Document Evaluator, Slideshow Evaluator, and Spreadsheet Evaluator) that make communicating assignment requirements, managing peer evaluations, and grading much faster and easier. Blog: https://learn.akrobotnerd.com

She was named America's Top Young Scientist of 2017 by the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, with a patent-pending device to detect lead in water faster than any other current techniques. She then open-sourced this device so people can use the technology across the world. In today's show, Gitanjali talks about her learning journey and the teachers who reached her (and the pedagogies that didn't.) This show is a must-listen for science teachers and teachers everywhere. www.coolcatteacher.com/e556 Bio As submitted Gitanjali Rao is 13 years old and is an 8th grader at STEM School Highlands Ranch in Highlands Ranch, CO. She was named America's Top Young Scientist of 2017 by the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, with a patent-pending device to detect lead in water faster than any other current techniques. She is a Davidson Young Scholar since 2012 and has received several scholarships and awards for achievements in science, arts and community service. She is an active STEM promoter and is involved in promoting STEM-based activities in schools, clubs and the community. She was selected as the STEM Scout of the Year in 2016-2017 and was selected as one of the 12 delegates to Report to the Nation in the year 2017-2018. She was recognized as a Forbes 30 under 30, for science and invention. She is also an EPA Presidential award winner and is recognized as a Gloria Barron 'Young Hero' Honoree for community impact. Gitanjali has open-sourced her lead detector invention processor and app code for the community and it has been used for other applications. She is continuing to perform accuracy testing in Denver Water for the lead sensor and has partnered with an incubator to create reproducible devices. Gitanjali has won awards for her writing in national and international contests. She published her first book at the age of 9, called, "­Baby Brother Wonders." The self-illustrated book, based on the story that won 2nd prize in the PBS national writing contest, described the world through her younger brother's point of view. Gitanjali has also won first place in the International Aviation Art Contest for last four years at the state level. She was a "TIME for Kids" Kid reporter for the 2017-2018 school year and wrote articles bringing awareness to Flint crisis. Apart from writing and art, Gitanjali is part of STEM Scouts and 4-H club. Some of Gitanjali's hobbies include playing the piano, Indian classical dancing and singing, swimming, fencing, and baking. She has been playing classical music for almost 8 years. She shares her talent of playing piano in local assisted living centers. Gitanjali is on the board of Directors for an organization called Children's Kindness Network that spreads an anti-bullying message and promotes the importance of kindness in all of us. She conducts workshops in elementary schools and hopes to educate children about kindness when they are still young. Gitanjali interns in summer at the "The 3D printing store" to shadow designers. She is conducting research in the University of Colorado, Denver in the Department of Cell Biology to find a solution for prescription opioid addiction using the latest in genetic engineering. Gitanjali is also working on implementing a Cyberbullying app based on AI/Machine Learning in the community along with a team and they were awarded a grant of $5K from eCybermission (Army Educational Program). She recently gave four TEDx talks three in India and another in Nashville apart from speaking in several girls' and global conference and being a UNICEF panelist about the role of Youth to power the planet. Gitanjali aspires to study genetics and epidemiology. She hopes to keep writing, discovering, and sharing her knowledge in the future.

Rob Donatelli shares with us five more easy brain breaks. As a follow up to one of the most popular 10 Minute Teacher episodes, 5 Easy Brain Breaks for Your Classroom, Rob gives us more ideas to bring to our classroom. www.coolcatteacher.com/e555 Sponsor: E4Effort is a tool built upon the research behind helping students improve. Check out e4Effort for more information and to start encouraging effort with your students. Also, check out my recent review of e4Effort and sign up for a 30-day free trial. Rob Donatelli - Bio As Submitted Rob Donatelli is a business & computer science teacher at Dallastown Area High School. He is also the founder of the Donatelli EdZone. His passions include school leadership, education technology, presenting, entrepreneurship, and coaching. Follow him on YouTube at the Donatelli EdZone or on Twitter @DTown_MrD. Blog: http://donatelliedzone.blogspot.com/ Twitter: @DTown_MrD

