What if a “wrong” answer tells you more than a correct one? In today's episode, we sit down with Dr. Derek Briggs, professor of educational assessment at the University of Colorado Boulder, to unpack why assessment should go beyond testing, and instead focus on progress over mastery. Derek shows how context and thinking processes matter just as much as outcomes, and why mastery is not always simply laid out. To support a deeper understanding of progress, we explore a roadmap for measuri...

In today's episode, we sit down with STEM Coordinator, and veteran educator, Karen Gauthier to unpack how a problem-based curriculum turns learners into mathematicians who reason, justify, and connect strategies with confidence. Karen traces her 37-year journey from classroom teacher to district leader and explains why shifting to a problem-based math curriculum changed everything. We examine the Try-Discuss Connect routine, showing how rich tasks with multiple entry points invite diverse st...

Today we sit down with third-grade teacher Natalie Banks to unpack a simple, powerful framework: courage to try small-group instruction, clarity to guide learning with posted intentions and success criteria, and connection to build a community where every student’s voice matters. Natalie explains how she restructured her time, used data to form flexible groups, and leaned on ready-made materials to keep planning realistic. She paints a a picture of rotations that work: a teacher table using ...

A hard truth sparked this conversation: too many students were reaching middle school unable to read independently at grade level. Erin Embon has spent 34 years across classrooms and leadership roles, and she walks us through how that pattern pushed her to rebuild reading instruction where it matters most. We unpack the data that challenged assumptions, the research that clarified next steps, and the practical moves that helped a district move to structured literacy with measurable momentum. ...

In today's episode, Rachel Porter, a digital curriculum integration specialist from Indiana, joins us to unpack how through-year assessment can turn scattered checkpoints into a steady engine for student growth. Rachel shares what changed when her district moved beyond one-and-done testing toward domain-level diagnostics that map exactly where each learner stands, and where to go next. We talk about the deeper, domain-by-domain guidance i-Ready provides. That clarity allows teachers to group...

What if a single test score isn’t telling you what matters most about your readers? We sit down with Dr. Kristen Braatz, AVP of Curriculum and Instruction at Curriculum Associates, to unpack how educators can capture a fuller, more actionable picture of literacy growth. Kristen traces the realities behind stagnant literacy scores and the rising demands of reading in a digital world. We dig into why high-quality curriculum must go beyond comprehension checks to challenge students to analyze, ...

Middle schoolers are a different set of students, and it is important to consider how best to engage them in their learning. To support this, today we sat down with National Director, Naneka Brathwaite, 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 prog...

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...