I've been researching something that feels straight out of science fiction: Sam Altman's World project has launched eye scanning stations in six U.S. cities. This is a perfect opportunity to discuss digital identity and ethics with students.
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This week, I’ve been knee-deep in testing tools—Claude’s “extended thinking,” ChatGPT’s deep research upgrades, Runway’s surreal new video tech, Studio’s text-to-sound FX, and Google’s soon-to-launch NotebookLM app. It’s exciting… and overwhelming. Everywhere we turn, there’s another AI feature promising to “save time” while quietly demanding more of our attention. I don’t buy the hype that AI fixes everything—but I do believe we can use it wisely, with clear boundaries and our humanity intact. In this issue, you’ll find honest reviews, burnout prevention tips, and classroom-ready resources to help you finish the year with purpose—not panic.
Plus, we'll dive into my favorite AI presentation app, exciting AI tool updates (NotebookLM is coming!), and productivity tools I'm testing this week!
📬 This Week’s Highlights
🔥 Breaking AI Tool Updates (May 2025)
👁️ Sam Altman’s Eye-Scanning Tech: Teaching Ethics & Identity
✏️ Fun Grammar Strategies with Patty McGee
🎬 AI Tools I’m Testing: Gamma, Runway, Studio
📚 Top Books Shaping My Thinking This Month
🧘 How to Stop Teacher Burnout Before It Stops You with Dr. PBJ
💫 Helping Every Student Feel They Belong
🔧 AI Learning Resources + Evernote Tips
🌟 Building Your Personal Brand (New Series!)
🧠 AI Classroom Tips: Math, Ethics & News Roundup
📖 Finding Your Beautiful Moment at the End of the School Year
🤔 Parting Thoughts from a Teacher in the Trenches
🔥 Breaking AI Tool Updates (May 2025)
NotebookLM App Launching May 20th!
Google's powerful AI research assistant is finally coming to mobile devices! Pre-register now:
The app will support 50+ languages and includes audio overview capabilities (though no new voices yet).
Major Claude AI Updates
Claude just released significant improvements including:
- Full Zapier integration for automating workflows
- Global search across all your chats
- "Extended thinking" toggle for more accurate responses
- Personalized preferences based on your work function
- Set up your tool preferences in advance (analysis tool, Google integrations)
Don't forget to update your preferences in Claude to take advantage of these new features!
ChatGPT Expands Deep Research & Shopping
ChatGPT has increased deep research allowances:
- Plus, Team, Enterprise, and Edu users: 25 queries/month
- Pro users: 250 queries/month
- Free users: 5 queries/month
They've also launched shopping capabilities through Shopify integration—a direct challenge to both Google Search and Amazon!
👁️ Sam Altman's World Eye-Scanning Technology
Listen to my full breakdown in Episode 898: How Do We Know Who's Human?
OK now this one concerns me greatly. It sounds like a truly terrible idea even if it is being done for good reasons. On May 1, 2025, World (formerly Worldcoin) launched iris and face-scanning locations in six U.S. cities. The goal? Prove you're human — and get a World ID in return (plus cryptocurrency).
I was fascinated by the dramatically different media angles on this story. Some treated it as "get free crypto!" while others raised serious privacy concerns. This is a perfect media literacy teaching moment!
There are three major reasons this global ID push is happening:
- Stopping identity fraud and deepfakes
- Verifying age online (not yet part of this solution)
- Distinguishing humans from AI agents
While World claims everything is anonymous, their partnerships with Match.com and VISA raise questions about true anonymity. As I point out in the podcast, social security numbers were never intended to be a national identifier, but evolved into one — with serious consequences when compromised.
I've created two classroom resources:
Fun Grammar Strategies - Yes, I said Grammar
Patty McGee, author of Not Your Granny’s Grammar, has inspiring ideas to make teaching grammar fun at all ages!
Listen to Episode 892 with Patty McGee “Fun Grammar Strategies That Actually Work”
🎬 AI Presentation & Media Creation Tools I'm Testing
I've been testing AI presentation tools and right now, Gamma is my winner. I started with an outline and I have found it super fast, easy, and accurate. I’ve tested other tools and they just aren’t as advanced as Gamma yet.
2. Runway's Game-Changing Video Tech
Runway just released an incredible new feature that lets you place yourself anywhere virtually! Watch this demo video to see the possibilities for creating engaging educational content. You can sign up for free and get 125 free one time credits. This would be a fun end of the year project.
3. Sound Effects in Studio
Studio is 11labs long form audio creator and they now have sound effects! Studio just launched Text to SFX, allowing you to generate sound effects by simply describing them. This is built right into their longform editor—perfect for podcasts and video lessons!