Charles "Chuck" Poole shares how to build relationships that matter. While content and passion for our content and the craft of teaching are all essential parts of teaching that cannot be dismissed - relationships with students are also in the mix as an essential part of reaching today's students. We can do this! Let's listen, learn, and apply this in our classrooms! Sponsor: E4Effort is a tool built upon the research behind helping students improve. Check out e4Effort for more information and to start encouraging effort with your students. Also, check out my recent review of e4Effort and sign up for a 30-day free trial. Challenge Select a colleague or student and intentionally work this week to build a relationship with that person using something you learned in this show. Remember -- we can listen but we don't learn until we DO something with it. Charles Poole - Bio as Submitted Chuck Poole is a veteran teacher of nearly 20 years who has made it his mission to inspire and encourage teachers all over the world to be the best they can be. He is the visionary behind http://www.teachonomy.com/, a podcaster, the author of "uNforgettable: Your Roadmap to Being the Teacher They Never Forget," and the host of the upcoming virtual Teacher Success Summit (http://www.teachersuccesssummit.com/). Chuck lives in New Jersey with his wife and enjoys mentoring, creating laughter in the classroom, and the continued pursuit of his next adventure. Blog: http://www.teachonomy.com/ Twitter: @cpoole27 Instagram: @teachonomy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teachonomy Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a "sponsored podcast episode." The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Mel Paradis, author of Teaching Improv: The Essential Handbook, shares four ways to use Improv to teach in the classroom. Here are some fantastic ideas to share in your classroom. Sponsor: E4Effort is a tool built upon the research behind helping students improve. Check out e4Effort for more information and to start encouraging effort with your students. Also, check out my recent review of e4Effort and sign up for a 30-day free trial. Challenge Use improv in the classroom to teach your CONTENT at least one time! Mel Paradis - Bio as Submitted For more than 25 years, Mel Paradis has performed and facilitated improv with groups ranging from preschoolers through adults. Mel is a certified elementary teacher, currently working as a gifted and talented teacher and coordinator for five elementary schools in Wyoming. Since 2011, she has been a member of Jackson Hole's improv comedy troupe, The Laff Staff (https://www.facebook.com/TheLaffStaff/). Her passion for writing, love of teaching and addiction to improv drove her to write the book Teaching Improv: The Essential Handbook. She lives on the backside of the Teton Mountain Range in Idaho with her husband and two children. Twitter: @ParadisMel Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a "sponsored podcast episode." The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Virtual Reality is improving for use in the classroom. Augmented Reality/ Virtual Reality Education Expert, Jaime Donally, thinks that the Oculus Quest is a game-changer for the classroom. From less "queasiness" to some amazing apps, Jaime explains why she thinks the Oculus Quest is such a big deal. Sponsor: E4Effort is a tool built upon the research behind helping students improve. Check out e4Effort for more information and to start encouraging effort with your students. Also, check out my recent review of e4Effort and sign up for a 30-day free trial. Challenge Learn about the Oculus Quest and virtual reality for your challenge today: How to Create in AR and VR - Jaime Donally AR and VR in the Classroom - Hall Davidson Virtual Reality Protocols in the Classroom - Jaime Donally Virtual Reality (VR) as a new educational paradigm - Enrique Cachafeiro Simple virtual reality with Google Streetview and Google Cardboard - Donnie Piercey Jaime Donally - Bio from Her Website Jaime Donally is a passionate technology enthusiast. She began her career as a math teacher and later moved into Instructional Technology. Her desire to build relationships have brought about opportunities to collaborate with students and educators around the world. She provides staff development and training on immersive technology as an edtech consultant. Her latest adventures include the launch of Global Maker Day and the #ARVRinEDU community. She works as an author and speaker to provide practical use of augmented and virtual reality with more resources at ARVRinEDU.com. Website: https://www.arvrinedu.com/ Twitter: @jaimedonally Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/208017029807896/ Instagram: @jaimedonally LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimedonally/ Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a "sponsored podcast episode." The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Students need our help to regulate their own emotions. Today, psychologist Dr. Jody Carrington helps us understand five ways we can connect with our students and help them regulate their emotions. Understanding these simple principles can help us connect, improve classroom management, and be better teachers. www.coolcatteacher.com/e551 Sponsor: E4Effort is a tool built upon the research behind helping students improve. Check out e4Effort for more information and to start encouraging effort with your students. Also, check out my recent review of e4Effort and sign up for a 30-day free trial. Challenge We learned 5 ways to step back in but today, I'm giving you the Name that Child Challenge. I challenge you to call the names of as many children as possible in a positive way today as many times as possible. If you do this challenge with a friend, then share at the end of the day the kind of response you received from the children. Dr. Jody Carrington - Bio from Her Website I grew up on a farm in rural Alberta. My parents were high school sweethearts. My brother and I grew up together in a pretty happy place. Then my parents divorced. As adults, my brother and I learned that we had a full biological sister – who my parents had given up for adoption before we were born. I learned that even when you have a "secure base" and "safe haven", sometimes you need a little help sorting out "your story". For me, sorting out my own early story helps me be a better writer of the next chapters of my story – the one's called "wife", "mother", "sister", "friend", and "psychologist". My "story" of becoming a psychologist started at Red Deer College. I transferred to the University of Alberta, where I earned my Bachelor of Arts with distinction in 1998. I completed a year-long internship during that degree with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and became very passionate about police work and the significant toll that trauma can take on people. I was also lucky enough to spend some time working with some amazing families through Ronald McDonald House and I also volunteered with Victim Services. I then continued my studies at the University of Regina with the thought of pursuing a career in Police Psychology. Although I loved that work, my passion began to shift to families, especially those who experienced trauma. I completed my pre-doctoral residency in Nova Scotia in 2006 where I trained primarily in Cognitive-Behavioural and Narrative approaches. I completed rotations both with adults and children and learned that I really enjoyed understanding the "stories" of children—particularly those who had difficult experiences. I returned home to Alberta and accepted a job at the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary on the Inpatient and Day Treatment Units, a position that would forever change the course of my career. I quickly learned my "cognitive-behavioral skills" were not enough for kids and families with long and often traumatic stories with multi-generational influences. I needed to connect in order to have any significant impact. Desperate to learn more about attachment, I set off on a quest for mentors who "got it" and have been very lucky to have been influenced by some of "the greats". You will see a lot in my story about attachment. I have learned the power of the relationship. Empathy. Connection. I have learned that these are important for anyone who might want to understand their story and shift it in some way. Or heal in some way. Or repair it in some way. Or change their story once and for all. So that their next chapter as "teenager", "spouse", "parent", or "friend" can be better. I have worked with adults and children, as well as families, and I would be honored to learn about your story and perhaps influence your next chapters. Website: http://www.drjodycarrington.com/ Twitter: @jodycarrington Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjodycarrington/ Instagram: @drjodycarrington Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a "sponsored podcast episode." The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Students need to be surrounded by books that inspire them to read and rejoice in books. But how do we curate those texts to inspire our readers? Julie Wright gives practical advice for librarians and all of us teachers (including me) who like to surround students with rich texts that inspire reading. www.coolcatteacher.com/e550 Sponsor: Advancement Courses is today's sponsor From now until September 28, Advancement Courses, an online provider of professional development for K-12 teachers, is donating 10% of their sales to funding DonorsChoose.org projects. Go to coolcatteacher.com/give to submit your project. AND if you need some awesome PD, 10 Minute Teacher listeners get 20% off any online courses with the code COOL20. With this coupon, a 3 grad credit course for continuing education, salary advancement, or recertification is only $359. So, go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to learn more and use the code COOL20. Today's Challenge Use this episode as a conversation starter about ensuring that all students are engaged in their education. Also, check out "Build Your Stack: Short Texts, Big Engagement" by Julie. Julie Wright - Bio As Submitted With over twenty-five years of experience in rural, suburban, and urban settings. She is the co-author of What Are You Grouping For?, Grades 3-8: How to Guide Small Groups Based on Readers—Not the Book (Corwin, 2019.) She is currently working on a new book focused on the power of using short texts, to be released later this year by Benchmark Education. Website: www.juliewrightconsulting.com Twitter: @juliewright4444 YouTube: What Are You Grouping For? Webinar

