As the new year approaches, it’s the perfect time to hit the reset button and step back into your classroom with a fresh perspective. In this episode, I'm sharing how to set meaningful goals for 2025 using a "word of the year" approach to guide your decisions and actions. Reflect on 2024, choose a focus word, and take small, actionable steps to create a purposeful and joyful year. Tune in for practical tips, real-life success stories, and inspiration to transform your approach to goal-setting.

In this episode, we'll talk about... 

• Tips and strategies to help you feel rejuvenated and energized all year long. 
• How to choose a 'word of the year' and prioritize what you really want and need.
• Mindset shifts and practical tips that you can implement right away. 

Show Links 

Grab Your Spot in The Secret to Spotting Reading Gaps (and Filling Them!)
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Become a Science of Reading Formula member!

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Teachers, we see you! Balancing lesson plans, grading, and life outside the classroom can feel overwhelming. 

Laurel Denise, creator of Laurel Denise Planners, is here to help with actionable tips on prioritizing tasks, avoiding procrastination, and staying flexible when the unexpected arises. 

In this episode, we'll talk about... 

• Actionable tips for prioritizing tasks
• Strategies for avoiding procrastination
• Ways to stay flexible when the unexpected arises

Show Links

Grab Your Spot in The Secret to Spotting Reading Gaps (and Filling Them!)
Follow Laurel on Instagram//YouTube
Enjoy 10% off your order with code FORMULA10
Join Malia on Instagram.
Become a Science of Reading Formula member!

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Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out! Follow right here.

Struggling readers can feel like a tough puzzle to crack—especially when the pressure is on to help them catch up. Sound familiar? In this episode, I'm tackling that challenge head-on with three proven steps to help your students make meaningful progress. You’ll learn how to pinpoint exactly where they’re stuck, actionable strategies to move them forward, and creative tips to keep them motivated along the way. So grab your favorite cozy drink and let’s dive into some powerful strategies for reading success!

In this episode, we'll talk about... 

• The importance of effective assessments
• Actionable strategies to help get them over the hump
• Tools and resources to keep learning fun (spoiler: enrollment opens January 5th!)

Show Links 

Join Malia on Instagram.
Become a Science of Reading Formula member!

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Do you think your literacy curriculum is hitting all the marks? Maybe it doesn't, but maybe it needs a little help. In this episode, I'm addressing one of the most asked questions I get: "is my curriculum science of reading aligned?". I'm sharing what to look for in science of reading aligned programs and some telltale red flags that your program isn't hitting the mark. 

In this episode, we'll talk about... 

• The 27 signs that your reading program isn't aligned to the science of reading. 
• The importance of phonics in a literacy curriculum.
• What really counts in a solid reading curriculum. 

Show Links 

Join Malia on Instagram.
Become a Science of Reading Formula member!

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

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While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out! Follow right here.

Whether you’re an undiscovered American Idol who can carry every tune on the planet or you’re more like me and the word “singing” makes your palms sweat and your heart race, this episode is for you. Because today’s guest is Jocelyn Manzanerez, the founder of Musically Minded, and she's sharing all of her favorite tips for teaching literacy through music.

And the best part is you don't have to have an American Idol voice to pull it off... In fact, you don't have to sing at all!

I've seen so many teachers try out Jocelyn's simple literacy chants and get crazy results. And I know YOU can too.

In this episode, you'll learn: 

• Quick phonics chants you can use in your classroom TOMORROW (spoiler alert: you DON'T have to carry a tune!)
• The simple tweak that makes the age-old alphabet song 10X more effective for kids
• Why music is not just for kindergarteners plus easy ways to hook older students with it too
• The surprising downside to Youtube music videos

Show Links

• Musically Minded 360 on Instagram
• Musically Minded on YouTube
• Follow Malia on Instagram.
• Become a Science of Reading Formula member! 

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Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out! Follow right here.

With rapidly diversifying classes, teachers need effective strategies to help ALL students thrive - including the ones whose first language is something other than English. So today, I'm excited to share practical, research-based strategies that set up multilingual learners for success.

