Stellar Teacher Podcast with Sara Marye

In our conversation, we talk about the emotional dual burden teachers often carry, how to be trauma-aware without stepping into the role of a therapist, and how to set boundaries that can help you keep doing the work you love—without losing yourself in the process. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed or simply trying to avoid burnout, Jenn offers a grounded, compassionate perspective that reminds us: you can be a great teacher and still have a life outside of school. This conversation is a powerful reminder that setting boundaries isn’t selfish—it’s essential for longevity in this work. You’ll walk away with practical steps and a renewed sense of permission to protect your energy and your joy.

As the final weeks of school approach, it can be tempting to hit cruise control—but the end of the year is actually the perfect time to bring some fresh energy into your literacy block. In this episode, I’m sharing seven fun, low-prep literacy ideas that will help you keep students engaged and learning all the way to the last day of school. These literacy ideas are practical, meaningful, and designed to support the skills your students have been building all year long—without adding more stress to your plate.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to teach writing, you’re going to love today’s episode. In this Dear Stellar Teacher conversation, I’m joined by my teammate Emily, and we’re opening up and sharing our biggest writing confessions—the mistakes we made in the classroom and the lessons we’ve learned since. Spoiler alert: if you’ve ever felt like you were just assigning writing instead of actually teaching it, you are definitely not alone!

In this episode, we explore the inspiration behind Bored Panda and talk about how boredom can be a gateway to creativity, imagination, and unexpected adventures. Mike and Chuck also give us a behind-the-scenes look at their author-illustrator collaboration, share hilarious stories from the making of the book, and reflect on the role of screen time, mindfulness, and finding joy in slowing down.