Schoolutions: Curious Educators. Evidence-Based Strategies. Classrooms Where Every Child Thrives.

Olivia Wahl

Do you need innovative strategies to strengthen your school culture and spark student growth? This podcast is your go-to resource for coaches, teachers, administrators, and families seeking to create dynamic and engaging learning environments. In each episode, you'll discover how to unite educators and caregivers to support students, tackle common classroom challenges, and cultivate an atmosphere where every learner can thrive. With over 25 years of experience as a teacher and coach, host Olivia Wahl curates episodes with insights from more than 150 expert interviews, offering practical tips that bridge the gap between school and home. Tune in every Monday and Friday for actionable strategies and inspirational stories that can transform your approach and make a real impact on learning.Start with a fan-favorite episode today (S5E1: Inside the Secret Moves of Expert Teachers with John Hattie) and take the first step towards transforming your educational environment!

  1. 2d ago ·  Bonus

    Summer Boredom? Try These Movement Ideas for Every Age

    🏃 What if the secret to student engagement this summer was free, fun, and made by a P.E. teacher with nearly 15 million views? In Part 2 of my Schoolutions conversation with @CoachGelardi⁩ (The PhysEdZone), we get completely practical. Tom gives age-by-age movement tips for summer, shares exactly which videos to start with, and explains why co-creating movement WITH kids, not just directing them, is the real driver of student motivation and active learning. 🎯 You'll Learn: • How the PhysEdZone YouTube channel was born on a rainy day and a bake sale • Why Tom's videos work as mentor texts for new teachers and instructional coaching • Age-based tips: Pre-K–3rd (dance fitness workouts) vs. upper elementary–high school (70 at-home PE activities) • The sock ball basketball game that teaches abdominal strength AND accuracy • How student participation in choosing songs and moves is the co-creation model that keeps kids coming back • Why giving kids a score to beat is one of the most powerful tools for inspiring students 💫Make sure to watch Part 1 & check out some of the resources mentioned: ➡️The PhysEdZone (Tom's YouTube channel) ⭐Witch Doctor workout (dance fitness) ⭐Dance Monkey workout (dance fitness) ⭐At-Home P.E. series with 70 videos made during the COVID lockdown ➡️Coach Gelardi's TikTok ➡️Coach Gelardi's Instagram ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 Welcome back — Part 2 intro 1:00 Recap: what we covered in Part 1 2:00 How the PhysEdZone YouTube channel began 3:30 The rainy-day bake sale origin story 5:00 Using Tom's videos as mentor texts for new teachers 7:00 Why Tom started his TikTok for P.E. tips 8:00 Inspiring future P.E. teachers through social media 9:00 Co-creation and why creativity follows mastery 10:30 Building a library of movement content 11:30 Best videos to start with this summer 12:00 Age-based tips: Pre-K through 3rd grade 12:45 Age-based tips: Upper elementary through high school 13:00 The at-home P.E. series with 70 household-item activities 13:30 Sock ball basketball breakdown 14:00 Why competition keeps kids coming back for more 15:00 Closing thoughts and thank-you 16:00 Outro: Movement is joy 16:30 Coming up next: Wendy Ward Hoffer on summer math Join our community of educators committed to cultivating student success, inspired teaching, and creating inclusive classrooms with a pro-kid mindset focused on the whole child. 🎧 New episodes every Monday & Friday with bite-sized Wednesday reel bonus content. 📧 Book a coaching session with me here if you’d like a thought partner to help you cultivate curious learners who advocate for what they believe in. 🎵 Music: Benjamin Wahl Don't forget to 🔔SUBSCRIBE for more teaching tips, and 💬SHARE! Next week's episode: Wendy Ward Hoffer, author of All Minds on Mathematics, makes the case that summer is the most underused math classroom we have. The kitchen, the car, and the dinner table are all you need. #schoolutions #schoolutionspodcast #forevergettingbetter #curiositydriven #evidencebasedstrategies #classroomreadystrategies #PhysEdZone #CoachGilardi #Schoolutions #StudentEngagement #ActiveLearning #InspiringStudents #TeacherCoaching #InstructionalCoaching #NewTeachers #ProfessionalDevelopment #HomeSchoolConnection #FamilyPartnerships #EducationAtHome #WholeChild #ThrivingStudents #EmpoweredEducators #TeacherImpact #SchoolCulture #InclusiveTeaching #StudentMotivation #StudentParticipation #ClassroomBelonging #EffectiveTeaching #EducationStrategies #PhysicalEducation #SummerActivities #KidsMovement #DanceFitness #AtHomePE #EducationPodcast #TeacherTips #ParentInvolvement #ProKidMindset #SchoolImprovement #InstructionalLeadership When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