Dr. Anael Alston is Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Access, Equity and Community Engagement in the New York State Education Department. He talks about what works to engage young men of color in education and his journey and passion for helping all students engage in school and do their best. If this is your heart's passion, you'll want to hear what Anael has to say. www.coolcatteacher.com/549 Advancement Courses is today's sponsor From now until September 28, Advancement Courses, an online provider of professional development for K-12 teachers, is donating 10% of their sales to funding DonorsChoose.org projects. Go to coolcatteacher.com/give to submit your project. AND if you need some awesome PD, 10 Minute Teacher listeners get 20% off any online courses with the code COOL20. With this coupon, a 3 grad credit course for continuing education, salary advancement, or recertification is only $359. So, go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to learn more and use the code COOL20. Dr. Anael Alston - Bio As Submitted Born and raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant Brooklyn, Dr. Anael Alston "Dr. A" is currently the Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Access, Equity and Community Engagement in the New York State Education Department. In this capacity, he informs educational policy across the state and administers over $200 million dollars to help support students across New York State from pre-Kindergarten through college. Prior to that, he was the Superintendent of Schools for the Hamilton Central School District. As a superintendent, Dr. A distinguished himself as one of the few superintendents across the state to have a 100% graduation rate while moving an agenda that included creating a program that allows international students to pay tuition to attend public school and involving the entire school community in creating a Board-adopted 5-year strategic plan to improve access, opportunity, and fiscal responsibility to the small rural school district. A recognized leader in the field, this year Dr. A was a main stage featured speaker at MBK Rising!, the inaugural national gathering marking the 5th year anniversary since President Obama launched My Brother's Keeper. A former Golden Gloves champion, Dr. A fights for children each day knowing that if not for the battles waged for him as a child, he would not be where he is today. Twitter: @DrAAlston Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a "sponsored podcast episode." The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Meredith Akers is a principal who has been using some unconventional methods of teacher PD. In this episode, she talks about the revolutionary way she recently held teacher PD (using video instruction and face to face meetings) and what she learned. Let's give teachers choice in their professional development about what they learn. Of course, we all must continue to improve our craft of teaching and need to learn, but giving choice as to content can make professional development more relevant and helpful. www.coolcatteacher.com/e548 Advancement Courses is today's sponsor From now until September 28, Advancement Courses, an online provider of professional development for K-12 teachers, is donating 10% of their sales to funding DonorsChoose.org projects. Go to coolcatteacher.com/give to submit your project. AND if you need some awesome PD, 10 Minute Teacher listeners get 20% off any online courses with the code COOL20. With this coupon, a 3 grad credit course for continuing education, salary advancement, or recertification is only $359. So, go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to learn more and use the code COOL20. Your Challenge for This Episode Today, your challenge is to discuss with your administrators and colleagues some ways that teachers can experience the opportunity to make choices in their own PD. Use today's episode as a conversation starter about what could work in your district. Also remember the advice Meredith gives about having the conversation earlier in the day and not at the end. I think this is important advice we can use. Please share what you're doing! I'm @coolcatteacher on Twitter and instagram. Meredith Akers - Bio As Submitted Meredith Akers is an Elementary Principal who believes that the best way to help others grow is to build relationships, offer support, serve, love, and be transparent about how she is working to grow herself. Her daily aspiration is to make a positive impact and to leave those she serves better off for having interacted with her. Blog: http://blog.acthompson.net Twitter: @meredithakers Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a "sponsored podcast episode." The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." M

