Stellar Teacher Podcast: A Podcast for Upper Elementary Teachers
Sara Marye, Literacy Teacher, Elementary Teacher
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Sara Marye, Literacy Teacher, Elementary Teacher
▶ WebplayerWelcome to The Stellar Teacher Podcast! We believe teaching literacy is a skill. It takes time, practice, and support to become the literacy teacher you want to be. This podcast will help you level up your literacy instruction, build your confidence, and make a meaningful impact with your students—all while having a little fun along the way! Hosted by Sara Marye and The Stellar Teacher team, this podcast brings together literacy specialists and educators who are passionate about helping upper elementary teachers feel more confident and effective in their literacy instruction. Together, we’re committed to sharing high-quality, no-fluff stra...
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Sep 28, 2026 · 51:31
Small group instruction is a regular part of many literacy blocks—but what actually makes a small group effective? And do you really need to meet with every student every day? In…
Sep 21, 2026 · 13:26
Small group instruction is probably built into your literacy block—but have you ever stopped to ask: What is the actual purpose of small groups? For years, Emily knew she was…
Sep 14, 2026 · 21:26
Small group instruction can be one of the most powerful parts of your literacy block—but it can also be one of the hardest to figure out. In this episode, Sara and Emily are…
Sep 7, 2026 · 13:04
What does MTSS actually look like in your upper elementary literacy classroom? Understanding the tiers is one thing, but knowing what instruction should look like at Tier 1, Tier…
Aug 31, 2026 · 28:55
[Listen Again] The one thing teachers wish they could have more of is time. Time to plan, time to teach, time to make copies, and time to have fun with their students. The day…
Aug 27, 2026 · 23:54
If you have a handful of students who need intensive phonics intervention, a few who are reading well above grade level, and everyone else somewhere in the middle, you might be…
Aug 24, 2026 · 21:24
[Listen Again] We’re bringing back this episode because it’s just too good not to share again! As we continue talking about supporting struggling readers, this conversation feels…
Aug 20, 2026 · 12:37
Episode 321: Differentiation vs. Intervention: What’s the Difference? Raise your hand if you have a struggling reader in your classroom. Now, keep your hand raised if you've ever…
Aug 17, 2026 · 11:11
Episode 320: A Simple Framework for Your Tier 1 Literacy Instruction When students are struggling with reading, it's easy to immediately start thinking about intervention and…
Aug 13, 2026 · 13:48
Episode 319: MTSS 101: What Every Teacher Needs to Know MTSS is one of those education acronyms that can quickly start to feel overwhelming. What does it all actually mean, and…
Aug 10, 2026 · 12:06
Episode 318: What Kind of Teacher Do You Want to Be This Year? As a new school year begins, it's natural to think about goals. But instead of creating a long list of everything…
Aug 6, 2026 · 24:54
In this replay episode of The Stellar Teacher Podcast, we're giving you a behind-the-scenes look at one of our most exciting new resources—the Stellar Teacher Reading…
Aug 3, 2026 · 12:47
Back-to-school season brings a mix of excitement and nerves for just about every teacher. Whether it's your first year in the classroom or your fifteenth, those "back-to-school…
Jul 27, 2026 · 20:02
Part 4: New Teacher Blueprint Series The first day of school comes with a lot of pressure. Teachers often feel like they need the perfect lesson plans, the perfect activities,…
Jul 20, 2026 · 13:35
Part 3: New Teacher Blueprint Series The first few weeks of school can make or break the rest of your year—and one of the biggest factors in creating a smooth, productive…
Jul 16, 2026 · 27:16
In this replay episode, literacy experts Dr. Jana Echevarría and Dr. Jeannette Mancilla-Martinez share research-backed insights and practical strategies for supporting…
Jul 13, 2026 · 11:16
Part 2: New Teacher Blueprint Series The beginning of the school year comes with a long list of classroom procedures to teach... but here's the good news: you don't have to teach…
Jul 9, 2026 · 29:18
If you're working to align your literacy instruction with the science of reading, this listener favorite interview is for you! In this conversation, literacy expert and author…
Jul 6, 2026 · 18:42
Part 1: New Teacher Blueprint Getting your classroom ready for a new school year can feel overwhelming. Between Pinterest-perfect classrooms, endless classroom décor ideas, and a…
