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 burnout looks like—beyond just a tough day—and how it can show up physically, emotionally, and professionally. I’ll discuss common causes like overwhelming workloads, emotional exhaustion, and the constant pressure to do more with less. Most importantly, I’ll share real, practical strategies that have helped me manage burnout.

And if you’re questioning whether to stay in the profession, we’ll talk about that too—with honesty and without guilt.

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, disconnected, or simply exhausted, this episode is for you. Let’s open the conversation, find a path forward, and remind ourselves that taking care of you is not only okay—it’s essential.

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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 decisions actually leads to more focus — not less. Bonus? It can lighten your load, too.

Whether you're working within a tight curriculum or just feeling the burnout, these easy-to-implement strategies can help you wrap up the year strong — with students still learning, still participating, and maybe even enjoying it along the way.

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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 and book clubs, and why they’re so effective at this time of year. We’ll also tackle some common concerns—like what to do if students don’t read, pick the wrong book, or fall behind—and I’ll share the simple systems I use to keep the experience low-stress and successful for everyone.

Whether you’ve tried book talks before or are just getting started, this episode will give you the confidence and tools to make them work in your classroom.

Website: https://middleschoolcafe.com/
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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 consistently, building their confidence and making vocabulary a meaningful part of their learning experience.

Continue reading.

Let me help you with these FREE Vocabulary ideas!
Don't forget to listen to Part 1: Teaching Vocabulary with Purpose

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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, we’re exploring why vocabulary instruction is essential and how it impacts everything from student engagement in literature to their ability to think critically. We’ll also discuss how to make vocabulary a meaningful, natural part of your lessons without overwhelming your already busy schedule. Hit play now to find out how you can bring vocabulary back in a way that truly benefits your students! Read more.

Grab your FREE Vocabulary Download here.

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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 share creative, practical ideas to encourage reading engagement and accountability, from peer-to-peer book recommendations to fun, interactive activities that even reluctant readers will enjoy. Whether you’re looking for quick strategies or tools to gamify your classroom, this episode has something for everyone. Don’t forget to check out the show notes for additional resources to bring these ideas to life!

Continue Reading

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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 curriculum demands, this episode offers inspiration and actionable ideas to help you balance both. Tune in to discover how even small changes can make a big difference in building lifelong readers.

Continue Reading

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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 the classroom, this episode will set the stage for an exciting new chapter. Subscribe now and join me on this journey of transforming our students' reading experiences!

First relaunch episode airs February 4th—mark your calendar!

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