Alfred Thompson has secrets that transform Computer Science classrooms. Yet, he shares them openly. Project-based learning. Passion-based learning. Problem-based learning. These three P's of teaching perfection have been a mainstay in Alfred's classroom for many years. In today's episode, Alfred uncovers how his classroom works, the impact it has on student lives, and how his students learn outside their classroom. Congratulations to Alfred for winning the Computer Science award at ISTE - it is very deserving. Advancement Courses is today's sponsor From now until September 28, Advancement Courses, an online provider of professional development for K-12 teachers, is donating 10% of their sales to funding DonorsChoose.org projects. Go to coolcatteacher.com/give to submit your project. AND if you need some awesome PD, 10 Minute Teacher listeners get 20% off any online courses with the code COOL20. With this coupon, a 3 grad credit course for continuing education, salary advancement, or recertification is only $359. So, go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to learn more and use the code COOL20. Alfred Thompson - Bio As Submitted Alfred Thompson teaches high school computer science at Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua NH. Prior to teaching Alfred worked in the software industry for many years. Blog: http://blog.acthompson.net Twitter: @alfredtwo Instagram @alfredtwo Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a "sponsored podcast episode." The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Student engagement! We need it! Today's guest, John Meehan, shares inspiring stories that help us use amusement parks, mud runs, and escape rooms to inspire exciting lessons in our classroom. John is the author of EDrenaline Rush: Game-changing Student Engagement Inspired by Theme Parks, Mud Runs, and Escape Rooms. Get excited. Let's do this! www.coolcatteacher.com/e546 Advancement Courses is today's sponsor From now until September 28, Advancement Courses, an online provider of professional development for K-12 teachers, is donating 10% of their sales to funding DonorsChoose.org projects. Go to coolcatteacher.com/give to submit your project. AND if you need some awesome PD, 10 Minute Teacher listeners get 20% off any online courses with the code COOL20. With this coupon, a 3 grad credit course for continuing education, salary advancement, or recertification is only $359. So, go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to learn more and use the code COOL20. John Meehan - Bio As Submitted John Meehan is an eleventh grade English teacher and instructional coach at Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, Virginia. He is the author of EDrenaline Rush: Game-changing Student Engagement Inspired by Theme Parks, Mud Runs, and Escape Rooms., which is now available from Dave Burgess Consulting everywhere books are sold. FTC Disclosure Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a "sponsored podcast episode." The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

