[Listen Again] Multilingual Learner Support with Dr. Jana Echevarría and Dr. Jeannette Mancilla

In this replay episode, literacy experts Dr. Jana Echevarría and Dr. Jeannette Mancilla-Martinez share research-backed insights and practical strategi...

313. You Don't Need to Teach 100 Procedures. Start with These

Part 2: New Teacher Blueprint Series
The beginning of the school year comes with a long list of classroom procedures to teach... but here's the...

[Listen Again] 7 Research-Backed Strategies for Reading Success with Lindsay Kemeny

If you're working to align your literacy instruction with the science of reading, this listener favorite interview is for you!
In this conversat...

Episode 312: How to Set Up Your Classroom (Without Overthinking It)

Part 1: New Teacher Blueprint
Getting your classroom ready for a new school year can feel overwhelming. Between Pinterest-perfect classrooms, en...

311: Small Group Instruction Made Simple: How to Use Data to Support Every Reader

Part 6: Your Literacy Block Series

Learn how to make small group instruction purposeful and effective. Tami breaks down the five key ques...

310: Writing Belongs in Your Literacy Block (Here's How)

Part 5: Your Literacy Block Series
In this episode of our Your Literacy Block series, Emily is talking all about writing— and why it deserves a...

[Listen Again] Why Reading Fluency Matters More Than You Think

Think fluency instruction is only for primary grades? Think again.
In this episode, we're unpacking why reading fluency remains one of the most...

309: Fluency - The Bridge Between Decoding & Comprehension

Your Literacy Block: Part 4
Fluency is more than reading fast — it's the bridge between word recognition and comprehension. In this episode of t...

[Listen Again] Intervention Strategies for Struggling Readers with Shannon Moore

Supporting struggling readers is one of the most important—and often most challenging—parts of literacy instruction. When intervention time is limited...

308: Phonics & Phonemic Awareness: Closing Gaps in Upper Elementary

Your Literacy Block: Part 3
If you've ever wondered whether phonemic awareness and phonics still matter in upper elementary, this episode is for...

[Listen Again] How the Brain Learns Words (and Why It Matters for Reading Success) with Dr. Molly Ness

We replayed an interview with Dr. Molly Ness last week... and we just could not help airing this one too! We love our interview episodes.
What...

307. The 5-Minute Word Study Routine That Builds Reading Confidence

Your Literacy Block Series: Part 2
If your students freeze when they come across long, unfamiliar words while reading, this episode is for you.<...

[Listen Again] Why Every Literacy Block Needs Read-Alouds with Molly Ness

Are read-alouds still worth making time for in an upper elementary classroom? According to literacy researcher and author Dr. Molly Ness—they absolute...

306. Comprehension: A Simple Research-Backed Framework That Actually Works

Your Literacy Block Series: Part 1
If you’ve ever wondered:
“How do I actually help my students comprehend what they read?” …this episode...

305. [Listen Again] Let Them Be Bored: Why Boredom Might Be Exactly What Kids Need with Mike Bender and Chuck Dillon

304. 7 Things Your Future Teacher Self Will Thank You For

The school year is almost over, but before you fully switch into summer mode, there are a few things your future teacher self will be so thankful you...

303. Want More Engagement in May? Try These 3 Literacy Moves

In this episode, Emily shares 3 simple, low-prep literacy moves that still make a big impact at the end of the year (hello increased engagement!). You...

302. Hey Teachers, Don't Miss the Magic of May

May can feel exhausting, emotional, and chaotic but it can also be one of the most meaningful months of the school year. In this episode, Tami and Sar...

301. 3 Things That Actually Matter Before the School Year Ends

As the school year comes to a close, it’s easy to feel pressure to squeeze in one more lesson, finish one more project, or check off every remaining s...

300. You Can Love Teaching and Still Want It to Be Easier

If teaching feels harder than usual right now, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong.
In this special 🎉300th episode🎉, Emily and Tami...

299. 1 Thing Your Students Actually Need Right Now

Feeling the pressure to try something new before testing season?
In this episode, Emily and 5th grade teacher Meghan share why that instinct mig...

298. Why It's Not Too Late to Support Struggling Readers

Sign up for our FREE test prep email series: stellarteacher.com/testprep! Get 3 free lessons straight to your inbox.
If you’ve ever reached Apri...

297. The Difference Between Feedback and Noise

In this episode, Sara and Kori discuss the difference between helpful feedback and noise in teaching. With so many opinions and suggestions coming fro...

296. What Calm Classrooms Actually Have in Common (Spoiler: it’s not decor!)

What do calm classrooms actually look like? Contrary to what many people think, calm classrooms aren’t always silent or perfectly still. Instead, they...

295. Teaching Is a Long Game: A Reminder for Teachers Feeling the Pressure

In this episode of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, Kori shares an encouraging reminder that many educators need to hear — teaching is a long game. When t...

294. The Most Expensive Test Prep Mistake Happens Before the Question

As much as we prepare students with practice passages and strategy review, many performance struggles happen before students even answer a question.

293. [Listen Again] Dear Stellar Teacher: How Can I Make Test Prep Season More Effective and Less Overwhelming?

Standardized testing season is coming — and if you’re already feeling the pressure of long testing days, restless students, and review overload, you’r...

Navigating the Challenges of Required Curriculum

Summary
In this episode of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, host Sara Marye discusses the challenges and strategies for teachers dealing with mandat...

291. When You Can’t Stop Rethinking Everything You Said, Taught, or Did

In this episode of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, hosts Sara Marye and Emily discuss the common struggle of second-guessing oneself in teaching. They ex...

290. You Are the Expert: Why Your Professional Judgment Matters

In this episode of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, Sara is joined by a member of the Stellar Teacher Team and they discuss the importance of trusting pro...

Embracing Imperfection in Teaching

In this episode of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, Emily and Tami discuss the pressures teachers face to make every lesson extraordinary.
They expl...

288. Choosing Intention Over Perfection

In this episode, I’m sharing why I’ve moved away from setting traditional New Year’s resolutions and what has actually helped me create meaningful, su...

287. 5 Myths About Small Group Instruction (And What to Believe Instead) [Listen Again]

In this episode, I’m diving into small group instruction and addressing five common myths that I hear all the time in the teacher space. Small groups...

286. Dear Stellar Teacher: Making Space for More Joy This Year

In this first Dear Stellar Teacher episode of 2026, Emily and I are kicking off the new year by talking about something that doesn’t get nearly enough...

285. Implementing Classroom Routines for a Strong Second Semester

In this episode, I’m talking all about implementing classroom routines as we head into the second semester. This time of year can feel exciting and ov...

284. 5 Steps to Teaching with Thematic Units [Listen Again]

In today’s episode, I’m sharing one of my favorite ways to bring more purpose, connection, and deeper learning into your literacy block: thematic plan...

283. Your Guide to Teaching Syllabication in Upper Elementary [Listen Again]

In today’s episode, I’m unpacking a skill that often gets overlooked in upper elementary but has a huge impact on whether students can read big words...

282. 4 Ways to Easily Incorporate Movement into Your Instructional Day [Listen Again]

In this episode, I’m kicking off December with a little real talk about this wild stretch between Thanksgiving and winter break—and how we can make it...

281. 5 Reasons Why You Need to Spend More Time on Sentence Writing in Upper Elementary [Listen Again]

In today’s episode, I’m diving into a small but mighty part of literacy instruction that has a huge impact on your students’ reading and writing succe...

280. Slow Down to Show Up: A Thanksgiving Reminder for Teachers

As we head into Thanksgiving week, I know things can start to feel a little chaotic. Schedules are disjointed, students are distracted, and you’re pro...