Before break energy hits full chaos mode… we’ve got you covered.
In today’s episode, we’re bringing on Pat from our curriculum team to share a pre-break activity your students will beg to do again — and yes, it’s sneakily building their understanding of setting too.
Fun, meaningful, and totally classroom-ready. 

Today, we’re talking about staying calm amidst the chaos — especially during this busy season when everything feels louder, faster, and more overwhelming than usual.

In this episode, Caitlin shares quick, practical mindset shifts to help you ground yourself, protect your energy, and move through the week with more ease (yes, even when life is wild!).

Perfect reset to start your Monday strong. 

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The Wednesday before Thanksgiving can feel chaotic — high energy, low focus, zero attention span. But what if it didn’t have to be survival mode?

In today’s episode, Caitlin shares a simple gratitude writing project that transforms that busy pre-break day into one of the most meaningful moments of your school year. It’s low-prep, highly engaging, and helps students practice real writing skills while connecting from the heart.

If you’ve been searching for a lesson that brings calm, purpose, and heart into your classroom before break… this one’s for you.

You can learn more at ebteacher.com/portal.

This week’s Monday Mindset episode dives into one of the hardest parts of personal growth: facing the truths we’ve been avoiding. Caitlin opens up about the “mirror moments” in her life — times when uncomfortable honesty led to deep healing, stronger leadership, and real transformation. Whether you’re a teacher navigating what’s not working in your classroom, a leader owning your blind spots, or someone simply trying to grow, this episode will meet you exactly where you are.

Reflection for the week:
What truth have you been avoiding that might actually be the key to your next level?

If your students seem “allergic” to writing — or if teaching writing feels like it’s eating your entire prep time — today's Teaching Middle School ELA episode will completely shift how you see the problem. Caitlin breaks down the simple structure-behind-choice system that skyrockets engagement, eliminates chaos, and actually saves you time. If you’ve ever tried choice boards and felt overwhelmed, this new approach will change everything about the way your students write (and how you teach it). 

If you’ve ever felt the slow creep of burnout — the shrinking energy, the growing to-do list, the joy that quietly slips away — this episode is going to hit home. Caitlin opens up about her own “burnout wake-up call” in the classroom and the simple but powerful non-negotiables that helped her reclaim her time, energy, and purpose.

Whether you’re a teacher feeling stretched too thin or a student pushing toward perfection, this episode will help you identify the boundaries you need before you hit the wall.

This week’s reflection:
What non-negotiables do you need to protect your energy and show up with purpose — instead of exhaustion?

Teaching writing doesn’t have to feel hard — it just takes one mindset shift and a clear framework. In today's Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode, Caitlin shares how to trust yourself, your system, and your students so teaching writing feels calm, confident, and easy. Tune in and discover how to step into your power as a writing teacher! 

You know that uncomfortable middle space — where you can see the vision of who you’re becoming, but you’re not quite there yet? That’s what today’s episode is all about.

Caitlin opens up about her own season of “in-between,” where growth felt slow and uncertain — and how she learned to see that space not as wasted time, but as sacred ground for transformation.

If you’re in a chapter that feels unfinished — whether it’s in your classroom, your career, or your personal life — this episode is your reminder that the in-between is proof you’re growing. 🌱

In today’s episode, Caitlin dives into why the RACE formula falls short for essay writing—and how the EBW Approach takes students from “answering questions” to thinking like real writers. You’ll learn how to recognize when your students are ready to level up, and what simple steps to take to help them move from summary to true analysis. 

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👉YouTube Video on How to Grade an Essay Quickly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOpcjGPIRTw&t=2s

👉Past Podcast Episodes: 

Episode 338: How to Feel More Confident Teaching Writing (Even If You Don’t Love It)
https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2071023/episodes/17499844-episode-338-how-to-feel-more-confident-te...

Episode 248: Stop Writing Sample Essays with Your Students; Do THIS Instead
https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2071023/episodes/13669702-episode-248-stop-writing-sample-essays-wi...

Episode 238: Increase Students' Writing Scores in 30 Minutes or Less
https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2071023/episodes/13132908-episode-238-increase-students-writing-sco...

👉Grab your free download for the Case of the Missing Pearls: ebteacher.com/pearls

Today, on the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin breaks down exactly why writing feels overwhelming — and how the problem isn’t you, it’s the system.

 You’ll discover three simple, teacher-tested frameworks that will help you:
 ✅ Simplify writing instruction without reinventing the wheel
 ✅ Give faster, more meaningful feedback
 ✅ Bring fun (and confidence!) back into your students’ writing

If you’re ready to feel calm, confident, and joyful teaching writing again — this episode is your roadmap.