    19 min

  2. 4d ago ·  Bonus

    Building Emotionally Safe P.E. Classrooms with Evidence-Based Strategies

    What if the most powerful thing you could do for student engagement wasn't a new lesson plan, but making sure every kid feels safe enough to try? In this clip from my S5E41 Schoolutions conversation, I sit down with @CoachGelardi where he emphasizes the critical role of physical safety in the P.E. classroom, but also highlights that an emotional connection with students encourages them to try new things without fear of making mistakes. It underscores how acknowledging the uniqueness of each student is vital for effective physical education and teaching. By prioritizing both safety and emotional well-being, educators can help all students thrive. This is what inclusive teaching, classroom belonging, and pro-kid mindset look like in action. Whether you're navigating low engagement, mixed-ability groups, or just trying to inspire students who've checked out, this one's for you. ✅ What you'll learn: • Why emotional safety is the foundation of active learning • How to channel naturally talented students into peer mentors • A simple reframe that boosts student motivation AND classroom culture • Real talk on differentiated instruction from a PE classroom lens Watch, reflect, and share Part 1 & Part 2 of our  ⁨@schoolutionspodcast⁩ S5E42 interview. Would you like to work together to create an emotionally safe environment for your students? Book a coaching session with me here. I'd love to be a thought partner for you. 🕐 Chapters: 0:00 – Physical vs. emotional safety in the classroom 0:22 – Every kid is unique: handling mixed ability levels 0:45 – What to do with naturally gifted students 1:05 – Going from good to great by helping others #Schoolutions #SchoolutionsPodcast #ForeverGettingBetter #CuriosityDriven #EvidenceBased #classroomreadystrategies #PhysEd #ElementaryPE #MovementMatters #SHAPEAmerica #KidsAndMovement #TeacherOfTheYear #BrainBreaks #PhysEdZone #ChildDevelopment #ElementaryEducation #TeacherLife #MovementIsLearning  When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