📚 Top Books Shaping My Thinking This Month
Three books are guiding my approach to AI and boundaries this month:
- The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity by Jason Thacker - This powerful book helps align the use of AI with a moral worldview, addressing the ethical implications we face as educators.
- The One Life Solution by Henry Cloud - Beyond just relationship boundaries, this book has transformed how I set limits with technology and email. Perfect for teachers struggling with work-life balance!
- Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte - Continues to shape how I organize my digital notes using a modified PARA system (I call mine PATH: projects, areas of work, topics of interest, history). If you are going to be working on your notebook system, this is a must read!
🧘 How to Stop Teacher Burnout Before It Stops You with Dr. PBJ
After 23 years of teaching, I know how hard it is trying to hold everything together. Sometimes it just isn't possible. That's why I was so moved by my conversation with Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson (Dr. PBJ) about teacher burnout.
Key takeaways:
- Burnout doesn't happen overnight — learn to recognize early signs
- Setting boundaries isn't selfish — it's necessary
- Start healing with small steps: micro-breaks, moments of fun, space for emotions
"At some point, your body, your nervous system, and your mind says, that's enough." – Dr. PBJ
Listen to Episode 895: How to Stop Teacher Burnout Before It Stops You
💫 Helping Every Student Feel They Belong
I was that student who felt like I didn't fit in. And in Episode 893, I met Principal Carlos Ramirez who makes it his mission to reach kids like I was. Carlos personally checks in with kids who miss class and even walks them to school. His approach to attendance is based on relationships, not reprimands.
Listen to Episode 893: How to Help Every Child Feel Like They Belong
In another episode about connection, Dr. Lucy Lambert-Guesnard shares a powerful truth: "You can't teach the value of X until students know they are valued." After 50+ years in education, she reveals how building trust transforms even the most challenging classroom situations.
Listen to Episode 897 How to Truly Connect with Students (And Why It Matters)
🔧 AI Learning Resources
1. AI Automation School
I've joined Rob the AI Guy's AI Automation School to level up my skills. His videos have been game-changers for my workflow. My current “turtle” goal is to learn how to use agents and I’ve been testing Convergence.AI’s Proxy tool. Pretty cool! If you're interested in joining me with Rob the AI Guy, you can join through my affiliate link.
2. Evernote's Hidden Features
In Episode 896 with productivity expert Dr. Frank Buck, we explored five free Evernote features (including that you can take a picture of a bookshelf and text search for where the books are!
Listen to Episode 896: 5 Free Evernote Features Every Educator Should Know
🌟 Building Your Personal Brand
Did you know your digital footprint is being built whether you're paying attention or not? That's why I launched a special multi-part series on personal branding.
In my recent Cool Cat Teacher Talk episode with Elisabeth Bostwick and Dr. Will Deyamaport, we discussed:
- Why personal branding matters for students and teachers alike
- How to help students protect and grow their digital footprint
- Tips for algorithm-proofing your career
This isn't about becoming internet-famous — it's about building trust, reputation, and opportunity for the future. I am releasing two more episodes on my radio show/podcast with Part 2 this week with 5 of my 7 strategies for building your own brand.
Check out How Can Students and Teachers Build a Good Personal Brand? for part 1 of this special series.
🧠 The Latest in Edtech and AI Right Now
So, I’m recording news episodes to release the end of each week. Here was my first news roundup which, if you haven’t heard it, still has important info about math and AI, eye tracking, AI cameras and the blind and so much more.
Listen to the April 25 News Roundup (and remember to subscribe to the 10 Minute Teacher on the podcatcher of your choice to never miss an episode Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Pandora | Spotify | YouTube | Audible )
📖 Finding Your Beautiful Moment at the End of the School Year
As the school year winds down, I always reflect on those special moments that make teaching worthwhile. In this "greatest hits" post, I share how to find and create beautiful moments during the hectic final weeks.
These are the memories that will sustain both you and your students through the summer—the unexpected connections, breakthroughs, and celebrations that remind us why we teach.
Read Finding Your Beautiful Moment the Last Week of School
🤔 Parting Thoughts
I didn’t get a newsletter out last week because I was with a family member in the hospital. It has not been an easy season. In fact, I would say it is the toughest end of school in my life - a close family member is ill, a wedding I’m planning, and the end of school and a few more things on top. I’ve worked hard to get my AP CSP students ready for their exam next week. Our Shark Tank app project for 9th grade is Thursday. And so much more.
Isn't that how the end of school always seems to be? I'm so glad for my family helping me keep it together.
Yet, I’m so grateful. I’m grateful to be alive. I’m grateful to be walking. I’m grateful to be teaching. And I’m grateful for you. Thank you for reading my newsletter!
Joyfully in your service,
Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher
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