What if I told you that 90% of students can be on grade level with the right instruction? In today’s episode, we’re joined by Dr. Jan Hasbrouck, a leading researcher, author, and consultant in the field of literacy. Dr. Hasbrouck has dedicated her career to helping educators better understand the complexities of reading fluency and effective interventions, and today she’s sharing her valuable insights with us. Whether you’re an upper elementary teacher working with students who are still developing foundational skills or someone looking to dive deeper into the science of reading, you’re in the right place.

In this conversation, Dr. Hasbrouck breaks down the importance of understanding reading fluency and how to identify the true root causes of reading struggles. We also dive into the impact of language development and decoding fluency on comprehension, as well as how to support struggling readers. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the challenge of supporting students who are behind in reading, Dr. Hasbrouck offers a fresh perspective and encourages a collaborative, community-based approach to overcoming these challenges.

This episode is packed with valuable takeaways for educators who want to better support their students’ reading development. From understanding the research behind effective interventions to practical strategies for identifying and addressing gaps in fluency, you’ll leave this episode feeling empowered and ready to tackle the new school year with confidence.

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode266.

Welcome back to The Stellar Teacher Podcast! In today’s episode, we're diving into the importance of word study in upper elementary classrooms. If you're looking to bring more intentionality and depth to your word study instruction this school year, you’re in the right place. After reflecting on my own teaching experiences, I’m excited to share some insights on how we can make word study more effective and meaningful for our students.

Whether you’re just starting to explore word study or are already using it in your classroom, this episode will help you lay the groundwork for an impactful word study block. I’ll break down the three key components to successful word study instruction, including how to teach students to recognize and understand words in a way that supports their fluency and comprehension.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear understanding of what word study truly is, why it's critical for upper elementary students, and how to provide more intentional, engaging instruction that helps students become confident, skilled readers and writers. Let’s get started!

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode265.

Welcome back to The Stellar Teacher Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re kicking off the back-to-school season with a Dear Stellar Teacher conversation that’s all about getting ready for the new year. Whether you’re feeling excited, overwhelmed, or somewhere in between, we’re here to cheer you on and help you find your balance as you dive into the chaos of back-to-school preparations. Emily and I chat through the pressures that come with this time of year—like trying to make everything perfect before the first day—and share our best advice for navigating the madness without burning yourself out.

This episode is packed with tips on managing your time, setting priorities, and most importantly, taking care of yourself as you prepare for the year ahead. We’ll talk about how it’s okay if you’re not 100% ready when your students walk through the door, and why finding joy in what you do—whether it's sticking to old routines or trying something new—is key to staying energized throughout the year.

We also get into some fun topics like our latest book recommendations (because every teacher deserves a good read!) and a little reminder to not compare yourself to others, whether it’s your colleagues or Instagram classroom influencers. The most important thing is that you do what works best for you and your students. So grab your coffee (or whatever keeps you going), and tune in for this back-to-school pep talk. You’ve got this!

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode264.

What is orthographic mapping—and why does it matter so much for your upper elementary readers? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Molly Ness, educator, researcher, and co-author of Making Words Stick, to unpack the science behind how students store and retrieve words. We break down what orthographic mapping actually is, how it develops, and why it’s a missing piece for so many students who struggle with fluency and comprehension.

You’ll learn about a simple, four-step instructional routine that supports orthographic mapping in a way that’s practical, flexible, and effective across all grade levels. From segmenting sounds to exploring word meaning and usage, Dr. Ness shares how you can make this invisible cognitive process visible in your classroom instruction—even without a fancy program or curriculum.

If you teach reading in grades 3–5, this episode is packed with insights and tools to help you feel more confident supporting students who struggle to decode and read automatically. Click play and discover how focusing on orthographic mapping can transform your reading instruction—one word at a time.

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode263.

This week’s episode is extra special—we’re celebrating a decade of Stellar Teacher magic! In honor of The Stellar Teacher Company’s 10th birthday, the podcast gets a fun twist as team member Emily steps in as guest host to interview Sara Marye, our founder and CEO. From her unexpected start in education to becoming a literacy leader and entrepreneur, Sara shares the full journey that led to the creation of a company that now supports teachers around the world.

You’ll hear the real, unfiltered story—complete with career pivots, big dreams, and moments of doubt. Sara opens up about the highs and lows of building a business from scratch, what inspired her to focus solely on literacy, and how one not-so-nice podcast review ended up being a turning point in her career. This conversation is full of honesty, growth, and the kind of encouragement teachers need when they’re dreaming up big things of their own.

If you’ve ever wondered how Stellar Teacher came to be, or what’s next on the horizon, you’re in for a treat. From upcoming resources to Sara’s dream of making the membership accessible to schools everywhere, this episode gives a glimpse into the heart, hustle, and hope that has defined the last 10 years—and sets the stage for what’s ahead. Tune in, celebrate 10 years with us, and don’t stop believin’!

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode262.

