Stellar Teacher Podcast with Sara Marye

Dyslexia is a complex challenge—but with the right support, students can thrive. In this episode, Sara is joined by dyslexia specialist Heather O’Donnell to explore how teachers can build strong, collaborative relationships with parents to support students with dyslexia. Together, they break down the essential steps teachers can take to identify potential signs of dyslexia and how to communicate effectively with families to ensure students get the interventions they need to succeed.

Have you ever felt a little possessive over a favorite classroom activity or picture book? You’re not alone! In this month’s Dear Stellar Teacher episode, Sara and Emily dive into a question many teachers can relate to: What do you do when a beloved book or activity has already been used by another grade level? Throughout this episode, Sara and Emily share practical strategies to make familiar books and routines feel fresh and engaging, even for students who’ve seen them before.

Outlining is an essential step in the writing process, yet it’s often rushed or overlooked in classrooms. In today’s episode, we’re diving into the art of teaching outlining—a skill that makes writing easier and more effective for students. By helping students create a roadmap for their writing, you’ll set them up for success and reduce the frustration of staring at a blank page.

If teaching topic sentences has ever felt like a struggle, you’re not alone. Many students find it challenging to start their paragraphs with a clear, engaging main idea, often jumping into details or relying on repetitive phrases. In today’s episode, we’re tackling this foundational writing skill with six practical strategies to help students craft topic sentences that truly enhance their paragraphs.