The Balance, by Dr. Catlin Tucker: Recent Episodes
catlinthebalance
As an educator of 16 years, I have dedicated the last few years to training, coaching, and supporting teachers and see a need to help educators establish balance in both teaching practices and their lives. In each episode, I’ll talk with thought leaders to explore this complex issue, striving for ways to achieve a healthier work-life balance and address the question, “How do we empower ourselves to create and implement boundaries both inside and outside of the classroom?” Presented by StudySync.
Ask Catlin is back! In this monthly Q&A series, I answer questions I've been getting from teachers through my website and social media, sharing practical, research-informed strategies you can put into practice right away.
Over the last few weeks, teachers have been asking thoughtful questions about how to build meaningful relationships with students, create classrooms that foster independence, and establish routines that set the stage for a successful year.
In this episode, I share practical strategies you can implement immediately, from community-building activities and learner profiles to designing learning spaces that reduce teacher dependence and increase student ownership.
If you're looking for actionable ideas to help you start the year with confidence, this episode is for you.
Episode Resources:* Online Self-paced Course - Start Strong: A Teacher’s Guide to Back-to-School Success * Blog - Icebreaker Idea: Fun with the Frayer Model * Blog - Scavenger Hunt: Get Kids Talking on the 1st Day of School * Template - Learner Profile
As you prepare for a new school year, it's easy to focus on lesson plans, supplies, and classroom décor. But before students experience your instruction, they experience the environment you've created.
In this episode, I explore how thoughtful classroom design can reduce friction, support student independence, increase access, and create opportunities for learner agency from the very first day. I'll share practical ideas for designing classroom zones, arranging furniture to support different kinds of learning, creating visual supports that students actually use, and building spaces that students help shape throughout the year.
Whether you're teaching in a brand-new classroom or making the most of heavy desks and limited space, you'll walk away with a fresh lens for designing the conditions that make meaningful learning possible.
Resources:* Online Self-paced Course - Start Strong: A Teacher’s Guide to Back-to-School Success * Blog/Podcast - What to Do When Students Finish Early in a Station Rotation * Podcast - Driving Inquiry & Documenting Thinking with Learning Walls featuring Jessica Vance
AI isn't just changing the tools people use at work; it's reshaping the tasks, decisions, and skills required across nearly every industry.
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Cameron Sublett, co-author of Applied Co-Intelligence: Preparing Career and Technical Education Learners for an AI-Driven Workforce, to explore what these changes mean for Career and Technical Education (CTE) and the future of career readiness. We discuss the Applied Co-Intelligence Model, the difference between AI exposure and AI displacement, the human skills that are becoming even more valuable, and why authentic, performance-based learning is critical for preparing students to work thoughtfully alongside AI.
Whether you're a CTE teacher, instructional coach, school leader, curriculum designer, or simply thinking about how AI is changing education, this conversation offers a practical and hopeful framework for preparing students for careers that will continue to evolve.
Episode Resources* Dr. Sublett’s LinkedIn Profile * Applied Co-Intelligence: Preparing Career & Technical Education Learners for an AI-Driven Workforce * Related Blog: Rethinking Career Readiness in an AI World: What It Means for CTE
Books Mentioned: Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI * Human Work*
A new school year offers more than a fresh classroom and a new group of students; it offers a fresh start for us as educators.
In this episode, I share the reflection routines and goal-setting strategies I use to learn from the previous year before jumping into planning. We'll explore simple ways to capture what worked, identify what needs to change, organize your thinking, and set meaningful professional goals that support both your students and your own well-being.
If you're ready to start the year with intention instead of simply checking off a back-to-school to-do list, this episode is for you.
Related Resources:* End-of-the-Year Housekeeping: Reflect & Organize * Save Your Sanity with a Things to Revamp for Next Year List * Goal Setting Graphic Organizer
Can kindergarten, first grade, and second grade students really thrive in student-centered learning environments?
In this episode, I explore how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the Station Rotation model can help teachers proactively design learning experiences that support learner variability while building growing independence.
You'll learn six practical strategies for teaching routines, designing classroom environments that reduce barriers, providing meaningful choices, scaffolding new learning experiences, and helping young learners develop the confidence and skills to take increasing ownership of their learning.
If you've ever wondered whether your students are "ready" for Station Rotation or UDL, this episode will challenge that assumption and provide concrete ideas you can put into practice right away.
Episode Resource Check out The Station Rotation Model & UDL*
Ask Catlin is back! In response to the thoughtful questions I've been getting through my website and on social media, I'm bringing back this monthly Q&A series to tackle real classroom challenges with practical strategies you can use right away.
In this episode, I answer three of the most common questions I get about the Station Rotation Model:
- How do you give directions without spending valuable class time explaining every station?
- What should students actually be doing at the online and offline stations?
- How do you manage classroom behavior and keep students engaged while you're working with a small group?
Whether you're just getting started with station rotation or looking to refine your approach, you'll walk away with strategies for building student independence, designing meaningful learning experiences at every station, and creating classroom routines that set students up for success.
Have a question you'd like me to answer in a future Ask Catlin episode? Submit it through my website or connect with me on social media. If you're wondering about it, chances are other educators are too!
Related Resource:* [Resource] The Process for Co-Creating Class Agreements
In this episode, I chat with Jay McTighe about Stage 3 of Understanding by Design and what it really means to create learning experiences that move beyond content coverage toward understanding and transfer.
We unpack the different types of learning goals related to acquisition, understanding, and transfer, and explore how those goals should shape both the teacher’s role and the student experience in the classroom.
Our conversation also examines the ongoing pressure schools feel to “cover” large volumes of content in preparation for standardized exams, and why that mindset can work against deeper learning. Jay shares practical insights into formative assessment, feedback, and the use of authentic performance tasks as opportunities for learning, not simply evaluation.
We also discuss how AI can support both teachers and students in designing richer learning experiences, clarifying goals, and creating more responsive pathways.
Check out Jay’s Work https://jaymctighe.com/ * https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaymctighe * Teaching for Deeper Learning*
Related Resources* 8 Quick Checks for Understanding * How to Provide Better Feedback Through Rubrics * Instructional Shifts to Support Deep Learning * You Can Teach for Meaning * Making the Most of Professional Learning Communities
In this episode, I explore how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can help us strengthen Tier 1 instruction and redesign whole-group lessons to work for more learners.
Using a simple Hook → Chunk → Pause → Process framework, I connect UDL, MTSS, and cognitive science to share practical strategies for reducing barriers and increasing student engagement.
Related Resources:
- [Resource] Think-Pair-Share-Quad: A Teacher’s Guide
- [Resource] Numbered Heads Together (NHT): A Teacher's Guide
In this episode, I explore the jigsaw strategy, a powerful cooperative learning structure that positions students as active participants in the learning process.
I break down why the strategy is so effective for increasing engagement, deepening understanding, and helping students develop communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. You'll learn the step-by-step process for implementing a jigsaw lesson, including how to support learners as they develop expertise and teach their peers. I also share practical ways to adapt the jigsaw strategy for diverse learners using scaffolds, formative assessment, and AI-powered supports.
Finally, I explain how teachers can integrate jigsaw experiences into a station rotation model to increase student ownership, accountability, and cognitive engagement.
Episode Resources* Related Blog: https://catlintucker.com/2026/06/jigsaw-strategy * Resource: Teacher's Guide — Using Jigsaws in a Station Rotation * Check out my new keynotes!
In this episode, I chat with Matt Miller about his new book, AI Literacy in Any Class, and what it means to prepare students for a future shaped by artificial intelligence.
We explore practical ways teachers can integrate AI literacy into everyday lessons without losing focus on meaningful learning, strong instruction, or core content. Matt shares approachable strategies educators can use across grade levels and subject areas to help students think critically about AI, ask thoughtful questions, evaluate information, and engage responsibly with emerging technologies.
We also dig into some of the more challenging conversations happening in education right now, including concerns about screen time, technology use in classrooms, and the growing pushback against devices in schools. Instead of framing technology as simply good or bad, we discuss the importance of intentional instructional design and how the way technology is used ultimately shapes the learning experience.
Episode Resources Check out Matt’s New Book! AI Literacy in Any Class* * Connect with Matt Miller * Skills Before Tools: K-12 AI Implementation Guide
In this episode, I explore how a simple 360 feedback protocol can increase accountability and reflection during collaborative learning experiences.
Inspired by feedback systems used in corporate settings, this strategy gives students structured opportunities to assess their own contributions and provide thoughtful peer feedback after small group discussions, reciprocal teaching, project-based learning, and other cooperative tasks. I share how asset-based rubrics and peer reflection can help teachers gather meaningful formative data without adding more grading to their workload.
I also discuss why collaboration, communication, empathy, and self-regulation are increasingly important human skills in an AI-driven world. If you want to make group work more equitable, reflective, and student-centered, this episode offers practical strategies you can implement right away.
Episode Resources* [Resource] 360 Feedback Routine
In this episode of The Balance, I unpack a classroom trend I’ve been noticing across middle and high school classrooms: teachers using what they call “guided notes” that are actually closer to cloze notes.
I explore the difference between guided notes, cloze notes, and completed notes, and why those distinctions matter for cognitive engagement, meaning-making, and long-term learning. I talk about how note-taking scaffolds can support students without reducing learning to task completion and compliance. I also address questions teachers are asking about fairness, accommodations, inclusion, and how to normalize differentiated supports in diverse classrooms.
Finally, I share practical strategies for designing guided notes that actively engage students in thinking, processing, discussing, and making meaning during direct instruction.
Related Blog:
Are Your Guided Notes Supporting or Stifling Learning? Designing Notes That Promote Active Engagement
In this episode, Robert Mayfield and I continue our conversation about deep work in education by exploring specific AI tools that can help teachers reclaim time and focus on more meaningful instructional work.
We discuss how AI can streamline tasks like creating slide decks, writing student-facing directions, designing higher-order questions, generating review activities, providing feedback, planning units, and managing communication with families.
