Advertise on podcast: Stellar Teacher Podcast: A Podcast for Upper Elementary Teachers

If teaching feels harder than usual right now, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong. In this special 🎉300th episode🎉, Emily and Tami share 3 simple ways to make teaching feel easier and more manageable right now (so you can lean into loving it!). They talk about why doing more isn’t the solution, how routines and systems can lighten your load, and what to focus on so you can finish the year strong. P.S. The Stellar Literacy Collective is currently closed for enrollment. But not for long! Join our email list to be the first to know when doors reopen in June 2026—we’ll send updates, early access details, and helpful resources straight to your inbox. stellarteacher.com/newsletter

Feeling the pressure to try something new before testing season? In this episode, Emily and 5th grade teacher Meghan share why that instinct might be doing more harm than good. Instead of adding new strategies, they encourage teachers to lean into the routines that are already working. Listen in and walk away with simple ways to strengthen what’s already in place (or super easy to implement) — like a sentence writing routine and the 3-2-1 comprehension framework. This episode is your reminder to stay consistent, trust your teaching, and finish the year strong. Still prepping for those BIG tests? Check out our free Test Prep email series! Sign up at stellarteacher.com/testprep and get 3 free lessons straight to your inbox!

Sign up for our FREE test prep email series: stellarteacher.com/testprep! Get 3 free lessons straight to your inbox. If you’ve ever reached April and wondered why some students still seem to struggle with reading, you’re not alone. In this episode of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, we explore a reality many teachers experience during the final months of the school year: student progress in literacy isn’t always smooth or predictable. As academic expectations increase in the spring, gaps in decoding, fluency, and foundational reading skills often become more visible. Passages get longer, questions become more complex, and students are expected to apply multiple literacy skills at once. What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeWhy literacy growth often feels messy and unpredictableHow increased reading demands expose hidden skill gapsThe role of decoding and fluency in reading successWhy targeted instruction is more effective than wide reviewHow to identify the biggest barrier to student progress P.S. The Stellar Literacy Collective is currently closed for enrollment. But not for long! Join our email list to be the first to know when doors reopen in June 2026. We’ll send updates, early access details, and helpful resources straight to your inbox. stellarteacher.com/newsletter

In this episode, Sara and Kori discuss the difference between helpful feedback and noise in teaching. With so many opinions and suggestions coming from evaluations, colleagues, professional development, and social media, it can be difficult for teachers to know which feedback to take seriously and which advice to let go. Sara and Kori share personal experiences with receiving feedback throughout their careers and talk about how teachers can learn to filter input, prioritize what matters most, and focus on feedback that supports meaningful professional growth. In this episode, we discuss: The difference between constructive feedback and noiseHow to identify trustworthy sources of feedbackStrategies for filtering and prioritizing feedbackWhy professional growth is a long-term process Prepping for testing season? The Stellar Teacher Co. is here to help! Visit stellarteacher.com/testprep for 3 free test prep lessons.

What do calm classrooms actually look like? Contrary to what many people think, calm classrooms aren’t always silent or perfectly still. Instead, they are spaces where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. In this episode of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, Emily is joined by Stellar Teacher team member Tami to explore what calm classrooms truly have in common. Drawing on her years of experience teaching elementary students in both Department of Defense schools and public schools, Tami shares practical insights into how teachers can create a classroom environment that feels peaceful, organized, and productive. Together, Emily and Tami discuss the foundational elements that help build calm classrooms, including confident leadership, intentional classroom environments, predictable routines, and strong connections with students. They also share simple strategies teachers can use to reduce chaos and create more consistency throughout the school day. Stay connected with us! Follow us on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany Looking for quick, actionable PD? Visit our YouTube channel!

In this episode of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, Kori shares an encouraging reminder that many educators need to hear — teaching is a long game. When the pressure of testing season, pacing guides, and student progress starts to feel overwhelming, it can be easy to believe that every lesson needs to produce immediate results. But the reality is that meaningful learning rarely happens overnight. If you’ve ever felt discouraged because progress seems slow, this conversation will remind you that the work you are doing truly matters. In this episode, you’ll hear:Why teaching is a long game and why meaningful learning takes timeHow invisible progress builds student understanding over timeWhy exposure to concepts is valuable even when mastery doesn’t happen immediatelyEncouragement for teachers navigating testing season pressure Teaching may not always show instant results — but the impact you are making in your students’ lives is lasting and meaningful. Stay connected with us! Follow us on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany Looking for quick, actionable PD? Visit our YouTube channel!

As much as we prepare students with practice passages and strategy review, many performance struggles happen before students even answer a question. When test anxiety sets in, students may skim or skip directions entirely, misread what’s being asked, or overlook key details like “not,” “compare,” or “from least to greatest.” In this episode, Sara and Emily discuss why this happens and how teachers can intentionally build direction-reading habits long before test day. They share practical tips and insights to make test season less stressful for both teachers and students. Key Takeaways: Importance of reading test directions carefully (and activity ideas for practice)Strategies to teach students to interpret instructionsBuilding student confidence and reducing anxiety during tests Resources Connected to this Episode: Free Test Prep Email Series at www.stellarteacher.com/testprepTest Taking Strategies Bundle on TPT Stay connected with us! Follow us on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany Looking for quick, actionable PD? Visit our YouTube channel!

Standardized testing season is coming — and if you’re already feeling the pressure of long testing days, restless students, and review overload, you’re not alone. In this Dear Stellar Teacher episode, Sara and Emily share realistic, classroom-tested strategies to help you approach testing season with clarity, confidence, and calm. Instead of cramming more practice into your schedule, this conversation focuses on what actually moves the needle: building stamina, protecting routines, and keeping students regulated and motivated. If you’re looking for ways to support your students without overwhelming them (or yourself), this episode will help you rethink what testing season can look like in an upper elementary classroom. Tune into this episode, for takeaways like... how to: Build test stamina gradually to prevent burnout.Treat standardized tests as a genre study to reduce pressure.Make review engaging with themes and rotations.Balance test prep with regular instruction to avoid burnout.Model calmness and positivity to set the tone for students. Resources: Sign up for our free Test Prep Email Series to get 3 classroom-ready lessons that help students slow down, read carefully, and avoid the preventable mistakes that cost them points before they even begin. www.stellarteacher.com/testprep

Summary In this episode of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, host Sara Marye discusses the challenges and strategies for teachers dealing with mandated curriculums. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing gaps in the curriculum, enhancing instruction with supplemental resources, focusing on effective teaching methods, and using assessment data to justify changes. The episode provides practical tips for teachers to navigate the constraints of mandated curriculums while still meeting the diverse needs of their students. Takeaways Every class has unique needs that may not be met by a standard curriculum.Identifying gaps in the curriculum can provide opportunities for creative teaching.Enhancing instruction with supplemental resources can improve student engagement.Focusing on the 'how' of teaching can be more impactful than the 'what'.Teachers can control how students process their learning even within a rigid curriculum.Using assessment data can help justify changes to the curriculum.It's important to advocate for what works best for students.Teachers should feel empowered to supplement their mandated curriculum.Professional judgment is key in navigating curriculum requirements. Resources:Join The Stellar Literacy CollectiveGet the Stellar Intervention ToolkitSign up for my Private Podcast: Confident Writer Systems SeriesSign up for my FREE Revision Made Easy email seriesIf you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, hosts Sara Marye and Emily discuss the common struggle of second-guessing oneself in teaching. They explore the impact of self-reflection, perfectionism, and the importance of data in decision-making. The conversation emphasizes strategies to overcome self-doubt, celebrate successes, and the value of team support in the teaching profession. Takeaways: Second-guessing is a common issue among teachers.Self-reflection can lead to healthier decision-making processes.Teachers often struggle with perfectionism and the need to get it right.Failing fast can be beneficial in overcoming self-doubt.Speaking the truth to oneself can help combat negative thoughts.Setting time limits can prevent overthinking in lesson planning.Data can provide evidence of student growth and success.It's important to celebrate successes, no matter how small.Teaching is a collaborative effort and should be treated as a team sport.Bringing others into your decision-making process can alleviate pressure. Resources:Join The Stellar Literacy CollectiveGet the Stellar Intervention ToolkitSign up for my Private Podcast: Confident Writer Systems SeriesSign up for my FREE Revision Made Easy email seriesIf you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, Sara is joined by a member of the Stellar Teacher Team and they discuss the importance of trusting professional judgment in teaching. They share personal experiences and challenges faced in the classroom, emphasizing the need for teachers to have confidence in their decisions and to advocate for their students' needs. The conversation highlights the significance of reflection, questioning, and sharing experiences among educators to foster a supportive teaching environment. Takeaways: Teachers are allowed to trust their professional judgment.It's common for teachers to feel hesitant to voice their opinions.Every classroom is unique, and teachers know their students best.Teachers should feel empowered to modify curriculum as needed.Sharing both successes and failures can build trust among colleagues.Asking questions can be a safe way to provide pushback.Confidence in teaching comes from taking action and making decisions.Teachers should remind themselves that they are experts in their field. Resources: Join The Stellar Literacy CollectiveGet the Stellar Intervention ToolkitSign up for my Private Podcast: Confident Writer Systems SeriesSign up for my FREE Revision Made Easy email seriesIf you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, Emily and Tami discuss the pressures teachers face to make every lesson extraordinary. They explore the impact of social media on teacher expectations, the importance of setting realistic reading goals, and the value of establishing routines in the classroom. The conversation emphasizes that not every lesson needs to be perfect, and that building relationships with students is more important than delivering flawless lessons. Key Takeaways: Not every lesson needs to be amazing.Social media creates unrealistic expectations for teachers.Teaching is a marathon, not a sprint.Focus on one key element in lesson planning.Routines help free up mental space for both teachers and students.Learning is cumulative; students will revisit concepts.It's about how you make students feel in the classroom.Set a timer to combat perfectionism in planning.Games can be integrated into routines for engagement.Teachers are doing an amazing job despite challenges. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and 03:38 Setting Reading Goals 04:39 The Pressure of Perfection in Teaching 06:47 Advice for Moving Away from Perfectionism 09:34 The Importance of Routines 12:39 Engagement Strategies in the Classroom 14:02 Lesson Delivery and Student Learning 16:13 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Teachers Resources:Join The Stellar Literacy CollectiveGet the Stellar Intervention ToolkitSign up for my Private Podcast: Confident Writer Systems SeriesSign up for my FREE Revision Made Easy email seriesIf you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, I’m sharing why I’ve moved away from setting traditional New Year’s resolutions and what has actually helped me create meaningful, sustainable change. Over the years, I realized that rigid goals built around doing more or being more often led to frustration and burnout. What made the biggest difference for me wasn’t changing my habits first, but changing how I think and talk to myself. That’s when I started choosing a word of the year as a way to anchor my mindset. This year, my word is abundance. Instead of constantly telling myself I don’t have enough time, energy, or capacity, I’m intentionally shifting toward believing that I do. That small mindset change has already helped me feel calmer, less reactive, and more present in my work and my life. Abundance isn’t about doing more or being busier. It’s about viewing my circumstances differently so I can make better, more intentional choices throughout the day. I also invited the Stellar Teacher team to share their words for the year and the mindset shifts they’re hoping to create. Words like active, downshift, enough, restore, ease, and unoffendable reflect a shared desire to work and live with more clarity, sustainability, and self-trust. As you head into this year, I invite you to choose one word that grounds you, supports you, and reminds you how you want to feel both in and out of the classroom. Join us in the Stellar Literacy Collective Membership: stellarteacher.com/join! Sign up for my FREE private podcast, the Confident Writer Systems Series, here! Sign up for my FREE Revision Made Easy email series here! Follow me on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany. To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode288.