In this special episode of The Stellar Teacher Podcast, we're giving you a behind-the-scenes look at one of our most exciting new resources—the Stellar Teacher Reading Intervention Kit! I’m joined by my teammate Emily, one of our amazing curriculum writers and the mastermind behind this new intervention resource designed specifically for upper elementary students who struggle with decoding. If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to approach reading intervention or wondered how to fit it into your already packed schedule, this episode is for you.

Emily and I talk candidly about the biggest challenges teachers face when it comes to reading intervention—limited time, lack of confidence, and keeping older students engaged—and how each of those challenges shaped the design of this kit. You’ll hear about our goals, the research that guided us, the beta testing process, and the thoughtful routines we built to make intervention practical, effective, and doable in just 15 minutes a day.

Whether you’re looking for tools to support struggling readers, or you just want to feel more confident about teaching phonics in the upper grades, I hope this episode gives you inspiration and clarity. I truly believe this resource is going to make a huge difference in classrooms—and I can’t wait for you to experience it for yourself.

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode261.

Are you feeling a little lost when it comes to teaching phonics and supporting struggling readers in upper elementary? You’re in good company! In this month’s Dear Stellar Teacher episode, Emily and I are baring it all with our phonics confessions—sharing the biggest mistakes we made in the classroom and how we’ve learned (the hard way!) what really works when it comes to intervention and decoding support.

We get honest about why we didn’t prioritize systematic phonics instruction, how we let intervention become someone else’s responsibility, and why we regret not weaving in more phonemic awareness activities in our upper elementary classrooms. Spoiler alert: It wasn’t because we didn’t care—it was because we didn’t have the knowledge or confidence to know where to start.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the science of reading or unsure how to support your older students with foundational skills, this episode is for you. We’re here to help you avoid the same mistakes and give you permission to learn right alongside your students. And don’t miss next week’s episode, where Emily will share all about our brand new Reading Intervention Kit—created to make intervention easier, more effective, and way less stressful!

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode260.

In this final episode of our summer writing series, I’m unpacking one of the biggest challenges upper elementary teachers face: helping students write multi-paragraph essays. If your state test expects students to write an essay by the end of the year, the pressure to start early is real—but I’m here to tell you why that might actually hold your students back. Instead of jumping straight into essays, we’ll talk about how building a strong foundation in sentence and paragraph writing can lead to much greater success down the road.

I’ll share why starting the year with essays can be overwhelming for students, how to know when they’re truly ready for multi-paragraph writing, and what scaffolds to put in place in the meantime. From sentence-level work to outlining and targeted revision, this episode walks through the writing sequence that actually supports long-term growth—not just short-term test prep.

Whether you're a third-grade teacher wondering if essays are developmentally appropriate, or a fifth-grade teacher looking for a better way to build student confidence, I hope this episode gives you clarity and encouragement as you plan your writing instruction. Essay writing doesn’t need to happen right away—in fact, holding off might be exactly what your students need to grow into confident, capable writers.

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode259.

In this episode of The Stellar Teacher Podcast, we’re diving into all things writing—with a special guest! Sara is joined by Kori, the head curriculum creator at The Stellar Teacher Company, to talk about how her experiences as both a student and a teacher, along with research, have shaped the writing resources she’s helped develop. From classroom strategies to behind-the-scenes insights on how our writing routines and resources came to life, you’ll get a candid look at what it takes to build confidence in student writers.

This conversation explores why paragraph writing needs to be broken down into manageable, scaffolded steps—and how imitation, modeling, and sentence-level support are essential to helping students grow as writers. Kori shares some “aha” moments she had throughout the curriculum creation, and the powerful mindset shift that writing doesn’t need to start at the finish line.

Whether you’re already using our resources or just starting to think about how to teach paragraph writing more effectively, this episode is packed with insight and encouragement. You’ll walk away with a fresh perspective on how to support struggling writers, challenge advanced students, and create writing routines that help everyone feel like a successful writer.

Join us in the Stellar Literacy Collective Membership: stellarteacher.com/join!

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode258.

If your students struggle to write solid paragraphs or essays, the solution might be simpler than you think. In this episode, we’re zeroing in on the often-overlooked foundation of all good student writing: the sentence. When students can write strong, clear, and varied sentences, everything else—from organizing paragraphs to crafting essays—becomes easier and more effective.

You’ll hear why sentence-level instruction deserves a front-row seat in your upper elementary writing block and learn easy-to-implement strategies like fixing fragments, unscrambling sentences, and using the “because, but, so” routine. These quick activities not only boost sentence skills but also lead to noticeable improvements in overall student writing.

Whether you're short on time or unsure where to begin, this episode will show you how to make sentence writing a natural part of your daily instruction—without overhauling your schedule. These quick activities take just minutes a day, but they pack a powerful punch when it comes to building your students' writing confidence and skill. Tune in to discover how focusing on the building blocks of student writing can lead to big wins in your classroom all year long.

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Sign up for my FREE private podcast, the Confident Writer Systems Series, here!

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode257.