If you’ve ever had a student say “I can’t read” with tears in their eyes, this episode is for you. Today we’re exploring why reading shutdown happens—and what you can do to rebuild confidence and spark success in your most discouraged learners.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• The emotional root behind student shutdown (it’s not laziness).
• Why celebrating effort beats chasing perfection.
• How to use affirming language to shape reading identity.
• A fun fluency game that builds confidence through repetition.
• Why your enthusiasm is a powerful teaching tool.

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