Empowering the Educator Within

What if your school hallways could do more than just showcase student work—what if they could teach?

In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore how to turn transitional spaces like hallways into interactive, meaningful learning environments. From math challenges and comment-ready displays to collaborative art and outdoor learning prompts, you'll hear practical ways to spark curiosity beyond the classroom.

This ep...

Is your IB team planning transdisciplinarily—but assessing in isolation?

In Episode 29 of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore how to move beyond beautifully connected unit plans to create assessments that truly reflect the same level of integration. From collaborative summative task design to shared rubrics and cross-subject standards, this episode walks you through the practical tools and mindsets needed to close the gap be...

You’ve brainstormed as a team. You’ve filled out the team planner. But what happens next?

In this follow-up to Episodes 26 and 27, we shift to the individual side of transdisciplinary planning—where teachers take team ideas and turn them into weekly lessons that actually connect. Using a storytelling unit as our example, this episode walks through what individual planners could look like for Performing Arts, Mainstream, and ELL tea...

If your IB planning meetings feel productive—but the next day everyone’s unsure where to begin—it’s time to rethink your structure.

In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we unpack how to lead IB transdisciplinary planning meetings that actually stick. From setting a clear vision and designing a shared team planner to ensuring every contributor walks away with purpose, this step-by-step approach will help you lead meeti...

What does “transdisciplinary” really look like in practice—and why do so many IB schools struggle to implement it?

In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore the missing link: a practical, school-wide framework that moves beyond vision statements and turns cross-subject planning into a cohesive system. 

Looking for visuals? This episode is based on the blog article: 👉 Read it now: The Transdisciplinary Framework

When supporting English language learners, it’s easy to focus on what they can produce—speaking, writing, visible progress. But what if we’re starting in the wrong place?

This episode explores why listening and reading—the input side of language—may be more critical than we think. If your ELLs seem to be participating but still struggling to keep up, this conversation is for you.

👉 Read the blog article: Input vs Output Language -...

How do you assess learning in a classroom designed for exploration, creativity, and student-led inquiry? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we walk through practical tips for documenting and reporting student learning in a Reggio Emilia-inspired environment. From intentional classroom setup to flexible observation tools, you’ll learn how to make assessment feel purposeful—and doable.

Explore the full article: Reggio...

Curriculum gaps don’t just appear out of nowhere. In this episode, we look beyond surface-level causes and uncover how inconsistent teaching methods may be quietly contributing to missed outcomes. If your school is seeing recurring gaps year after year, it might be time to rethink more than just the curriculum map.

We’ll also explore how schoolwide frameworks and intentional planning tools can help build the consistency students ne...

What if Guided Reading groups weren’t confined by grade level?

In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore how cross-classroom collaboration can transform your literacy block. Discover how to group students by need—not just by homeroom—and how shared planning, consistent tools, and flexible scheduling can make Guided Reading more effective for everyone involved.

Whether you're dealing with small class sizes or mul...

What does it take to build an ELL program that actually supports learners—in every classroom, every subject, every day?

In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore best practices for setting up a school-wide ELL program that goes beyond surface-level fluency. From understanding the difference between conversational and academic English to designing collaborative planning tools and fostering consistent support acro...

With textbooks taking a back seat, many teachers now turn to the internet for lesson materials. But what happens when a resource that looks “good enough” ends up hindering learning instead of supporting it?

In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, Christina shares a classroom story that highlights why ease and effectiveness aren't always the same—and why it’s time to rethink how we select online resources. If you've ever ...

Is your school struggling with inconsistent instruction, teacher frustration, or unclear expectations? The culprit might be hiding in plain sight—your planners. In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore how the design of unit and day planners can make or break a school’s cohesion. From split-class challenges to specialist integration and daily planning missteps, we walk through common pitfalls—and offer concrete...

What happens when foreign language instruction isn’t aligned with the way students are learning language in their mainstream classrooms? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore four key insights that can help foreign language teachers make their lessons more relevant, connected, and effective.

While the strategies were originally developed for a dual-stream school setting, the takeaways apply to any educator a...

Teachers are following research-based phonics programs. Students are participating, practicing, and progressing. So why—when it’s time to read—do they struggle?

In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore a common but often overlooked problem: the misalignment between early literacy programs and the readers used to assess learning. Could the very tools we rely on be contributing to the gaps we’re trying to close?

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How do you capture a curriculum that’s constantly evolving? This episode explores a practical framework that helps early years educators document emergent learning using Reggio-inspired class planners. From inquiry-based documentation to integrating specialists and foreign language lessons, discover how to turn your school into a living, breathing community of learners.

🎧 Read the full article + see visuals of the planners at shal...

What if spelling wasn’t just one thing—but two? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore the idea that spelling for English Language Learners might need to serve more than one purpose.

As students move through school, the vocabulary they encounter becomes more complex and subject-specific. So how should our spelling instruction evolve—especially for students learning English midstream?

Join Christina as she ref...

What if you could see your classroom through your students’ eyes?

In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore a practical, eye-opening strategy that helps teachers do just that. By stepping into the learner’s role, you might just uncover surprising insights about your teaching, your planning—and your students.

Ready to experience your classroom from a new perspective? Tune in and discover the power of one simple s...

What if your classroom walls could do more than just decorate? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore how educators can turn wall space into purposeful learning tools. From interactive displays to thought-provoking question walls, discover creative ways to make every inch of your classroom count.

📘 This episode is inspired by an article from The Education Blog at shalabooks.com, and pairs perfectly with our ...

Have you ever shared your school vision with a team—only to find that it didn’t take root the way you hoped? You outlined your philosophy, your preferred teaching approaches, even your core values… but nothing seemed to change. The problem might not be resistance—it might be unclear language.

In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, Christina Shala explores why educational jargon—terms like “student-centered,” “innovative...