The Balance, by Dr. Catlin Tucker

In this episode, I chat with Sue Thotz, the Director of Outreach for Common Sense Education and co-founder of Equity in Action California.

We discuss resources and strategies educators, parents, and families can lean on to help guide young people in navigating the complexities of living in an age of social media, artificial intelligence, and 24/7 connectivity in a healthy way that aligns with their values.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Dawn of the AI Era:Teens

In this episode of Ask Catlin, I’m diving into your questions about AI in the classroom! From practical ways to use AI with students to strategies for fostering critical thinking and balancing AI use, I’ll cover it all. I also tackle the tricky issue of AI-generated student work and share how AI can support special needs students and English language learners. And as a bonus, I dish on my most—and least—favorite Thanksgiving foods!

In this mini-episode, I explore strategies for designing effective block periods. Transitioning from a traditional 6- or 7-period day to longer blocks can feel overwhelming, but with intentional planning and the use of content blocks, you can create dynamic, engaging lessons.

Learn how to balance direct instruction with student-led activities, mix individual and collaborative tasks, and keep students engaged throughout the entire block.

To read more about this, you can check out my blog on this topic!

In this episode, I chat with Colton Monti, the principal at Selah High School, about his leadership journey. Colton shares how he has cultivated a school culture that encourages teachers to embrace lifelong learning and adapt to change. We discuss the strategies he uses to support educators in shifting their instructional practices, putting students to the center of the learning experience, and infusing joy into this work.

In this episode, I’m answering all your questions about choice boards! Wondering how many options to offer or how to differentiate effectively? I’ve got you covered. Plus, I share a ridiculous Halloween memory involving me, a golf cart, and a wild chase—while dressed as the Wicked Witch of the West.

In this mini-episode, I share five tips teachers can use to design tasks and assignments that are AI-resistant. These tips seek to capitalize on some of the limitations of AI right now. Designing AI-resistant tasks isn’t about avoiding technology; rather, it’s about designing assignments that challenge students to think critically, collaborate meaningfully, and demonstrate their unique understanding in ways AI simply can’t replicate.

In this special episode, I share my audio diaries, reflecting on daily experiences and insights from working with schools in Cairo and Ghana.

In this episode, I chat with Toni Rose Deanon about their journey as an educator and the transition from traditional, teacher-led lessons to a more student-driven, self-paced learning model with the Modern Classroom Project. We explore our shared work supporting teachers, the ways fear can stifle innovation, the limitations of conventional teaching methods, and how to design classrooms that foster deeper human connection.

In this mini-episode, I explore the questions: Why don’t we trust our students? What is it that we really fear? As someone who regularly works with teachers on topics like blended learning, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and student-led learning, one recurring theme I encounter is control. Educators have a lot of fears about releasing control and allowing students to take more ownership and responsibility for their learning.

To read my blog on this topic, click here.

In this episode, I chat with Jose Gonzolas, the Chief Technology Officer for the Los Angeles County Office of Education. He was recently named one of the top 100 influencers in education. We chat about data visualization, artificial intelligence, and supporting student and teacher success with technology.

You can connect with Jose on X @JRGonzalezSELA