Dr. Catlin Tucker is a bestselling author, international trainer, and keynote speaker. She was named Teacher of the Year in 2010 in Sonoma County, where she taught for 16 years. Catlin earned her doctorate in learning technologies from Pepperdine University. Currently, Catlin is working as a blended learning coach, education consultant, and professor in a Masters of Arts in Teaching program. Catlin has published several books on blended learning, including The Shift to Student-led, The Compl ...
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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.By catlinthebalance
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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.By catlinthebalance
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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…
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Personalize: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
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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…
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Katie Novak Dishes About Her New Podcast, The Education Table
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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!By catlinthebalance
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What Blended Learning Is and What It Is Not
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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.…
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Rethinking Writing Instruction in the Age of AI
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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 …
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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.By catlinthebalance
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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 ex…
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Letting Students Lead the Learning with Spider Web Discussions with Alexis Wiggins
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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 conne…
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In this Ask Catlin episode, Catlin and Noelle answer your questions about grading practices and how to make grading more manageable.By catlinthebalance
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3 Reasons Teachers Should Use the Playlist Model
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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/By catlinthebalance
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AI and Teacher Productivity with Angela Watson
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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 ou…
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In this Ask Catlin episode, Catlin answers your questions about assessment.By catlinthebalance
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The Power of Pre-assessment to Design with Intention
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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.By catlinthebalance
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Eduprotocols for Littles with Ben Cogswell and Jenn Dean
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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.By catlinthebalance
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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 wo…
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Updates & A Station Rotation Tip: Using a Checklist to Keep Kids on Task
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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 a…
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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.co…
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Cultivating Student-led Meaning-Making in Classrooms
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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…
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[ReAir] The Shift to Student-led with Dr. Katie Novak
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[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 em…
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Designing a Station Rotation: Go Horizontal with Your Agenda
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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: …
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Excerpt from Shift Writing into the Classroom
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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 b…
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Developing the Skill of Learning with James Anderson
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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 conti…
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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 @C…
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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 studen…
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Fostering an Inclusive School Culture with Henry Turner
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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:…
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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. Ka…
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New Book Alert! Shifting Writing into the Classroom with UDL and Blended Learning
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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 clas…
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Supporting Black Male Students with Dr. Corbin-Thaddies
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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 Achi…
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AI and Learning Design: Elevating Intent, Not Eliminating It
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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 …
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Troubleshooting the Flipped Classroom: Dealing with Unprepared Students
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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 homew…
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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.…
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Making Teaching Sustainable with Paul France
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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.By catlinthebalance
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Leveraging AI to Design Equitable Learning Experiences
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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 ind…
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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.…
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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 …
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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.By catlinthebalance
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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 Rev…
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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, pl…
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Exploring Student Engagement with Alice Keeler
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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 …
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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…
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Relationship Skills and the CASEL Framework
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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 Skill…
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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 t…
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Responsible Decision-Making and the CASEL Framework
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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: Responsib…
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Reading and Literacy with Dr. Tim Shanahan
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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 WebsiteBy catlinthebalance
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Ask Catlin: Technology Tools & Integration
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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 (bit.ly/BlendEDUTools)…
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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…
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Disruptive Technology: ChatGPT and Education
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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.By catlinthebalance
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In mini-episode 9 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-awareness. CASEL Framework Social-Emotional Learning Part V: Social Awareness…
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