Best Dr Catlin Podcasts (2026)

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Building Thinking Classrooms with Peter Liljedahl: Designing Conditions for Deep Thinking, Productive Struggle, and Student 1:00:43

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27m ago1:00:43

1:00:43

In this conversation, I chat with Peter Liljedahl to unpack the research behind Building Thinking Classrooms and what it really means to design classrooms where students think deeply. We explore the conditions that support thinking, from how tasks are introduced and timed to the surprisingly powerful role furniture and physical space play in studen…

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AI as an Assistant: Rethinking Learning and the Future of School 11:21

6h ago11:21

11:21

Opening Paragraph In this episode, we tackle the challenges educators face as uncertainty around AI, demographic shifts, and evolving student futures continue to reshape schools. Teachers are feeling the pressure to personalize learning for every student, and we explore how AI might assist rather than overwhelm us in that work. Jennifer Womble, Con…

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End-of-Year Reflection for Teachers: How to Make Meaningful Changes That Stick 31:05

7d ago31:05

31:05

As the year winds down, many teachers find themselves thinking about what they want to change and why it’s been so hard to change it. In this episode, I guide listeners through a practical reflection process that helps explain why meaningful change often feels elusive, even when the desire is there. Using real coaching stories and classroom-based e…

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The Station Rotation Model: Smooth Transitions That Save Time and Eliminate Chaos 13:57

13d ago13:57

13:57

Transitions can make or break a station rotation, especially when time is tight and energy is high. In this episode, I respond to a teacher’s question about transitions and logistics by unpacking practical strategies for creating clear, consistent routines that students can actually manage. I share why transition systems need to be explicitly taugh…

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Getting Consistent Results from AI: What Teachers and Students Need to Know 12:37

15d ago12:37

12:37

Many teachers are frustrated when AI gives great results one day and confusing or unreliable responses the next. This episode explores why that happens and how it affects both teachers and students in real classrooms. I sit down with Rob the AI Guy to unpack a key concept that explains much of this inconsistency and helps educators use AI more wise…

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The Science of Attention: The Difference One Teacher Makes 1:00:30

20d ago1:00:30

1:00:30

The science of attention explains why learning cannot happen without focus—and why one teacher can make all the difference. Learn how to understand the science of attention and help students learn. This episode is an extended episode shared from my other podcast/radio/TV show: Cool Cat Teacher Talk. I'm sharing it because it is helpful, but also be…

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Strengthening Tier 1 Instruction Through Flexible Use of High-Quality Instructional Materials 30:37

20d ago30:37

30:37

High-quality instructional materials are designed to strengthen Tier 1 instruction, but what happens when fidelity turns into rigidity? In this episode, I explore how HQIM can function as a strong foundation rather than a script teachers are expected to follow. I unpack when whole-group instruction makes sense, when small-group instruction is more …

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Connecting the Dots: How Learner Agency, Metacognition, and the Science of Learning Work Together with Suzy Evans and Dr. Shane Saeed 1:01:04

28d ago1:01:04

1:01:04

In this episode, I chat with Suzy Evans and Dr. Shane Saeed about how learner agency, metacognition, and assessment can work together rather than be siloed or disconnected. We explored what the science of learning tells us about helping students take more ownership of their thinking and how teachers can design routines that make assessment somethin…

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4 Essential Ways to Teach Reading with Jennifer Burns 12:13

29d ago12:13

12:13

Every child can become a reader — but only when we build strong foundational skills. In this episode, literacy consultant Jennifer Burns explains the "Fundamental Four" every student needs to read with confidence: seeing like a reader, hearing like a reader, thinking like a reader, and believing they are a reader. Whether you teach early learners, …

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Quiet Collaboration in Station Rotation: Secondary Strategies That Work 37:33

1M ago37:33

37:33

In this episode, I dig into one of the most common challenges teachers face when using the Station Rotation Model: managing noise while maintaining meaningful collaboration. I walk through six quiet, high-engagement collaborative routines—from virtual scavenger hunts to shared visual artifacts—that help students think together without the chaos. Th…