In the high-stress, fast-paced job of teaching - burnout can happen to anyone. In today's show, we talk about recognizing burnout, how to get help, and steps to tackle it when it happens. Amber Harper, an expert on the topic of burnout, discusses what we can do to help ourselves be our best for our students and families. www.coolcatteacher.com/e545 Challenge: Take the burnout quiz. Amber Harper - Bio As Submitted Amber is a Google Certified Trainer and Innovator and her mission is to help teachers beat burnout by helping them to activate their own self-empowerment. As a former elementary teacher, she knows how challenging the education profession can be and offers support for teachers struggling with burnout through her podcast, website, and free Facebook Group. Blog: www.burnedinteacher.com Twitter: @burnedinteacher - Free Teacher Burnout Quiz: www.burnedinteacher.com/burnoutquiz - The Burned-In Teacher Training eBook: bit.ly/burnedinbook - Burned-In Teacher Training Course: https://www.burnedinteacher.com/workwithme

Students need real leadership opportunities - not just running a note to the office or other tasks that may be called "leadership" but really aren't. Adam Welcome, co-author of Empower our Girls: Opening the Door for Girls to Achieve More www.coolcatteacher.com/e544 After listening to today's show, I think you will take one of two challenges: 1 - Give students a genuine way to lead in your classroom. 2 - Have a conversation with a colleague about student leadership and how your school is nurturing it and what you can do to improve student leadership opportunities. Adam Welcome - Bio As Submitted Adam has been a teacher, Principal, Director of Innovation for a district with 35,000 students and enjoys pushing the envelope to always do what's best for kids! Adam was Principal of the Year for his region, a 20 To Watch for the National School Board Association, guest blogger for EdWeek, NAESP magazine, and many other publications. Adam also consults and works with many education companies as a way to improve their product for others! Adam is passionate about technology integration with all educators and a huge advocate of social media and connecting with other educators from across the country. Adam makes it clear that kids come first and has preached the message of Team Kid for many years. He is also the co-founder of Kids Deserve It with Todd Nesloney and the author of Run Like a Pirate. He is co-author of Empower our Girls: Opening the Door for Girls to Achieve More. Adam has an amazing wife (Stacy) and two young children (Greta and Tilden) that keep life at home exciting and active. Adam also loves to run and has completed 22 marathons.

Presentation skills are an essential skill for students to master. How do you help students improve when there are many students in the class. Robert Donatelli has a solution: speed presentations. Learn how to use this technique to help students improve their presentation skills. www.coolcatteacher.com/e543 Professional PD Challenge Today's challenge is to try speed presentations in your classroom or in your teacher professional development. Rob Donatelli - Bio As Submitted RRob Donatelli is a business & computer science teacher at Dallastown Area High School. He is also the founder of the Donatelli EdZone. His passions include school leadership, education technology, presenting, entrepreneurship, and coaching. Follow him on YouTube at the Donatelli EdZone or on Twitter @DTown_MrD.