In this episode, you'll learn: 

• Why writing in English is the last skill students will learn and what skills come before it
• Simple ways to help students understand what you're saying before they learn English
• The #1 tip for helping bilingual learners feel successful and excited to come to school each day

Show Links

• "Throw Your Tooth on the Roof" Book
• Watch the Complete Multilingual Training with Dr. Lillian Ardell on the Science of Reading Formula
• Follow Malia on Instagram.
• Become a Science of Reading Formula member! 

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out! Follow right here.

Defiant behavior, blurting out, and disruption can feel VERY frustrating. So I'm excited to welcome the queen of classroom management herself: Alex John from the Kindergarten Connection. She's here to spill the tea on all of the essential classroom management tips every teacher needs to know so you can finally turn that frustrating classroom chaos into consistent, predictable calm.

In this episode, we'll talk about... 

• The top 4 keys to classroom management success
• Quick and simple ways to stop behavior problems before they start
• The proven way to end blurting out once and for all (HINT: You'll just hit "print!")

Show Links 

• Alex’s Free Blurt Sign // The Kindergarten Connection on Instagram
  Join Malia on Instagram.
  Become a Science of Reading Formula member!

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out! Follow right here.

Do you have students who know their letter sounds but, when it comes time to blend those sounds together to read words, it seems like everything falls apart? For instance, they might read, "/p/  /o/  /t/. HOP."

It's tempting to think they just need more practice reinforcing letter sounds, but what they're actually struggling with is a phonemic awareness skill called blending.

In this episode, we'll talk about: 

• What phonemic awareness is and why it's so important
• The six phonemic awareness skills every student needs to practice
• Eight beginning letter sounds that make it a WHOLE lot easier for kids to blend sounds into words
• Plus a game changing bonus tip that you can use right away (No prep required!)

Show Links 

• Follow Malia on Instagram.
• Become a Science of Reading Formula member! 

Rate, Review, and Follow

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While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out! Follow right here.

Did you know that 50% of teachers will leave the profession within the first five years? Today's podcast guest is committed to changing that statistic!

I'm sitting down with Ashleigh Smith, a 20 year veteran teacher and the co-founder of Rainbow Sky Creations, a community dedicated to helping new teachers THRIVE.

She's diving into all of the essential teacher things: classroom management, work-life balance, creating a support network….

Ashleigh shares actionable tips and strategies for so many different topics! It’s a must-listen whether you’re a brand new teacher or are a bona fide veteran.

In this episode, we'll talk about...

• Simple time management strategies that will help you take back your work-life balance once and for all
• How to build a supportive teacher village... even if you feel like you're on a private island all by yourself right now
• How to stop teacher burnout before it starts

Show Links

• Rainbow Sky Creations // on Instagram // on Facebook // on TikTok
• Follow Malia on Instagram.
• Become a Science of Reading Formula member! 

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Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out! Follow right here.

If you have ever felt burned out, overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious – and let’s be real, we probably have ALL felt that way at some point in life – today’s episode is for you! 

I’m sitting down with Kelsey Sorenson, the teacher turned life coach who just published her first ever book called Educate and Rejuvenate. Her book is a step-by-step guide to worrying less and living more so you can show up as your very best self each and every day. 

In this episode, Kelsey spills the tea on...

• Simple ways to manage stress so you love your life again
• How to take back control in your classroom... without losing your cool or crying in the bathroom
• Why intentional scheduling gives you HOURS of your life back (plus how to do it)

This episode isn't just about teaching strategies—it's about nurturing your mental and emotional health to become the best version of yourself, both in and out of your classroom. 

Show Links

• Order Kelsey's "Educate and Rejuvenate" Book
• Educate and Rejuvenate Podcast
• Educate and Rejuvenate on Instagram
• "Man's Search for Meaning" Book
• "Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle"
• Follow Malia on Instagram.
• Become a Science of Reading Formula member! 

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out! Follow right here.