Middle School Café - Empowering Secondary ELA Teachers

In this special bonus episode, I’m hitting pause on my usual content to have an honest and much-needed conversation about teacher burnout. While I typically focus on teaching strategies, classroom routines, student engagement, and building a love of reading, today I’m shifting the spotlight to the emotional toll this profession can take—because supporting our students starts with supporting ourselves.

I’ll walk you through what burn...

Let’s be honest — keeping students engaged during the final weeks of school is tough. In this episode, I’m continuing our conversation about re-engaging students by sharing practical, low-stress ways to bring more student choice into your classroom.

We’ll talk about how to give students a voice without creating chaos, why even small shifts in how we structure tasks can lead to more buy-in, and how letting students make some of the d...

In this episode, we're talking all about student-led book talks—one of my favorite ways to keep students engaged in reading during the final stretch of the school year. With state testing behind us and summer on the horizon, now is the perfect time to give students more choice and ownership in their learning.

I’ll walk you through what student-led book talks look like in my classroom, how they differ from traditional book talks...

If you’ve ever wondered how to make vocabulary instruction more engaging and effective without adding more to your already packed schedule, this episode is for you! In part two of this mini-series on vocabulary, we’re diving into practical strategies that help students not only learn new words but actually use and remember them.  

In this episode, we’ll explore creative, low-prep ways to help students interact with words consistentl...

Is vocabulary instruction getting enough attention in your classroom? Over time, we’ve moved away from the traditional vocabulary lists and memorization drills—but have we gone too far? Vocabulary plays a crucial role in reading comprehension, writing skills, and student confidence, yet many students struggle to engage with texts simply because they don’t have the words to fully understand or express their thoughts.

In this episode,...

In this episode, we tackle one of the most common challenges for ELA teachers: holding students accountable for their reading without turning it into a chore. How do we inspire students to read for the sheer joy of it while also meeting our responsibility to track their progress? It’s all about creating meaningful, low-pressure strategies that celebrate reading and help students connect with books on a deeper level.

Join me as I sha...

Welcome to the first full episode of our relaunched podcast! In this episode, we’re exploring the importance of independent reading and its place in the classroom, even when a canned curriculum is in play. With a focus on flexibility and consistency, we’ll discuss how to create space for student choice and foster a love of reading in a structured environment.

If you’ve ever wondered whether independent reading can coexist with curri...

After an extended hiatus, the Middle School Café Podcast is back! In this special relaunch episode, I’m sharing why I took a step away, the lessons learned during this time, and what’s ahead for the podcast in 2025. Tune in to hear about the new format, a renewed focus on actionable strategies for middle and high school ELA teachers, and my mission to help all students grow as readers. Whether you’re a seasoned teacher or new to th...

One of the most essential aspects of teaching ELA is nurturing a lifelong love of reading in our students. In this episode, we'll explore how to help students discover that elusive "just right" book – the one that not only matches their reading level but also aligns with their interests. 

Listen in as I uncover the secrets to creating a reading experience that captures your students' imagination, boosts their con...

In a world filled with distractions like video games, social media, and viral TikTok videos, inspiring a love for reading in students can feel like an uphill battle. However, in this week's episode, we dive into a powerful tool that can captivate even the most reluctant readers: teacher book talks.

Think of teacher book talks as the trailers of the literary world. Much like a movie trailer teases the most exciting par...

Today, we are exploring the importance of establishing consistent routines and procedures in the classroom and how they will help us in building a classroom community. While focusing on middle school students, the ideas provided are relevant to all grade levels. Discover how well-defined routines and procedures create a thriving learning environment. We explore the impact these practices have on student comfort, engagement, and com...

This episode explores the importance of building strong teacher-student relationships that extend beyond getting to know you activities. I discuss the misconception that teachers need to be friends with their students, emphasizing instead the value of creating a professional and caring connection. These relationships foster a sense of belonging, individualized learning, trust, and motivation. I also provide practical strategies for...

Imagine turning your classroom into a hip coffee shop or observing your students actively browsing through your classroom bookshelves to create poetry.  This is exactly what we are talking about in this episode!  Katie Saj from Mochas and Markbooks stops by for a fun interview about creative ideas she uses to engage her students in reading!

Katie shared her amazing classroom transformation inspired by the cozy vibes of Tim Hort...

Escape rooms are inclusive and engaging activities that consist of games and puzzles aimed at fostering critical thinking and creativity.  In this week’s episode, Lyndsey from Lit with Lyns shares her experience in both creating and presenting digital escape rooms in her secondary ELA classroom. Escape rooms can be tailored to introduce or review various topics, making them the perfect activity any time of year. Regardless of stude...

In this episode, we explore the benefits of book talks and their impact on students' motivation as students promote books they loved to their peers.  Join me as I interview Mary Pat from Just Add Students, who shares her firsthand experience with implementing book talks in the classroom. 

Unveiling the secrets of effective book talks, Mary Pat unravels the art of captivating hooks, genre introductions, concise summaries, i...

The pandemic has left many middle school students with learning gaps in their writing abilities.  Join me this week as I interview Lisa from Mrs. Spangler in the Middle, who has developed a writing program created specifically for middle school students that focuses on addressing those gaps. 

Discover the transformative power of Leveled Writing Labs, an innovative writing intervention program created by Lisa and tested by teach...

Reading is a fundamental skill that forms the foundation for all other academic subjects and is an important life skill!  In this episode, I’m joined by Jennifer from Books, Babbles & Bows.  We explore several strategies to promote reading and discuss practical methods for holding students accountable. Strategies such as assigning regular reading time, using book trailers and first-chapter Fridays to generate interest, allowing...

When students are given choices, their engagement and output increase, leading to a sense of ownership in their learning. Join me this week as I interview Kristy from 2 Peas and a Dog about the importance and benefits of student choice. 

In this episode, Kristy and I discuss the power of student choice in the classroom and its impact on engagement and learning. We explore how offering choices, such as choice reading or topic selecti...

Centers, also known as learning stations, offer a structured approach to self-directed learning activities in the classroom. In today’s episode, Rachel from Uniquely Upper highlights several benefits of incorporating centers, with one key advantage being the ability to provide differentiated instruction for all students. In a classroom with diverse learning styles, abilities, and interests, centers allow teachers to accommodate the...