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

Today is AI Literacy Day, Friday, March 28, 2025. So, as my part in celebrating this day, I thought the best people to speak about this topic is my students. So, I issued a call to my AP students and two of them showed up this past Tuesday and we recorded this show. I think that their honest, intelligent, reflective thoughts of the issue of their generation and their concerns and hopes for the future. If you didn't want to talk to your students about Artificial Intelligence, you will after this show. I'm going to watch this with my other classes to start the conversation. The boldness and honesty shines through and I know I'm biased, but I'm just so, so proud of them! Way to go Will and Lucy. Thanks for speaking out!

Get the full show notes at https://www.coolcatteacher.com/ailiteracyday2025 

Courtney Walker, NASSP National Assistant Principal of the year for 2024 talks about personalize learning for both teachers and students at her school and how to get started. The collaboration at her school will inspire you!

Show notes and full transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e885

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Adrian Gordon, a seasoned music educator with over 20 years of experience, as he shares his insights on building a thriving music program. Discover how to connect with students, foster creativity, and overcome common challenges in music education. Whether you're a music teacher or simply passionate about the arts, this episode offers valuable advice and motivation.

Show notes and bio: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e884

• Key Takeaways:
• Prioritize self-care to sustain your energy and passion.
• Remember your "why" to stay focused on the impact of music education.
• Meet students where they are and set incremental goals.
• Build a community through fun, engaging activities outside the classroom.
• Emphasize the importance of patience and discipline in mastering music.

Tune in to learn how to create a supportive and dynamic environment for your students. Don't forget to check out Adrian Gordon's book, "Note to Self," and share this episode with your favorite music teacher!

In the ever-evolving landscape of educational technology, Fortnite Creative is emerging as a groundbreaking tool for physics education and game-based learning. Andrew Vanden Heuvel, an innovative educator, is transforming the way students engage with STEM education through virtual laboratories and interactive learning experiences. By leveraging the immersive world of Fortnite, Heuvel's Fortnite physics project is redefining student engagement and creative learning environments. This digital curriculum not only enhances physics education but also bridges the gap between e-sports in education and video game design, offering students a unique platform to explore and create.

Key Takeaways:

• Fortnite Creative is utilized as a virtual laboratory for physics education.
• The Fortnite physics project offers a game-based learning approach to STEM education.
• Students can engage in interactive learning experiences, such as skydiving and racing simulations.
• The project encourages students to become creators, not just consumers, in the digital curriculum.
• E-sports in education is gaining traction, with potential for significant growth and academic integration.

Explore the full potential of educational gaming and discover how Fortnite Creative is shaping the future of interactive learning.

Show notes and bio: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e883

In this episode, we dive into the essential topic of self-care for educators with expert Morgane Michael, author of "Burn Out and Fired Up" and "Blueprint for Belonging." Teaching is a high-stress profession, often leading to burnout and compassion fatigue. Morgane shares practical strategies to help educators maintain their well-being, foster a positive classroom environment, and build a supportive school culture.

- Discover the power of mindfulness in just three minutes a day.

- Learn how to assess your career and projects with two simple questions.

- Explore the benefits of gratitude practices and how they can transform your mindset.

- Understand the importance of connection and reflection for personal and professional growth.

Tune in to learn how to be the sunshine on someone's cloudy day and create a positive impact in your school community. Don't forget to subscribe and share this episode with fellow educators who could use a boost of inspiration and support.

Link to show notes and guest bio: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e882

Traditional discipline isn’t working—so what should we do instead? In this episode, Joshua Stamper, educator and co-author of The Language of Behavior, shares how he transformed school discipline by replacing punishment with relationship-driven strategies.

💡 Learn how to: ✅ Handle disruptive behavior without removing students from class ✅ Implement the Push-In Model to strengthen teacher-student trust ✅ Use trauma-informed strategies to support emotional regulation ✅ Build a school culture that improves behavior long-term

📖 Show Notes & Resources: 🔗 https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e881

📩 Subscribe & Follow The 10-Minute Teacher Podcast: 🎙️ Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube

Let’s transform student behavior—without just handing out suspensions!

