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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:

296. What Calm Classrooms Actually Have in Common (Spoiler: it’s not decor!) Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

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!

295. Teaching Is a Long Game: A Reminder for Teachers Feeling the Pressure Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

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 time
How invisible progress builds student understanding over time
Why exposure to concepts is valuable even when mastery doesn’t happen immediately
Encouragement 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!

294. The Most Expensive Test Prep Mistake Happens Before the Question Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

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 instructions
Building student confidence and reducing anxiety during tests

Resources Connected to this Episode:

Free Test Prep Email Series at www.stellarteacher.com/testprep
Test Taking Strategies Bundle on TPT

Stay connected with us!

Follow us on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany

Looking for quick, actionable PD? Visit our YouTube channel!

293. [Listen Again] Dear Stellar Teacher: How Can I Make Test Prep Season More Effective and Less Overwhelming? Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

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

292. Navigating the Challenges of Required Curriculum Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

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:

291. When You Can’t Stop Rethinking Everything You Said, Taught, or Did Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

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:

290. You Are the Expert: Why Your Professional Judgment Matters Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

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:

289. Embracing Imperfection in Teaching Feb 01, 2026

Show notes

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:

288. Choosing Intention Over Perfection Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

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.

287. 5 Myths About Small Group Instruction (And What to Believe Instead) [Listen Again] Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

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.

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