Claim OwnershipThe Extraordinary Educators Podcast
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© 2025 The Extraordinary Educators Podcast
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Best practices, tips, and stories to help you be extraordinary in your classroom and beyond, featuring Curriculum Associates' Manager, Voice of the Customer, Hayley Browning.
221 Episodes
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Megan Geise, second grade teacher and K–2 Mathematics Department Lead at Danville Primary School, PA, joins this episode. Megan shares her experience organizing events for her entire school community to support students and meet their SEL needs. She shares best practices for event topics, how to get started, and tips for not working alone. TwitterInstagramEmail: ExtraordinaryEducators@cainc.com
Middle schoolers are a different set of students, and it is important to consider how best to engage them in their learning. National Director, Naneka Brathwaite, joins this episode to unpack five key strategies to engage middle school students: make progress visible, fuel autonomy with real choice, keep content relevant to age, build discourse for critical thinking, and pace efficiently so every minute counts. Naneka explains how simple data talks, student-friendly progress trackers, and cl...
Today we sit down with Dr. Anita Archer to unpack how clear, compassionate behavior systems transform a room from reactive to ready. The big shift isn’t about control; it’s about removing guesswork so students know what to do and teachers can teach. To begin, Dr. Archer dives into why behavior management is important. From there, she breaks down how to mapping key activities into simple, teachable expectations. You’ll hear routines in action, the power of specific praise, and the art of pre-...
Feelings walk into class before backpacks do. We sit down with first grade teacher Shannon Allison to explore how simple, repeatable SEL moves turn big emotions into teachable moments and stronger learning. Instead of treating social emotional learning as an add-on, Shannon shows how to weave it into routines that students can use right away and that teachers can sustain on busy days. Beyond what strategies Shannon incorporates into her classroom, she dives into the "why" behind them, helpin...
In today's episode, Stephanie Lawkins, Vice President of Educator Success at Curriculum Associates, joins to share how rethinking professional learning (PL) to create a more personalized approach creates a much stronger outcome and experience for educators. Instead of long, generic sessions, we explore how role-aware design, data, and smart recommendations can make every minute useful and energizing. Stephanie talks through practical moves, ranging from using i‑Ready insights to shape agenda...
Literacy is a lifeline for academic success and lifelong opportunities. For older students still struggling with reading, targeted intervention powerful and transformative. In this conversation with Lisa Mucci, Curriculum Associates' Impact Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction, we explore practical, evidence-based strategies that can make an immediate difference for these learners. In this episode, Lisa shares her passion for supporting older striving readers. We dive into specific...
Amanda Carpena, Senior Manager of Enablement Operations at Curriculum Associates, joins today's episode to discuss how schools like KIPP New Jersey and Mat-Su Alaska achieved remarkable reading growth through three strategic shifts anyone can implement! Rather than focusing on deficits, these successful schools reframed their approach to Tier 1 instruction -- creating curriculum committees that examine student data with fresh eyes. This shift created the foundation for sustainable impr...
The power of voice technology in education lies not just in its convenience, but in its ability to understand every child, regardless of accent, dialect, or background. In this enlightening conversation with Amelia Kelly, VP of Data Science at Curriculum Associates and head of AI Labs, we explore the fascinating intersection of linguistics, artificial intelligence, and childhood education. Amelia explains why standard voice AI systems fail many students - they're built on limited datasets of...
In today's episode, Kheshana Woods, National Director at Curriculum Associates, shares her profound insights on creating a true "home away from home" for students in literacy classrooms. Drawing from her experience as a classroom teacher, Kheshana paints a vivid picture of what belonging looks like. "When children know you love them, when you take the time to create an environment that's centered around their needs, they'll walk through fire for you," she explains. Kheshana goes on to dive ...
Keeping students, especially those in middle school, engaged can be difficult. Taylor White Brown, a teacher from Mississippi, joins today's episode to share simple yet powerful strategies that transform classroom dynamics without creating extra work for teachers while still focusing on student engagement. Taylor's approach begins with a refreshingly practical perspective: "Use what the curriculum is giving you. Don't make your job harder." Rather than reinventing lessons, she amplifie...