    1 min

  3. 6d ago

    The Hidden Power of P.E. Class

    What does it really take to teach 28 kindergartners (alone) in a gym every single day? In Part 1 of my S5E41 Schoolutions conversation with @CoachGelardi,  the 2025 SHAPE America National Elementary P.E. Teacher of the Year and New York State Teacher of the Year, we talk about what world-class physical education and fitness actually look like and why every educator, parent, and school leader needs to pay attention. Tom is the creator of the PhysEdZone YouTube channel, which is closing in on 15 million views, and he's built one of the most powerful P.E. programs in New York City. In this episode, you'll learn: Why student engagement and active learning start with emotional safety, not rulesHow Tom uses co-created classroom expectations to build genuine classroom belonging and reduce classroom behavior issuesThe science behind movement and student success, and why movement breaks are non-negotiable for attention in classHow specific feedback (not praise) drives real student motivation and student participationWhy inclusive teaching means beginning with every kid where they are: athletically, emotionally, and sociallyTom's approach to inspiring students who struggle and those who excelWhat parents and caregivers can do at home to keep kids moving and support a home-school connectionThe biggest mistake adults make that kills kids' love of movement (hint: it's the iPad)What pro-kid mindset, whole child development, and equity in education actually look like inside a gymCoach Tom Gelardi in the News:  Chalkbeat NYC ArticleCBS News FeatureNBC Today Show 3rd Hour FeatureChapters: 0:00 – Introduction: 28 Kids, One Gym, Zero Assistants 1:45 – Meet Tom Gelardi: Awards, YouTube & Origin Story 3:00 – Tom's Education Background & Early Mentors 4:30 – What It Means to Be a "Pied Piper" for Kids 5:45 – A Day in the Life: Elementary P.E. Across 20 Years 7:00 – From Good to Great: Using Talent to Lift Others 8:00 – Why P.E. Teachers Are Masterful Responsive Educators 8:45 – Managing Safety with 60+ Kids in One Space 10:00 – Co-Creating Classroom Expectations (Not Just Rules) 12:00 – Large Class Sizes: What City Schools Look Like 13:00 – Wild Midday Story: Fifth Graders + First Graders, No Equipment 14:30 – Turning Chaos Into Opportunity: Teacher Growth 15:15 – How Movement Impacts the Brain & Focus 17:30 – Brain Breaks: The Research Behind Movement & Learning 19:00 – The Long-Term Relationship Between P.E. Teachers & Kids 20:30 – Making Impact Beyond the 45-Minute Class 21:30 – Lightning Round: Rainy Day Movement Ideas 22:30 – What Adults Do That Kills Kids' Love of Movement 23:30 – Put the Phone Down: Being Fully Present 24:30 – Worst Equipment Story (The Flat Basketball) 25:30 – Biggest Misconception About P.E. Teachers 26:30 – The Power of One-on-One Feedback in P.E. 28:00 – Specific Feedback in Action: The Beanbag Example 30:00 – Learning From Your Students as a Teacher 31:00 – Wrap-Up & Key Takeaways 🎧 Part 2 drops Friday, where @CoachGelardi⁩ shares his best summer movement tips for families, broken down by age group, plus his favorite PhysEdZone videos to use right now. Join our community of educators committed to cultivating student success, inspired teaching, and creating inclusive classrooms with a pro-kid mindset focused on the whole child. 🎧 New episodes every Monday & Friday with bite-sized Wednesday reel bonus content. 📧 Book a coaching session with me here if you’d like a thought partner to help you cultivate curious learners who advocate for what they believe in. 🎵 Music: Benjamin Wahl Don't forget to 🔔SUBSCRIBE for more teaching tips, and 💬SHARE! #schoolutions #schoolutionspodcast #forevergettingbetter #curiositydriven #evidencebasedstrategies #classroomreadystrategies #PhysicalEducation #PETeacher #StudentEngagement #ActiveLearning #ClassroomBelonging #TeacherTips #InspiringStudents #WholeChild #InclusiveTeaching #StudentSuccess #MovementBreaks #BrainBreaks #EffectiveTeaching #InstructionalStrategies #SchoolCulture #TeacherCoaching #InstructionalCoaching #EmpoweredEducators #EducationTransformation #ProKidMindset #ParentInvolvement #HomeSchoolConnection #EquityInEducation #NewTeachers #SchoolLeadership #TeacherImpact #PhysEdZone #TomGelardi #Schoolutions #OliviaWahl #SHAPEAmerica #ElementaryEducation #ChildDevelopment #MovementIsLearning When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

