Podcast
Teaching Middle School ELA
Hosted by Caitlin Mitchell · EN
Welcome to the Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast, where we help English Language Arts teachers create dynamic, engaging lessons while balancing the everyday responsibilities of teaching middle school.
I’m Caitlin Mitchell, a longtime ELA educator and curriculum creator, and I know firsthand how challenging it can be to manage grading, planning, and student needs—while still trying to have a life outside the classroom. That’s why every Tuesday and Thursday, I bring you practical strategies, curriculum inspiration, and innovative teaching ideas to help you feel confident, prepared, and energized.
Whether you're looking to revamp your writing instruction, streamline your planning process, or engage even the most reluctant readers and writers, you’ll find actionable support here. You'll also hear real classroom stories, fresh lesson ideas, and occasional interviews with other passionate educators.
If you teach reading and writing to middle schoolers and want to stay inspired and up-to-date with best practices in ELA education, you’re in the right place. Tune in every week and let’s transform your teaching—together.
65episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode: 418: You Didn't Become a Teacher to Feel Like This — Here's How to Get Back to Loving It
Jun 1100:31:21Tap to summarizeIn today's Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode, Caitlin gets real about teacher burnout and the challenges middle school educators face every day. She challenges common myths about lesson planning, rigor, and engagement, while sharing practical ways to protect your energy and mindset. You'll also learn a simple spiraling strategy that helps students build mastery over time—with a fun, MASH-inspired writing activity that keeps engagement high without adding more work to your plate. If you want more support, 📌 Join the free workshop at ebteacher.com/workshop 👉 Grab the free engagement guide at ebteacher.com/engagingIf something here hits home, will you share this with one ELA teacher who needs a lighter load?
Transcribe →Episode 417: The Real Reason Your Students Aren't Retaining What You Teach (And How a Simple Framework Fixes It)
Jun 900:22:42Tap to summarizeDo your students struggle to retain skills from one unit to the next? You're not alone.In this episode, I explored why standards mastery often feels out of reach for middle school ELA teachers and uncovered the planning habits that may be standing in the way. I discussed three common beliefs that prevent students from achieving true mastery and introduced the Into, Through, and Beyond Framework—a simple but powerful approach to curriculum design that prioritizes retention over coverage.You'll discover:✅ Why teaching a skill once isn't enough for mastery✅ The difference between covering content and teaching for retention✅ How spiraling content helps students build lasting skills✅ Why rinse-and-repeat activities save time and improve learning✅ How to create a curriculum that feels intentional instead of reactiveWhether you're building your own curriculum or navigating a district-mandated program, this episode will help you rethink the way you plan so your students can experience deeper learning and long-term success.🎉 Join us for our FREE Summer Workshop, register at ebteacher.com/workshop, where you'll learn practical strategies to engage students and help them master the standards with confidence.
Transcribe →Episode 416: Monday Mindset: Life Is Too Short for the Wrong Circle
Jun 800:07:05Tap to summarize🎙️ In today's Monday Mindset episode...Who you spend time with matters more than you think. In this episode, I shared a powerful reminder that our mindset, confidence, and outlook are often shaped by the people around us—both inside and outside of school.You'll learn how to protect your energy, set healthy boundaries, and avoid letting other people's negativity or limiting beliefs influence your own goals and growth. Plus, I shared a simple mindset shift that can help you navigate challenging conversations and school cultures without losing sight of what's possible.If you're ready for a mindset reset and want to be more intentional about the voices influencing your life, this episode is for you. 💛✨ Don't forget! Our FREE Summer Workshop starts next week.Register here: www.ebteacher.com/workshop
Transcribe →Episode 415: Stop Planning Week to Week — There's a Better Way and It Changes Everything
Jun 400:28:43Tap to summarizeIn today's Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode, I challenged the idea that Sunday planning sessions are just part of being a teacher. Let's explore how week-to-week planning can contribute to burnout, disconnected instruction, and the constant feeling that you're forgetting something important. You'll hear why students engage more when learning feels connected and purposeful, and how intentional planning can strengthen both instruction and classroom culture.I also unpacked three common beliefs that keep teachers stuck in reactive planning and shared a more effective approach to curriculum mapping, writing instruction, and reading unit planning. If you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to fit everything in, this episode offers a practical and encouraging path forward.Want to take the next step? Join us for a free live summer workshop, "3 Proven Steps to Engage Your Students + Get Them Mastering the Standards." You'll walk away with actionable strategies to increase engagement, strengthen instruction, and start the school year with confidence.🎟️ Save your spot at: ebteacher.com/workshop
