Amanda Carpena, Senior Manager of Enablement Operations at Curriculum Associates, joins today's episode to discuss how schools like KIPP New Jersey and Mat-Su Alaska achieved remarkable reading growth through three strategic shifts anyone can implement! 

Rather than focusing on deficits, these successful schools reframed their approach to Tier 1 instruction -- creating curriculum committees that examine student data with fresh eyes. This shift created the foundation for sustainable improvement across all classrooms and student populations.

Next comes the critical decision to invest in high-quality instructional materials (HQIM). Amanda demystifies this educational buzzword, explaining that truly effective literacy resources are grounded in the science of reading and designed for consistent implementation. She offers practical advice for forming stakeholder committees and evaluating potential materials to ensure they'll deliver results for your unique student population.

The final shift involves prioritizing professional learning throughout implementation. Amanda shares Mat-Su Alaska's "long runway to success" approach, where teachers received materials and training months before classroom implementation, followed by structured support during the critical first six weeks. This methodical process gave educators the confidence and skills to implement with fidelity, resulting in dramatic reading improvements.

These success stories prove that remarkable literacy growth doesn't require complete system overhauls or enormous resourcs... but rather strategic adjustments to existing approaches! 

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The power of voice technology in education lies not just in its convenience, but in its ability to understand every child, regardless of accent, dialect, or background. In this enlightening conversation with Amelia Kelly, VP of Data Science at Curriculum Associates and head of AI Labs, we explore the fascinating intersection of linguistics, artificial intelligence, and childhood education.

Amelia explains why standard voice AI systems fail many students - they're built on limited datasets of adult voices, leaving diverse children's voices misunderstood or ignored. Beyond accuracy, Amelia emphasizes the critical importance of data privacy and security in educational voice technology.

Amelia goes on to explain how voice AI respects teachers' time and expertise. Rather than adding to educators' workloads, effective voice AI should seamlessly integrate into existing tools, providing valuable insights that allow for more personalized instruction. 

Ready to explore how voice AI can transform your classroom experience? Listen to Amelia's episode today!

Read Amelia's blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog/VoiceAItools
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In today's episode, Kheshana Woods, National Director at Curriculum Associates, shares her profound insights on creating a true "home away from home" for students in literacy classrooms.

Drawing from her experience as a classroom teacher, Kheshana paints a vivid picture of what belonging looks like. "When children know you love them, when you take the time to create an environment that's centered around their needs, they'll walk through fire for you," she explains.

Kheshana goes on to dive into the practical application of the VABB framework, Validating, Affirming, Building, and Bridging, and how this can be used in your own classrooms. She also emphasizes that this work isn't just "feel-good fluff" but is backed by research showing that students who experience belonging demonstrate stronger academic growth even years after leaving school. 

Whether you're struggling with classroom management, looking to enhance student engagement, or simply wanting to create a more joyful learning environment, Kheshana's wisdom offers actionable strategies that honor both the heart and science of teaching. 

Read Kheshana's blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog/creating-a-home-away-from-home-in-your-literacy-classroom
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Keeping students, especially those in middle school, engaged can be difficult. Taylor White Brown, a teacher from Mississippi, joins today's episode to share simple yet powerful strategies that transform classroom dynamics without creating extra work for teachers while still focusing on student engagement. 

Taylor's approach begins with a refreshingly practical perspective: "Use what the curriculum is giving you. Don't make your job harder." Rather than reinventing lessons, she amplifies existing materials through activities like games, buzzers for responses, and friendly competitions that still put learning at the forefront. 

At the heart of Taylor's philosophy is relationship-building. "Kids are not going to learn from someone they do not like," she explains, describing how she maximizes every interaction—from hallway conversations to lunch periods—to create genuine connections. These small moments build the trust necessary for students to invest in their learning. When students disengage, Taylor quietly acknowledges their feelings while gently reminding them of their mutual commitment: "When Ms. Brown has a bad day, I show up for you. So Ms. Brown really needs you to show up for me today."