Jul 2, 2026 · 13:11
Part 6: Your Literacy Block Series Learn how to make small group instruction purposeful and effective. Tami breaks down the five key questions about small groups: what they are,…
Jun 29, 2026 · 11:06
Part 5: Your Literacy Block Series In this episode of our Your Literacy Block series, Emily is talking all about writing— and why it deserves a place in every upper elementary…
Jun 25, 2026 · 17:48
Think fluency instruction is only for primary grades? Think again. In this episode, we're unpacking why reading fluency remains one of the most important—and often…
Jun 21, 2026 · 11:40
Your Literacy Block: Part 4 Fluency is more than reading fast — it's the bridge between word recognition and comprehension. In this episode of the Your Literacy Block series,…
Jun 18, 2026 · 31:31
Supporting struggling readers is one of the most important—and often most challenging—parts of literacy instruction. When intervention time is limited and student needs vary…
Jun 15, 2026 · 11:13
Your Literacy Block: Part 3 If you've ever wondered whether phonemic awareness and phonics still matter in upper elementary, this episode is for you! While these foundational…
Jun 11, 2026 · 24:43
We replayed an interview with Dr. Molly Ness last week... and we just could not help airing this one too! We love our interview episodes. What helps a word move from something…
Jun 8, 2026 · 10:22
Your Literacy Block Series: Part 2 If your students freeze when they come across long, unfamiliar words while reading, this episode is for you. In today’s episode of The Stellar…
Jun 4, 2026 · 31:34
Are read-alouds still worth making time for in an upper elementary classroom? According to literacy researcher and author Dr. Molly Ness—they absolutely are. In this episode, we…
Jun 1, 2026 · 10:36
Your Literacy Block Series: Part 1 If you’ve ever wondered: “How do I actually help my students comprehend what they read?” …this episode is for you. Reading comprehension is the…
May 25, 2026 · 35:17
May 18, 2026 · 21:05
The school year is almost over, but before you fully switch into summer mode, there are a few things your future teacher self will be so thankful you did. In this episode of The…
May 11, 2026 · 11:49
In this episode, Emily shares 3 simple, low-prep literacy moves that still make a big impact at the end of the year (hello increased engagement!). You’ll hear practical ideas…
May 4, 2026 · 14:45
May can feel exhausting, emotional, and chaotic but it can also be one of the most meaningful months of the school year. In this episode, Tami and Sara are reminder teachers not…
Apr 27, 2026 · 10:42
As the school year comes to a close, it’s easy to feel pressure to squeeze in one more lesson, finish one more project, or check off every remaining standard. But what if…
Apr 20, 2026 · 13:04
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…
Apr 13, 2026 · 11:50
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.…
Apr 6, 2026 · 12:58
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…
Mar 30, 2026 · 20:32
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,…
Mar 23, 2026 · 17:39
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…
Mar 16, 2026 · 10:14
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…
Mar 9, 2026 · 15:14
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,…
Mar 2, 2026 · 22:05
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…
Feb 23, 2026 · 16:45
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…
Feb 16, 2026 · 18:18
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…
Feb 9, 2026 · 18:34
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…
Feb 1, 2026 · 16:46
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…
Jan 19, 2026 · 22:41
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…
Jan 12, 2026 · 15:42
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…
Jan 6, 2026 · 23:54
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:…
Dec 29, 2025 · 9:50
In this episode, I’m talking all about implementing classroom routines as we head into the second semester. This time of year can feel exciting and overwhelming all at once,…
Dec 22, 2025 · 31:51
In today’s episode, I’m sharing one of my favorite ways to bring more purpose, connection, and deeper learning into your literacy block: thematic planning. This…
Dec 15, 2025 · 30:24
In today’s episode, I’m unpacking a skill that often gets overlooked in upper elementary but has a huge impact on whether students can read big words with confidence. So many of…
Dec 8, 2025 · 24:14