Throughout the conversation, we emphasize that the goal is not replacing teachers, but reducing the shallow, repetitive tasks that consume so much of their time and energy. We also talk about the importance of teachers remaining thoughtful evaluators of AI-generated content and building a small, purposeful toolkit that supports student-centered learning.
Related Blog:
Deep Work in the Age of AI (Part 2): AI Tools That Give Teachers Time Back
In this episode, I chat with Robert Mayfield about a growing tension in education: teachers aren’t necessarily resistant to AI, they’re resistant to more fragmentation.
We explore how the structure of teaching leaves little room for the deep thinking required to design meaningful learning experiences and why AI should be used to create space for that work, not add to teachers’ cognitive load.
Robert shares powerful examples from classrooms, including how one teacher’s perspective on AI completely shifted when she saw its potential to support student thinking and reclaim teacher time. We also discuss the difference between simply putting together lessons and intentionally designing them, along with small, realistic ways educators can begin protecting time for reflection, analysis, and instructional decision-making.
Related Blog: Deep Work in the Age of AI: The Case for Protecting Teacher Thinking (Part I)
In this episode, I unpack the instructional shifts that make Tier 2 more targeted, responsive, and effective.
Too often, Tier 2 turns into a smaller version of whole-group instruction, repeating the same explanations and tasks that didn’t work the first time. I walk through what needs to change, from grouping students based on specific needs to using different instructional approaches, scaffolding thinking, and ensuring students are doing the cognitive heavy lifting. I also explore how pre-assessment and formative data can be used to proactively design support and enrichment, not just react after students struggle.
Finally, I share how the station rotation model can create the time and structure teachers need to make small group instruction possible in real classrooms.
Episode Resources Related Blog: https://catlintucker.com/2026/04/tier-2-instructional-strategies/ * The Station Rotation Model & UDL*
In this episode, I take a closer look at the growing conversation around technology in education.
With rising concerns about screen time, student attention, and mental health, many schools are starting to question their use of devices. But what does the research actually say? I unpack key insights from a recent American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement, highlighting an important distinction: it’s not just how much time students spend on screens, it’s what they’re doing on them. Then I contrast that research with what I see in classrooms every day and explore what it means for schools moving forward.
Episode Resources
- Digital Ecosystems, Children, and Adolescents: Policy Statement
In this episode, I reflect on a recent keynote I delivered in Singapore, exploring the shared challenges impacting teacher and student engagement.
Drawing on Self-Determination Theory, I unpack the three psychological needs that drive motivation—autonomy, competence, and relatedness—and explain how these needs shape what we see as engagement in classrooms and schools. Too often, we treat engagement as a student issue, but teacher and student engagement are deeply interconnected and influenced by the same system-level conditions.
I share practical examples to illustrate how rigid structures, one-size-fits-all design, and limited opportunities for connection can undermine motivation for both groups. If we want to reignite engagement, we have to move beyond compliance and intentionally design learning experiences that give both teachers and students a sense of control, confidence, and connection.
In this episode, I tackle one of the most common questions teachers ask when using the station rotation model: What do you do with students who finish early?
Instead of treating fast finishers as a problem, I reframe pacing differences as one of the biggest benefits of blended learning and self-paced environments. I walk through six practical strategies you can use to keep students meaningfully engaged without defaulting to extra work or busywork. From Must Do, May Do, and Aspire to Do to peer tutoring and brain break options, these approaches help you design for flexibility, student agency, and better classroom flow.
If you’re using station rotation, this episode will help you make pacing work for you, not against you.
Episode Resources
- Related Blog Post: What to Do When Students Finish Early in a Station Rotation
- The Station Rotation Model and UDL: Elevate Tier 1 Instruction and Cultivate Learner Agency
In this episode, I sit down with Jay McTighe to revisit the core principles of backward design and why they matter more than ever in today’s classrooms.
We unpack the ongoing tension between content coverage and deep learning, and what it really means to design for understanding and transfer. Our conversation explores the power of performance tasks as a way to shift from simply learning content to applying learning in meaningful, authentic contexts.
We also examine how AI can serve as a design partner, helping educators clarify goals, rethink assessment, and create more purposeful learning experiences.
Check out Jay’s work!
- https://jaymctighe.com/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaymctighe
Block schedules offer the promise of more time, but without intentional design, that time doesn’t always translate into deeper learning. In this episode, I unpack common missteps like stacking and stretching traditional lessons and why they often lead to cognitive overload, disengagement, and fatigue. I explore how to shift from filling time to intentionally sequencing learning with purposeful content blocks that move students from passive to active participants. If you’re teaching in a block schedule, this episode will help you design that time so it actually works for you and your students.
In this episode, I unpack one of the most common challenges teachers face when transitioning from linear, whole-group lessons to the station rotation model, designing for a circular flow when students don’t all start with the teacher.
I introduce the Empty Station Strategy, a simple but powerful variation that allows me to model or introduce new learning at the teacher-led station while ensuring students have an immediate opportunity to apply it. I walk through what this looks like in practice using both English and math examples so you can visualize how it works in your classroom.
I also explain how this approach can serve as a bridge for teachers new to station rotation and a long-term strategy when working with more sequential curriculum. If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to make station rotation “work,” this strategy can help you move forward with more clarity and confidence.
Related Blogs & Podcasts:
- Blog - Part I: Station Rotation Design Tip – Go Horizontal with Your Linear Agenda
- Podcast - Designing a Station Rotation: Go Horizontal with Your Agenda
In this episode, I sit down with bestselling author and educator John Spencer to talk about the power of deep learning in today’s classrooms.
We discuss insights from his book The Depth Advantage and explore why meaningful, relevant work is key to engaging students and helping them sustain focus and effort.
Our conversation also dives into the role of AI in learning, including how it can provide powerful supports, such as unlimited feedback, while still preserving the productive struggle students need to grow. John shares his perspective on the system constraints teachers face and how educators can still create space for deeper learning within those realities.
Episode Resources
- Connect with Dr. John Spencer and consider joining his newsletter to receive free resources! http://spencereducation.com
In this episode, I wrap up my Skills Before Tools series by exploring how the five throughline skills work together to shift students from simply using AI to truly leading their own learning.
I walk through three concrete classroom strategies, Jigsaw with NotebookLM, formative feedback cycles, and an AI reflection wrapper, to show how purpose setting, questioning, evaluation, revision, and ethical awareness intersect in real practice. When students wrestle with ideas, interrogate credibility and bias, and make intentional decisions about feedback and revision, AI becomes a thinking partner instead of a shortcut.
My goal is to help teachers move beyond tool conversations and focus on the skills that cultivate critical thinking, integrity, and student agency.
Episode Resources
- Skills Before Tools: K-12 AI Implementation Guide
- [Template] AI Reflection Wrapper
In this episode, I explore the final skill in my AI implementation guide: ethical awareness and accountability.
As AI becomes more integrated into our classrooms, we have to move beyond teaching students how to use the tools and focus on helping them use them responsibly. I break down what ethical awareness and accountability actually mean, how we can teach students to verify, reflect, and remain transparent about their AI use, and what this looks like from kindergarten through high school.
If we want students to stay connected to their thinking in an AI-rich world, we have to intentionally cultivate responsibility, not just enforce rules.
Episode Resources
- Skills Before Tools: K-12 AI Implementation Guide
- Resource: AI + Claim–Check–Confirm
In this episode of The Balance, I continue the Skills Before Tools series with a focus on revision and improvement, the skill that keeps AI from replacing student thinking.
I explore how iterative cycles of draft, feedback, and intentional revision strengthen motivation, reinforce growth mindset, and position students as decision-makers in their own learning. Rather than treating AI as a shortcut to polished work, I explain why the real cognitive lift happens in the refinement process.
I also share classroom examples and developmental insights to help you design learning experiences where feedback fuels growth and students remain accountable for their thinking.
Download the Free Implementation Guide* Skills Before Tools: K-12 AI Implementation Guide
In this episode of The Balance, I chat with George Couros about his new book, Forward Together: Moving Schools from Conflict to Community in Contentious Times.
We start with the origin story, why he decided to write another book. George shares how this book is structured around principles and perspectives, not quick fixes, and why trust, relationships, and purpose sit at the center of moving forward in challenging times. We dig into the lessons he’s learned through missteps, hard conversations, and personal growth, and how those experiences shaped this book.
This conversation is an invitation for educators at every level to slow down, reflect, and consider how we create the conditions for collaboration, belonging, and shared ownership in our schools and communities.
Check out George’s newest book!
- Forward Together: Moving Schools from Conflict to Community in Contentious Times
Connect with George
- https://georgecouros.com
- https://www.instagram.com/gcouros/
- https://x.com/gcouros?lang=en
As AI spits out confident-sounding information, students’ ability to evaluate information and exercise sound judgment matters more than ever.
In this episode of The Balance, I explore why evaluation and judgment are foundational skills for responsible AI use and student-led learning. I unpack what it really means for students to stay in control of their thinking before and after they use AI. I’ll share how teachers can cultivate these skills across grade bands, from early meaning-making to disciplined judgment in high school, along with practical ways teachers can help students confirm accuracy, identify bias, and make intentional decisions.
This conversation is part of my Skills Before Tools series and connects evaluation and judgment to agency, accountability, and helping students use AI as a support for learning rather than a replacement for thinking.
Episode Resources:
- Skills Before Tools: K-12 AI Implementation Guide
As AI becomes more common in classrooms, students’ ability to communicate clearly matters more than ever.
In this episode of The Balance, I explore why clarity in communication is a foundational skill for student-led learning and responsible AI use. I unpack what clarity really means, why it goes far beyond writing “better prompts,” and how unclear communication can derail learning, especially when students rely on AI feedback. You’ll hear classroom examples, grade-band progressions, and practical ways teachers can help students move from vague thinking to intentional communication.
This conversation is part of my Skills Before Tools series and connects clarity in communication to agency, metacognition, and keeping students in the driver’s seat as they use AI.
