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Stellar Teacher Podcast: A Podcast for Upper Elementary Teachers

Welcome 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 strategies, resources, and ideas that are practical, research-informed, and easy to bring into your classroom.

Each week, Sara, the Stellar Teacher team, and special guests share their knowledge, tips, and practical strategies to help you strengthen your literacy instruction and support your students in becoming confident, capable readers and writers.

For printable and digital literacy resources, head to stellarteacher.com. Connect with us on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany.

Copyright: © Copyright 2024 Sara Marye, Literacy Teacher, Elementary Teacher

Latest Episodes:

306. Comprehension: A Simple Research-Backed Framework That Actually Works Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

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 goal of reading instruction—but it’s not just one strategy or skill. In this episode of The Stellar Teacher Podcast, we’re kicking off a brand-new series all about building an effective upper elementary literacy block.

We’re sharing:

What reading comprehension actually is
Why comprehension should be woven throughout your literacy block
The key components that support comprehension
A simple research-backed 3-2-1 framework you can use with ANY text

You’ll walk away with practical ideas for building background knowledge, teaching vocabulary, supporting sentence-level understanding, asking meaningful questions, and using writing about reading to deepen comprehension.

If you’ve ever wondered how to actually help students better understand what they read, this episode is for you.

Resources Mentioned:

⭐ Whole Group Lessons with built-in 3-2-1 comprehension support only available in the Stellar Literacy Collective ⤵︎

⭐The Stellar Literacy Collective: stellarteacher.com/slc

[Listen Again] Let Them Be Bored: Why Boredom Might Be Exactly What Kids Need with Mike Bender and Chuck Dillon May 25, 2026

Show notes

304. 7 Things Your Future Teacher Self Will Thank You For May 18, 2026

Show notes

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 Stellar Teacher Podcast, Sara and Emily share 7 end-of-year reflection and reset strategies that can help make next school year feel more organized, intentional, and less overwhelming.

Episode Takeaways:

Reflect on your favorite moments, lessons, and routines from the school year
Identify what brought you and your students the most joy and engagement
Make a plan to intentionally repeat those successful moments next year
Reflect on areas where you wish you had spent more instructional time
Audit and organize your resources—keep what worked and let go of what didn’t
Clean up and reset your classroom now so you start next year with a clean slate
Be intentional about planning a summer that actually helps you rest and recharge

Stay connected with us this summer! Visit stellarteacher.com/summer to sign up for our free learning experience starting June 1!

303. Want More Engagement in May? Try These 3 Literacy Moves May 11, 2026

Show notes

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 for:

Student-led book talks that build excitement around reading
Fluency performances that combine comprehension, rereading, and engagement
Bringing back your favorite read-alouds using a simple 3-2-1 comprehension structure

These ideas are designed to help you add structure back into your literacy block while still enjoying the final weeks with your students.

Want a freebie to get started? Grab 5 Book Talk Anchor Charts at stellarteacher.com/freebie

Grab our Book Talk Templates + Guide on under $5 at stellarteacher.com/booktalk

Ready to keep the momentum going this summer? Be sure to sign up for our Summer Learning Series for book study, bonus trainings, and practical literacy support. stellarteacher.com/summer

302. Hey Teachers, Don't Miss the Magic of May May 04, 2026

Show notes

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 to miss the magic of May.

Sara and Tami talk about the unique opportunities this final stretch of the year brings: stronger student relationships, visible growth, classroom confidence, and the chance to finish with purpose instead of just surviving until summer.

In this episode, we discuss:

Why May can be a powerful month for teachers and students
How to stay present during the final weeks of school
Recognizing the growth your students have made

Ready to keep the momentum going this summer? Be sure to sign up for our Summer Learning Series for book study, bonus trainings, and practical literacy support. stellarteacher.com/summer

301. 3 Things That Actually Matter Before the School Year Ends Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

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 finishing strong didn’t mean doing more?

In this episode, Tami shares three powerful reminders to help you navigate the final weeks of the school year with more clarity, intention, and less overwhelm. From letting go of the pressure to “cover everything” to prioritizing meaningful connections with your students, this conversation will help you shift your focus to what truly matters.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why “coverage” doesn’t = learning
Permission to not finish every project, book, or standard
How to decide what actually matters in the final weeks

Want to connect with Tami and other members of the Stellar Team this summer? Don't miss out on The Stellar Teacher Summer Learning series!

Register for updates at stellarteacher.com/summer

300. You Can Love Teaching and Still Want It to Be Easier Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

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

299. 1 Thing Your Students Actually Need Right Now Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

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!

298. Why It's Not Too Late to Support Struggling Readers Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

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 Episode

Why literacy growth often feels messy and unpredictable
How increased reading demands expose hidden skill gaps
The role of decoding and fluency in reading success
Why targeted instruction is more effective than wide review
How 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

297. The Difference Between Feedback and Noise Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

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 noise
How to identify trustworthy sources of feedback
Strategies for filtering and prioritizing feedback
Why 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.

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