Pam Shoemaker is getting ready to retire from teaching. As she and her husband were returning home from looking for places to retire, a storm arose. While location services can be used to perhaps compromise our privacy, in this case, it may have saved Pam's life. Hear her story and learn how to examine your own location settings for safety. www.coolcatteacher.com/e542 Podcast PD Challenge Your challenge today is a safety challenge for you – and one other person of your choosing. Pick a weather app. Go into settings and educate yourself on how to turn it on for "always allow" if that is your choice. Understand that location-based services can be used to track where you are, so if you choose not to allow any location-based services, then, make sure you know how to turn it on while traveling or when weather is bad. As always, consult with your wireless carrier about your data plan and educate yourself on the apps you use. Set your privacy settings with intentionality and be safe! Pam Shoemaker - Bio As submitted Pam Shoemaker is the Instructional Technology Coach for Walled Lake Consolidated Schools in Michigan. She is a Google for Education Certified Trainer and the outgoing President of the ISTE EdTech Coaches PLN. She is retiring from her position in Walled Lake later this week (while recording the show - as of this airing, she is retired!) Blog: https://yesedtech.blogspot.com/ Twitter: @shoemap

He didn't like school. But now he's been a principal and written ten books and travels the world helping principals and educators learn how to engage today's students -- especially inner-city youth. Baruti Kafele has inspiring words for us on today's Motivational Monday episode. He has authored ten books, recently the Principal 50: Critical Questions for New and Aspiring School Leaders and Closing the Attitude Gap: How to Fire Up Your Students for Success. www.coolcatteacher.com/e541 Today's Podcast PD Challenge Here's your challenge for today: How will you start Day One building relationships? Don't just read your syllabus – you've got to start building those relationships. Start connecting. Check your attitude – have you decided you want to be an excellent, compelling engaging teacher who improves your craft every day? Make a decision about who you want to be. Baruti Kafele Milken National Educator, internationally-renowned speaker and best-selling author, Principal Baruti Kafele led the turnaround of four different New Jersey urban public schools including Newark Tech, which was three times recognized by U.S. News and World Report Magazine as one of America's best high schools. Blog: https://principalkafele.com/ Twitter: @PrincipalKafele

Sherry St. Clair gives us principles for effective instructional coaching. Targeted to both administrators, instructional coaches, and technology coaches - Sherry has five practical ideas to get us started. Sherry is the author of Coaching Redefined: A Guide to Leading Meaningful Instructional Growth. www.coolcatteacher.com/e540 Today's Challenge Today I challenge you follow Sherry's advice and build relationships. If you want some ideas, many people have shared their ideas on this tweet I asked about what schools do for fun. (You don't need Twitter to read it.) How do you bring laughter and fun to your school - specifically with your colleagues? Looking and listening for ideas! — Vicki Davis (@coolcatteacher) August 6, 2019 Sherry St. Clair - Bio As Submitted Sherry St. Clair is the founder of Reflective Learning LLC, an educational consulting agency based in Kentucky. Her organization works with schools around the world, creating specialized training and coaching services for school administrators and educators. Additionally, Sherry serves as a Senior Consultant for the International Center for Leadership in Education and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. She holds a master's degree in Instructional Leadership, as well as a Rank I in Instructional Supervision. As an international consultant, Sherry draws from her rich experience at various levels of public education–teaching elementary school, being an administrator in a high school of 1,300 students, working as a state consultant, and creating and facilitating virtual courses. Sherry is a highly regarded national speaker and consultant, providing educational agencies with expertise in the areas of instructional leadership, effective classroom practices, classroom walkthroughs, effective use of data and guidance on how to create structures for successful classroom coaching. Coaching schools to best meet the needs of all students is Sherry's passion. Sherry is a contributing author to Effective Instructional Strategies Volume 2 published by the International Center for Leadership in Education. She has published numerous professional learning activity guides and facilitated webinar series focused on leadership and effective instructional practices. Additionally, Sherry developed virtual instructional workshops for the CTE Technical Assistance Center of New York. In partnership with the Successful Practices Network, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and AASA—The School Superintendent Association, Sherry has recently been a part of bringing innovative practices to scale. Her latest publication, Coaching Redefined: A Guide to Leading Meaningful Instructional Growth., was released in June of 2019. Disclosure of Material Connection: This episode includes some affiliate links. This means that if you choose to buy I will be paid a commission on the affiliate program. However, this is at no additional cost to you. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." This company has no impact on the editorial content of the show.

