The Extraordinary Educators Podcast

Ever wondered how to make the transition from elementary to middle school smoother for your students? Join us on the Extraordinary Educators podcast as we sit down with Naneka, National Director of Content and Implementation at Curriculum Associates. Naneka dispels common myths about middle school maturity and shares actionable strategies to help ease students into their new environment. From addressing the lingering impacts of the pandemic to emphasizing the importance of foundational learning tools like manipulatives, Naneka offers invaluable insights that every middle school educator needs to hear.

Tune in for a heartfelt and informative conversation that highlights both the academic and social challenges facing young learners. Discover how adopting elementary-level teaching strategies can create a supportive and engaging classroom environment, making students feel more comfortable and confident. Whether you're a seasoned teacher or new to the middle school scene, Naneka's expert advice and genuine reflections will inspire you to create a nurturing space for all students. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your teaching toolkit and better support your students’ transition during these formative years.

Read Curriculum Associates' blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssoc
Follow us on Instagram: @MyiReady
Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

Unlock the secrets to creating more engaging and effective learning environments through the power of high expectations and active listening. In our latest episode, we sit down with the esteemed education researcher, Professor John Hattie, who shares groundbreaking insights from his analysis of 20,000 hours of classroom instruction. Learn how to transform your teaching approach by reducing your talk time and amplifying meaningful student participation. Professor Hattie offers practical strategies to enhance your listening skills, including techniques like paraphrasing students' comments to ensure a deeper understanding of their thought processes and learning needs.

Discover how setting high expectations and continuously challenging students can lead to significant growth and sustained motivation. This episode is a must-listen for educators gearing up for a new school year, providing actionable tips and insights to keep students engaged and pushing their limits. Join us and explore the transformative impact of balancing talking and listening in the classroom, creating an environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Read Curriculum Associates' blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssoc
Follow us on Instagram: @MyiReady
Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

Unlock the secrets to supporting striving readers across upper elementary, middle, and high school grades with insights from the esteemed Dr. Anita Archer. In this episode, Dr. Archer shares powerful strategies for scaffolding in subjects like reading, science, and social studies. From essential pre-reading activities such as pronunciation and vocabulary to innovative techniques like choral and partner reading, we cover a wealth of practical tips to elevate your teaching game. We also discuss the critical importance of using meaningful intervention passages that not only build student confidence but also keep them motivated and engaged. Whether you're a seasoned educator or new to the classroom, you'll find invaluable advice here. We also dive into the characteristics that make reading intervention programs truly effective. Learn the importance of direct, explicit, and systematic instruction, and discover key elements like teaching letter sound associations and improving reading fluency.

Read Curriculum Associates' blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssoc
Follow us on Instagram: @MyiReady
Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

Ever wondered how you can humanize data to better understand and support your students? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Brooklin Trover, Senior National Director of Content and Implementation at Curriculum Associates, as she shares innovative strategies to transform raw data into meaningful insights. Brooklin delves into the importance of discussing data openly with students to normalize the conversation and shift the focus towards their growth areas. She challenges the traditional practice of labeling students with colors and offers practical tips to ensure that educators see their students as individuals, not just data points.

In the second half, we tackle the critical issue of access in education. Brooklin shares insights from her colleague, Naneka Brathwaite, on how to provide all students with equitable access to grade-level instruction, regardless of their starting point. We discuss effective scaffolding techniques that ensure no student is left behind and emphasize the importance of inclusivity when analyzing data at the beginning of the academic year.

Read Curriculum Associates' blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssoc
Follow us on Instagram: @MyiReady
Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

Ready to recharge and find joy this summer? Discover transformative self-care techniques that will leave you refreshed and inspired for the next school year. From completely disconnecting from work to indulging in hobbies, this episode is packed with actionable strategies tailored specifically for educators. Learn how to schedule time for your favorite activities, explore the benefits of mindfulness or meditation, and even rekindle your love for simple pleasures like reading for fun. Your mental health and well-being deserve this break!

Join me, Sari, in our season five finale as I fly solo to celebrate the start of summer vacation and share some tried-and-true methods for educators to practice self-care. Whether it's taking a short vacation, engaging in a cherished hobby, or setting aside time for pure enjoyment, these practices can make a world of difference. Don't forget to share your own tips by emailing us at [email protected] or tagging us on social media. Let's wrap up the season with a focus on rejuvenation and personal fulfillment.