Ever feel like you're teaching on an island? Kate Gasaway's conversation about the power of educational research might be exactly what you need to build connection and advocate for your students. For busy educators wondering how to begin engaging with research without becoming overwhelmed, Kate offers practical advice: start with summaries and conclusions, then selectively explore specific sections based on your needs and interests. She emphasizes examining multiple research sources rather th...
In today's episode, Meghan Froman joins to talk all about how she has built an incredible classroom full of mathematical thinkers. From incorporating math discourse to encouraging productive struggle, Meghan has created a space that gives her students room to grow, learn, and thrive. Whether you're looking to reduce math anxiety in your classroom, create more meaningful student interactions, or help your students develop deeper mathematical understanding, Meghan's wisdom offers a roadma...
Remember when math was just a worksheet filled with problems to solve? For our youngest learners, mathematics can—and should—be so much more. In this enlightening conversation with Jill Rosenblum, Product Manager at Curriculum Associates, we dive into the transformative power of early mathematical exposure for pre-kindergarten and transitional kindergarten students. What makes this approach so powerful is how it builds confidence from the very beginning. When children see math as "part of th...
Toby Mitchell, a 4th Grade General/Special Education Teacher from Hawaii, joins this episode of The Extraordinary Educators Podcast to share all about his experience with incorporating metacognition into his daily classroom routines! Toby began by taking a step back in thinking about what "I don't know" really means, and how he can help his students dive deeper into that. In today's episode, Toby shares a few great strategies you can start using in your classroom now to help create an e...
Today's episode features an exciting guest, joining to celebrate Teacher Appreciation -- Kelly Sia, CEO of Curriculum Associates. In this episode, Kelly shares all about her respect and admiration for teachers across the country. Starting with her own elementary school teachers leaving a lasting impact, to now seeing how her own children's teachers guide them, Kelly talks about keeping her admiration for teachers, and valuing their voices, at the forefront of her day-to-day. She wraps up with...
Get ready to unlock the secrets of making math relatable and engaging for middle schoolers with insights from Liz Peyser, National Director of Content and Implementation at Curriculum Associates. Liz shares her groundbreaking survey findings that reveal how hands-on activities and connecting math topics to students' personal interests can transform the learning experience. Discover how you can incorporate creative techniques like using manipulatives to visualize concepts and record procedures...
Unlock the secrets to enhancing instructional programs with research-driven strategies and collaborative insights. Join us as we introduce our new co-host, Hayley Browning, who brings her rich experience as a former elementary school teacher and current role on the Educator Community team at Curriculum Associates. Together, we dive into a compelling discussion with Kate Gasaway, a Research Marketing Manager at Curriculum Associates, who sheds light on the crucial role of implementation fideli...
Unlock the transformative power of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in schools with insights from our esteemed guest, Dr. Pendleton, Regional Director of Content and Implementation at Curriculum Associates. Discover how creating a safe and collaborative environment empowers teachers to enhance their skills and positively impacts student achievement. Dr. Pendleton shares her strategies for gaining buy-in from the school community and highlights practical, high-interest topics that teac...
Ever wondered how one person's advocacy can reshape educational policies and create lasting change for students and their families? Hear from Debbie Smith, Vice President of Government Relations at Curriculum Associates, as she shares her compelling journey of advocating for her son and how it sparked a broader movement for change within school districts. Learn the strategies she employed, from leveraging research to engaging with key decision-makers, and discover how you, too, can become an ...
Unlock the secrets to classroom engagement that go beyond academics, setting up students for real-world success! Join us for an enlightening conversation with Brian Benavides, National Director of Content and Implementation at Curriculum Associates, as he shares his experiences from diverse school districts. Together, we explore the power of teaching essential life skills like turn-taking and conversation extension, and the crucial practice of resetting social skills after breaks. These strat...
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