Click here to check out SchoolAI!Episode Resources
- Related blog: https://catlintucker.com/2026/01/ai-implementation-clarity-in-communication/
- Download your free copy! Skills Before Tools: A K-12 AI Implementation Guide
In this episode, I unpack why questioning and purpose setting are foundational skills for student-led learning, especially in classrooms where AI is becoming more common.
I explore the difference between students looking busy and students actually thinking, and why AI makes that distinction impossible to ignore. We walk through what purpose-setting and questioning can look like across K–12 classrooms, from nurturing curiosity in the early grades to supporting strategic, responsible AI use in high school.
Along the way, I share classroom examples and practical teacher moves to help students clarify what they’re trying to learn, ask better questions, and make more intentional decisions about when and how to use AI. The focus is on keeping students, not tools, at the center of learning.
Click here to check out SchoolAI!Episode Resources
- Skills Before Tools: K-12 AI Implementation Guide
In this episode, I introduce my Skills Before Tools: K–12 AI Implementation Guide and what we can learn from past EdTech rollouts that missed the mark.
Too often, schools rush to adopt new tools without first building the skills students and teachers need to use them well, and AI raises the stakes even higher. I walk through the five through-line skills that anchor the guide, skills that matter in every grade level and content area, with or without AI. We also explore how this approach helps schools avoid reactive decision-making and instead design a thoughtful, developmentally appropriate progression for AI use.
If you’re a school or district leader trying to make sense of AI without chasing the next shiny tool, this conversation will give you a grounded place to start.
Click here to check out SchoolAI!
Click here to download your copy of the guide.
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 student engagement. Peter clarifies what productive struggle looks like in action and how to normalize getting stuck. We dig into questioning, including the types of questions students ask and which ones teachers should actually answer, and we reframe homework as a tool for students to check their understanding.
This episode is packed with research-backed insights that invite educators to rethink how they design for thinking every day.
Click here to check out SchoolAI!
Episode Resources
- Check out Peter’s books
- Instagram: @buildingthinkingclassrooms
- X: @pgliljedahl or @BTCthinks
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 examples, I unpack how hidden commitments and assumptions shape our instructional choices.
This episode is an invitation to slow down, get curious, and replace self-blame with clarity. If you’re feeling tired, stuck, or ready for a different kind of reset, this conversation offers a more humane path forward.
Related Resource: Activity—Immunity to Change Model
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 taught and practiced, how strategic seating can eliminate the scramble for spots, and the powerful role of a group facilitator in keeping stations running smoothly.
These small design moves reduce friction, protect instructional time, and help students build independence. The strategies connect directly to the design principles in The Station Rotation Model and UDL, with a focus on clarity, predictability, and student agency.
Related blog: The Station Rotation Model Tip #3: Practice Rotating for Seamless Transitions
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 effective, and how data can guide those decisions. Using a reimagined HQIM lesson as an example, I share how flexible structures like station rotation can create space for differentiation, formative feedback, and student agency.
Click here to check out SchoolAI!
Episode Resources
- Using High-Quality Instructional Materials Flexibly to Strengthen Tier 1 Instruction
- Resource: Design with HQIM: Guiding Questions for Instructional Coaches & Teachers
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 something they do with students, not to them. Shane and Susie shared concrete strategies they use in classrooms across their district, along with insights from hosting their popular podcast, Vrainwaves. They also talked about what it looks like to seek balance while juggling so many roles in education.
This episode brings the pieces together for anyone trying to make their practice feel more connected and purposeful.
Click here to check out SchoolAI!
Episode Resources
- X: @drshanesaeed
- Instagram handle: @drshanesaeed
- X: @SuzannahEvans2
- LinkedIn: Suzy Evans
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. These strategies are easy to set up, work across subjects, and support deeper learning in secondary classrooms.
I also share tips for balancing station types and setting clear expectations so teachers can stay focused on their small-group instruction. If you want rotations that run smoothly and keep students engaged, this episode gives you concrete moves to try tomorrow.
- Click here to check out SchoolAI!
Episode Resources
- Related Blog: Station Rotation: 6 Silent Collaborative Activities for Secondary Classrooms
- Googlel Slides Scavenger Hunt
- The Station Rotation Model & UDL: Elevate Tier 1 Instruction and Cultivate Learner Agency
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 watching into an active, collaborative experience so students are thinking, talking, and making meaning together. I also explain how this shift frees teachers to support individuals and small groups while keeping the whole class engaged.
This episode is all about moving from delivery to discovery and designing classroom experiences that let students take a more active role in their learning.
Episode Resources
- Click here to check out SchoolAI!
- Related Blog: Using Video for Tier 1 Instruction: From Passive Watching to Active Learning
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 larger community.
We dig into the origin story, the early challenges, and the systems he put in place to get the district podcast off the ground. Matt also talks about how this work has helped the district build trust, highlight student and staff voices, and strengthen the connection between schools and the community. It’s a practical look at how one district is using podcasting to open doors and keep families informed.
Episode Resources
- Check out Chesepeake Public Schools' Podcast Amplified
- Connect with Matt Graham on LinkedIn
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 Numbered Heads Together, can transform teacher-led lessons into rich opportunities for thinking, dialogue, and collaboration.
Finally, I unpack how Depth of Knowledge (DOK) questions can deepen thinking and move students beyond recall to reasoning and application. If you’re ready to strengthen your Tier 1 instruction and reach more learners, this episode is for you!
- Related Blog: Making Tier 1 Whole Group Instruction More Effective: Chunking, Cooperative Learning, and DOK Questions
- [Resource] Numbered Heads Together (NHT) Cooperative Learning Strategy
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 groups and numbering stations so both teachers and students can navigate rotations smoothly and stay on task.
Episode Resources
- Related Blog
- Grouper — Grouping Tool
- [Template] Grouping Sheet
- [Template] Grouping Display
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 means for the community moving forward. We discuss CALIE’s renewed mission to inspire learning, empower educators, and expand access to professional growth opportunities.
Episode Resources
- JoinCALIE.org
- Twitter/x
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-based rubrics and flexible online spaces, I highlight practical ways AI can enhance equity and efficiency.
My goal is to help you spend less time prepping and more time connecting with students as learners.
Related Blog
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 environment to make learning more accessible and engaging for every student.
You’ll hear how small, intentional design choices can strengthen Tier 1 instruction, reduce the need for intervention, and make teaching more sustainable over time.
Related Blog: Differentiation in Action: Why It Matters, What It Is, and How It Works
In this episode of The Balance, Jessica Vance joins me to discuss her new book, Evidence of Inquiry: Exploring, Questioning, and Documenting with Learning Walls.
We explore what it means to “follow your learners” and how inquiry shifts the way teachers engage students around the topics and concepts at the center of the curriculum. Jessica unpacks the purpose and power of learning walls, explaining how they make student thinking visible, create space for collaborative meaning-making, and even serve as professional playgrounds for teachers themselves.
Together, we reflect on the mindset, culture, and practical strategies that help both teachers and students embrace uncertainty, curiosity, and deeper learning.
Episode Resources
- Jessica’s Instagram: @jess_vanceedu
- Evidence of Inquiry: Exploring, Questioning, and Documenting with Learning Walls
- Leading with a Lens of Inquiry: Cultivating Conditions for Curiosity and Empowering Agency
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 consequences, and teaching smooth transitions between stations. I also talk about how to set realistic grading expectations so you don’t burn out trying to collect work from every station.
These routines and structures not only build trust and accountability but also make it possible for teachers to focus fully on their small groups, where the real magic of differentiation happens.
Episode Resources
- The Station Rotation Model and UDL: Elevate Tier 1 Instruction and Cultivate Learner Agency
- [Template] Safe Space Reflection Form
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 Knowledge questions and incorporate the feedback process into the classroom through formative feedback on work in progress. With concrete examples from math, reading, history, science, and writing, I show how the teacher-led station makes personalized learning and UDL feel doable and sustainable for teachers.
The Station Rotation Model & UDL: Elevate Tier 1 Instruction & Cultivate Learner Agency
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 workplace demands urgent attention. We explore what it means to cultivate a future-focused mindset, why every teacher is a “career teacher,” and how schools can embed career-connected learning across grade levels and subject areas.
Shira offers strategies for building on student strengths, examples of what this work looks like in practice, and actionable steps leaders can take to begin designing future-focused schools.
Connect with Shira Woolf Cohen and learn more about her work.
- Leading Future-Focused Schools: Engaging and Preparing Students for Career Success
- http://innovageous.com
- https://www.instagram.com/innovageous/
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovageous
- https://www.facebook.com/InnovageousSolutions/
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 joy and engagement for both teachers and students. I’ll share why schools adopt curriculum, the benefits and challenges these programs bring, and concrete shifts teachers can make to move from scripted compliance to creative engagement.
We’ll also explore how leaders and instructional coaches can shift their messaging and support so teachers feel empowered to adapt curriculum with purpose. If your team is navigating the challenges of curriculum adoption, this episode will give you practical strategies and fresh ways to think about fidelity, differentiation, and engagement.
If your team or teachers need support, feel free to contact me.
Related Blog:
- From Scripted Compliance to Creative Engagement: Rethinking How We Use Adopted Curriculum
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, defining nuance, and evaluating outputs—to show how this process keeps teachers in the driver’s seat.
Whether you’re designing lessons, assessments, or scaffolds, REFINE can help you create more effective, inclusive, and responsive learning experiences with AI.
Related blog: https://catlintucker.com/2025/08/refine-ai-prompting/
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 importance of guardrails and evidence-based best practices, and the role of personalized learning programs in helping young learners build strong foundations in reading and math. Sunil also shares how programs like My Reading Academy are helping thousands of pre-K students develop confidence, resilience, and a love of learning.
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 strategies for learning names quickly, surfacing student identities, and building peer-to-peer relationships that last beyond the first week. Whether you're a new or veteran teacher, this episode offers tools to help you lead with relationships. Learn how you can go deeper with Catlin’s new self-paced course, Starting Strong.
Episode Resources
- Blog: Back-to-School: Prioritizing Relationships and Building Community
- Learn how you can go deeper with Catlin’s new self-paced course, Starting Strong.
