Teaching Middle School ELA

In today's Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast episode, I tackled the three beliefs that keep middle school ELA teachers stuck: the idea that you cannot plan until you know your students, the fear that batch planning takes too much time up front, and the frustration that schedules always change anyway. You will hear why planning foundations early makes differentiation easier, why one focused planning stretch beats constant week to week planning, and how floating days keep your scope and sequen...

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 re...

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 prom...

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'...

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 commo...

🎙️ 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...

In today's Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast, I share the most powerful lever I’ve seen for middle school ELA engagement: making engagement your north star. Not entertainment. Not fluff. Engagement that lives right alongside rigor and standards-based instruction. When students are genuinely invested, they learn more, they push through hard parts instead of shutting down, and their growth actually shows up in their work. And here’s the part every teacher wants to hear: engagement also ma...

In today's Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode, The fastest way to make next year feel different isn’t a new binder or a prettier calendar. It’s a single belief you stop treating like a fact. As we hit the end-of-year home stretch, I want to pause and name what you’ve done: you showed up for kids on low sleep, graded the essays, survived the assemblies, handled the behavior, and kept going even when you felt like you were drowning. If this year felt unusually hard, you’re not alone and...

In today's Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode, I talked about how you can love teaching and still feel crushed by everything wrapped around it. We get real about the moment many middle school ELA teachers know too well: sitting in the car before school, bracing for the emails, the interruptions, the meetings, and the constant sense that you can’t fit it all in. I share my own story of hitting a breaking point, leaving the classroom early, and what finally helped me rebuild a teaching ...

In today's Monday Mindset episode, Your toughest habits don’t break in big dramatic moments. They break in quiet negotiations you barely notice, the quick “just this once” you tell yourself when you’re tired, overwhelmed, or craving comfort. We’re sharing one mantra that has become a steady compass for intentional living: never question the decision. If you want a stronger week, write the mantra down, name the decision you’ve been renegotiating, and commit to living it. Share this with a col...