In this episode, I’m kicking off December with a little real talk about this wild stretch between Thanksgiving and winter break—and how we can make it feel a bit lighter. These…
Dec 1, 2025 · 19:10
In today’s episode, I’m diving into a small but mighty part of literacy instruction that has a huge impact on your students’ reading and writing success—the sentence. For years…
Nov 24, 2025 · 6:21
As we head into Thanksgiving week, I know things can start to feel a little chaotic. Schedules are disjointed, students are distracted, and you’re probably juggling classroom…
Nov 17, 2025 · 13:29
There are so many times as teachers when we realize we’re the ones doing all the heavy lifting during our lessons—talking, thinking, and writing—while our students sit back and…
Nov 10, 2025 · 14:11
If you’ve ever wrapped up what felt like a perfectly modeled lesson only to see blank stares when your students try it on their own, you’re not alone. You know the moment: you’ve…
Nov 3, 2025 · 14:24
In this episode of The Stellar Teacher Podcast , I’m diving into one of the most important and challenging comprehension skills we can teach our students—summarizing. If you’ve…
Oct 27, 2025 · 18:55
In this episode of The Stellar Teacher Podcast, I’m sharing a simple, effective five-day routine to help upper elementary students who are struggling with reading. I know how…
Oct 20, 2025 · 13:31
In this episode of The Stellar Teacher Podcast, I share a simple but powerful strategy to help students activate background knowledge before reading: agree or disagree…
Oct 13, 2025 · 15:04
In this episode of The Stellar Teacher Podcast, I share a practical, step-by-step strategy to help upper elementary students tackle multi-syllabic words with confidence. I talk…
Oct 6, 2025 · 22:48
In this episode of Dear Stellar Teacher , Emily and I dive into the world of novel studies for upper elementary classrooms. We share some of our favorite books and highlight…
Sep 29, 2025 · 27:16
In this episode of The Stellar Teacher Podcast, I dive into a critical topic for upper elementary classrooms: supporting multilingual learners (MLLs). With the help of experts…
Sep 22, 2025 · 24:40
Being an elementary teacher, you know how important read-alouds are in your classroom. They offer many benefits, from fostering a love of literacy to connecting students with…
Sep 15, 2025 · 30:51
Writing is one of the most complex skills our students will ever learn—and one that is often overlooked. In this episode of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, I’m joined by two of the…
Sep 8, 2025 · 18:43
As we wrap up our Science of Reading Summer Series, it’s time to start thinking about next year and how to make your literacy block both effective and manageable. We know fitting…
Sep 1, 2025 · 20:36
In this episode of Dear Stellar Teacher , Emily and I talk about how using AI can actually make teaching easier and why it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. We break down…
Aug 25, 2025 · 27:39
I remember back-to-school time being both exciting and exhausting. It's a new school year filled with fresh possibilities. It's also extremely busy with classroom setup,…
Aug 18, 2025 · 37:12
What if I told you that 90% of students can be on grade level with the right instruction? In today’s episode, we’re joined by Dr. Jan Hasbrouck, a leading researcher, author, and…
Aug 11, 2025 · 29:42
Welcome back to The Stellar Teacher Podcast! In today’s episode, we're diving into the importance of word study in upper elementary classrooms. If you're looking to bring more…
Aug 4, 2025 · 21:28
Welcome back to The Stellar Teacher Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re kicking off the back-to-school season with a Dear Stellar Teacher conversation that’s all about getting…
Jul 28, 2025 · 24:43
What is orthographic mapping—and why does it matter so much for your upper elementary readers? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Molly Ness, educator, researcher, and co-author…
Jul 21, 2025 · 30:03
This week’s episode is extra special—we’re celebrating a decade of Stellar Teacher magic! In honor of The Stellar Teacher Company’s 10th birthday, the podcast gets a fun twist as…
Jul 14, 2025 · 24:54
In this special episode of The Stellar Teacher Podcast, we're giving you a behind-the-scenes look at one of our most exciting new resources—the Stellar Teacher Reading…
Jul 7, 2025 · 21:24
Are you feeling a little lost when it comes to teaching phonics and supporting struggling readers in upper elementary? You’re in good company! In this month’s Dear Stellar…
Jun 30, 2025 · 21:02