Click here to register today
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 shares three practical strategies to help educators pause, process, and reset before launching into planning mode. Whether you’re a veteran teacher or new to the classroom, this episode will help you build a stronger foundation for the school year ahead.
Learn how you can go deeper with Catlin’s new self-paced course, Starting Strong.
I discovered Evalaurene Jean-Charles on Instagram and was instantly drawn to her joyful, honest, and unfiltered reflections on life as an educator. Her posts tackle hard truths about teaching and school systems, but always with a sense of hope, purpose, and joy.
In the second episode of our conversation, Eva and I explore what it really takes to build the classroom culture we want; one where students feel safe, empowered, and ready to take ownership of their learning. From consistency and routines to compassion and courage, Eva reminds us that if we want something different for our classrooms, we have to be willing to do things differently.
Resources
- @BlackonBlackEd on IG
@BlackonBlackED on Tik Tok - Join the Liberation Library: https://black-on-black-ed.kit.com/products/liberationlibrarycommunity
- Join the Ten Toes Down Summer Mastermind: https://black-on-black-ed.kit.com/products/the-ten-toes-down-summer-mastermind
I discovered Evalaurene Jean-Charles on Instagram and was instantly drawn to her joyful, honest, and unfiltered reflections on life as an educator. Her posts tackle hard truths about teaching and school systems, but always with a sense of hope, purpose, and joy.
In this first part of our two-part conversation, Eva shares why self-awareness is essential, not just for students but for educators navigating the emotional complexity of classroom life. We talk about tuning into what we’re feeling, how it shows up in our practice, and how cultivating that awareness helps us teach in ways that feel good, do good, and bring us joy.
Resources
- @BlackonBlackEd on IG
@BlackonBlackED on Tik Tok - Join the Liberation Library: https://black-on-black-ed.kit.com/products/liberationlibrarycommunity
- Join the Ten Toes Down Summer Mastermind: https://black-on-black-ed.kit.com/products/the-ten-toes-down-summer-mastermind
In this final episode of the four-part series, I explore how the Station Rotation Model can nurture self-regulation, metacognition, and agency in multilingual learners. I share practical routines—like weekly goal setting, thinking routines, and strategy choice boards—that help students reflect, monitor progress, and advocate for their needs. These routines don’t just support language acquisition; they cultivate confident, strategic learners ready to lead their own learning.
If you're designing stations that prioritize learner agency and scaffold independence over time, this episode is for you.
Related Blog Post with Resources:
- Cultivating Self-Regulated and Strategic Multilingual Learners with the Station Rotation Model (Part 4)
In this episode, I explore how intentional design can help multilingual learners thrive at the online and offline stations in a rotation model.
I share seven practical strategies—from using visuals and sentence frames to building predictable routines and peer supports—that build student confidence and autonomy. You'll hear how we can move from co-regulated learning to true self-direction by gradually releasing responsibility and fostering a safe, inclusive environment.
If you're striving to design station tasks that are both accessible and empowering, this episode is for you.
Related Blog Post
- Designing for Independence: Supporting Multilingual Learners at the Online and Offline Stations (Part 3)
Why are so many teens tuned out, stressed out, or just going through the motions at school?
In this episode, I talk with journalist Jenny Anderson and education expert Rebecca Winthrop about their new book The Disengaged Teen, which breaks down four student engagement modes—Resister, Passenger, Achiever, and Explorer—and how each one impacts a young person’s learning and well-being.
We explore the systemic challenges that fuel disengagement, why boys tend to disconnect more than girls, and how AI and personalized learning can help students reconnect with curiosity. Whether you’re a teacher or a parent, this conversation is packed with insights and strategies to support teens as they learn better, feel better, and live more fully!
Highly recommend!👇🏻
The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better
In this episode, I explore how small group instruction can transform learning experiences for multilingual learners.
You'll learn why the teacher-led station in a station rotation model is the ideal space to differentiate support, build confidence, and offer real-time feedback. I break down three high-impact strategies—I Do, We Do, Pairs Do, You Do, Concept Attainment, and Real-Time Formative Feedback—and explain why they work best in small groups. Whether you're working with early language learners or more advanced students, you'll walk away with ideas you can use.
Related Blog & Resources
- Differentiating Instruction for Multilingual Learners at the Teacher-Led Station
- The Station Rotation Model and UDL: Elevate Tier 1 Instruction and Cultivate Learner Agency
- Discounted Bulk Book Order Form (10+ books to same location)
In this first episode of my new series, I explore how the station rotation model can be a game-changer for multilingual learners.
I break down the barriers these students often face in whole-group instruction and explain how small-group, differentiated stations create more equitable learning experiences. You'll hear how this model can help build language skills, support self-direction, and shift the classroom from teacher-led to student-centered. Whether you're new to station rotation or looking to refine your practice, this episode lays the foundation for designing more accessible learning environments.
Related Blog
- https://catlintucker.com/2025/06/multilingual-learners-station-rotation-1/
- The Station Rotation Model and UDL: Elevate Tier 1 Instruction and Cultivate Learner Agency
Discounted Bulk Book Order Form (10+ books to same location)
In this episode of The Balance, I chat with educator and author Trevor MacKenzie about how inquiry-based learning creates accessible entry points and personalized pathways that build student agency, curiosity, and deeper engagement.
Trevor shares practical strategies, unpacks the phases of the inquiry process, and offers guidance for aligning inquiry with curriculum goals. We also explore how AI can support questioning and deepen engagement. This is a powerful conversation for anyone looking to create more student-centered classrooms.
Connect with Trevor
- http://trevormackenzie.com
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-mackenzie-37103b261/
Check out Trevor’s Books!
- Inquiry Mindset: Questions Edition: Cultivating Curiosity and Creating Question Competence
- Inquiry Mindset: Nurturing the Dreams, Wonders, and Curiosities of Our Youngest Learners
- Inquiry Mindset Assessment Edition: Scaffolding a Partnership for Equity and Agency in Learning
Dive into Inquiry: Amplify Learning and Empower Student Voice
In this episode, I dive into a powerful variation of the station rotation model designed to maximize personalization and student agency.
By using data to assign must-do stations and allowing students to choose from may-do options, teachers can tailor learning while giving students meaningful control over their experience. I share examples across subjects and tips for making this model work in your classroom. If you're ready to make your rotations more strategic, flexible, and student-centered, this one's for you.
Available now!
- The Station Rotation Model and Universal Design for Learning: Elevating Tier 1 Instruction and Cultivating Learner Agency
- Bulk orders of 10+
Related Blog
- The Station Rotation Model: Must-Do vs. May-Do Stations
The Station Rotation Model + UDL = Stronger Tier I Instruction
In this episode, I’m announcing the release of my new book, The Station Rotation Model and Universal Design for Learning: Elevating Tier 1 Instruction and Cultivating Learner Agency. I wrote it to help educators tackle a challenge I hear all the time—how do we meet the needs of such diverse learners in a single classroom?
When whole-group, teacher-paced instruction falls short, the Station Rotation Model paired with UDL offers a more sustainable, effective approach. Whether you're just getting started or looking to make your rotations more impactful, this book will help you differentiate with confidence, strengthen Tier I instruction, and design more inclusive, student-centered learning experiences.
Available now! The Station Rotation Model and Universal Design for Learning: Elevating Tier 1 Instruction and Cultivating Learner Agency
Bulk orders of 10+
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Brandee Ramirez about what it takes to lead AI implementation across a school district. She shares how her work focuses on supporting all stakeholders—teachers, students, families, and staff—in building confidence with AI tools and understanding their practical value. Dr. Ramirez unpacks the difference between an edtech rollout and an AI rollout, highlights why scaffolding is key, and explains how her district’s emerging technologies task force is integrating AI into the fabric of education through existing policies and real-world connections.
Connect with Dr. Ramirez
- Educational Entreprenuer
- Passion2Educate Website
Resources mentioned in the podcast
- Digital Promise
- EDSAFE AI
- Elevating Educational Design with AI
- Learn more about my Summer Learning Kickoff Series from June 2-6, 2025!
In this episode, I unpack three guiding principles for using technology to personalize and improve learning. From designing tech-enhanced instructional models to using tools to remove barriers and collect better data, this conversation will help you shift from simply using tech to using it well. If you've ever felt frustrated or overwhelmed by technology in the classroom, this one’s for you.
Related Blog: 3 Principles for Using Technology in the Classroom to Personalize and Improve Learning
Learn more about my Summer Learning Kickoff Series from June 2-6, 2025!
End-of-Year Engagement Made Easy
As the school year winds down, it can be tough to keep students focused and motivated. In this episode, I share a strategy that uses the 5Es instructional model to guide students through a self-directed inquiry project. This approach gives learners voice and choice, encourages deep exploration, and meets their need for autonomy, competence, and connection—helping you finish the year strong with meaningful, student-centered learning.
Sign up now for my Summer Learning Series, running June 2–6.
Related Blog Posts
- Blended Learning and the 5Es Instructional Model
- 5Es Student-Driven Inquiry Project: What Are YOU Curious About?
In this episode of The Balance, I sit down with Ruba Abi Saab, Instructional Coach and Teaching and Learning Coordinator at Al Rayan International School in Accra, Ghana. Ruba shares how concept-based inquiry shapes her work with teachers and students, encouraging deeper thinking, empathy, and purposeful action. We talk about her passion for integrating service learning, graphic organizers, and play-based strategies in early years classrooms to foster both academic and emotional growth. Ruba also reflects on our work together implementing Universal Design for Learning and blended learning models, and the impact these approaches have had on teacher practice and student engagement. If you’re looking to make learning more meaningful and inclusive, this conversation is full of insight and inspiration.
Feedback and rubrics are powerful tools. In this episode, I explore how shifting from deficit-based to asset-based language can transform both your feedback and your rubrics. Drawing from my recent blog, I share why this shift matters, how it aligns with UDL, and how small changes in language can have a big impact on student motivation and self-efficacy. Plus, I offer practical strategies and AI tips to help you start revising your rubrics today.
