Navigating the Challenges of Required Curriculum

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In this episode, you’ll learn:

How to identify gaps within a required curriculum
Why every class has unique needs, even when using the same curriculum
Ways to supplement a required curriculum without abandoning it
How focusing on instructional methods can be more impactful than changing content
How to use assessment data to justify adjustments
Strategies for advocating for what works best for your students
Why professional judgment remains essential — even within curriculum mandates

STC Podcast hot, Sara Marye, tackles a topic many upper elementary teachers wrestle with: how to teach effectively within a required curriculum while still meeting the unique needs of your students.

When you’re handed a required curriculum, it can feel restrictive. You may notice gaps, pacing challenges, or lessons that don’t quite fit your classroom. But having a required curriculum doesn’t mean you lose your professional judgment or flexibility as an educator. Instead, it creates an opportunity to refine how you teach, supplement strategically, and use data to guide meaningful adjustments.

Sara shares practical strategies for identifying curriculum gaps, enhancing instruction with targeted supports, and advocating for instructional decisions that truly serve students. You’ll also hear encouragement around focusing on the “how” of teaching — because even within a required curriculum, teachers still control how students process, practice, and apply their learning.

If you’ve ever wondered how to navigate a required curriculum without feeling boxed in, this episode will help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

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More About Stellar Teacher Podcast:

Welcome to the Stellar Teacher Podcast where we believe teaching literacy is a skill that can be strengthened with the right strategies, systems, and support.

Each week, Sara Marye — along with members of the Stellar Teacher Company team and other special guests — shares practical insights, instructional strategies, and honest conversations from the voices behind the magic of STC. With over a decade of experience as a classroom teacher and school leader, Sara is passionate about helping upper elementary teachers simplify their literacy block and make a meaningful impact.

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Learn more about The Stellar Literacy Collective:

The Stellar Literacy Collective (SLC) is a membership designed for upper elementary teachers who want strong, effective literacy instruction… without spending hours planning every week.

Inside SLC, you’ll find ready-to-use, research-aligned lessons for reading, writing, and word study that work together to create a cohesive literacy block. From whole group comprehension lessons and vocabulary routines to small group supports and writing instruction, everything is built around consistent systems that support real classroom implementation.

If you’re tired of piecing lessons together or feeling like every week requires a brand-new strategy, SLC offers structure and clarity. It helps you simplify your literacy block, teach with intention, and create meaningful growth for your students!

Click HERE to learn more!

When you are navigating the challenges of a required curriculum, The Stellar Teacher Podcast is here to support you. Each episode is designed to empower upper elementary teachers to simplify lesson planning, strengthen classroom routines, and build confident, capable readers without burnout. Teaching doesn’t have to feel overwhelming to be effective. With practical strategies, honest conversations, and systems that work in real classrooms, you can protect your energy while still delivering meaningful instruction. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode filled with encouragement and actionable ideas to support your literacy block all year long.