The Extraordinary Educators Podcast

Unlock the secrets to classroom engagement that go beyond academics, setting up students for real-world success! Join us for an enlightening conversation with Brian Benavides, National Director of Content and Implementation at Curriculum Associates, as he shares his experiences from diverse school districts. Together, we explore the power of teaching essential life skills like turn-taking and conv...

Unlock the secrets to transforming middle school math education with visual tools and manipulatives that truly make a difference. Liz Peyser, our esteemed guest and National Director of Content and Implementation at Curriculum Associates, joins us to reveal how visual thinking strategies can close understanding gaps for students facing limited instruction time. Discover the power of algebra tiles...

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 "wobb...

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 st...

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 prac...

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,...

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...

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 daught...

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 studen...

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 addr...

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 ta...

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 pa...

Ever wondered how you can humanize data to better understand and support your students? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Brooklin Trover, Senior National Director of Content and Implementation at Curriculum Associates, as she shares innovative strategies to transform raw data into meaningful insights. Brooklin delves into the importance of discussing data openly with students to norma...

Ready to recharge and find joy this summer? Discover transformative self-care techniques that will leave you refreshed and inspired for the next school year. From completely disconnecting from work to indulging in hobbies, this episode is packed with actionable strategies tailored specifically for educators. Learn how to schedule time for your favorite activities, explore the benefits of mindfulne...

Unlock the secrets to effective literacy instruction with Angie Gates, our inspiring guest and dedicated Field Support Manager for Literacy Implementations with Curriculum Associates. Angie brings a treasure trove of knowledge about the science of reading and shares her practical wisdom on overcoming the challenges that educators face when adopting new instructional methods. You'll discover s...

What if you could transform your classroom into an engaging, vibrant hub of learning, especially in the challenging post-COVID era? Our latest episode features Kim Brownell, a sixth-grade ELA and reading teacher, who shares her incredible journey from being a principal back to the classroom. Kim reveals her innovative student engagement strategies that are designed to keep middle school students a...

Discover how to create a classroom where every child feels seen and heard with insights from our guest, Extraordinary Educator, Nina Henderson. In this episode, we promise to equip you with practical strategies for culturally responsive teaching, all inspired by Zaretta Hammond's groundbreaking work, "Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain." Nina reveals her secrets for integr...

Unlock the secrets to empowering your math students as Uloma, a math specialist, joins us to illuminate the transformative power of a positive math mindset. Delve into the essential role of productive struggle within the classroom and discover strategies that allow students, especially those from diverse backgrounds, to overcome challenges and thrive in their mathematical pursuits. Uloma brings he...

Ever wondered how a middle school classroom can transform into a hub of engagement, where students are not just listeners but active participants? Join us as we sit down with Jasmine Applewhite, a dynamic STEAM teacher from Mississippi, who's revolutionizing middle school education by incorporating small group instruction with a STEAM twist. Her unique approach merges science, technology, eng...

Imagine stepping into a school where every face is familiar and every interaction is threaded with empathy and support. That's the reality second-grade teachers Kelly and Amber have created with their PAWS Time initiative, a program that's transforming their school community into an interconnected family. As this episode unfolds, you'll be captivated by their tales of weekly 30-minu...

Discover the transformative power of appreciation and the heartwarming impact it has on educators far and wide, as we bring you a special Teacher Appreciation Week episode of the Extraordinary Educators Podcast. Rob Waldron, CEO of Curriculum Associates, joins this episode to celebrate the influence of teachers. We explore how simple acts of kindness, such as leaving a sticky note or sending an en...

Discover the magic of mathematics with a twist of flair as we chat with Pennsylvania's own Matthew Weimann, a math maven and business-savvy educator. This week's episode of the Extraordinary Educators Podcast brings you an invigorating conversation that will reshape your thoughts on math education. Matt takes us through his unique classroom, where he spices up math lessons by introducing...

Unlock the secrets to making math an exhilarating experience for students with the wisdom of Liz Peyser, National Director of Content and Implementation at Curriculum Associates. Discover how multisensory learning can revolutionize the way children understand and enjoy mathematics. In our conversation, we explore easy-to-implement classroom strategies such as the 'turn and talk' method,...

What happens when young minds meet the roadblocks of complex problems? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Andrea Baney, a fourth-grade math and science teacher, who sheds light on the power of productive struggle in the classroom. Andrea shares her refreshing take on how she re-engages her students with fresh challenges and guides them through the forest of confusion to the clearing of...

Discover the transformational power of data-driven decisions in education as we sit down with Monique Smalls, a visionary principal who turns struggling schools into bastions of excellence. Journey with us through Monique's candid recount of how practical approaches like the gradual release model and professional learning communities can ignite a cultural revolution within the school walls. H...