Related Blog: From Deficit to Growth: A Guide to Asset-Based Feedback and Rubric Design
We revisit an earlier episode when Dr. Catlin Tucker spoke with Kareem Farah about maximizing teacher time, boosting student engagement, and reimagining workflows through his Modern Classrooms Project.
- About Modern Classrooms Project
- Modern Classrooms Project Free Course
What do we mean when we say Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?
How can UDL support an antiracist learning environment? In this episode of Dr. Catlin Tucker’s podcast, The Balance, she invites Andratesha Fritzgerald, an inclusive practices implementation consultant and life-long educator, to offer clarity around these themes and questions.
Learn More about Andratesha Fritzgerald
-
- Antiracism and Universal Design for Learning: Building Expressways to Success
- Building Blocks of Brilliance
Catlin talks with Dr. Shaun Woodly about his personal experience teaching in urban schools with culturally diverse students. Catlin and Shaun discuss the need to consider, “What learning really looks like?” and whether teachers are creating spaces to foster authentic learning experiences for kids.
Listen to Shaun and Catlin as they discuss the four elements of urban education-–awareness, achievement, alliance, and artistry–and encourage teachers to consider which areas they can develop in their work with students to achieve balance.
Learn more about Dr. Shaun Woodly
- Teach Hustle Inspire
- Instagram @teachhustleinspire
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tony Frontier, author of AI with Intention: Principles and Action Steps for School Leaders and Teachers, to explore how educators and school leaders can navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI with purpose.
We discuss intentional leadership, the risks and opportunities of AI in education, the role of academic integrity, and how to design learning experiences that prioritize deep understanding over compliance. Dr. Frontier shares actionable strategies for leveraging AI as a tool for teaching and learning—without sacrificing the human side of education.
Whether you're an administrator, instructional coach, or classroom teacher, this conversation offers insights into using AI to enhance, rather than replace, meaningful learning.
Related Articles:
- Taking a Transformative Approach to AI
- Deeper Learning, Not Passive Compliance
Get in Touch with Dr. Frontier
- X handle: @tonyfrontier
- Bluesky handle: @tonyfrontier.bsky.social
- Instagram handle: @presenttothemusic
In this episode, I explore how teachers can use what they learn about students during Tier 1 instruction to make informed decisions about what comes next. I discuss how to identify who needs targeted support and who’s ready for enrichment or extension. You'll hear practical strategies for collecting and using informal data to guide these decisions. If you're committed to creating a more responsive, inclusive, and dynamic classroom—but struggling to bridge the gap between Tier 1 instruction and Tier 2 intervention—this episode is for you!
Related Blog: MTSS: Using Tier 1 Insights to Guide Intervention and Enrichment
Despite massive investments in educational technology, many classrooms still look and feel the same. Why? Because technology alone doesn’t drive transformation—how we use it does. In this episode, I break down why EdTech often falls short and share practical strategies, like blended learning models and reciprocal teaching, to ensure technology enhances—not replaces—meaningful learning experiences. It’s time to shift from passive technology use to intentional, student-centered learning that leverages technology strategically.
Delivering strong Tier 1 instruction is essential for ensuring all students have access to high-quality learning experiences.
In this episode, I share three high-impact strategies—video instruction, whole-group instruction paired with a cooperative learning strategy, and small-group differentiated instruction—that can make lessons more engaging and effective. I explain when and why each approach is effective and how you can use them to remove barriers and meet diverse student needs.
MTSS: Three Paths to Strong Tier 1 Instruction
In this episode, I chat with Caleb Hicks, CEO of Schoolai, to explore how AI can be a powerful tool for personalizing learning pathways and fostering meaningful connections in the classroom.
We discuss how Schoolai spaces can help teachers see and hear students in real time, making it easier to be responsive to their needs. Caleb shares his vision for making school a place of true social connection—where every student feels valued, understood, and supported. Tune in to learn how AI can enhance both student learning and teacher effectiveness, transforming the classroom experience for all.
Related Blogs:
- SchoolAI Spaces: Creating Self-Paced and Personalized Learning Pathways
- How Teachers Can Use SchoolAI Spaces to Design Dynamic, Student-led Learning
Great instruction starts before the lesson begins.
In this episode, I review three critical steps teachers can take to prepare for effective Tier 1 instruction, ensuring all students have access to meaningful, engaging learning experiences. By designing with intentionality—and leveraging AI as a thought partner—we can create more inclusive and equitable classrooms.
Visit my blog for more reading on MTSS strategies for your classroom.
How can AI make learning more accessible and equitable for all students? In this episode, I explore NotebookLM, Google's AI-powered research assistant, and its potential to support inclusive learning.
Discover how this tool transforms lecture notes, articles, slide decks, websites, and YouTube videos into interactive study guides, FAQs, and even podcast-style discussions, making content more accessible for diverse learners.
Whether you're an educator looking to remove barriers or searching for new ways to help students engage with material, this episode offers practical strategies for leveraging AI to create more equitable and student-centered learning experiences.
Check out my blog for a step-by-step walkthrough of using NotebookLM.
In this mini-episode, I explore strategies like the station rotation model, playlists, choice boards, and inquiry cycles that help educators design self-directed, meaningful learning experiences while creating time to address Tier 2 needs. I’ll discuss how formative assessment and progress monitoring tools help educators identify students' needs and provide targeted support and enrichment.
Additional Resources:
- MTSS: Instructional Strategies to Make Time for Tier 2 Support and Extension
- Formative Assessment is Key to Being Responsive
In this episode, I chat with Robert Barnett, co-founder of The Modern Classrooms Project and author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs: Redesigning Instruction So All Learners Can Succeed. We dive into the power of self-paced learning—even for young students—explore how digitizing direct instruction can free teachers to focus on deeper connections with learners, and address the common concern of maintaining the human element in tech-supported
In this episode, I explore the shift toward inclusive classrooms, where students with diverse needs, including IEPs and unique learning profiles, learn side-by-side with their peers.
What does it take to create equitable and effective learning environments?
I discuss the foundational role of differentiated Tier 1 instruction and the power of the MTSS framework in providing targeted support and meaningful extensions. Learn how strategies like station rotation, playlists, and choice boards can empower teachers to meet the needs of every student while fostering a true sense of belonging.
Whether you’re a teacher or school leader, this episode offers actionable insights to reimagine inclusive instruction.
In this mini-episode, Dr. Catlin Tucker explores the Immunity to Change model and its potential to transform education. Discover how this powerful framework can help educators and leaders identify hidden barriers, confront competing commitments, and unlock personal and professional growth.
For more, you can read Dr. Tucker’s blog titled, "Why Teachers Struggle to Change—and How the Immunity to Change Model Can Help.“
In this mini-episode, Dr. Tucker reads the introduction of her newest book with Dr. Katie Novak, Elevating Educational Design with AI: Making Learning Accessible, Inclusive, and Equitable.
Find out what inspired the book, who the book is for, how it is structured, and how Dr. Tucker and Dr. Novak hope it will help educators design learning experiences that meet the needs of all students.
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Michelle Ament, the co-founder of the Human Intelligence Movement. We discuss why it’s essential to move beyond content coverage and standardized testing to prioritize creativity, empathy, and critical thinking—skills that empower students to succeed in a rapidly advancing AI-driven world.
In this mini-episode, I provide a peak into my new book Elevating Educational Design with AI: Making Learning Accessible, Inclusive, and Equitable.
If you’re a teacher feeling frustrated because your lessons aren’t meeting students’ diverse needs or leading to the engagement and progress you hope for, this book is for you. I’ll show you how to design learning experiences that are more effective, equitable, and student-centered—while also freeing up your valuable time to focus on the most rewarding parts of teaching.
Tune in for a quick preview of how AI can be your partner, not your replacement, in reimagining learning design.
In this mini-episode, I explore the benefits of presenting Tier 1 instruction in small group, differentiated instructional sessions. Small groups are not just beneficial for targeted support and intervention; they can elevate Tier 1 instruction, reducing the need for Tier 2 and 3 interventions. When teachers provide instruction on a foundational concept or skill that may be complex or challenging, presenting it in small groups and adjusting the instruction creates a more equitable experience for students.
In our 100th episode of The Balance, I sit down with educator and bestselling author Matt Eicheldinger, whose heartwarming and relatable stories about small, everyday moments as a teacher have gone viral on Instagram and TikTok.
Matt shares his journey from classroom teacher to published author, offering insights into how these seemingly simple experiences have resonated with a wide audience and sparked meaningful conversations about education. Check out this episode to hear Matt’s inspiring story and discover how his experiences are making a big impact.
You can find all of Matt’s books on Amazon!
- Matt Sprouts and the Curse of the Ten Broken Toes (Volume 1)
- Matt Sprouts and the Day Nora Ate the Sun (Volume 2)
- Sticky Notes: Memorable Lessons from Ordinary Moments.
In this mini-episode, I explore the power of concept maps as a dynamic tool for helping students make meaning and deepen their understanding. I discuss the benefits of concept mapping, review various formats for organizing and visually representing new information, and a few steps teachers can take to maximize the impact of concept mapping.
For more insights and free templates to use in your classroom, and for more on concept maps (plus templates you can copy), check out my blog!
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
- Parents, and the Adoption of Generative AI at Home and School
- Digital Well-Being Lessons for Grades K–12
- Digital Citizenship Week Resources
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.
If you want to read or share the blog on this topic, you can access that here.
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
In this episode, Noelle and I discuss five strategies designed to maximize co-teaching using the Station Rotation Model. As schools focus on creating inclusive classrooms and least restrictive learning environments, co-teaching offers an exciting pathway to meet all learners' needs in the classroom.
To read more about these strategies and see examples of each, check out this blog post.
In this mini-episode, I share my journey to the TEDx stage and provide a sneak peek into my talk.
You can watch Education Reimagined: Student-led Learning on YouTube, download the free interactive workbook on my website, and dive into my self-paced course that extends on the ideas presented in my talk on Teachable!