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Tier 1 Instruction with Video: Strategies That Get Students Thinking and Talking 38:43

1M ago38:43

38:43

In this episode, I talk about using video strategically for explanations or models that we plan to present the same way for all students, and that they often need to revisit. I dig into the common concerns teachers raise about video and explain why it can actually remove barriers that live instruction sometimes creates. I share strategies that turn…

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How School and District Podcasts Build Stronger Connections with Families featuring Matt Graham 45:31

2M ago45:31

45:31

In this episode, I talk with Matt Graham, an award-winning educator and the digital media specialist for Chesapeake Public Schools. Matt shares how he first used podcasting with middle school students, then expanded that work and eventually led efforts to create a districtwide podcast focused on clear, consistent communication with families and the…

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Play, Curiosity, and the Joy of Math with Dan Finkel 15:56

2M ago15:56

15:56

What if math could feel like play? 🎲 In this inspiring episode, mathematician and educator Dan Finkel—founder of Math for Love—joins Vicki Davis, the Cool Cat Teacher, to explore how curiosity, productive struggle, and play can make math more meaningful and fun for every learner. Discover how to start math lessons with questions, why struggle build…

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Making Tier 1 Whole Group Instruction More Effective: Chunking, Cooperative Learning, and DOK Questions 40:07

2M ago40:07

40:07

In this episode, I explore how we can make Tier 1 whole group instruction more intentional, engaging, and effective for every learner. I share how chunking content into manageable segments prevents cognitive overload and keeps students engaged in their learning, rather than passive listeners. I share how cooperative learning strategies, like Number…

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Can AI Replace Teachers? Dr. Catlin Tucker on Smarter Lesson Design and UDL 15:52

2M ago15:52

15:52

Dr. Catlin Tucker, bestselling author and blended learning expert, joins Vicki Davis to talk about how teachers can design better lessons with AI—without losing their essential human touch. From universal design for learning (UDL) to creating meaningful student choice, Dr. Tucker explains how AI can elevate lesson planning when used with intentiona…

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6 Ideas for Teaching Writing Now with Nancy McCabe 11:23

2M ago11:23

11:23

Teaching writing can feel challenging in today's world of short attention spans and AI-generated text—but it doesn't have to be! In this encouraging episode, author and professor Nancy McCabe joins host Vicki Davis (Cool Cat Teacher) to share six creative strategies that help students rediscover the joy of writing. From 10-minute free writing sessi…

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Maximize Focus, Minimize Distractions: Using Seating Charts with the Station Rotation Model 21:58

2M ago21:58

21:58

In this episode, I share how a simple seating chart can transform the Station Rotation Model into a more focused and productive learning experience. I talk about how intentional grouping can minimize distractions, strengthen collaboration, and make it easier to assign a facilitator or group leader at each station. I also offer tips for displaying g…

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AI, Speakable, and the Future of Language Teaching 15:27

2M ago15:27

15:27

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 …

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ChatGPT, Mental Health and the Teen Tragedy We Can't Ignore 17:40

2M ago17:40

17:40

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 …

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Evolving CUE into CALIE: Building a Modern Network for Innovative Educators with Christine Feenstra 36:01

2M ago36:01

36:01

In this episode, I chat with Christine Feenstra, Executive Director of the California Association for Leading Innovation in Education (CALIE)—formerly known as CUE—about the organization’s evolution and rebrand. Christine shares the why behind the shift, how her team engaged educators and stakeholders throughout the process, and what this change me…

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Differentiation + AI: Making It Manageable 16:14

3M ago16:14

16:14

In this episode, I explore how AI can make differentiation not only doable but sustainable. I share how I use AI tools to support differentiation across content, process, product, and learning environment—helping teachers meet diverse learner needs without doubling their workload. From creating leveled texts and choice boards to designing asset-bas…

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Differentiation in Action: Making Learning Accessible and Engaging for Every Student 30:12

3M ago30:12

30:12

Differentiation doesn’t have to mean creating 30 different versions of a lesson. In this episode, I unpack what differentiation really looks like in practice and why it’s essential in today’s diverse classrooms. I share examples from elementary, middle, and high school to show how teachers can adjust content, process, product, and learning environm…

