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

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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.

• 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

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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.)

• 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

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How do we move beyond drill-and-kill and actually engage students in math? In this visionary episode, Dan Meyer shares how Desmos and Amplify are transforming math classrooms—and what every teacher needs to know for the future of math instruction.

• Real-Time Math Engagement: How Desmos shifts math from static worksheets to dynamic experiences. How Amplify also works in this area.
• Embedded PD That Works: Why the best professional development happens inside the tools teachers already use.
• The Mindset Shift: Why great math teachers start with what students already know—not just what’s in the book.

https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e901

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Is passion enough to teach? In this powerful episode, Dr. Jacob Kirksey—Assistant Professor of Education Policy at Texas Tech University—reveals research on the rise of uncertified teachers (56% of new teachers in Texas are uncertified) and the real cost to student learning. Discover why teacher training matters more than ever and how we can fix the broken pipeline in education.

💼 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 of this episode include:
• The Cost of Uncertified Teachers: Students lose 3–4 months of learning in a single year when taught by uncertified teachers.
• Impact on Dyslexia Diagnosis: Early learners are significantly less likely to be diagnosed correctly when taught by uncertified educators.
• Veteran Teachers Under Strain: Certified teachers are absorbing the load—facing burnout, pacing gaps, and unfair support burdens.

🔗 Episode Page:
www.coolcatteacher.com/e890

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Isabelle Hau, executive director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, joins Vicki Davis to explore why the early years gap is our greatest educational inequity. Discover how 90% of brain development happens before age five and why relationships are fundamental to learning. Hau's book "Love to Learn" (the #1 new release on Amazon in Early Childhood Education) reveals why we need more "relational intelligence" in education and less focus on standardized metrics. She explains why young children today play 50% less outdoors than their parents did and how early childhood educators are literally "sculpting brains." A must-listen for anyone passionate about early childhood education!

Show notes, bio, and infographic at https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e889

Solution Tree - Show Sponsor

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.

Daron Franklin also known as “Coach Frank,” is a former Algebra I teacher turned human performance coach. His practical advice to help teachers reach kids and to help kids reach their goals is spot on. He talks about strategies for improving student motivation.

Additionally, he shares the importance of building relationships and things you can say and do to support student mental health. I like how he encourages us teachers to be honest when we make mistakes (we all make them.) He also encourages us to bring relevance into every lesson. Finally, his encouragement to develop keystone habits is something we can all do.

Show notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e888

Download the infographic and read Coach Frank's bio on the show notes page.

Dr. Marc Isseks, author of Captivate: Engaging and Empowering Students in a World of Digital Distractions, talks bluntly about cell phone policies and his opinion that attempting to ban cell phones is pointless. He also discusses the ways that you can engage students who have a short attention span (sometimes it feels like zero, but there are a few seconds -- 3 seconds. Some would say that is zero!)

His thoughts on starting class are important ones to discuss. Whether it is pop culture, or other tips he offers, we can engage students in learning from the moment they walk in the door.

Show notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e877