    33 min

  4. Jun 5 ·  Bonus

    The Summer Reading Toolkit Every Family Needs

    In Part 2 of my S5E40 Schoolutions conversation with Dr. Kay Stahl, we explore practical tips for families to keep reading alive over the summer. This episode provides valuable educational strategies to enhance reading comprehension and foster essential reading skills, especially for children who say they are not readers. Dr. Stahl shares the latest research on comprehension (from the National Academy of Education's free report, Reaping the Rewards of the Reading Initiative), which shows that active learning matters more than passive reading: children need to MAKE something (a map, a book, a podcast) to demonstrate true understanding. We also cover: → Why everything counts as reading (menus, stats, movie discussions) and how low-engagement readers can find their entry point → The social side of reading: how family partnerships and shared books drive student participation and inspire students to read more → Why there's no age limit for read-alouds and the connection to parent involvement, home-school connection, and inclusive teaching → What reading struggle looks like at home and education strategies caregivers can use to support striving readers → How to use "pulse points" to identify roadblocks to comprehension and apply instructional strategies that work 💫Make sure to watch Part 1 & the linked resources mentioned: Assessment for Reading Instruction (5th edition) Reaping the Rewards of the Reading Initiative — a free report from the National Academy of Education, summarizing 250 studies across five research groups on comprehensionNational Academy of Education website Chapters: 0:00 Introduction & episode overview 1:45 What "I'm not a reader" really signals 3:30 The four traits of reading motivation 4:45 What counts as summer reading (everything!) 6:15 Should you ever stop reading aloud? 7:30 Books being banned — and why families should read them at home 9:00 Family book clubs & social reading experiences 10:30 Building vocabulary and knowledge over summer 11:15 The comprehension research that changes everything: make a product 12:30 Maps, books, recordings — authentic learning in action 13:00 What reading struggle looks like at home 15:00 How context, support, and interest affect comprehension 16:30 Modeling reading as a caregiver 17:00 Reaping the Rewards of the Reading Initiative (free report) 18:00 Key takeaways & wrap-up 🎧 New episodes every Monday & Friday with bite-sized Wednesday reel bonus content. 📧 Book a coaching session with me here, if you’d like a thought partner to help you cultivate curious learners who advocate for what they believe in. 🎵 Music: Benjamin Wahl Don't forget to 🔔SUBSCRIBE for more teaching tips, and 💬SHARE! Next week's episode:  @CoachGelardi ,  New York State Teacher of the Year and the force behind 15 million YouTube views, pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to keep kids moving, focused, and thriving. From keeping 64 kids in one gym safely engaged to building a viral at-home fitness empire during COVID, this conversation will completely change how you think about physical education. #schoolutions #schoolutionspodcast #forevergettingbetter #curiositydriven #evidencebasedstrategies #classroomreadystrategies #SummerReading #ReadingInstruction #StudentMotivation #ParentInvolvement #LiteracyTips #TeachingTips #EducationPodcast #SummerReading #ReadingInstruction #StudentMotivation #StudentEngagement #ActiveLearning #InspiringStudents #ParentInvolvement #HomeSchoolConnection #FamilyPartnerships #CaregiverSupport #TeachingTips #EffectiveTeaching #InstructionalStrategies #LiteracyTips #TeacherCoaching #InstructionalCoaching #ProfessionalDevelopment #SchoolLeadership #SchoolCulture #InclusiveTeaching #WholeChild #ProKidMindset #StudentSuccess #EmpoweredEducators #InspiredTeaching #EducationTransformation #Schoolutions #KayStahl #OliviaWall #EducationPodcast #NewTeachers #TeacherMentors #SchoolAdministrators #Homeschoolers #ReadingComprehension #VocabularyBuilding #ReadAloud #LiteracyResearch When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

    22 min

  5. Jun 3 ·  Bonus

    Do You Know the Difference Between These Two Categories of Reading Skills?

    Are all reading skills taught the same way? Not according to researcher Scott Paris and understanding the difference could transform how you teach literacy. In this short from my S5E40 Schoolutions conversation, I sit down with Dr. Kay Stahl as she explains how Scott Paris introduced a powerful framework that every educator needs to know: the Constrained vs. Unconstrained Skills Continuum. On one end, you have constrained skills like phonics and letter names: sequential, isolated, and learned over a short period of time. On the other end are unconstrained skills like comprehension and vocabulary: lifelong learning journeys that grow incrementally and can never truly be "finished." This distinction is a game-changer for instructional strategies and lesson planning, because it means we can't use a one-size-fits-all approach to effective teaching. When we understand that phonics has a finish line but comprehension does not, we become better equipped to support the whole child and build a path toward true student success. Watch, reflect, and share Part 1 & Part 2 of our @schoolutionspodcast S5E40 interview. 📧 Book a coaching session with me here, if you’d like a thought partner to help you cultivate curious learners who advocate for what they believe in. 📚 CHAPTERS 0:00 – Introduction: Not All Skills Are Equal 0:08 – What Are Constrained Skills? (Phonics & Letter Names) 0:20 – The Skill Continuum Explained 0:32 – What Are Unconstrained Skills? (Comprehension & Vocabulary) 0:45 – Why This Framework Changes How We Teach #Schoolutions #SchoolutionsPodcast #ForeverGettingBetter #CuriosityDriven #EvidenceBased #ClassroomReadyStrategies #effectiveteaching #instructionalstrategies #teachingtips #studentengagement #activeLearning #inclusiveclassrooms #culturallyresponsiveteaching #professionaldevelopment #instructionalcoaching #teachercoaching #schoolleadership #schoolimprovement #educationleadership #newteachers #mentorteachers #lessonplanning #wholesomechild #studentsuccess #empowerededucators #educationtransformation #literacydevelopment #readinginstruction #phonics #comprehension #constrainedskills #unconstrainedskills #scottparis #teacherimpact #schoolculture #equityineducation When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

