10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher

Latest Episodes:

AI, Speakable, and the Future of Language Teaching Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

Learning a new language can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be! In this inspiring conversation, Spanish teacher Dawne Beck joins host Vicki Davis (Cool Cat Teacher) to share practical ways to create a low-anxiety, high-engagement classroom where students actually enjoy speaking another language.

From using game-based learning and storytelling to integrating AI pronunciation tools like Speakable, Dawne explains how to build students' confidence while keeping the focus on communication over perfection. She also discusses strategies for helping third-language learners and students who feel self-conscious about speaking in class.

Sponsored by Speakable. All opinions are those of Dawne Beck and Vicki Davis.

🎙️ Listen now to discover:

How to lower anxiety in your language classroom
Simple ways to use laughter and games for learning
What "CAPT" (Computer Assisted Pronunciation Training) means for teachers
How AI feedback tools like Speakable can save time and build confidence

Learn more and find show notes at www.coolcatteacher.com/e916

ChatGPT, Mental Health and the Teen Tragedy We Can't Ignore Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

My students asked me about the Adam Raine wrongful death suit. Parents have asked me. So, I had to spend some time digging into the issues there and how I will be part of the solution. Part of protecting kids from their favorite 'homework helper.' We should all be concerned, and I look forward to continuing to learn and converse about the issue of our times as it relates to children.

Show notes and resources: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/chatgpt-wrongful-death-suit

Why Teachers Must Learn to Say "No" (And How to Do It) Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

Teachers often feel pressured to say "yes" to everything. Dr. Brad Johnson shares why assertiveness is the secret to avoiding burnout and thriving in your teaching career and how you can do it in a way that you're not considered negative.

3 Takeaways: • Assertiveness is about healthy boundaries, not aggression. • Saying "no" is essential to teacher self-care. • Administrators and teachers both benefit from assertive communication.

Growth Reflection: How do you set healthy boundaries as an educator?

Show Notes Link: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e914

A Cool Secret for Helping Kids Understand Math Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

Too many kids see math as boring or irrelevant. Tinashe Blanchet shares how creative, real-world projects like scale models can help students engage deeply with math while still hitting standards. Read more: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e913

3 Takeaways: • Scale models and PBL connect math to real life. • Measurement is often the weakest test area—but projects can fix that. • Teachers can start small with PBL, even in tight schedules.

Growth Reflection: How have you used projects to make math more engaging?

Show notes link: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e913

Richard Culatta: What an AI-Ready Graduate Really Looks Like Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

AI didn't break assessments—it revealed just how flawed they already were. Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE+ASCD, shares how schools can prepare AI-ready graduates, address bias, and rethink what learning really looks like. Show notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e912 3 Takeaways: • Assessments weren't broken by AI—they were broken already. • An AI-ready graduate needs strong human skills like storytelling and problem-solving. • Addressing bias requires both human awareness and AI tools for cross-checking. Growth Reflection: How should schools redefine assessments in the age of AI?

Building Cybersecurity Skills in Schools: The Student SOC Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

Cyber attacks on schools are growing. Auburn University's Jay James shows how student-led cybersecurity operations prepare learners and protect campuses.

3 Takeaways: • Student SOCs give real-world, hands-on cybersecurity training. • AI tools like Microsoft Security Co-Pilot mentor students in real time. • K-12 schools can start small with focused projects and grow from there.

Growth Prompt: How do you prepare students—or staff—for real cybersecurity threats?

Show notes link: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e911

Low Morale or Toxic Culture? Solutions with Stand Tall Steve Bollar Aug 16, 2025

Show notes

Staff morale slipping or culture feeling off? In minutes, Stand Tall Steve Bollar shares quick, no-cost moves to lift school climate, empower staff, and unite your campus.

Full links + guest bio: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e910. Follow the 10 Minute Teacher for weekly classroom-ready tips.

3 Takeaways • Run a 7-week student-to-staff micro-challenge to build relationships fast. • Use five levels of decision-making to boost empowerment and morale. • Choose shared "anchors" to align subcultures and reduce toxicity.

Growth Prompt Which micro-move will you try first—learn names, compliment shoes, thumbs-up signal, or eye contact + smile?

NEWS: Common Sense Warnings about Social AI Apps and More Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

This week's education news brings critical warnings every educator needs to hear. We're covering a major Apple security update, OpenAI's new Study Mode (and why a Cambridge expert gives it a C+), and most importantly - alarming findings about AI social companion apps that 70% of students are already using. Plus, concerning comments from OpenAI's CEO about the future of education. If you work with students, this episode could be a game-changer for the conversations you need to start having.

Visit coolcatteacher.com/e909 for all the links and resources mentioned.

This 8-12 minute news segment always is the start to my weekly radio show, Cool Cat Teacher Talk. Sometimes I cross post them to 10 minute teacher. Both are available wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss a thing!

Top 10 AI Tips for Schools to Do Now Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

As we prepare to return to school and with all of the announcements over the summer, what are the things we should do right away to prepare. Should we really enable all of the things or how can we slow down and test what really needs to happen to ensure the safety of our students and the educational value we want to offer?

Teacher and IT Director, Vicki Davis, gives an overview of the summer's hottest AI announcements and some tips that schools are using to keep kids safe and cover their bases when it comes to implementing this cascade of change in ways that protect learning and kids. As always, each school must make these decisions for themselves to keep kids safe as the responsibility is on each of us to do so but here are some tips that might make sense for you.

Show notes and links:

https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e908

3 Easy AI Prompts I teach My Students on Day 1 Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

I have three AI prompts I teach my students on the first day. Learn about why I do this and what the prompts are in this turbo tip episode!

See the three prompts in the show notes and see a copy of the presentation I use to teach students to prompt: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e907