
Episode 132: When the Classroom Feels Different: Behavior, Boundaries, and Teacher Well-Being
Literacy TalksShow Notes
Classroom management can test even the most experienced teacher—especially when the strategies that usually work suddenly don’t seem to be enough. In this episode, Lindsay, Donell, and Stacy have an open conversation about challenging classroom behavior, maintaining high expectations, setting boundaries, and the very real toll it can take on teachers. They share strategies, resources, and reminders for navigating the hard days while finding ways to support students and teachers. Show NotesWhe...
More from Literacy Talks
Episode Description What's the most effective way to teach students to read and spell irregular words? In this episode, Stacy, Donell, and Lindsay examine new research comparing Heart Word instruction and mispronunciation correction, two approaches that help students connect sounds and spellings rather than rely on memorization. They unpack the findings, discuss what the research means for classroom instruction, and share practical strategies for helping students become more accurate, confid...
Show Notes In this follow-up to Episode 127, Donell Pons and Lindsay Kemeny reconnect with Kristie Nelson to hear how her son Braxton is progressing after being identified with dyslexia. While targeted reading intervention has led to encouraging gains, the transition to middle school has brought new challenges. The conversation explores why continued foundational reading instruction matters, how accommodations and self-advocacy support student success, and what educators and families can do t...
Fresh from The Reading League's 10th Annual Conference in Chicago, Lindsay, Donell, and Stacy share the research, ideas, and classroom strategies that caught their attention. From the growing influence of AI to the importance of oral language, reading comprehension, and explicit instruction, the trio explores what excited them, what surprised them, and what left them with more questions. Whether you attended the conference or couldn't make it, this Conference Rewind brings valuable insights ...
Show Notes This episode was inspired by the 30th annual What’s Hot in Literacy survey, which asks literacy leaders to consider both the topics receiving attention in the field and those that deserve more. Lindsay, Donell, and Stacy use the findings as a jumping-off point to examine where literacy conversations are focused—and what may be getting overlooked. Resources Mentioned What’s Hot in Literacy at 30: Trends, Tensions, and Trajectories in a Changing Field Stephanie Grote-Garcia, Evan O...
Show Notes AI can make a task easier without necessarily making learning stronger. The distinction may come down to who is doing the cognitive work. When AI provides an answer or produces the work for a student, it can reduce the attention, engagement, reasoning, and productive struggle involved in learning. When thoughtfully designed and intentionally used to provide hints, scaffolding, practice, or feedback, however, AI may help students remain actively involved in that process. For educato...