How to Truly Connect with Students (and Why It Matters)

Do you want to help students truly understand and enjoy math? In this inspiring episode, Dr. Erin Krupa shares her powerful research and practical classroom strategies that have helped boost student math achievement. From project-based challenges to integrating meaningful tech tools like Geometer’s Sketchpad, Erin brings the research to life in ways every K–12 teacher can use. She discusses how to spark students’ mathematical identity, create engaging tasks, and avoid turning math into a dry, procedural subject. Whether you're a math teacher or school leader, you’ll walk away with practical strategies and renewed encouragement. Sponsored by Solution Tree For over 25 years, Solution Tree has helped teachers and leaders improve student learning with research-based professional development. Discover how real schools are seeing big results in reading and math. 👉 Learn more at www.SolutionTree.com/10MinuteTeacher Highlights include: Math That Matters: How real-world connections improve engagement and retention Empowering Identity: Helping students see themselves as "math people" From Tools to Transformation: Smart ways to use tech beyond computation Creative Challenges: How “Design & Pitch” STEM tasks build deep understanding 🔗 Show page: www.coolcatteacher.com/e901  Will you share it? 🎧 Love the show? Don’t miss an episode — subscribe and leave a review!

From rogue AI behaviors to Google Gemini's web-building skills, this week's 10 Minute Teacher Podcast is your fast, fun roundup of the most classroom-worthy education and technology news! 🎙️ Today I'm sharing 15 surprising, hilarious, and serious updates that every teacher and school leader should know—from “GPT tennis” in schools to an AI that tried to be your spiritual guide (yikes - not just yikes but WATCH OUT). Plus, I give a celebratory hat tip to long time blogger and teacher, Larry Ferlazzo, in his  retirement. I also explain why people are typing nonsense into Google and asking for "meanings" and how this can be a great lesson to use to share the limitations of Google Gemini or any generative AI tool. Highlights Include: The Rise of MCP (Model Context Protocol): A new open standard that could revolutionize how your AI connects with school tools. AI Agent in Windows 11: Microsoft’s AI now helps manage your settings—what this means for edtech. Gemini 2.5 Builds Better Websites (and Raises Questions): Why we still need humans to supervise AI creation. Don't Play "GPT Tennis": A warning about lazy AI practices in schools. How AI Is Messing With Spirituality: The wildest (and weirdest) AI news this week. Bonus Insight: A hilarious viral phrase—"You can’t lick a badger twice"—and what it teaches us about AI hallucinations. 🔗 Show page with all the links: www.coolcatteacher.com/e900 • 📲 Never miss an update! Subscribe to the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

What does the science actually say about teaching methods that work? In this episode, Nathaniel Hansford shares how you can become a more effective teacher by applying proven principles from education research. Learn how meta-analysis, spaced practice, retrieval techniques, and data-driven strategies can lead to better learning outcomes in your classroom. Nathaniel also discusses why many PD sessions fall flat—and how we can do better. Whether you're just starting out or refining your craft, this episode is full of actionable insight for educators who want to teach smarter. 🔗 Show Blog Post: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e899 Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Solution Tree. For over 25 years, Solution Tree has provided research-based professional development that helps schools achieve real results. Learn more at https://www.solutiontree.com/10MinuteTeacher 

On May 1, 2025, Sam Altman’s identity project, now called World (formerly Worldcoin), launched iris and face-scanning locations in six U.S. cities. The goal? Prove you're human — and get a World ID in return. In this episode, Vicki Davis breaks down how the tech works, why it's free, and the serious ethical concerns for educators and parents alike. You'll learn the three major reasons this global ID push is happening: Stopping identity fraud and deepfakes Verifying age online to protect children Distinguishing humans from synthetic AI agents With connections to platforms like Match.com, Discord, and Reddit, and the backing of Visa, this story is about far more than tech — it’s about privacy, control, and the future of our students.  I've included lots of links and commentary at the show notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e898  🔍 Highlights Include: What is “World” and how does it work? A free iris scan for ID and crypto — but what’s the cost to your privacy? Why human identity matters now: From AI phishing attacks to deepfakes, we’re at a turning point. Classroom connections: Ways teachers can discuss the ethics of biometric data and identity with students. Surprising partnerships: Why Match Group and Visa are testing this with dating apps and payment systems. Why I’m not doing it. Ethical and privacy concerns along with the concern of abuse of power if such a tool is controlled by one group. 🔗 Show page: www.coolcatteacher.com/e898 ❤️ Found this helpful? • 🎧 Don’t miss an episode — subscribe and leave a review! • 💬 Tag an educator or parent who needs to hear this! • 📲 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Students won't learn if they don't feel seen. 💡 In this inspiring episode, veteran educator Dr. Lucy Lambert-Guesnard shares practical ways to build trust, connection, and authentic classroom relationships—especially with students who struggle. From real stories like “Larry with the hoodie” to “Joey with the basketball,” Dr. Lucy offers compassionate strategies that help teachers turn everyday moments into meaningful teaching breakthroughs. Learn how to give better feedback, handle tough behavior with grace, and build a classroom culture where every student feels valued. Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Solution Tree. For over 25 years, Solution Tree has provided research-based professional development that helps schools achieve real results. Learn more at https://www.solutiontree.com/10MinuteTeacher  🔗 Show notes and links: www.coolcatteacher.com/e897  📲 Subscribe to the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcatcher. New episodes every weekday.

