From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

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You know that teacher down the hall—the one with boundless energy who seems to make everything look effortless? Josh Korb wants you to know something: you don't have to be that teacher to make a profound difference in students' lives. After a life-changing accident left him temporarily paralyzed, this math teacher realized he needed to “capitalize on every single moment” with his students. The result? Three brilliantly simple strategies that transform any classroom into a hub of student-centered learning.

In this episode, Josh shares his “Curiosity Corner” technique for sparking inquiry, brain break strategies that actually work (think spontaneous 30-second dance parties), and how Action Teams using design thinking can tackle everything from environmental conservation to real classroom challenges. These mastery learning approaches prove that authentic teaching isn't about matching someone else's energy—it's about being intentionally present and creating spaces where students take ownership of their learning journey.

Ready to discover how small changes create ripple effects that last decades? This episode reveals exactly how to be the cause of positive change in your classroom.

Watch the Show on YouTube to Learn the 3 Teaching Strategies

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Educational Vocabulary Section

Key Educational Terms from This Episode:

Mastery-Based Learning: An educational approach where students advance based on demonstrating competency rather than time spent in class. Students must master content before moving to the next level. Source: A Practical Review of Mastery Learning: National Library of Medicine

Design Thinking: A human-centered problem-solving process involving empathy, definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing. In education, it helps students approach challenges creatively. Source: Stanford d.school

John Hattie's Effect Framework: A teaching methodology focusing on creating measurable impact on student learning through evidence-based instructional strategies. Source: Visible Learning

Inquiry-Based Learning: A pedagogical approach where students ask questions, investigate, and construct their own understanding rather than passively receiving information. Source: Edutopia – George Lucas Educational Foundation

Brain Breaks: Short mental breaks during learning that involve physical movement or mindfulness activities to help students refocus and re-energize. Source: National Institutes of Health: “Study shows how taking short breaks may help our brains learn new skills.”

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Links Mentioned in the Show

Josh Korb's Resources:

• Book: “Be the Cause: An Educator's Guide to EFFECTive Instruction”





• Blog: https://www.joshkorb.org/





• Twitter: @mrjkorb





• LinkedIn: Joshua Korb Profile





• Facebook: Josh Korb Profile





• Company: Master3DU Inc. (EdTech startup focusing on mastery-based learning)

Josh Korb – Bio as Sumitted

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