    1 min

  6. Jun 1

    Diagnostic Reading Tools Every Teacher Needs Before Summer

    What if the biggest obstacle to student success isn't summer, it's what teachers stop doing after the standardized test? In Part 1 of my S5E40 Schoolutions conversation with Dr. Katherine (Kay) Stahl, literacy consultant, clinician, and former director of the NYU Literacy Clinic, she shares what 25+ years in classrooms taught her about reading, assessment, and what actually works. Learn about effective methods for teaching reading and supporting learning to read, ensuring summer reading is a time of continued progress. This conversation offers practical education tips for teachers, emphasizing the importance of phonics and ongoing teaching, especially after standardized testing concludes. 🎯 In this episode, you'll also learn about: • The constrained vs. unconstrained skills framework every teacher needs to understand • Why diagnostic assessment has fallen by the wayside and how to bring it back • What fluency really means beyond reading speed (hint: it's about comprehension) • The case for morphology instruction in 3rd grade and beyond • How to turn end-of-year data into something useful for families and next year's teacher • Paired reading: the research-backed strategy parents can use at home this summer Some resources mentioned: Assessment for Reading InstructionParis, S. (2005). "Reinterpreting the Development of Reading Skills." Reading Research QuarterlyStahl, K. (2011). "Applying New Visions of Reading Development in Today's Classroom." The Reading TeacherKeith Topping, paired reading research and methodologyKay's website — specifically a parent-facing section on diagnostic assessment with 12 questions parents should ask their child's teacherKay's five co-authored books Chapters: 0:00 Introduction ➡️Dr. Kay Stahl 1:45 Who is Kay? Background & NYU Literacy Clinic 2:45 Constrained vs. unconstrained skills (Scott Paris research) 5:30 The biggest mistake teachers make at year-end 8:30 Turning data into action ➡️ end-of-year assessment tables 11:00 Why diagnostic assessment has fallen by the wayside 13:00 Science of reading & Assessment for Reading Instruction 13:45 Morphology ➡️what it is and why it matters 15:40 Fluency beyond reading speed ➡️accuracy, prosody & comprehension 18:00 The speedometer➡️teaching kids to match reading rate to purpose 20:30 Paired reading ➡️ the research-backed family strategy 22:30 Lightning round ➡️summer tips, myths & quick wins 25:30 Wrap-up & what's coming in Part 2 Part 2 drops Friday: covering summer reading plans, what counts as reading, and a comprehension finding that changes everything. Join our community of educators committed to cultivating student success, inspired teaching, and creating inclusive classrooms with a pro-kid mindset focused on the whole child. 🎧 New episodes every Monday & Friday with bite-sized Wednesday reel bonus content. 📧 Book a coaching session with me here, if you’d like a thought partner to help you cultivate curious learners who advocate for what they believe in. 🎵 Music: Benjamin Wahl Don't forget to 🔔SUBSCRIBE for more teaching tips, and 💬SHARE! #Schoolutions #SchoolutionsPodcast #ForeverGettingBetter  #CuriosityDriven #EvidenceBased #ClassroomReadyStrategies #ScienceOfReading #LiteracyInstruction #ReadingFluency #TeachingTips #InstructionalCoaching #StudentEngagement #StudentMotivation #EffectiveTeaching #SummerReading #ParentInvolvement #HomeSchoolConnection #FamilyLiteracy #WholeChild #ProKidMindset #EmpoweredEducators #Morphology #DiagnosticAssessment #ProfessionalLearning  #TeacherLife When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