In this mini-episode, I explain why I've never liked the term "classroom management" and prefer to focus on building a strong classroom culture and partnering with students to establish class agreements and a clear path of consequences.
In this episode, I chat with Avery Pan, an education enthusiast, former writing tutor, and cofounder of Class Companion – an AI platform, designed in partnership with teachers. Class Companion provides instant coaching and feedback for students in a way that teachers can control.
In this mini-episode, I delve into the reciprocal teaching strategy, highlighting its power to foster critical thinking and deep engagement with media among students. I walk you through the strategy step-by-step and offer practical tips on how to onboard your students effectively.
Episode Resource
- Blog - Reciprocal Teaching with Multimedia
- Resource - Reciprocal Teaching Strategy Template with Roles Explained
In this episode, I chat with Eric Sheninger and Nicki Slaugh about their new book Personalize: Meeting the Needs of All Learners. We clarify what personalized learning is and talk about how data, using technology strategically, and focusing on human connection and relationships are key. Eric and Nicki share their experiences and advice about how to build a culture that supports this shift. You can connect with Eric on X @E_Sheninger and Nicki @nickiatquest.
In this mini-episode, Dr. Katie Novak tells us all about her new podcast, The Education Table. She shares her inspiration, describes the microformat, and discusses a few of the topics she has already covered!
In this mini-episode, I dispell some of the misconceptions about what blended learning is and is not. I highlight the benefits of this combination for positioning students to become active agents in the learning experience while freeing teachers to more effectively meet the diverse needs of students in their classes.
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Randy Laist, Dr. Cynthia Murphy, and Dr. Nicole Brewer about their book Rethinking Writing Instruction in the Age of AI. Discover how the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) form the bedrock of their innovative strategies, aimed at empowering students to discover and amplify their individual voices as writers. Want to connect with Dr. Randy Laist? rlaist@bridgeport.edu
In this Ask Catlin episode, Catlin and Noelle answer your questions about differentiation and what it looks like to differentiate content, process, and products. Plus, you'll find out what song Catlin says is currently reflecting her frame of mind.
Choice boards are a fantastic tool for honoring learner variability and providing students with meaningful choices. Not every student enjoys the same task, so giving them options is critical to maximizing their motivation and focus in a lesson. Choice boards allow us to honor our students’ preferences, needs, and interests, making their learning experience more engaging and effective.
Additional Resources
- Blog Post: Designing a Standards-aligned Choice Board (with AI)
- Google Doc: BlendEDU: Active Reading Choice Board
In this episode, I chat with Alexis Wiggins, 20-year teacher and author of, The Best Class You Never Taught: How Spider Web Discussion Can Turn Students into Learning Leaders. Alexis explains the purpose, process, and incredible outcomes of using the spider web discussion to engage students in collaborative inquiry and meaning-making. You can connect with Alexis on X at https://twitter.com/alexiswiggins
In this Ask Catlin episode, Catlin and Noelle answer your questions about grading practices and how to make grading more manageable.
In this episode, I share three reasons teachers should consider using the playlist model to provide students with more control over the pace and path of their learning. https://catlintucker.com/2024/03/3-reasons-playlist-model/
In this episode, I talk with Angela Watson about her most recent work integrating AI into her 40-Hour Work Week Course for teachers interested in leveraging AI to create more work-life balance. Angela also shares a new project called Finding Flow Solutions that is designed to help students be more effective and self-aware learners. You can check out more of Angela's work on her website and podcast https://truthforteachers.com.
In this mini-episode, I explore the role of pre-assessment data in designing with a high-level of intention. Incorporating pre-assessment strategies isn't just about collecting data; it’s about creating a responsive, inclusive, and engaging learning environment.
In this episode, I chat with Ben and Jenn about their new book, Eduprotocol Field Guide: Elementary Edition. We explore how these lesson frames empower young learners to build confidence and skills, while also providing educators with strategies to achieve balance in their professional lives.
In this Ask Catlin episode, I answer your questions about the playlist model. So, if you have ever wondered how a playlist is different from a choice board, how long students should work on a playlist, or how to track student progress through a playlist if they are self-pacing, this episode is for you! And find out what Taylor Swift album Catlin would choose to listen to as we transition from spring to summer!
Want to read more about this blended learning model? Here is my collection of blogs about the playlist model.
In this mini-episode, I share some exciting professional and personal updates and describe a simple yet effective strategy for keeping students on-task during a station rotation lesson. Instead of assigning a "deliverable" at every station that teachers feel they need to grade, let's explore a checklist that asks students to reflect on their work at each station. Not only does it help students stay focused, but it provides valuable formative assessment data!
In this episode, I chat with Pablo Muñoz about his career and book, The Leader's Algorithm. He has 30 years of public education experience as a teacher, administrator, and superintendent of schools. He shares his insights on leading complex educational systems.
You can connect with Pablo Muñoz and learn more about his work.
pablo@themunozcompany.com
themunozcompany.com
themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz
themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm
linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1
In this mini-episode, I explore the value and process of cultivating meaning-making in classrooms. Meaning-making is the process by which students interpret, understand, and make sense of the information, experiences, and world around them. In this episode, I share strategies teachers can use to help students construct knowledge on their own and in collaboration with peers.
To read more, check out my blog on this topic.
Here is Judy Willis's article "Understanding How the Brain Thinks" that I reference in this episode.
[ReAir] In this episode, Dr. Katie Novak and I discuss our newest book, The Shift to Student-led. In it, we identify ten teacher-led, time-consuming, often frustratingly ineffective workflows and reimagine them from a sustainable, student-led perspective using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and blended learning. The goal is to help teachers empower students to share the responsibility for learning so they can create more balance in their lives!
In this mini-episode, I share a strategy I call "going horizontal with your agenda." The purpose of this strategy is to help teachers conceptualize how they can shift from a linear whole-group lesson to a station rotation. The goal is to reimagine the individual learning activities in their linear agenda as separate stations in a rotation.
Part I: Station Rotation Design Tip – Go Horizontal with Your Linear Agenda
Part II: Station Rotation Design Tip – Use AI to Go Horizontal with Your Linear Agenda
In this mini-episode, I read excerpts from the introduction of my new book, Shift Writing into the Classroom with UDL and Blended Learning. In this excerpt, I explain why Dr. Novak and I wrote it, who the book is for, and how it is structured so you know what to expect.
I hope this sneak peek into the book helps to dispel the misconception that a book on writing is only for English teachers. We want to help ALL teachers leverage writing as a powerful vehicle for learning in their subject areas.
In this episode, I talk with James Anderson about his new book, Learnership. James coined the word "learnership" to bring together the idea of craftsmanship and learning. He makes the point that learning is not simply a product of good teaching; learning is the result of what learners do. In this conversation, we discuss Jame's growth mindset continuum, student agency, and how we can support students in developing the skills of learning.
Connect with James Anderson on X @MindfulByDesign
Connect with James Anderson on LinkedIn
I answer your questions about student agency in this Ask Catlin episode. You'll also hear about my favorite and least favorite holiday.
If you want to learn more about the student agency, check out my collection of blogs on student agency.
If you have questions about education, blended learning, or work-life balance, please send them to me via X @Catlin_Tucker or Instagram @CatlinTucker.
In this mini-episode, I introduce a strategy called Keep, Start, Stop for collecting student feedback at the mid-point of the school year. The goal is to identify what is working and what might need to be reimagined to ensure the rest of the school year is as positive and productive as possible. Teachers can also use this strategy to provide students with quick feedback in conferencing sessions.
[Template] Keep, Start, Stop Feedback
In this episode, I chat with Henry Turner, an award-winning principal, about his work leading change at his school. We discuss his work fostering an inclusive school culture on his campus and his book, Change the Narrative: How to Foster an Antiracist Culture in Your School.
You can connect with Henry Turner on X.
You can find Change the Narrative: How to Foster an Antiracist Culture in Your School on Amazon!
In this mini-episode, I discuss the value of writing across the curriculum. Writing deepens learning, positively impacts academic performance, improves students’ ability to establish and maintain relationships, and helps students manage their complex emotions. In our third book, Shift Writing into the Classroom with UDL and Blended Learning, Dr. Katie Novak and I want to ensure all teachers have the strategies, resources, and tools to shift all parts of the writing process into the classroom to deepen learning.
If you have questions about the book, please send them to me on X @Catlin_Tucker or Instagram @CatlinTucker.
I'm excited to announce that Dr. Katie Novak and I have written a third book titled Shift Writing into the Classroom with UDL and Blended Learning, coming out on January 9, 2024!
In this mini-episode, I talk about why we wrote the book and how we hope it will support teachers across disciplines to pull all parts of the writing process into the classroom. The goal is to ensure students have the support they need while doing this cognitively challenging work AND don't rely on AI chatbots to produce writing for them.
If you have questions about the book, please send them me on X @Catlin_Tucker or Instagram @CatlinTucker.
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Cassondra Corbin-Thaddies about her research on high-achieving black male students. Dr. Corbin-Thaddies shares insights from her research and how it can help teachers support black male students in their classrooms.
You can learn more about Dr. Corbin-Thaddies's work and research below.
: Becoming High Academic Achievers: What are the Supporting Factors for African American/Black Male Students that Make the Difference
Edutopia Article: Creating Connections with Black Male Students
www.linclearning.com
www.connect2greatness.org
In this mini-episode, I discuss the buzz around AI-powered education tools. Instead of focusing on the tools themselves, I want to focus on how we use them to support strong pedagogical practices. These AI education tools can be utilized to meet students' diverse needs, transforming how we design and facilitate learning experiences.
If you want to dive deeper, read the blog post CatlinTucker.com. I'd love to hear how you are using AI-powered education tools to better meet the needs of all learners! You can find me on X (formerly Twitter)@Catlin_Tucker, Instagram @CatlinTucker, or leave me a note on my website, CatlinTucker.com.
In this mini-episode, I troubleshoot a common problem teachers face when using the flipped classroom model. What do they do if students come to class unprepared?
