Standardized testing season is coming — and if you’re already feeling the pressure of long testing days, restless students, and review overload, you’re not alone.

In this Dear Stellar Teacher episode, Sara and Emily share realistic, classroom-tested strategies to help you approach testing season with clarity, confidence, and calm. Instead of cramming more practice into your schedule, this conversation focuses on what actually moves the needle: building stamina, protecting routines, and keeping students regulated and motivated.

If you’re looking for ways to support your students without overwhelming them (or yourself), this episode will help you rethink what testing season can look like in an upper elementary classroom.

Tune into this episode, for takeaways like... how to:

1. Build test stamina gradually to prevent burnout.
2. Treat standardized tests as a genre study to reduce pressure.
3. Make review engaging with themes and rotations.
4. Balance test prep with regular instruction to avoid burnout.
5. Model calmness and positivity to set the tone for students.
6. 
   

Resources:

Sign up for our free Test Prep Email Series to get 3 classroom-ready lessons that help students slow down, read carefully, and avoid the preventable mistakes that cost them points before they even begin. www.stellarteacher.com/testprep

Summary

In this episode of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, host Sara Marye discusses the challenges and strategies for teachers dealing with mandated curriculums. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing gaps in the curriculum, enhancing instruction with supplemental resources, focusing on effective teaching methods, and using assessment data to justify changes. The episode provides practical tips for teachers to navigate the constraints of mandated curriculums while still meeting the diverse needs of their students.

Takeaways

1. Every class has unique needs that may not be met by a standard curriculum.
2. Identifying gaps in the curriculum can provide opportunities for creative teaching.
3. Enhancing instruction with supplemental resources can improve student engagement.
4. Focusing on the 'how' of teaching can be more impactful than the 'what'.
5. Teachers can control how students process their learning even within a rigid curriculum.
6. Using assessment data can help justify changes to the curriculum.
7. It's important to advocate for what works best for students.
8. Teachers should feel empowered to supplement their mandated curriculum.
9. Professional judgment is key in navigating curriculum requirements.

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In this episode of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, hosts Sara Marye and Emily discuss the common struggle of second-guessing oneself in teaching. They explore the impact of self-reflection, perfectionism, and the importance of data in decision-making. The conversation emphasizes strategies to overcome self-doubt, celebrate successes, and the value of team support in the teaching profession.

Takeaways:

1. Second-guessing is a common issue among teachers.
2. Self-reflection can lead to healthier decision-making processes.
3. Teachers often struggle with perfectionism and the need to get it right.
4. Failing fast can be beneficial in overcoming self-doubt.
5. Speaking the truth to oneself can help combat negative thoughts.
6. Setting time limits can prevent overthinking in lesson planning.
7. Data can provide evidence of student growth and success.
8. It's important to celebrate successes, no matter how small.
9. Teaching is a collaborative effort and should be treated as a team sport.
10. Bringing others into your decision-making process can alleviate pressure.

1. Join The Stellar Literacy Collective
2. Get the Stellar Intervention Toolkit
3. Sign up for my Private Podcast: Confident Writer Systems Series
4. Sign up for my FREE Revision Made Easy email series
5. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

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 professional judgment in teaching. They share personal experiences and challenges faced in the classroom, emphasizing the need for teachers to have confidence in their decisions and to advocate for their students' needs. The conversation highlights the significance of reflection, questioning, and sharing experiences among educators to foster a supportive teaching environment.

Takeaways:

1. Teachers are allowed to trust their professional judgment.
2. It's common for teachers to feel hesitant to voice their opinions.
3. Every classroom is unique, and teachers know their students best.
4. Teachers should feel empowered to modify curriculum as needed.
5. Sharing both successes and failures can build trust among colleagues.
6. Asking questions can be a safe way to provide pushback.
7. Confidence in teaching comes from taking action and making decisions.
8. Teachers should remind themselves that they are experts in their field.