    28 min

  7. May 31

    Setting Teachers, Families, and Students up for Summer

    This June, Schoolutions is setting teachers, families, and students up for success in September all summer long. Five conversations. One month of inspiring students, empowered educators, and real education transformation. This Month's Conversations: 📖 S5 E40: Dr. Kay Stahl | June 1 & 5 Dr. Kay Stahl brings 25+ years of classroom and clinic experience to a conversation about the 5th edition of Assessment for Reading Instruction. A must-listen for anyone who cares about student success and keeping reading alive all summer. Kay's insights on paired bedtime reading and dinner-table reading talk make the home-school connection feel completely doable and prove that summer slide is totally avoidable. 🏃 S5 E41:  @CoachGelardi | June 8 & 12 Coach Tom Gelardi, New York State's P.E. Teacher of the Year, pulls back the curtain on what really happens in a gym class: managing 64 kids in a space meant for 30, and building a YouTube channel closing in on 15 million views. This conversation transforms how you see student engagement, whole child development, and the power of movement as an instructional strategy. ➗ S5 E42: Wendy Ward Hoffer | June 15 & 19 Author of All Minds on Mathematics, Wendy makes the case that summer is the most underused math classroom we have. The kitchen, the car, and the dinner table are all you need. A practical, joyful playbook for any adult who wants to grow a curious mathematician, no worksheets required.  @PEBC 💛 S5 E43: Dr. Kass & Cornelius Minor | June 22 & 26 Co-founders of The Minor Collective, Cornelius and Dr. Kass Minor, have spent years building education around one radical premise: kids deserve to be truly centered. In a moment when teaching feels surveilled, exhausted, and politically complicated, this conversation is a fierce, tender reminder of why the work still matters. 🎙️ S5 E44: Season 5 Closing Reflection | June 29 I (Olivia Wahl) reflect on the big ideas from Season 5, preview what's coming this summer, and share what Season 6 is all about — for teachers, by teachers — leading up to my book release in spring 2027. 📬 Stay Connected & Subscribe 👍 Like if you're ready for education transformation 💬 Comment: Which guest are you most excited to hear? 🔔 Subscribe for weekly teaching tips and instructional strategies https://www.youtube.com/@schoolutionspodcast/ 📱 Share Wednesday reels with colleagues, friends, and families Chapters: 0:00–0:10: Intro  0:10–0:20 Dr. Kay Stahl  0:20–0:30 Coach Tom Gelardi  0:30–0:40Wendy Ward Hoffer  0:40–0:48 Kass & Cornelius Minor  0:48–0:59 Season 5 Reflection #Schoolutions #SchoolutionsPodcast #ForeverGettingBetter  #CuriosityDriven #EvidenceBased #ClassroomReadyStrategies #TeacherPodcast #EducationPodcast #StudentEngagement #ClassroomBelonging #ActiveLearning #InspiringStudents #EffectiveTeaching #InstructionalStrategies #TeachingTips #InnovativeTeaching #InclusiveTeaching #TeacherCoaching #InstructionalCoaching #TeacherSupport #MentorTeachers #CoachingStrategies #ProfessionalDevelopment #SchoolLeadership #SchoolImprovement #InstructionalLeadership #EducationLeadership #SchoolCulture #PrincipalStrategies #ParentInvolvement #HomeSchoolConnection #FamilyPartnerships #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #EquityInEducation #InclusiveClassrooms #AntiBiasTeaching #ProKidMindset #WholeChild #StudentSuccess #ThrivingStudents #EmpoweredEducators #EducationTransformation #TeacherImpact #SummerLearning #NewTeachers When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