Want to get more organized as a teacher or school leader—without spending a dime? In this episode, productivity expert Dr. Frank Buck shares five free Evernote features educators can use to simplify their digital lives. From emailing notes to powerful web clipping and searchable snapshots, Frank explains how to turn Evernote into your second brain. 💼 Sponsor Message: This episode is sponsored by Solution Tree. For over 25 years, Solution Tree has partnered with schools and districts to deliver research-driven professional development that helps teachers turn their passion into real progress for their students. 👉 See the results they’ve helped schools achieve at SolutionTree.com/10MinuteTeacher Whether you're new to Evernote or reconsidering it in 2025, this episode delivers practical time-saving tips to help you stay focused, reduce stress, and find what you need—when you need it. Show Notes & Links: 🔗 Blog Post and Frank's Bio: www.coolcatteacher.com/e896  Dr. Frank Buck's Books Get Organized!: Time Management for School Leaders (2nd Edition) Get Organized Digitally!: The Educator's Guide to Time Management

Teacher burnout is real — but it doesn’t have to end your career. In this motivational Monday episode, Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson (Dr. PBJ) shares her powerful personal story and real strategies to recognize burnout early, set healthy boundaries, and find your joy in teaching again. 💼 Sponsor Message: This episode is sponsored by Solution Tree. For over 25 years, Solution Tree has partnered with schools and districts to deliver research-driven professional development that helps teachers turn their passion into real progress for their students. 👉 See the results they’ve helped schools achieve at SolutionTree.com/10MinuteTeacher Learn how to stop digging when you’re overwhelmed, take micro-breaks that make a difference, and rethink school support systems to better care for educators. 🔗 Show notes and links: www.coolcatteacher.com/e895  🎧 Love the show? Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen!

What do teachers need to know this week about AI, edtech tools, privacy risks, and time-saving features? In this fast-paced news update, Vicki Davis — the Cool Cat Teacher — shares teacher-tested headlines that impact the classroom. From Google's bulk grading feature to concerns about AI eye-tracking and international AI policy, this episode is packed with insights that matter. Also, a huge health concern with touching the receipts of many of your local retailers. 💡 Includes a teacher tip on using data for AP test prep — and a heads-up about a surprising classroom health hazard! 🗓️ Show notes + resources: www.coolcatteacher.com/e894  💬 Tag a teacher friend who needs to hear this episode!

In this inspiring episode, Principal Carlos Ramirez, named "2024 Principal of the Year" by the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents shares how he turned a school tradition into a movement for community and inclusion. Discover how he builds trust with families, shows up for students, and leads a school where every child feels they belong. This is a must-listen for school leaders and teachers who want to create a culture of care and connection. 🎯 Highlights Include Leading with Compassion During Crisis: How Carlos returned to school during the pandemic to support families without internet access. A Walk to End Homelessness: How replacing Halloween with a community fundraiser became a new, inclusive tradition. Making Attendance Personal: The powerful impact of walking students to school and starting conversations that build trust. Why Belonging Matters More Than Buzzwords: Carlos explains how to avoid division by focusing on every student’s humanity. 🔗 Show page: www.coolcatteacher.com/e893 📲 Don’t Miss an Episode 🎧 Love the show? Don’t miss an episode — subscribe and leave a review!

Can grammar really be fun? Yes! In this episode, literacy coach and author Patty McGee shares fresh, playful ways to teach grammar that actually work—and won't leave kids groaning. If you've ever struggled to make grammar stick, you'll love these shame-free, curiosity-fueled strategies that bring joy and purpose back into your language lessons. (And personally I also like that there can be alternatives to diagramming sentences.) Solution Tree 💼 Sponsor Message: This episode is sponsored by Solution Tree. For over 25 years, Solution Tree has partnered with schools and districts to deliver research-driven professional development that helps teachers turn their passion into real progress for their students. 👉 See the results they’ve helped schools achieve at SolutionTree.com/10MinuteTeacher Highlights Include How to Break Grammar Shame: Why traditional approaches often fail—and what works better Sentence-Based Strategies: From simple to complex, how sentence play builds understanding Fun, Free, and Flexible Ideas: SPF-approved activities that require no fancy tools 🔗 Show page: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e892  Call to Action 📲 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 🎧 Don’t miss an episode of the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast!