Stellar Teacher Podcast with Sara Marye

If you’ve ever wondered why your students can master comprehension skills one week but struggle the next, you’re not alone. Many upper elementary teachers follow a standards-based approach, teaching comprehension skills in isolation. But what if that’s the very thing preventing students from building lasting comprehension? In today’s episode, we’re diving into the biggest mistake teachers make in comprehension instruction—and why shifting your approach can lead to better results.

In this episode, we’re tackling the four essential components of literacy intervention—data analysis, skill-based grouping, progress monitoring, and planning. Shannon shares practical strategies for making intervention both manageable and effective, so you can confidently support your students without feeling like you’re drowning in extra work. Whether your school has a structured intervention program or you’re navigating this on your own, you’ll walk away with clear steps to ensure struggling readers get the help they need.

Taking personal days as a teacher can feel complicated. Between the guilt, the prep work, and the fear of falling behind, many educators avoid taking time off even when they need it. But here’s the thing—your personal days are part of your compensation, and you deserve to use them without feeling guilt. In this episode of Dear Stellar Teacher, Emily and I are breaking down why teachers struggle to take time off and how you can shift your mindset to confidently use your personal days when you need them.

If you’re looking for a more effective way to help your students expand their vocabulary—without relying on endless word lists—this episode is for you! Today, we’re diving into morphology instruction and how a simple five-step routine can transform the way your students learn new words. By teaching morphemes explicitly, you can give your students the tools to decode unfamiliar words, make meaning independently, and support them in expanding vocabulary in a meaningful, lasting way.