    1 min

  8. May 29 ·  Bonus

    Why This Integrated Literacy Framework is a Game-Changer for ELLs

    What does it actually take to build student engagement and student participation for experienced multilinguals — not just in theory, but in every lesson, every day? In Part 2 of my S5E39 Schoolutions conversation, literacy experts Beth Skelton and Tan Huynh break down the integrated literacy framework at the heart of their new book, Integrated Literacy for Experienced Multilinguals. This episode is packed with education strategies and instructional strategies you can use tomorrow. You’ll learn about: 🔄 THE INPUT-OUTPUT LOOP: The single most powerful shift for active learning and attention in class. Stop delivering 40-minute lectures. Give students a small chunk of content, then ask for output immediately. Rinse and repeat. Beth and Tan show exactly how this works in a grade 7 science lesson on plate tectonics; a masterclass in effective teaching and lesson planning. 📝 THE STRUCTURED QUICK WRITE: A practical instructional routine that integrates reading, writing, speaking, and listening in one short activity. Tan walks us through building academic sentences using "comma-but" contrast structures; the kind of innovative teaching that produces real academic language, not just correct answers. ⚖️ EXPLICIT INSTRUCTION AS AN EQUITY ISSUE: This is where the conversation gets real. Beth shares a story about a professional multilingual woman whose career advancement is being capped, not because of her ability, but because no one ever taught her the academic language structures she needed. This is the cost of low engagement with explicit instruction. Equity in education and inclusive teaching aren't just values; they're instructional choices. An annotated mentor text, a sentence frame, a structured quick write: these aren't optional scaffolds. They're a right for every student. 💫Make sure to watch Part 1 & check out resources mentioned: ➡️Long-Term Success for Experienced Multilinguals by Beth Skelton and Tan Huynh (their first book) ➡️Integrated Literacy for Experienced Multilinguals by  Beth Skelton and Tan Huynh  (the new book) ➡️Talk. Read. Talk. Write. by Nancy Motley - credited by Tan as the inspiration for the input-output loop sequencing ➡️Previous Schoolutions episode with Beth and Tan: an earlier, separate episode (distinct from this two-part series) where scaffolding is discussed in depth Chapters: 0:00 Intro — integrated literacy framework overview 1:45 Why the four language domains can't be siloed 5:30 The badminton metaphor for language integration 8:00 What is the input-output loop? 10:00 Plate tectonics classroom example 13:00 Beth on shortening the loop for academic language 14:30 Using "while" and "comma-but" as contrast structures 17:30 The equity argument — explicit instruction is a right 20:30 What is an annotated mentor text? 22:30 The structured quick write in action 25:30 Stories of student and teacher breakthroughs 29:30 Key takeaways + outro 🎧 New episodes every Monday & Friday with bite-sized Wednesday reel bonus content. 📧 Book a coaching session with me here, if you’d like a thought partner to help you cultivate curious learners who advocate for what they believe in. 🎵 Music: Benjamin Wahl Don't forget to 🔔SUBSCRIBE for more teaching tips, and 💬SHARE! Next week's episode: I am sitting down with literacy expert Dr. Kay Stahl to unpack something so many students carry quietly: "I'm not a reader." We're talking about what that statement actually signals, why diagnostic assessment matters so much more than a standardized test score, and how families can build confident readers this summer without it ever feeling like school. You don't want to miss it. I'll see you then. #schoolutions #schoolutionspodcast #forevergettingbetter #curiositydriven #evidencebasedstrategies #classroomreadystrategies #MultilingualLearners #ELLStrategies #IntegratedLiteracy #StudentEngagement #EquityInEducation #ExplicitInstruction #InstructionalCoaching #TeacherTips #ActiveLearning #InclusiveClassrooms #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #ProKidMindset #Schoolutions #EducationPodcast #TeacherCoaching #LessonPlanning #AcademicLanguage #ProfessionalDevelopment #StudentSuccess #EffectiveTeaching When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

    34 min
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Do you need innovative strategies to strengthen your school culture and spark student growth? This podcast is your go-to resource for coaches, teachers, administrators, and families seeking to create dynamic and engaging learning environments. In each episode, you'll discover how to unite educators and caregivers to support students, tackle common classroom challenges, and cultivate an atmosphere where every learner can thrive. With over 25 years of experience as a teacher and coach, host Olivia Wahl curates episodes with insights from more than 150 expert interviews, offering practical tips that bridge the gap between school and home. Tune in every Monday and Friday for actionable strategies and inspirational stories that can transform your approach and make a real impact on learning.Start with a fan-favorite episode today (S5E1: Inside the Secret Moves of Expert Teachers with John Hattie) and take the first step towards transforming your educational environment!

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