In this episode, I discuss the value of this blended learning model and share strategies teachers can use if students regularly come to class without watching the videos assigned for homework.
If you want to dive deeper, read the blog post HERE.
If you have encountered a challenge using a blended learning model and would like me to address it in a future episode, please reach out on X (formerly Twitter)@Catlin_Tucker, Instagram @CatlinTucker, or leave me a note on my website, CatlinTucker.com.
I answer your questions about the whole group rotation in this Ask Catlin episode with special guest Noelle Gutierrez. You'll also hear about my favorite movie as a kid.
If you have questions about teaching, education, blended learning, or work-life balance, please send them to me via Twitter @Catlin_Tucker or Instagram @CatlinTucker.
In this episode, I chat with Paul France about his new book Making Teaching Sustainable. Paul shares how his research helped him to identify six mindset shifts that are critical to making this work more rewarding and sustainable.
In this minisode, I explore the tension between the time-saving nature of traditional teaching models and our desire to design equitable learning experiences. Designing equitable learning experiences requires more time and intentionality, but teachers can leverage AI technology to significantly reduce the time needed to design lessons that give individual students the inputs they need to reach a particular learning objective or outcome.
For more on this topic, check out this blog titled "Leveraging AI to Save Time Architecting Equitable, Student-centered Learning Experiences."
AI technology that I highlight in this episode:
www.magicschool.ai
www.eduaide.ai
https://curipod.com
I answer your questions about classroom management in this Ask Catlin episode with special guest Noelle Gutierrez. You'll also hear about the superpower I wish I had.
If you have questions about teaching, education, blended learning, or work-life balance, please send them to me via Twitter @Catlin_Tucker or Instagram @CatlinTucker.
In this minisode, I encourage teachers to get creative with their adopted curriculum. Just because a curriculum is written for a whole group, teacher-led model doesn't mean that is the only way we can use it! Teachers who want to experiment with blended learning models just need to be creative in the way they use their curriculum.
For more on this topic, check out this blog titled Architect Dynamic Blended Learning Lessons with Your Adopted Curriculum.
In this episode, I chat with Eric Dahlberg, CEO of eSpark Learning, about the future of AI in classrooms. We discuss the role of AI in personalizing learning, the potential benefits and dangers of AI in education, and explore how AI may disrupt the status quo in classrooms.
The end of the year is the perfect time to pause and take stock of what worked well and what needs reimagining for the next school year. Before going on a much-deserved summer break, take a moment to pause and be a reflective practitioner. That way, you have those notes to return to when you are ready to think about a new school year!
Things to Revamp for Next Year
I answer your questions about the flipped classroom model in this Ask Catlin episode. You'll also hear about the famous person I would most like to meet for coffee and conversation.
If you want to learn more about the flipped classroom model, check out my mini-course.
If you have questions about education, blended learning, or work-life balance, please send them to me via Twitter @Catlin_Tucker or Instagram @CatlinTucker.
In this episode, Alice Keeler and I chat about student engagement. It's easy to spot but hard to design for. We discuss the power of leveraging technology, incorporating interactive tools, and embracing student-centered learning practices to increase engagement. We explore strategies teachers can use to reimagine this work to engage their students (and find more balance in their practice)!
AliceKeeler.com
@AliceKeeler
Alice Keeler Scripts
The Add-on
https://workspace.google.com/marketplace/app/notice_wonder_form/1016219374108 Minecraft worldhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1RV70tNaT4WYHLOu6U8puTEDqxQhY1u1i/view Polypad for Fractionshttps://mathigon.org/polypad/TrPFdlQAIRusKg Polypad for Frequency Tablehttps://mathigon.org/polypad/0UYVHDpWaDF4g
In this mini-episode of The Balance, Dr. Catlin Tucker discusses how teachers can weave social-emotional learning skills into their work with students using the core competencies in the CASEL Framework as a guide. This episode focuses on the first competency: social awareness.
CASEL Framework
Social-Emotional Learning Part V: Social Awareness
In this mini-episode of The Balance, Dr. Catlin Tucker discusses how teachers can weave social-emotional learning skills into their work with students using the core competencies in the CASEL Framework as a guide. This episode focuses on the first competency: relationship skills.
CASEL Framework
Social-Emotional Learning Part IV: Relationship Skills
I answer your questions about the station rotation model in this Ask Catlin episode. You'll also hear about my most embarrassing moment from grade school.
If you're interested in learning more about the station rotation model, check out my mini-course.
If you have questions about education, blended learning, or work-life balance, please send them to me via Twitter @Catlin_Tucker or Instagram @CatlinTucker.
In this episode, Dr. Katie Novak and I discuss our newest book, The Shift to Student-led. In it, we identify ten teacher-led, time-consuming, often frustratingly ineffective workflows and reimagine them from a sustainable, student-led perspective using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and blended learning. The goal is to help teachers empower students to share the responsibility for learning so they can create more balance in their lives!
In this mini-episode of The Balance, Dr. Catlin Tucker discusses how teachers can weave social-emotional learning skills into their work with students using the core competencies in the CASEL Framework as a guide. This episode focuses on the first competency: responsible decision-making.
CASEL Framework Social-Emotional Learning Part III: Responsible Decision Making
On episode 27 of The Balance, Dr. Catlin Tucker invites Dr. Tim Shanahan, educator, researcher, and education policy-maker focused on literacy education, to discuss literacy across all subjects, student agency, and finding balance in education.
Tim Shanahan's Website
In this Ask Catlin episode, Catlin answers teachers' questions about technology tools and tech integration. Check out this episode if you've ever wondered when to use technology or which technology tools to use in a lesson.
Check out Catlin's Education Technology Tools for a Blended Learning Environment
In mini-episode 10 of The Balance, Dr. Catlin Tucker discusses how teachers can weave social-emotional learning skills into their work with students using the core competencies in the CASEL Framework as a guide. This episode focuses on the first competency: self-management.
CASEL Framework Social-emotional Learning Part II: Self-management
Education circles are buzzing with the implications of ChatGPT, a new AI technology. In this episode, I discuss the implications of this disruptive technology in education and how teachers can approach this work in a rapidly changing world.
In mini-episode 9 of The Balance, Dr. Catlin Tucker discusses how teachers can weave social-emotional learning skills into the work they're doing with students using the core competencies in the CASEL Framework. This episode focuses on the first competency: self-awareness.
CASEL Framework Social-Emotional Learning Part V: Social AwarenessSet Up Your LMS to Ensure Student Success
On episode 26 of The Balance, Dr. Catlin Tucker talks with Dr. Sunita Gandhi about her experiences studying a different approach to education, opening schools around the world, and The Global Dream project.
On mini-episode 8 of The Balance, Dr. Catlin Tucker discusses using video instruction to make more time for human connection in a classroom.
To learn more about The Flipped Classroom Model, check out Dr. Tucker’s mini-course.
On episode 25 of The Balance, Dr. Catlin Tucker talks with Kareem Farah about maximizing teacher time, boosting student engagement, and reimagining workflows through his Modern Classrooms Project.
- About Modern Classrooms Project
- Modern Classrooms Project Free Course
On mini-episode 7 of The Balance, Dr. Catlin Tucker discusses how to prioritize student agency, differentiation, and facilitate learning with the station rotation model.
- The Station Rotation Model: Prioritize Differentiation, Student Agency + 4Cs 21st-Century Learning
- The Station Rotation Model: Get Started!
On episode 24 of The Balance, Dr. Catlin Tucker talks with Joe and Carina, two students from her courses at Pepperdine University in the Masters in the Arts of Teaching Program, to discuss their first year of teaching.
- Start Class with Community Building Conversations
On mini-episode 6 of The Balance, Dr. Catlin Tucker discusses making student agency sustainable in the classroom by identifying three points in learning: the what, how, and why.
- 3 Ways to Build Student Agency into Your Lessons
- Would You Rather: Designing with Choice in Mind
On episode 23 of The Balance, Dr. Catlin Tucker invites A.J. Juliani, bestselling author, experienced educator, and current faculty for the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, to discuss enhancing adaptability in education to improve student engagement.
On mini-episode 5 of The Balance, Dr. Catlin Tucker discusses how she was able to reevaluate her approach to grading by asking one straightforward question: what is the purpose of this work?
- Grading Flowchart
On this episode of The Balance, Dr. Catlin Tucker invites Scott McLeod, J.D., Ph.D, Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Colorado, Denver, to discuss cultivating leaders as builders, working on mindsets, and supporting self-care for educators.
- Leadership for Deeper Learning
- Print out and fill out your Personal Life Wheel
- See also the Professional Life Wheel
- These resources are from The Complete Guide to Work Life Balance for School Leaders
On episode 22 of The Balance, Dr. Catlin Tucker invites Ken Shelton, Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Certified Innovator, keynote speaker and consultant, to discuss dismantling stereotypes, cultural intelligence, and challenges facing educational institutions.
On episode 21 of The Balance, Dr. Catlin Tucker invites Matt Miller, blogger, author, speaker, and educator to discuss rethinking the approach to instruction, assessment, and creating a work-life balance to retain great teachers.
On episode 20 of The Balance, Dr. Catlin Tucker invites Paul France to share ideas from his book, Reclaiming Personalized Learning. They discuss personalized learning as a pedagogy for restoring equity and promoting humanity in the classroom. Listen now.
What do we mean when we say Universal Design for Learning (UDL)? How can UDL support an antiracist learning environment? In this episode of Dr. Catlin Tucker’s podcast, The Balance, she invites Andratesha Fritzgerald, an inclusive practices implementation consultant and life-long educator, to offer clarity around these themes and questions. Listen now.
What is innovation? How can we empower teachers to drive their own innovation? Dr. Catlin Tucker and her guest, George Couros, an Innovative Teaching, Learning, and Leadership Consultant, tackle these questions with laughs and insights along the way. Listen now.
What steps can you take to minimize stress and manage your workload to avoid burnout? What do we mean when we say human-centered teaching? On this episode of Dr. Catlin Tucker’s podcast, The Balance, she invites Angela Watson, a productivity and mindset specialist with 11 years of classroom experience, to offer clarity around these themes and questions. Listen now.
