The Extraordinary Educators Podcast

Frances Frei, a distinguished professor at Harvard Business School, graces our podcast to unravel the secrets behind building trust in education. Her insights into the trust triangle—comprising authenticity, logic, and empathy—can transform how educators connect with students. Embrace the opportunity to learn how to enhance your teaching style, boost student engagement, and tackle those "wobbles" when trust falters. Frances shares her guidance on diagnosing and mending trust breaks to strengthen teacher-student relationships, ensuring that educators can maintain a nurturing and effective learning environment.

Watch Frances' Ted Talk: bit.ly/2rn9Yz0
Listen to Fixable: apple.co/4fteKSs
Read Curriculum Associates' blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
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Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

What if you could transform your classroom into a harmonious sanctuary with just the power of music? Join us on this episode of the Extraordinary Educators podcast as we welcome the inspiring Julene Jessel, an Education Technology Fellow and former educator, who passionately shares her insights on weaving music into the fabric of daily classroom routines. Julene reveals how music not only helps students manage their emotions but also fosters a sense of community, ensuring they leave school with a smile. From calming tunes to energizing morning affirmations with Snoop Dogg's children's music, Julene offers practical strategies to craft a positive and tranquil learning environment. She enriches our discussion with valuable tips on how music can inspire innovative educational practices. This conversation serves as a guide for educators eager to integrate music into their teaching methods.

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

Unlock the secrets to supporting older striving readers with Josh Hall, Senior National Director of Content and Implementation at Curriculum Associates. Join us as Josh shares his wealth of experience and insights into helping students in the upper grades tackle the challenge of decoding complex, multi-syllabic words. Whether you're teaching math, science, or any subject, you’ll discover practical strategies that can be seamlessly integrated into any classroom to enhance students' reading abilities and overall learning experience.

Josh introduces high-leverage techniques from experts like Dr. Anita Archer and Dr. Devin Kearns, focusing on word attack strategies such as chunking and looping. Learn how vowel recognition can be a game-changer for students struggling with reading, and why understanding syllables is crucial. These methods are not just for reading teachers; they're essential tools for educators across all disciplines to ensure their students can read and comprehend the tasks at hand. Don't miss this opportunity to equip yourself with the skills needed to empower your students and transform their 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!

What if small group reading instruction is the missing puzzle piece in your classroom strategy? Join us as we sit down with the passionate and insightful Emily Castelli, a dedicated second-grade teacher from West Virginia, who will forever change the way you think about the science of reading. Emily unpacks common misconceptions and highlights the enduring importance of small group interventions, even as the educational landscape shifts towards structured literacy approaches. Her recommendations offer educators practical tools to ensure their teaching methods are research-based and effective.

Our conversation with Emily is a highlight of passion and expertise that promises to inspire educators everywhere. We delve into how small group strategies can seamlessly integrate into a multi-tiered system of support, enhancing tier one education for all students. As we wrap up, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Emily and invite our listeners to continue the conversation with us on social media. Your feedback, topic suggestions, and guest nominations are what fuel our community. Subscribe, leave us a review, and let's continue to explore the transformative world of education together.

Read Emily's blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog/reading-instruction-strategies
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 of engaging middle school math classrooms with Stacy Monsman, Curriculum Associates' Math Content and Pedagogy Specialist. This episode promises transformative strategies that will breathe life into your teaching practice. Stacy shares her wisdom on the unique dynamics of middle school environments, where educators juggle content mastery and the nuances of adolescent growth. Discover how movement-based activities can elevate learning, encouraging students to engage with math concepts actively and meaningfully.

Prepare to be inspired as Stacy walks us through practical techniques like quick writes and interactive peer discussions. These strategies help activate prior knowledge and foster collaborative learning experiences that captivate students' attention. Stacy's innovative approaches, such as using journal prompts to drive student movement and conversation, are designed to keep learners invested in their educational journey. Don't miss out on these invaluable insights that offer creative and effective methods to transform middle school classrooms into hubs of higher-level thinking and engagement.

Read Stacy's blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog/math-for-middle-schoolers
Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssoc
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Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

Renea Arias transformed her daughter's literacy struggles into a groundbreaking educational journey, and you won't want to miss the insights she shares with us. From her successful career as a research scientist to becoming a passionate advocate for literacy, Renae's story is nothing short of inspiring. She unveils her systematic approach to literacy that not only changed her daughter's academic fate, leading her to thrive in college, but also supported her son's success. Through Renea's lens, literacy emerges as a powerful tool for unlocking children's potential, and her journey emphasizes it as one of the greatest gifts a parent can offer.

In this episode, Renea also shares heartfelt and practical advice for new teachers, whether they're fresh out of college or transitioning from other careers. She stresses the importance of focusing on student happiness and well-being, essential elements for creating a positive and nurturing educational environment. By staying true to yourself and striving for excellence, you can enjoy a fulfilling teaching journey that benefits both you and your students.

Read Renea's blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog/teaching-second-career
Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssoc
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Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

What if a simple incentive could radically transform your students' motivation? Join us this week on The Extraordinary Educators Podcast as we sit down with Sandra Brown, a passionate school-based teacher leader from Philadelphia. Sandra's journey is nothing short of inspiring, as she shares how introducing small trophies, medals, and even homemade spaghetti dramatically increased student engagement with their i-Ready lessons. Listen in to discover her innovative strategies and practical tips for monitoring progress and tailoring rewards to meet individual student needs.

But Sandra's story is just the beginning. This episode also dives into broader strategies for educators looking to implement effective motivational techniques in their own classrooms and schools. Connect with us on social media to share your experiences, gain more inspiration, and even suggest topics or volunteer to be a guest on future episodes. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and remember to stay extraordinary on your educational journey.

Read Sandra's blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog/how-to-empower-students
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 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!