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Teaching Middle School ELA — Courses
Teaching Middle School ELA

Welcome to the Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast, where we help English Language Arts teachers create dynamic, engaging lessons while balancing the everyday responsibilities of teaching middle school.

I’m Caitlin Mitchell, a longtime ELA educator and curriculum creator, and I know firsthand how challenging it can be to manage grading, planning, and student needs—while still trying to have a life outside the classroom. That’s why every Tuesday and Thursday, I bring you practical strategies, curriculum inspiration, and innovative teaching ideas to help you feel confident, prepared, and energized.

Whether you’re looking to revamp your writing instruction, streamline your planning process, or engage even the most reluctant readers and writers, you’ll find actionable support here. You’ll also hear real classroom stories, fresh lesson ideas, and occasional interviews with other passionate educators.

If you teach reading and writing to middle schoolers and want to stay inspired and up-to-date with best practices in ELA education, you’re in the right place. Tune in every week and let’s transform your teaching—together.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 422: Monday Mindset: Get Used to Being Uncomfortable Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

Our Monday Mindset Episode for today is about Discomfort is not your enemy, it’s your evidence. We open with a raw teaching memory: a first day in front of students, every word scripted, terrified of getting it wrong and being exposed. If you’ve ever tried a new lesson, a new routine, or a new approach and immediately thought, “That was messy, so I should never do it again,” you’ll feel seen here. We dig into why our brains chase certainty, how perfectionism sneaks into classroom decisions, and why the shaky moments often mean you’re right at the edge of real growth.
If this helps, subscribe, share it with a teacher friend, and leave a quick review so more educators can find it.

Episode 421: The Real Reason You're Still at School at 6 PM (And It's Not Your To-Do List) Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

If you have ever looked up at the clock and realized you are still in your classroom at 6 PM, we want you to hear this clearly: the real problem is not your to-do list. It is the belief underneath it. I walk through the story so many teachers live, the custodian making rounds while we are still grading, planning, and convincing ourselves that this is just “what good teachers do.”
To make it practical, I give a simple three-step framework built for middle school ELA teachers who want real teacher time management and better work life balance: set a specific vision for what you want, find expanders who prove it is possible, and take one inspired action this week.

If you are ready to reclaim your evenings while still teaching rigorous, engaging lessons, join us for the workshop at ebteacher.com/workshop.

Subscribe, share this with a teacher friend, and leave a review so more teachers can get their time back.

Episode 420: It's Not About How Much Time You Have — It's About What You Do With It Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

In today's Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast episode, I stopped blaming short periods and long blocks and show how a simple daily framework makes any middle school ELA schedule feel doable. I explained why predictable starts and calm endings beat cramming every ELA skill into every day, then shared sample pacing moves for 50, 75, and 90 minutes.
• reframing the “not enough time” problem as a missing structure
• building a three-part class period with strong bookends
• using daily bell ringers to protect instructional minutes
• closing with independent reading to reduce chaos and build culture
• creating a weekly cadence instead of teaching everything daily
• sample breakdowns for 45 to 50, 60 to 75, and 90-minute blocks
• a five-minute planning prompt to define how the class should feel
So definitely come to my free workshop. Make sure that you grab your free spot at ebteacher.com/workshop

Episode 419: Monday Mindset: Stop Waiting to Be Ready Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

In today's Monday Mindset episode, I talked through the mindset shift that changes the game for teachers and for anyone chasing a bigger life: Ready isn’t a feeling, it’s a Decision. I share what I told a friend who asked how I went from an idea to building EB Academics, and why the real “secret” isn’t a magic checklist. It’s the willingness to take the first step and keep taking micro steps, even when the outcome is unclear. We also get practical about the mid-June to August spiral: you promise next year will be different, you rest, you plan, you delay, and then you return overwhelmed because nothing got implemented.
Along the way, we reframe classroom mistakes as feedback, not failure, and we look uncertainty in the face instead of sprinting back to comfort. If you’ve been telling yourself, “I’ll do that when I’m ready,” this is your nudge and your permission slip. Listen, then share it with a teacher friend, subscribe for more Monday Mindset episodes, and leave a review with the one thing you’re done waiting on.