Today, you'll get advice for creating grouping strategies for your classroom from an expert teacher and author on the subject. Barry Hoonan, author of What Are You Grouping For? (Grades 3-8 - how to Guide Small Groups Based on Readers, Not the Book)helps us understand how to start our school year with a plan for grouping students in reading groups that works. www.coolcatteacher.com/e539 Your challenge today is to plan several ways you can make groups 1 – Try thought partners 2 – If you have a student survey for reading, call them over to your desk and discuss but use Barry's technique of "and what else" For your bonus material today, I've shared my quick way of making groups using cardstock, a marker, and laminator. Check out "A Quick Way to Make Groups" at coolcatteacher.com/groups. Barry Hoonan - Bio As Submitted Barry Hoonan has received NCTE's Middle School Teacher of Excellence award and he is a three-time Fulbright scholar. He teaches 5th & 6th grade at Odyssey, a multi-age program with the Bainbridge Island School District.

BreakoutEDU is a box with locks that also can be a great educational experience. In today's show, Lucy Manley shares how breakout boxes are becoming an exciting part of her college's educational experiences including Freshmen orientation. www.coolcatteacher.com/e538 Today, your Podcast PD challenge is to create a breakout EDU experience with your students. I've written a post to give you 5 ideas for bringing breakout EDU into your classroom along with free links to free Breakout edu digital games and more. Today's challenge is to create one breakout edu experience for your students and to share what you did with at least one colleague. Go to coolcatteacher.com/breakout for 5 Ideas to bring Breakout EDU to your classroom. And as always, tweet or message me on social media to let me know what you did! Lucy Manley - Bio As Submitted Lucy Manley serves as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Garrett College. In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Lucy teaches first-year writing.

Today, you'll listen to a young man who became an entrepreneur as a result of his school's genius hour. Listen with a purpose and prepare to get your daily challenge at the end and a link to the blog post I've written inspired by this show "7 Ideas for Student Genius Hour and Passion Projects" www.coolcatteacher.com/e537 Bonus Material: I've linked to Tyler's app at coolcatteacher.com/dna - Your challenge today is to plan one genius hour experience for your students this year. Put it on your calendar today. I've given you ideas in a blog post I've written called 7 Ideas for Student Genius Hour and Passion Projects – go to coolcatteacher.com/genius to access this post. Tyler Haggerty - Bio As Submitted Tyler Haggerty is a 7th-grade student in Connecticut, the founder of Squirrel Army Games, and loves rock climbing. He's on a mission to bring actual fun gameplay to previously boring educational games.

Today, let's make our profession better by focusing on how we can encourage new teachers and each other. Edwin Thomas Minguela reflects upon his first two years of teaching. As you listen to what he has learned and his encouragement for teachers, reflect upon your early years of teaching and how you can help new teachers in the profession. www.coolcatteacher.com/e536 Along with this episode I've released a new blog post "8 Ways to Help New Teachers Thrive" – check the show notes and stay tuned at the end of the show for these research-based ideas. I've also included a PDF of this post as bonus material for this episode. Today's challenge – adopt a colleague. But it has to be someone who is not already in your inner circle. If you've been teaching longer than three years, I challenge you to adopt someone who is a new teacher either at your school or to teaching altogether. If you're new to teaching, reach out to someone who has been teaching longer. Edwin Thomas Minguela - Bio As Submitted I am an upcoming third-year teacher in Philadelphia. All my 3 of years have been in 3rd grade. I love to bring joy for learning to all of my students. Being an urban student once myself and had spent the majority of my Prek-12 school years in Philadelphia, I know many of the hardships my students may come to my classroom. I want to them to know that our classroom is a safe place and that I will always care for them. During my educational career, I have had multiple rewarding opportunities to conduct research and present at a conference on different topics. A goal of mine is to not become an educator, but a researcher as well. One particular opportunity was conducting research on a Native American reservation for about 12 days. The research I conducted was an autoethnography dealing with my experiences as a Latino going into another minority's culture. I was able to present my research a year later at an undergraduate research conference held at Millersville University. I have also had a lesson publication and professional development session related to STEM education.