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Driving Inquiry & Documenting Thinking with Learning Walls featuring Jessica Vance 49:34

3M ago49:34

49:34

By catlinthebalance

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Setting the Stage for Station Rotation Success: Agreements, Routines, and Student Accountability 28:33

3M ago28:33

28:33

In this episode of The Balance, I tackle one of the biggest concerns teachers raise about the Station Rotation Model: can I really trust students to work independently while I’m at the teacher-led station? I share strategies for setting the stage for success, including co-creating class agreements, establishing a clear and consistent path of conseq…

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Differentiated Instruction at the Teacher-Led Station: Making the Most of the Station Rotation Model 19:12

4M ago19:12

19:12

In this episode of The Balance, I dig into why the teacher-led station is the heart of the Station Rotation Model. I share how I use this time with small groups for differentiated direct instruction, modeling sessions, and need-based instruction driven by real-time data. I also discuss how I facilitate rich discussions using Webb’s Depth of Knowled…

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Future-Focused Schools: Career-Connected Learning with Shira Woolf Cohen 51:45

4M ago51:45

51:45

In this episode of The Balance, I talk with Shira Woolf Cohen, co-founder of Innovageous and author of Leading Future-Focused Schools: Engaging and Preparing Students for Career Success. With nearly three decades in education and workforce development, Shira shares why the gap between what students learn in school and the skills needed in today’s w…

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How Schools Can Balance Curriculum Fidelity and Teacher Creativity 32:07

4M ago32:07

32:07

In this episode, I’m digging into a challenge I hear about a lot: the tension between fidelity to an adopted curriculum and the need for teacher creativity. Too often, teachers feel pressured to follow lessons lockstep, leaving little room to respond to their students’ needs or bring their own expertise into the design. That rigidity can strip away…

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Why Teachers Must Learn to Say "No" (And How to Do It) 13:33

4M ago13:33

13:33

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…

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REFINE: A Structured Approach to AI Prompting for Educators 14:20

4M ago14:20

14:20

AI is transforming education, but I believe strong prompts are the key to unlocking its potential. In this episode, I share the REFINE acronym I developed to give educators a structured approach to writing effective AI prompts. I walk through each step—assigning AI a role, setting clear expectations, framing the context, specifying inclusions, defi…

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A Cool Secret for Helping Kids Understand Math 12:12

5M ago12:12

12:12

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 are…

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Personalized Learning in the Age of AI: Building Strong Foundations with Sunil Gunderia 45:32

5M ago45:32

45:32

In this episode of The Balance, I chat with Sunil Gunderia, Chief Innovation Officer at Age of Learning, the company behind ABCmouse. Sunil is driving efforts to design AI-powered tools that personalize learning for young children while keeping safety and effectiveness at the center. We discuss how AI can support rather than replace teachers, the i…

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Start Strong: Build Classroom Relationships and Community from Day One 13:56

5M ago13:56

13:56

Strong classroom communities don’t happen by accident—they’re built through intentional, daily practices that prioritize connection. In this second episode of the Starting Strong series, Dr. Catlin Tucker explores how getting to know your students and creating a culture of belonging can transform your classroom environment. She shares practical str…

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Richard Culatta: What an AI-Ready Graduate Really Looks Like 11:53

5M ago11:53

11:53

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-…

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Building Cybersecurity Skills in Schools: The Student SOC 10:59

5M ago10:59

10:59

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 …

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Low Morale or Toxic Culture? Solutions with Stand Tall Steve Bollar 14:07

5M ago14:07

14:07

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-chall…

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Start Strong: Why Teacher Reflection Should Come Before Back-to-School Planning 14:05

5M ago14:05

14:05

Before diving into lesson planning, classroom setup, and organizing all the things, there’s one essential step too many teachers skip—reflection. In this first episode of the Starting Strong series, Dr. Catlin Tucker explores why thoughtful reflection on last year’s wins, challenges, and habits can lead to more intentional, energized teaching. She …