In this final episode of our summer writing series, I’m unpacking one of the biggest challenges upper elementary teachers face: helping students write multi-paragraph essays. If…
Jun 23, 2025 · 29:03
In this episode of The Stellar Teacher Podcast, we’re diving into all things writing—with a special guest! Sara is joined by Kori, the head curriculum creator at The Stellar…
Jun 16, 2025 · 13:02
If your students struggle to write solid paragraphs or essays, the solution might be simpler than you think. In this episode, we’re zeroing in on the often-overlooked foundation…
Jun 9, 2025 · 26:30
Writing instruction in upper elementary can often feel overwhelming, especially when your students are expected to produce multi-paragraph essays—but struggle to write a clear…
Jun 2, 2025 · 21:59
If you’re changing grade levels, schools, or positions next year, this episode is for you! In our monthly Dear Stellar Teacher segment, Emily and I are sharing our own…
May 26, 2025 · 25:16
Multilingual learners are a growing and vital part of today’s classrooms—but many teachers feel like they’re navigating this responsibility without enough support. In this…
May 19, 2025 · 22:19
If you’ve ever ended the school day completely drained—wondering how long you can keep this up or feeling guilty for needing a break—this episode is for you. I'm joined by…
May 12, 2025 · 26:07
As the final weeks of school approach, it can be tempting to hit cruise control—but the end of the year is actually the perfect time to bring some fresh energy into your literacy…
May 5, 2025 · 30:12
If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to teach writing, you’re going to love today’s episode. In this Dear Stellar Teacher conversation, I’m joined by my teammate Emily, and we’re…
Apr 28, 2025 · 35:17
Have you ever had a student declare, “I’m bored!”—and then look to you to fix it? In this fun and thought-provoking episode, I’m joined by returning guest Mike Bender, author of…
Apr 21, 2025 · 26:19
Supporting students with learning gaps can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. In this episode, I’m joined by the amazing Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift, host of…
Apr 14, 2025 · 22:07
Personal narratives have long been a staple in elementary writing instruction—but what if this traditional approach is actually holding our students back? In this episode, we’re…
Apr 7, 2025 · 23:52
Standardized testing season is just around the corner, and if the thought of long testing days, endless review packets, and restless students already has you stressed, you’re not…
Mar 31, 2025 · 29:08
Managing student behavior can be one of the most challenging parts of teaching, and it’s easy to feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or even like you’re doing something wrong. But what…
Mar 24, 2025 · 16:57
Comprehension instruction is about more than just teaching individual strategies—it’s about creating the right conditions for students to deeply understand what they read. In…
Mar 17, 2025 · 21:38
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…
Mar 10, 2025 · 31:31
Supporting struggling readers can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re not sure where to start or how to make the most of your intervention time. That’s why I’m so excited…
Mar 3, 2025 · 22:58
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…
Feb 24, 2025 · 21:34
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…
Feb 17, 2025 · 17:48
If you’ve ever wondered whether fluency instruction still matters in upper elementary, this episode is for you! Many teachers assume fluency is something students master in the…
Feb 10, 2025 · 29:18
If you’re on a journey to align your instruction with the science of reading, this episode is a must-listen! Today, I’m sitting down with educator, literacy advocate, and author…
Feb 3, 2025 · 27:46
Teaching is full of big goals, high expectations, and never-ending to-do lists—but what if you could make meaningful progress without feeling overwhelmed? In this Dear Stellar…
Jan 27, 2025 · 23:11
If you’re looking for a structured, research-backed approach to improving your students’ reading comprehension, this episode is for you. We’re diving into reciprocal teaching, a…
Jan 20, 2025 · 31:34
Have you ever wondered if read-alouds still belong in a Science of Reading-aligned classroom? As we dive deeper into research-based literacy practices, it’s easy to question…
Jan 13, 2025 · 27:24
Are your students struggling to fully understand what they read? Teaching reading comprehension can be one of the most challenging parts of literacy instruction, but it’s also…
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