As AI tools like ChatGPT become more accessible, how can teachers help students develop authentic writing skills? In this episode, Vicki Davis talks with Dawne Beck, an experienced ELA teacher, about practical strategies for integrating AI into writing instruction while maintaining academic integrity.

You’ll learn:

✅ How to teach writing as a process to reduce AI misuse.

✅ Ways to use AI for feedback and editing without replacing student creativity.

 ✅ How to design writing prompts that AI can’t complete well.

✅ Why students often prefer their own writing over AI-generated text.

I isn’t going anywhere—so let’s teach students to use it wisely without losing their unique voice. 🎙️

🔗 Show notes & resources: coolcatteacher.com/e880

Are you a teacher feeling overwhelmed by endless tasks and struggling to find time for what truly matters—your students? In this episode of The 10 Minute Teacher Podcast, Dr. Desiree Alexander, an award-winning educator and consultant, shares 11 practical time management hacks every teacher can use to reclaim their time and reduce stress.

📋 Show Notes: Access the full show notes and links mentioned in this episode at coolcatteacher.com/e879.

🎓 About Dr. Desiree Alexander: Dr. Desiree Alexander is the Founder and CEO of Educator Alexander Consulting, LLC, and the Deputy Director for the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana. With over two decades of experience in education, she is an award-winning speaker, consultant, and advocate for teachers. Her work focuses on empowering educators with practical strategies and tools to thrive in their profession.

📧 Subscribe to the Cool Cat Teacher Newsletter: Stay up-to-date with inspiring teaching tips and resources by subscribing to our newsletter at coolcatteacher.com/newsletter.

📺 Watch on YouTube: Want to see more engaging content? Watch this episode and subscribe to our YouTube channel at youtube.com/coolcatteacher.

🎧 Where to Listen: Subscribe and listen to The 10 Minute Teacher Podcast on your favorite platforms.

01:24 ⏳ 1. Get Organized  Declutter your workspace and avoid the dreaded “stack of death.” Set up a simple and functional filing system to make paperwork more manageable.

01:45 📂 2. Use a Simple Filing System  Whether digital or paper, having an easy-to-use system will keep your materials accessible and prevent last-minute scrambling.

02:15 📝 3. Empower Students to File Their Own Work  Save time by letting students take responsibility for filing their assignments. This simple step fosters organization skills and lightens your workload.

03:02 📅 4. Plan Lessons Early to Reduce Last-Minute Stress Gather resources ahead of time—copies, books, manipulatives—to avoid scrambling when the copier inevitably breaks right before class.

05:03 👥 5. Have Multitasking Moments to Socialize and Get Work Done  Balance productivity with connection! Grade papers or file documents while chatting with colleagues, so you don’t have to take as much work home.

05:54 🚪 6. Close the Door and Minimize Distractions  Find a quiet space to focus during planning periods, so you can get work done efficiently without unnecessary interruptions.

06:10 🏡 7. Protect Your Peace and Work-Life Balance  Your well-being matters. Set limits on how much work you bring home, and make time for family, rest, and hobbies.

06:50 ✅ 8. Use the Answer, File, Delete (AFD) or Three D’s (Delegate, Dump, Do) Method  Prioritize your tasks by immediately answering, filing, or deleting emails. If it doesn’t need your attention, delegate or dump it!

08:03 📧 9. Use Email Tools Like Sweep to Stay Organized  Leverage email automation tools like Sweep to clear out old emails, filter messages, and keep your inbox manageable.

09:30💡 10. Put People First When Prioritizing Tasks  Before diving into your to-do list, check in with students and colleagues. Prioritizing people builds stronger relationships and improves your day.

10:21 🚧 11. Set Boundaries and Say No  Educators are natural people-pleasers, but overcommitting leads to burnout. Practice saying “no” and protect your time.

Thank you for listening to the show! Subscribe to my newsletter at coolcatteacher.com/newsletter and let's connect on social @coolcatteacher wherever you connect! See you later educator!