Change has a human component. In fact, without helping people change - there isn't any change. Today, Julie Wilson, author of The Human Side of Changing Education shares how we can supercharge change by helping people become part of it. www.coolcatteacher.com/e535 Prepare for your classroom for the fall with one of two free webinars from Linda Kardamis, select a free class on classroom management or one on Respectful, Responsible and Engaged Students in this series targeted to Christian educators who teach in any school setting. Julie Wilson - Bio as Submitted Julie is a coach and advisor to school leaders, educational institutions, and foundations whose mission is to shape the future of K-12 education. She has over fifteen years' experience building effective learning environments that unlock human potential and enable organizational culture to adapt and grow during times of change. She graduated from Harvard's Graduate School of Education with a master's degree in technology, innovation, and education, and a bachelor's of arts in business administration and French from Queens University in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She's the author of The Human Side of Changing Education: How to Lead Change with Clarity, Conviction, and Courage. Julie loves to learn and is also a mom to Theodore (aka Teddy Bear) - her biggest teacher yet.

One in four teens will experience teen dating abuse. Teen dating abuse is on the rise and is being compounded by the pressure on teens to portray a "perfect relationship" on social media. So, when a teen admits what is happening, sometimes people don't believe her or him. Today Ashley Bendiksen talks about teen dating abuse including the surprising signs and what teachers and administrators should know. Check out the challenges and notes at www.coolcatteacher.com/e534 Sponsor: Prepare for your classroom for the fall with one of two free webinars from Linda Kardamis, select a free class on classroom management or one on Respectful, Responsible and Engaged Students in this series targeted to Christian educators who teach in any school setting. Ashley Bendiksen - Bio As Submitted Ashley Bendiksen is a nationally acclaimed motivational speaker, award-winning activist, and prevention educator for youth and schools. She combines heartfelt personal storytelling, with education and practical strategies students and schools can implement. Ashley's programs are especially critical for today's teens, addressing the high prevalence of unhealthy dating relationships and social pressures, and their impact on student well-being, mental health, academic focus, and future success. Ashley's work is derived from her personal experience as a survivor of dating violence, sexual assault, and severe peer bullying as a teen. This resulted in damaging personal struggles and secondary consequences and even forced her to become homeless and a college drop out. Defying all odds, Ashley returned to school and graduated as Valedictorian of Salve Regina University with a B.A. in Administration of Justice. She became an activist, community leader, and nonprofit founder, and built an accomplished career in both the criminal justice and communications fields. Today, Ashley has been widely recognized for her work pioneering change in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault prevention, youth leadership, and women's empowerment. As an activist, she has held positions of leadership within major nonprofits, in addition to founding her own social change initiatives. This includes her present work as Founder of the Blue Hearts Project, a storytelling platform for survivors run in part by student advisors and the SouthCoast Women's Network. She is also a speaker with the international organization, Difference Makers #10Strong, is a Certified Life Empowerment Coach mentoring survivors, and will debut her true life podcast, Brave, in August 2019. Access Ashley's free e-book for educators, plus added resources at www.ashleybendiksen.com/teachers To book Ashley to speak at your school, or to learn more visit www.ashleybendiksen.com To anonymously share your survivor story with others who may feel alone, visit www.blueheartsproject.com Connect with Ashley online at @ashleybendiksen or by searching "Ashley Bendiksen" on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Innovate and try some new apps. Today, Richard Byrne, author of Free Technology for Teachers, talks about eight edtech apps that you should try. (He also shares a bonus fitness opportunity for educators.) Listen to the show and learn how it is used and follow the links in the show notes below. www.coolcatteacher.com/e532 Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Times 10 publications, publisher of Sanée Bell's new book, Be Excellent On Purpose, Intentional Strategies for Impactful Leadership. All editorial content is my own. Download a free ebook with the Lead Forward authors and get inspired. Richard Byrne - Bio as Submitted Richard is best known for his award-winning blog, Free Technology for Teachers. He was a high school social studies teacher before becoming a full-time technology integration specialist. In addition to his work in schools, Richard has been a consultant to some of the largest companies in the educational technology industry. Blog: http://freetech4teachers.com Twitter: @rmbyrne