Read Curriculum Associates' blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssoc
Follow us on Instagram: @MyiReady
Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

Unlock the secrets to effective literacy instruction with Angie Gates, our inspiring guest and dedicated Field Support Manager for Literacy Implementations with Curriculum Associates. Angie brings a treasure trove of knowledge about the science of reading and shares her practical wisdom on overcoming the challenges that educators face when adopting new instructional methods. You'll discover strategies to engage students with grade-level texts, navigate the balance between support and independence, and the critical importance of vocabulary development and knowledge building in transforming reading experiences.

Prepare to be inspired as Angie delves into the evolving landscape of literacy education, emphasizing the need for high expectations and belief in students' potential. Her passion for vocabulary and student empowerment shines through, providing actionable advice that educators can implement in their classrooms. Tune in for an episode packed with insights and strategies to elevate both teaching and student outcomes.

Read Curriculum Associates' blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
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Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssoc
Follow us on Instagram: @MyiReady
Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

What if you could transform your classroom into an engaging, vibrant hub of learning, especially in the challenging post-COVID era? Our latest episode features Kim Brownell, a sixth-grade ELA and reading teacher, who shares her incredible journey from being a principal back to the classroom. Kim reveals her innovative student engagement strategies that are designed to keep middle school students actively involved. From incorporating movement to fostering collaboration, you'll hear about her "tabletops" activity where students dance, form groups, and discuss lesson goals—creating a dynamic and inclusive learning environment.

Read Kim's blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog/student-agency
Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssoc
Follow us on Instagram: @MyiReady
Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

Discover how to create a classroom where every child feels seen and heard with insights from our guest, Extraordinary Educator, Nina Henderson. In this episode, we promise to equip you with practical strategies for culturally responsive teaching, all inspired by Zaretta Hammond's groundbreaking work, "Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain." Nina reveals her secrets for integrating cultural diversity into your lessons, classroom displays, and discussions seamlessly, ensuring that each student feels represented and valued. Learn from her hands-on examples, like using a variety of diverse books and organizing student-led cultural sharing sessions, to foster an inclusive environment without adding extra workload. Nina also shares powerful insights on education and the importance of staying true to oneself while striving for excellence. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for educators seeking to cultivate a supportive and inclusive classroom culture.

Read Nina's blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog/strategies-to-motivate
Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssoc
Follow us on Instagram: @MyiReady
Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

Unlock the secrets to empowering your math students as Uloma, a math specialist, joins us to illuminate the transformative power of a positive math mindset. Delve into the essential role of productive struggle within the classroom and discover strategies that allow students, especially those from diverse backgrounds, to overcome challenges and thrive in their mathematical pursuits. Uloma brings her expertise to the discussion, underscoring the significance of continuous assessment and sharing effective teaching practices designed to build a supportive learning environment. Learn how tools like anchor charts, explicit modeling, and consistent checks for understanding can scaffold student learning, instill perseverance, and nurture a sense of ownership over their own educational journey.

Read Curriculum Associates' blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssoc
Follow us on Instagram: @MyiReady
Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

Ever wondered how a middle school classroom can transform into a hub of engagement, where students are not just listeners but active participants? Join us as we sit down with Jasmine Applewhite, a dynamic STEAM teacher from Mississippi, who's revolutionizing middle school education by incorporating small group instruction with a STEAM twist. Her unique approach merges science, technology, engineering, art, and math with seventh and eighth-grade ELA, fostering an environment where differentiated learning isn't just a goal but a reality.

In our latest episode, Jasmine doesn't just share her methods; she gives us a glimpse into the heart of her classroom, where collaboration and customized learning take center stage. Discover how she manages to keep her cool while juggling multiple small groups, ensuring each child's needs are met without falling prey to stress or burnout. From setting up effective group routines early on to utilizing the same materials in diverse ways to target different learning objectives, Jasmine's insights are an invaluable resource for educators at any level looking to enrich their teaching strategies and create an absorbing learning experience for their students.

Read Curriculum Associates' blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssoc
Follow us on Instagram: @MyiReady
Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!