S6E1: Empowering 2nd Graders- Literacy Success in California with Sophia Pruett

In this episode, we're joined by Heather Minter, Amanda Senter, and Sean Toy to explore the often-overlooked side of learner readiness: the importance of educators caring for themselves so they can show up fully for their students. From recognizing the signs of burnout to understanding how our own regulation impacts the classroom, this conversation highlights why teacher well-being is foundational to effective teaching. Our guests share honest reflections on what it looks like to set boundari...

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Diane King-Shaw to explore what it looks like to return to the classroom after dysregulation and how to support both students and teachers in that process. From re-establishing a sense of safety to navigating the emotions that linger after challenging moments, this conversation highlights the importance of intentional repair. Dr. King-Shaw shares practical ways to support re-entry, including regulating yourself first, creating space for students to process...

In this episode, we continue the conversation with Kai-leé Berke, shifting from understanding dysregulation to what it looks like in real classroom moments and how educators can respond. From disengagement and avoidance to more outward behaviors, we explore the many ways dysregulation can show up, especially during challenging tasks like literacy instruction. Kai-leé shares practical strategies including identifying your own “button pusher” behaviors, using simple regulation practices in the ...

In this episode, we sit down with Kai-leé Berke to unpack what dysregulation can look like in the classroom and what educators can do in the moment. While understanding the “why” can be helpful over time, this conversation emphasizes that the first step is always to de-escalate and support students in returning to a regulated state. Kai-leé walks through practical strategies, including staying regulated as the adult, ensuring safety, using reflective listening, and helping students build awa...

The most powerful learning moments in every classroom don’t start with instructional content–they start with connection. For children, learning does not take place in isolation—it happens in the context of relationships. This session explores how secure relationships and stable environments create the conditions students need to engage, persist, and learn, especially during literacy instruction. Drawing on research that shows emotional regulation is shared between teachers and students, educa...