In this episode, I’m sharing why inclusivity, diversity, and representation are not trends or buzzwords—but essential practices that shape how students see themselves and the world around them.

I begin with a personal classroom story inspired by the book The Sandwich Swap and reflect on how one small, intentional lesson opened the door to deeper conversations about culture, belonging, and acceptance. From there, I explore why representation matters for all students—including those who may not experience much diversity in their day-to-day lives.

📚 Key Concepts Discussed

Mirrors, Windows, and Doors This episode revisits the framework introduced by Rudine Sims Bishop:

• Mirrors help students see themselves reflected and valued.
• Windows help students learn about lives and experiences different from their own.
• Doors invite students to step into new perspectives and build empathy.

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The Sandwich Swap Lesson

In this episode, we dive into how to close testing gaps without adding pressure, chaos, or burnout. The focus is on building systems that support student independence, maintain structure, and make every instructional minute count—especially as testing season approaches.

Rather than relying on constant grading, point systems, or last-minute test prep, this episode explores how low-pressure accountability, student ownership, and intentional scaffolding lead to real growth.

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2nd Grade Reading Benchmarks

3rd Grade Reading Benchmarks

4th Grade Reading Benchmarks

5th Grade Reading Benchmarks

“I don’t have time for cultural recognition months.” This is something teachers say often—and for good reason. Teaching right now feels like triage. The pressure is real, the schedule is packed, and everything feels urgent.

In this episode, we unpack why cultural recognition months still matter—because everything is not equal—and why representation is not an “extra,” but essential. We explore how history and curriculum have long centered a narrow set of voices, and why intentionally making space for overlooked stories helps students build understanding, empathy, and connection.

Most importantly, this episode offers realistic, manageable ways to fit this work into the school day without adding more stress. We talk about 10-minute video-a-day lessons, meaningful read-alouds and biographies, short independent or partner research projects that students take pride in (and remember for years—like my daughter’s ongoing fascination after researching Frida Kahlo), quick discussion starters, and choice-based writing that doesn’t add grading overload.

This conversation is a reminder that you don’t have to do everything—but doing something matters. Even a few intentional minutes tell students: these stories matter, these people matter, and you matter enough for us to make time.

Black History Month Video a Day (also inside MagiCore Academy)

Black History Research Project

Women's History Research Project

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There’s a special kind of quiet that happens during a read aloud—the kind where imaginations are working and students are fully engaged. In this episode, recorded in honor of World Read Aloud Day, we explore why read alouds are not just a classroom extra, but a powerful and essential part of learning at every grade level.

From being captivated by The BFG and Number the Stars as a child, to witnessing reluctant readers fall in love with books in the classroom—this episode highlights how read alouds remove barriers, build vocabulary, deepen comprehension, and create lasting emotional connections to stories.

We also examine the research behind read alouds, why they matter even more for students who aren’t read to at home, and why protecting time for read alouds is critical—no matter the pressure or schedule.

If you’ve ever felt tempted to cut read aloud time, this episode is your reminder: read alouds are not filler. They are the work. And long after the worksheets are forgotten, the stories—and the feelings they created—remain.

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Engagement is one of the most talked-about—and misunderstood—concepts in education. Too often, it’s equated with constant fun, flashy lessons, or keeping students busy.

In this episode, I reframes what engagement actually means—and why it matters so deeply. Engagement isn’t about putting on a show. It’s about designing learning that connects to students, sparks curiosity, and invites real thinking.

Through personal classroom stories, practical examples, and intentional instructional design principles, this episode explores how teachers can foster meaningful engagement without lowering expectations or burning themselves out.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Why engagement is not about entertainment or performance
• How meaningful engagement connects learning to students’ lives and experiences
• A classroom story about teaching arrays with brownies—and why it worked
• The difference between busy students and thinking students
• Why true engagement often leads to harder work, not easier work
• The dangers of passive learning (videos, click-and-guess, surface-level tasks)
• Why not every lesson needs to be fun—and why that’s okay
• How to balance imagination, practice, stamina, and perseverance
• How MagiCore Escape Rooms were intentionally designed to make challenge engaging

Click here to download the Reflection Episode Guide

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One of the most common concerns teachers share—especially when it comes to reading—is that grade-level texts feel too hard for their students.

In this episode, I address that concern head-on.

Drawing from my own experience teaching in a Title I school with students who were often below grade level, ESOL, and receiving special education services, I explain why struggling with complex texts does not mean students should avoid them. Instead, it signals the need for intentional scaffolding.

This episode explores how teachers can increase rigor by teaching students how to navigate complex texts—without lowering expectations or removing challenge.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• Why the idea of “just right” instructional-level texts is not supported by research
• How limiting students to simplified texts widens learning gaps over time
• What scaffolding truly is—and what it is not
• Why exposure to grade-level texts matters for vocabulary, language, and comprehension development
• How gradual release supports rigor instead of reducing it
• Practical, classroom-tested ways to scaffold complex texts while maintaining high expectations

Episode Guide & Student Anchor Chart

Resources for incorporating rigorous, grade-level texts that span your grade level text complexity band

• 1st Grade
• 2nd Grade
• 3rd Grade
• 4th Grade
• 5th Grade
• 6th Grade
• 7th Grade
• 8th Grade

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Before I dive into conversations about rigor, instructional design, and meaningful learning, I want to start with context.

In this first episode, I share my journey—from always knowing I wanted to be a teacher, to years in the classroom, to building MagiCore. Not because my story is exceptional, but because it explains the beliefs that guide everything I create.

I reflect on how early classroom experiences, strong mentors, and real teaching challenges shaped my commitment to learning that is intentional, rigorous, and grounded in respect for teachers’ professionalism.

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In education, teachers are often made to feel like they have to choose—between high expectations and compassion, between rigor and care.

In this episode, I challenge that false choice.

We take a clear, practical look at what rigor actually means (and what it doesn’t), why meaningful thinking matters more than harder work, and how teachers can design learning that challenges students without overwhelming them.

This episode is about teaching students to think—not just comply—and about holding high expectations while creating classrooms that are supportive, inclusive, and human.

Episode 2 Teacher Guide

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