How do we understand and engage with the overwhelming emotions we experience as educators—as humans? “I saw an incredible number of beautiful, passionate, committed teachers burn out and leave the profession,” says Elena Aguilar. So, she wrote a guidebook for teachers called Onward to help them build resilience. In this episode, she shares her own resilience journey as an educator with Dr. Catlin Tucker and gives advice on how to begin yours. Listen now.
How can you create inclusive classrooms, design for learner variability, and remove barriers to learning? Dr. Catlin Tucker talks with Dr. Katie Novak, author and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, about Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a solution to the wide variety of student needs in a class. They discuss the belief system behind UDL, why it works well with blended learning, and how you can develop a framework that will drive your career until you retire. Dr. Tucker also announces she has authored an upcoming book with Dr. Novak on the intersection of blended learning and UDL. Listen now.
Educators are often overwhelmed by the pressure to “cover it all” when it comes to content and curriculum. In this episode, Dr. Catlin Tucker talks with Jay McTighe about designing learning experiences for transfer—focusing on how students will apply their learning instead. By reframing and choosing specific long-term goals, teachers can let go of “covering it all” and make time for exploration of essential questions and performance-tasks. “What if we mapped out the curriculum,” says Jay, “not around input or content to be covered, but around rich, authentic tasks that reflect what we want students to be able to do with learning.” Listen now.
How can we reimagine project-based learning (PBL) for this moment in time? In this episode of The Balance, Dr. Catlin Tucker talks with PBL international expert and founder of CraftED Curriculum, Dr. Jennifer Pieratt about how project-based learning can increase student agency and engagement in online and hybrid classrooms. Dr. Pieratt dives into what is essential about PBL and what tweaks can be made during the pandemic to ensure student success with the model. “The world is our curriculum,” says Dr. Pieratt. “It’s easy for teachers to shy away from the mess right now but the world is so ripe for kids to be finding solutions for the problems that are going on.” Listen now.
The pandemic is changing education. How will teacher preparation programs need to shift in response? How can administrators lead their communities at this time? Why doesn't society value the important work educators do? Dr. Ivy Ewell-Eldridge, current school site administrator in Southern California and Supervisor of Teacher Education and lecturer for UC Riverside's Graduate School of Education, tackles these questions and more with Dr. Catlin Tucker in this latest episode of The Balance. You can follow Dr. Eldridge on Twitter: @IEwellEldridge.
The global pandemic and reckoning around racial justice are creating immediate and sometimes overwhelming changes to the education system. As a result, the daily lives of teachers and educators across the nation look drastically different today than they did last year. Dr. Catlin Tucker invited Linwood Paul, expert executive coach and facilitator with over thirty years of rich and varied experience in individual development, team, and organizational change, to talk about what’s happening. Linwood provides advice for leaders and teachers on how to create Subtle Distinctions that adjust your mindset to create true contentment in your life. Linwood also provides practical advice for the new work-from-home lifestyle teachers find themselves in today.
As educators prepare for an uncertain back-to-school, Dr. Catlin Tucker encourages teachers to take control of what they CAN: the design of their courses. The teacher’s role as a designer of an online or blended learning course is a critical part of the teaching presence in an online or blended community. “We get to create a clear, more manageable roadmap,” says Catlin, “figure out what those most important pieces are, and start from that point.” She encourages teachers to look at their curriculum with fresh eyes when mapping out their year. Listen now.
In episode 12 of The Balance, Dr. Catlin Tucker talks with Jon Corippo, Chief Learning Officer at CUE (Computer Using Educators), where he directs CUE’s onsite, online, social media, and conference planning. Jon and Catlin discuss reprioritizing students and putting them at the center of learning. “We are doing the same thing we’ve always done,” says Jon, “and we’re expecting it to work better. And the same thing we’ve always done leaves out the number one core which is: the human child.” Jon continues by pointing out that the human connection, or rapport between the student and teacher, is key to learning. “Ever heard of School of Rock? Stand and Deliver? Every great Hollywood teacher goes and understands that if I don’t have a relationship with the child, they will reject me.” Listen now to Jon and Catlin's entire conversation—sponsored by StudySync.
Teachers are often asked to incorporate social and emotional learning into their instruction, but what about their own well-being? In episode 11 of The Balance, Catlin Tucker talks with Dr. Maria Hersey, founder and CEO of Global Education Advisors, about how educators can prioritize their own self-care and, in turn, better support student social and emotional learning (SEL). Dr. Hersey’s background as both as an educator and a former director at MindUP (the signature mindfulness program of the Hawn Foundation) allows her to speak both in researched data and personal experience. Catlin and Dr. Hersey discuss best mindfulness practices for teachers themselves and then extend those ideas to SEL strategies in the classroom.
What a whirl-wind the last few months have been for educators. Teachers and students can finally see the light at the end of an emotionally exhausting year. “So many kids,” says Catlin Tucker, “aren’t getting that closure… that celebratory ending that they really crave at the end of the school year.” With summer close, Catlin suggests a few ideas for teachers in the home stretch, including a creative project to celebrate a year of learning. Catlin also talks honestly about recovering from an emotional few months, accepting an uncertain back-to-school future, and finding fun ways to grow professionally. Presented by StudySync.
In this episode, Catlin Tucker talks with Rachelle Dene Poth, an emerging technology presenter, Spanish/STEAM teacher, author, and lawyer, about the power of relationships in education. They discuss solutions designed to help teachers build stronger connections with students, maximize their time when implementing new technology, and remember their “why” in terms of what they are teaching or asking of their students.
Catlin reminds educators that they are “lifelong learners, teaching lifelong learners” and encourages teachers to have a continuous dialogue with students about what works with a new technology or lesson or what didn’t work. Catlin and Rachelle also wrestle with the question of how do you work a sense of balance into your life when you are juggling so much? Rachelle shares that, in addition to self-care, another important element to achieving balance is to connect with your peers and build your personal learning network (PLN) so that you can share ideas….and have an avenue to vent, learn, and move forward. Listen, rate, and review The Balance so other educators will find this amazing resource.
We all have so many questions in our heads—How can I teach effectively given this new situation? How can I build relationships with all of my students via online conferencing platforms? How will distance learning and screen-time impact my students in the long run?
In this mini-episode, Catlin Tucker shares ways to build community online and engage students. She reminds us that, just like in the classroom, students need to feel safe, so plan to start with simple, online ice-breakers to build trust and increase students’ comfort levels. She also stresses the importance of personalized feedback and recommends assigning both online and offline work.
Seeking helpful tips for achieving greater balance in this new teaching environment? Listen now.
How do you balance the needs of family members, working from a new space, and still teach the way you want to teach? Recognizing that most of us are feeling totally off-balance, Catlin acknowledges that navigating this shift from teaching face-to-face to teaching entirely online is a new challenge that leaves us wondering if balance is even possible right now.
In this mini-episode of The Balance, Catlin talks about this sudden transition to teaching online and shares three suggestions to help you feel more confident navigating this new learning landscape.
Catlin talks with Dr. Shaun Woodly about his personal experience teaching in urban schools with culturally diverse students. Catlin and Shaun discuss the need to consider, “What learning really looks like?” and whether teachers are creating spaces to foster authentic learning experiences for kids. Listen to Shaun and Catlin as they discuss the four elements of urban education-–awareness, achievement, alliance, and artistry–and encourage teachers to consider which areas they can develop in their work with students to achieve balance.
Please rate and review the series—it will help other teachers and administrators find this amazing resource!
Catlin Tucker talks with Jason Green, a School Transformation Expert and Co-founder of LINC (Learning Innovation Catalyst), about leading innovative change that is scalable, building culture on school campuses, and shifting from performing to being present in the classroom.
When looking at a school culture, Jason cautions that school leaders may get sucked into the urgency of what is happening at the moment. Instead, he urges them to step back and ask, What is important? What is urgent? Does this lead to student learning or build a better school culture? Do our teachers feel they have the agency to innovate?
Don’t miss Catlin and Jason’s conversation about how leaders and educators can collaborate to advance culture and innovation. And, they also remind us not to forget about the importance of our own continuous learning and to be compassionate with ourselves!!!
Catlin Tucker talks with Travis Lape (@travislape) an Innovative Programs Director entering his 7th year with the Harrisburg School District in Pennsylvania. Travis is passionate about creating learning environments that leverage the best instructional practices that get the largest effect on learning. Catlin talks with Travis Lape about school and classroom design, and student agency, with a reminder to listeners to maintain their own balance.
Catlin Tucker talks with Lisa Highfill (@lhighfill), a technology integration coach and a classroom teacher for over twenty years, about balance in the classroom and beyond! Lisa weighs in on how teachers can shift their roles from being the disseminator of information to true architects of learning experiences for their classroom and how to stop stealing the "Ah-ha!" moments from their students. Learn more about Lisa at the Hyperdoc website https://hyperdocs.co.
The Balance is presented by StudySync. Visit studysync.com/blog for details. Learn more about SyncBlasts at www.studysync.com/products/syncBlast.
Catlin Tucker converses with Adam Welcome, a former educator, principal, and director of innovation, now EdTech consultant about balance in the classroom! Adam advises teachers to focus on what is sustainable for their classroom and to consider letting students be the experts on a variety of topics. Facilitate learning for your students. Create lesson plans that don't have your students just sitting, listening, and consuming. Shift some of the responsibility to students so you can focus on things in your job that bring you joy!
In this episode of The Balance, I talk with Tiffany Wycoff, a mother, an educator, and an entrepreneur. We explore issues related to the balance or, more accurately, the imbalance of power and responsibility in classrooms. We question the current role many students occupy as passive consumers. We discuss the need to model a growth mindset for our students and what is needed to cultivate classrooms where we celebrate experimentation, risk-taking, and failing forward. We talk about the potential of technology to connect learners as opposed to isolating them. As advocates of blended learning, Tiffany and I explore both the pitfalls and potential of integrating technology into classrooms. Presented by StudySync.