Join me in our Free Summer Workshop: ebteacher.com/workshop

Episode: 418: You Didn't Become a Teacher to Feel Like This — Here's How to Get Back to Loving It Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

In today's Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode, Caitlin gets real about teacher burnout and the challenges middle school educators face every day. She challenges common myths about lesson planning, rigor, and engagement, while sharing practical ways to protect your energy and mindset. You'll also learn a simple spiraling strategy that helps students build mastery over time—with a fun, MASH-inspired writing activity that keeps engagement high without adding more work to your plate.
If you want more support,

📌 Join the free workshop at ebteacher.com/workshop

👉 Grab the free engagement guide at ebteacher.com/engaging

If something here hits home, will you share this with one ELA teacher who needs a lighter load?

Episode 417: The Real Reason Your Students Aren't Retaining What You Teach (And How a Simple Framework Fixes It) Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

Do your students struggle to retain skills from one unit to the next? You're not alone.

In this episode, I explored why standards mastery often feels out of reach for middle school ELA teachers and uncovered the planning habits that may be standing in the way. I discussed three common beliefs that prevent students from achieving true mastery and introduced the Into, Through, and Beyond Framework—a simple but powerful approach to curriculum design that prioritizes retention over coverage.

You'll discover:
✅ Why teaching a skill once isn't enough for mastery
✅ The difference between covering content and teaching for retention
✅ How spiraling content helps students build lasting skills
✅ Why rinse-and-repeat activities save time and improve learning
✅ How to create a curriculum that feels intentional instead of reactive

Whether you're building your own curriculum or navigating a district-mandated program, this episode will help you rethink the way you plan so your students can experience deeper learning and long-term success.

🎉 Join us for our FREE Summer Workshop, register at ebteacher.com/workshop, where you'll learn practical strategies to engage students and help them master the standards with confidence.

Episode 416: Monday Mindset: Life Is Too Short for the Wrong Circle Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

🎙️ In today's Monday Mindset episode...

Who you spend time with matters more than you think. In this episode, I shared a powerful reminder that our mindset, confidence, and outlook are often shaped by the people around us—both inside and outside of school.

You'll learn how to protect your energy, set healthy boundaries, and avoid letting other people's negativity or limiting beliefs influence your own goals and growth. Plus, I shared a simple mindset shift that can help you navigate challenging conversations and school cultures without losing sight of what's possible.

If you're ready for a mindset reset and want to be more intentional about the voices influencing your life, this episode is for you. 💛

✨ Don't forget! Our FREE Summer Workshop starts next week.
Register here: www.ebteacher.com/workshop

Episode 415: Stop Planning Week to Week — There's a Better Way and It Changes Everything Jun 04, 2026

Show notes

In today's Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode, I challenged the idea that Sunday planning sessions are just part of being a teacher. Let's explore how week-to-week planning can contribute to burnout, disconnected instruction, and the constant feeling that you're forgetting something important. You'll hear why students engage more when learning feels connected and purposeful, and how intentional planning can strengthen both instruction and classroom culture.

I also unpacked three common beliefs that keep teachers stuck in reactive planning and shared a more effective approach to curriculum mapping, writing instruction, and reading unit planning. If you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to fit everything in, this episode offers a practical and encouraging path forward.

Want to take the next step? Join us for a free live summer workshop, "3 Proven Steps to Engage Your Students + Get Them Mastering the Standards." You'll walk away with actionable strategies to increase engagement, strengthen instruction, and start the school year with confidence.

🎟️ Save your spot at: ebteacher.com/workshop

Episode 414: Why You're Always Running Out of Time (And It's Not Because Your Class Period Is Too Short) Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

🎙️ In today’s Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode...

Ever feel like there’s never enough time to get through your lesson? You're not alone. In this episode, Caitlin breaks down why ELA pacing feels so challenging and shares four practical strategies to help you reclaim instructional time, reduce overwhelm, and create a more sustainable planning system.

You'll learn how to use standards-aligned bellwork, plan from the standards first, batch plan your curriculum, and spiral key skills so students retain learning all year long.

If you're ready for calmer classrooms, stronger engagement, and less Sunday-night stress, this episode is for you.

✨ Join our FREE summer workshop: ebteacher.com/workshop

Episode 413: Monday Mindset: The One Thing They Can Never Take From You Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

🎙️ In today’s Monday Mindset episode...

When teaching feels like a constant stream of new mandates, less time, and less control, it’s easy to feel powerless. But what if the one thing that matters most can never be taken from you?

We’re talking about resilience, protecting your energy, and a simple mindset shift that helps you stay grounded no matter what’s happening around you. Plus, Caitlin shares her favorite “Laughing Buddha” approach for dealing with frustrating situations without losing your peace.

Listen in and ask yourself: What’s one thing you’re done handing your power to this week? 💛

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