Transcribe →Episode 414: Why You're Always Running Out of Time (And It's Not Because Your Class Period Is Too Short)
Jun 200:23:21Tap to summarize🎙️ In today’s Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode...Ever feel like there’s never enough time to get through your lesson? You're not alone. In this episode, Caitlin breaks down why ELA pacing feels so challenging and shares four practical strategies to help you reclaim instructional time, reduce overwhelm, and create a more sustainable planning system.You'll learn how to use standards-aligned bellwork, plan from the standards first, batch plan your curriculum, and spiral key skills so students retain learning all year long.If you're ready for calmer classrooms, stronger engagement, and less Sunday-night stress, this episode is for you.✨ Join our FREE summer workshop: ebteacher.com/workshop
Transcribe →Episode 413: Monday Mindset: The One Thing They Can Never Take From You
Jun 100:13:38Tap to summarize🎙️ In today’s Monday Mindset episode...When teaching feels like a constant stream of new mandates, less time, and less control, it’s easy to feel powerless. But what if the one thing that matters most can never be taken from you?We’re talking about resilience, protecting your energy, and a simple mindset shift that helps you stay grounded no matter what’s happening around you. Plus, Caitlin shares her favorite “Laughing Buddha” approach for dealing with frustrating situations without losing your peace.Listen in and ask yourself: What’s one thing you’re done handing your power to this week? 💛
Transcribe →Episode 412: What We Would Have Done Differently This Year — And What We're Keeping for Next Year
May 2600:37:50Tap to summarizeIn today’s episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin is joined by EB teachers Genevieve and Melinda for an honest conversation about what worked this school year, what they would change next year, and the small shifts that made a big difference in their classrooms. From classroom management and student independence to planning systems, positive reinforcement, conferences, AI tools, and organization strategies, this episode is packed with practical, teacher-tested ideas you can take into next school year. If you are already reflecting on ways to make next year smoother, more organized, and more engaging for both you and your students, this episode is for you. Follow us on Instagram at @ebacademics and share this episode with a co-teacher or teacher friend who might need to hear it too!
Transcribe →Episode: 411: How to Keep Students Engaged When Everyone (Including You) Is Done
May 1900:15:51Tap to summarizeIn today's Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast, I share the most powerful lever I’ve seen for middle school ELA engagement: making engagement your north star. Not entertainment. Not fluff. Engagement that lives right alongside rigor and standards-based instruction. When students are genuinely invested, they learn more, they push through hard parts instead of shutting down, and their growth actually shows up in their work. And here’s the part every teacher wants to hear: engagement also makes classroom management easier, because so many “behavior problems” are really boredom problems in disguise.If this resonates, subscribe for weekly middle school ELA lesson planning support, share the episode with a teacher friend who’s in the home stretch, and leave a review so more ELA teachers can find us.
Transcribe →Episode 410: Monday Mindset: The Victim Mindset
May 1900:13:33Tap to summarizeIn today's Monday Mindset episode, You’ll hear concrete mindset shifts: separating valid feelings from limiting narratives, finding gratitude without pretending, advocating for yourself, and returning to the one lever that actually moves your life your choices. We end with a question you can sit with all week: where are you placing your happiness in someone else’s hands?If this lands, subscribe, share it with a colleague or friend who feels trapped, and leave a review so more teachers can find this Monday Mindset.
Transcribe →Episode 409: Could Becoming a Happier Teacher Be as Easy as This?
May 1200:20:42Tap to summarizeIn today's Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode, The fastest way to make next year feel different isn’t a new binder or a prettier calendar. It’s a single belief you stop treating like a fact. As we hit the end-of-year home stretch, I want to pause and name what you’ve done: you showed up for kids on low sleep, graded the essays, survived the assemblies, handled the behavior, and kept going even when you felt like you were drowning. If this year felt unusually hard, you’re not alone and you’re not imagining it.If you’re ready for less stress, better time management, and a healthier teacher life, press play, take the reflection, and share what you’re willing to be wrong about. Subscribe, leave a review, and send this to an ELA teacher who needs a reset.
Transcribe →