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

For planners, templates, and digital tools to bring this framework to life, explore: 📘 Empowering the Educator Within – our book and workbook combo 💻 ESBPlanners – a digital planning solution for real-time, collaborative instruction

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 - English Language Learning (ELL)

For more insights and free teaching resources, visit shalabooks.com.

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 Emilia - Tips for Assessing Student Learning

If you're working with the Empowering the Educator Within book or workbook—or using our ESBPlanners software—you’ll find customizable templates that align with everything discussed in today’s episode.

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 need to succeed.

📘 Mentioned in this episode: The Empowering the Educator Within book and workbook 🔍 More resources at shalabooks.com

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 multiple levels per grade, this practical model can help you personalize instruction, foster teamwork among teachers, and boost reading progress schoolwide.

📚 View sample planners and student tracking tools mentioned in the episode: Setting Up a Guided Reading Program Across Grade Levels 🛠️ For customizable planning tools, check out the Empowering the Educator Within book and workbook.

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 across departments, this episode offers practical strategies for schools at any stage of development.

You'll also hear how your ELL team can align with classroom and specialist teachers, how to create systems for shared planning, and why consistency matters more than you think.

📥 View the article that contains the downloadable slideshow and PDF mentioned in the episode: Best Practices for Setting Up an EAL Program

📘 For more support, explore the Empowering the Educator Within book and workbook—designed to help teams align through frameworks and individualized planners.

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 hit “print” before pausing to reflect, this one’s for you.

🎧 Read the related article or share your experience in the comments: Are Internet-Based Teaching Resources Doing More Harm Than Good?

🛠️ Explore more episodes and free teaching resources at shalabooks.com

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 strategies for creating tools that actually support teaching. Whether you're a school leader or classroom teacher, this episode will help you move from paper to purposeful practice.

🎧 Learn more and explore related visuals, frameworks, and planners at shalabooks.com.

📘 Also available: the Empowering the Educator Within book and companion workbook.