The Extraordinary Educators Podcast

• Embracing Problem-Based Math Curriculum with Karen Gauthier

  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 strategies and deeper understanding. You’ll hear what can look like in real classrooms: students choosing tools that make sense to them, partners explaining their thinking before whole-group share-outs, and teachers curating student work to highlight mathematical structure rather than a single “right way.” Karen also shares routines that guarantee equitable discourse, such as structured partnerships with clear roles and timing, so 100% of students answer 100% of the questions. If you want to build student agency, improve transfer, and foster a classroom culture where ideas matter more than steps, this conversation offers concrete moves you can use today.Read the blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog/Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssocFollow us on Instagram: @MyiReadyHave feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

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• Small Group Instruction in the Math Classroom with Natalie Banks

  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 manipulatives to deepen understanding, an independent station with targeted practice, and partner activities to reinforce strategies. Along the way, we dig into the routines that keep everything smooth, ranging from explicit transitions, to shared norms for math talk, and quick checks that make progress visible.Read the blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog/Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssocFollow us on Instagram: @MyiReadyHave feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

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• Rethinking Literacy with Erin Embon

  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.Erin begins by talking about what she noticed across the middle school setting, and how that influenced her work in the elementary setting. She talks about her "aha" moment and how she took that knowledge to support both teachers and students. From there, Erin explains how she supported teachers during this transition -- all while recognizing the difference between those in lower and upper elementary classrooms. Erin then wraps up by sharing some great advice for those that are starting to tackle the world of literacy in their schools and classrooms. Read the blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog/Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssocFollow us on Instagram: @MyiReadyHave feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

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• The Power of Through-Year Assessments with Rachel Porter

  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 students purposefully, plan targeted lessons, and track progress more efficiently. Rachel also walks us through her district’s post-COVID rebound—how timely data, focused interventions, and consistent habits helped them return to pre-pandemic performance and keep climbing.Rachel goes on to talk about how she incorporates celebrations for students and teachers across the board. She outlines three simple weekly habits tied to growth: about 45 minutes of personalized instruction, at least two passed lessons, and a pass rate above 70 percent. She then explains how monthly recognition builds momentum for every learner, not just the usual high achievers. Add in midyear check-ins and end-of-year growth goal celebrations, and you get a culture where effort turns into measurable progress!

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• Measuring Literacy Development with Dr. Kristen Braatz

  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, argue, and create. You’ll hear how meaningful tasks, like structured discussions, frequent writing, and opportunities to teach ideas back, make thinking visible and reveal true progress. Along with that, we dive into the power of aligning assessment with instruction -- teachers gain time, students get targeted support, and literacy growth shows up both on the page and in real-life tasks.If you’re ready to move beyond data for data’s sake and toward evidence that drives meaningful reading and writing, this conversation will give you clear steps to start now. Read Kristen's blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog/measuring-literacyFollow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssocFollow us on Instagram: @MyiReadyHave feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

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