Whether you're looking for more student engagement strategies or simply looking to refresh your teaching approaches, Taylor's practical wisdom offers immediately applicable techniques. 

Ever feel like you're teaching on an island? Kate Gasaway's conversation about the power of educational research might be exactly what you need to build connection and advocate for your students.

For busy educators wondering how to begin engaging with research without becoming overwhelmed, Kate offers practical advice: start with summaries and conclusions, then selectively explore specific sections based on your needs and interests. She emphasizes examining multiple research sources rather than relying on single studies, ensuring that your understanding is built on a robust foundation of evidence.

Ready to transform your teaching practice through research? Listen now to discover how educational studies can help you break down professional silos, strengthen your advocacy efforts, and connect with the broader teaching community in ways that benefit both you and your students. 

Read the blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
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Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

In today's episode, Meghan Froman joins to talk all about how she has built an incredible classroom full of mathematical thinkers. From incorporating math discourse to encouraging productive struggle, Meghan has created a space that gives her students room to grow, learn, and thrive. 

Whether you're looking to reduce math anxiety in your classroom, create more meaningful student interactions, or help your students develop deeper mathematical understanding, Meghan's wisdom offers a roadmap for nurturing confident, capable mathematical thinkers. 

Remember when math was just a worksheet filled with problems to solve? For our youngest learners, mathematics can—and should—be so much more. In this enlightening conversation with Jill Rosenblum, Product Manager at Curriculum Associates, we dive into the transformative power of early mathematical exposure for pre-kindergarten and transitional kindergarten students.

What makes this approach so powerful is how it builds confidence from the very beginning. When children see math as "part of the world" rather than something separate that's "hard for some and easy for others," they develop positive relationships with mathematical thinking. This early confidence serves as a foundation that can prevent the math anxiety many adults experience. Jill emphasizes the importance of open-ended questions—asking children what they notice or observe about patterns, quantities, or shapes—rather than focusing exclusively on right or wrong answers. This approach celebrates mathematical thinking as a natural part of exploring and understanding the world.

Whether you're a pre-K teacher looking for practical strategies to incorporate more mathematics into your classroom or a parent wanting to nurture mathematical thinking at home, this episode offers valuable insights into making math approachable, engaging, and joyful for our youngest learners. 

Step into Room 121, where kindergarten teacher Brooke Schmidt has spent 15 years perfecting the art of engaging early learners through discourse, community building, and celebration of mistakes. In today's episode, Brooke reveals how she creates a classroom environment that serves as both a rigorous learning space and a safe haven for her young students.

From day one, Brooke establishes strong foundations through intentional communication strategies, which you can start applying in your own classroom today! This communication framework extends into content areas throughout the year, building her students' confidence in expressing their understanding and asking questions.

Read the blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
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Toby Mitchell, a 4th Grade General/Special Education Teacher from Hawaii, joins this episode of The Extraordinary Educators Podcast to share all about his experience with incorporating metacognition into his daily classroom routines! Toby began by taking a step back in thinking about what "I don't know" really means, and how he can help his students dive deeper into that. 

In today's episode, Toby shares a few great strategies you can start using in your classroom now to help create an environment based in metacognition, and, in turn, help your students understand why they think what they think. 

Read the blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
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Today's episode features an exciting guest, joining to celebrate Teacher Appreciation -- Kelly Sia, CEO of Curriculum Associates. In this episode, Kelly shares all about her respect and admiration for teachers across the country. Starting with her own elementary school teachers leaving a lasting impact, to now seeing how her own children's teachers guide them, Kelly talks about keeping her admiration for teachers, and valuing their voices, at the forefront of her day-to-day. She wraps up with some wonderful words of gratitude for educators everywhere. Give this episode a listen wherever you get your podcasts, and make sure to leave us a review! 

Read Kelly's blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog/teacher-appreciation-week
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Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!