In this episode, I’m diving into small group instruction and addressing five common myths that I hear all the time in the teacher space. Small groups often feel like a requirement for being an effective reading teacher, and that belief alone can create a lot of unnecessary pressure. I want to be very clear in this conversation: small group instruction can be incredibly beneficial, but it is not the only way to support student growth. You can still be an effective, thoughtful, and impactful teacher even if small groups don’t look the way you think they’re “supposed” to look—or if they don’t happen at all in certain seasons. Throughout the episode, I break down myths around literacy centers, reading levels, and how often you “should” be meeting with students. I talk about why literacy centers are just one option—not a requirement—and share alternative ways to keep students meaningfully engaged while you work with small groups. I also explain why guided reading is only one type of small group instruction and explore other effective formats like strategy groups, book clubs, and phonics-focused groups that don’t require knowing every student’s reading level. Most importantly, I emphasize that small groups don’t have to happen every day to be worthwhile—even meeting once a week can make a difference. I wrap up the episode by tackling the idea that small group instruction does not have to be overwhelming or time-consuming to plan. I share practical strategies for simplifying your planning, including using a consistent lesson framework, setting limits on prep time, and building routines for student independent work. My goal with this episode is to help you let go of the guilt and pressure surrounding small groups and replace it with clarity and confidence. Small group instruction is a tool—not a mandate—and when you use it intentionally and realistically, it can actually feel manageable and effective. Check out our Small Group Reading Lesson Sets here! Join us in the Stellar Literacy Collective Membership: stellarteacher.com/join! Sign up for my FREE private podcast, the Confident Writer Systems Series, here! Sign up for my FREE Revision Made Easy email series here! Follow me on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany. To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode287.

In this first Dear Stellar Teacher episode of 2026, Emily and I are kicking off the new year by talking about something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention in education: joy. A new year can bring excitement and fresh goals, but it can also feel heavy when you’re returning to the same classroom challenges, schedules, and demands. In this episode, we slow things down and reflect on what it really looks like to bring more joy into the second semester in ways that feel sustainable, meaningful, and realistic for teachers. Throughout our conversation, we share small but powerful mindset shifts and practical ideas that can help teachers rediscover joy in their classrooms and in the profession. We talk about the calming power of classroom routines, the importance of professional satisfaction, and why setting boundaries between work and life matters more than we sometimes realize. We also reflect on joyful classroom moments—like book talks, read alouds, playful routines, and recess connections—and why these experiences often stay with us long after the lesson plans are forgotten. We wrap up the episode by zooming out and talking about joy beyond the classroom. Finding joy at school is deeply connected to how we care for ourselves outside of work, whether that’s through hobbies, time outdoors, creative outlets, or meaningful connection. Our hope is that this conversation reminds you that joy doesn’t have to be big or complicated—it can come from small, intentional choices that help you reconnect with your students, your work, and yourself. As you head into the second semester, we hope you’ll find ways to make space for more joy—for you and for the kids you teach. Join us in the Stellar Literacy Collective Membership: stellarteacher.com/join! Fill out the Dear Stellar Teacher form for a chance to be featured on a future episode. Sign up for my FREE private podcast, the Confident Writer Systems Series, here! Sign up for my FREE Revision Made Easy email series here! Follow me on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany. To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode286.