Resources:

1. Join The Stellar Literacy Collective
2. Get the Stellar Intervention Toolkit
3. Sign up for my Private Podcast: Confident Writer Systems Series
4. Sign up for my FREE Revision Made Easy email series
5. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

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

They explore the impact of social media on teacher expectations, the importance of setting realistic reading goals, and the value of establishing routines in the classroom.

The conversation emphasizes that not every lesson needs to be perfect, and that building relationships with students is more important than delivering flawless lessons.

Key Takeaways:

1. Not every lesson needs to be amazing.
2. Social media creates unrealistic expectations for teachers.
3. Teaching is a marathon, not a sprint.
4. Focus on one key element in lesson planning.
5. Routines help free up mental space for both teachers and students.
6. Learning is cumulative; students will revisit concepts.
7. It's about how you make students feel in the classroom.
8. Set a timer to combat perfectionism in planning.
9. Games can be integrated into routines for engagement.
10. Teachers are doing an amazing job despite challenges.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and

03:38 Setting Reading Goals

04:39 The Pressure of Perfection in Teaching

06:47 Advice for Moving Away from Perfectionism

09:34 The Importance of Routines

12:39 Engagement Strategies in the Classroom

14:02 Lesson Delivery and Student Learning

16:13 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Teachers

1. Join The Stellar Literacy Collective
2. Get the Stellar Intervention Toolkit
3. Sign up for my Private Podcast: Confident Writer Systems Series
4. Sign up for my FREE Revision Made Easy email series
5. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

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, sustainable change. Over the years, I realized that rigid goals built around doing more or being more often led to frustration and burnout. What made the biggest difference for me wasn’t changing my habits first, but changing how I think and talk to myself. That’s when I started choosing a word of the year as a way to anchor my mindset.

This year, my word is abundance. Instead of constantly telling myself I don’t have enough time, energy, or capacity, I’m intentionally shifting toward believing that I do. That small mindset change has already helped me feel calmer, less reactive, and more present in my work and my life. Abundance isn’t about doing more or being busier. It’s about viewing my circumstances differently so I can make better, more intentional choices throughout the day.

I also invited the Stellar Teacher team to share their words for the year and the mindset shifts they’re hoping to create. Words like active, downshift, enough, restore, ease, and unoffendable reflect a shared desire to work and live with more clarity, sustainability, and self-trust. As you head into this year, I invite you to choose one word that grounds you, supports you, and reminds you how you want to feel both in and out of the classroom.

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode288.

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 often feel like a requirement for being an effective reading teacher, and that belief alone can create a lot of unnecessary pressure. I want to be very clear in this conversation: small group instruction can be incredibly beneficial, but it is not the only way to support student growth. You can still be an effective, thoughtful, and impactful teacher even if small groups don’t look the way you think they’re “supposed” to look—or if they don’t happen at all in certain seasons.

Throughout the episode, I break down myths around literacy centers, reading levels, and how often you “should” be meeting with students. I talk about why literacy centers are just one option—not a requirement—and share alternative ways to keep students meaningfully engaged while you work with small groups. I also explain why guided reading is only one type of small group instruction and explore other effective formats like strategy groups, book clubs, and phonics-focused groups that don’t require knowing every student’s reading level. Most importantly, I emphasize that small groups don’t have to happen every day to be worthwhile—even meeting once a week can make a difference.

I wrap up the episode by tackling the idea that small group instruction does not have to be overwhelming or time-consuming to plan. I share practical strategies for simplifying your planning, including using a consistent lesson framework, setting limits on prep time, and building routines for student independent work. My goal with this episode is to help you let go of the guilt and pressure surrounding small groups and replace it with clarity and confidence. Small group instruction is a tool—not a mandate—and when you use it intentionally and realistically, it can actually feel manageable and effective.

Check out our Small Group Reading Lesson Sets here!

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode287.

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 attention in education: joy. A new year can bring excitement and fresh goals, but it can also feel heavy when you’re returning to the same classroom challenges, schedules, and demands. In this episode, we slow things down and reflect on what it really looks like to bring more joy into the second semester in ways that feel sustainable, meaningful, and realistic for teachers.

Throughout our conversation, we share small but powerful mindset shifts and practical ideas that can help teachers rediscover joy in their classrooms and in the profession. We talk about the calming power of classroom routines, the importance of professional satisfaction, and why setting boundaries between work and life matters more than we sometimes realize. We also reflect on joyful classroom moments—like book talks, read alouds, playful routines, and recess connections—and why these experiences often stay with us long after the lesson plans are forgotten.

We wrap up the episode by zooming out and talking about joy beyond the classroom. Finding joy at school is deeply connected to how we care for ourselves outside of work, whether that’s through hobbies, time outdoors, creative outlets, or meaningful connection. Our hope is that this conversation reminds you that joy doesn’t have to be big or complicated—it can come from small, intentional choices that help you reconnect with your students, your work, and yourself. As you head into the second semester, we hope you’ll find ways to make space for more joy—for you and for the kids you teach.

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode286.

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 overwhelming all at once, especially when we realize we’re already halfway through the school year with our students. I share why routines matter so much—particularly in upper elementary—and how they create predictability, calm, and valuable “white space” that allows students to focus their energy on learning instead of figuring out what to do.

I walk through a clear, five-step process for teaching routines in a way that actually sticks. We start by getting clear on the routine and its purpose, then explicitly teaching it, modeling it (both the right and wrong way), practicing with feedback, and finally reinforcing and resetting as needed. I explain why slowing down during the implementation phase is so important, even when it feels tedious, and how that upfront investment pays off later with smoother days and a more focused literacy block.

I also share encouragement for those moments when routines inevitably break down. Resetting a routine doesn’t mean you failed—it means your students need a reminder, more practice, or clearer expectations. With consistency, clarity, and intentional practice, routines will eventually become second nature, helping your classroom run more smoothly and giving you more energy for the parts of teaching you love most. As you head back into your classroom, remember that strong routines aren’t built in a day—but they are worth the time it takes to build them well.

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode285.

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 planning. This approach—sometimes called cross-curricular instruction—was a huge shift for me when I first transitioned to an IB school. Instead of treating reading, writing, science, and social studies as separate silos, I learned how to plan around big ideas and guiding questions that tied all of our learning together. While it took time to adjust, it completely transformed the way my students engaged with content and how meaningful our classroom learning felt.

Throughout the episode, I walk you through what thematic planning is, why it’s so powerful, and how you can start using it even if your school doesn’t require it. I share my personal experience with moving away from isolated, checklist-style instruction and embracing a more integrated, inquiry-driven approach. I also break down the five simple steps to designing your own thematic unit—everything from choosing a strong guiding question, to selecting connected texts, to building background knowledge, to weaving reading and writing standards into meaningful science or social studies learning. My goal is to show you that thematic planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming or reserved for specialized programs. It’s absolutely doable in any upper elementary classroom.

You’ll also hear practical examples of what this looks like day to day, ideas for connecting literacy skills to real-world reading and writing, and a reminder that thematic planning is one of the best ways to build students’ content knowledge—something we simply don’t get enough time for in traditional schedules. Whether you create a week-long mini unit or a full multi-week study, thematic planning opens the door to richer discussions, more engaged readers and writers, and learning that sticks. If you decide to give thematic planning a try, I’d love to hear what topic you choose and how it impacts your students’ learning.

***This episode is a replay of Episode 119, and it’s one worth revisiting as you think about planning for the months ahead.

Check out my Nonfiction Science Reading Passages: Focus on Ecosystems, Focus on Biomes, Focus on Heredity.

Check out my Sentence Writing Routine resource here!

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

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

Sign up for my FREE Revision Made Easy email series here!

Follow me on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany.

To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode284.