FUEL Up! is your go-to podcast for inspiration and practical tools to strengthen your K–5 literacy journey with EL Education. Literacy coaches Kevin and Katie sit down with guests to zoom in on the various components of the curriculum. Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas to elevate tomorrow’s lesson or actionable strategies you can implement right away, this show will leave you energized, encouraged, and fueled up!
In this episode of FUEL Up!, Katie and Kevin take a closer look at Scarborough’s Reading Rope and explore how the strands of skilled reading are already woven throughout EL Education’s K–5 literacy curriculum.
Rather than treating the Reading Rope as another thing teachers need to memorize or add to their plates, the conversation focuses on using it as a lens for understanding the instruction already happening in classrooms.
21 Sept 2026
Fueling Up Around the New Season Ahead
Welcome back to Fuel Up! We’re kicking off Season 2 with a conversation about where we’re headed, the stops we’ll make along the way, and what we hope listeners will bring with them for the journey.
This season, we’re continuing our conversations around EL Education K–5 literacy, classroom practice, student ownership, and the good work happening in classrooms across our county.
27 Apr 2026
Fueling Up Around a Few of Our Favorite Things
In this season finale of Fuel Up, we reflect on a year of learning, growth, and conversation centered on EL Education and K–5 literacy. Katie and Kevin revisit key ideas, favorite episodes, powerful insights, and meaningful shifts in practice from across the season.
13 Apr 2026
Fueling Up Around High-Quality Work in Action
In this follow-up episode, we revisit learning from an institute centered on high-quality work and explore what happens next—how that learning actually shows up in classrooms. This conversation highlights the transition from inspiration to implementation and the small, intentional moves teachers are making to elevate student work.
29 Mar 2026
Fueling Up Around Language Dives
This episode of Fuel Up explores Language Dives in EL Education — what they are, why they matter, and how teachers can implement them without feeling overwhelmed. The hosts are joined by first grade teacher Kelly Fuller, who shares her journey from feeling "clunky" with language dives to confidently using them to build student understanding.
16 Mar 2026
Fueling Up Around Models of Excellence
This episode of Fuel Up explores how models of excellence (exemplars) can support students in understanding learning targets, improving the quality of their work, and building confidence. The conversation focuses on practical ways teachers can collect, share, and use student work samples to make expectations clear and achievable.
2 Mar 2026
Fueling Up Around High-Quality Work
Welcome back to Fuel Up — a space for conversations with and for educators using EL Education to support K–5 literacy learning.
In this episode, we take listeners behind the curtain for a reflective debrief after attending an EL Institute in Massachusetts focused on High Quality Work. Together with classroom teachers, we unpack what we learned, what’s shifting in our thinking, and what this means for students.
16 Feb 2026
Fueling Up Around Complex Texts
In this episode of Fuel Up, the conversation centers on complex texts in EL Education and the mindset shifts required for both teachers and students to succeed with rigorous reading. Through classroom stories and real teacher experiences, listeners are reminded that productive struggle is essential, equity matters, and students are capable of far more than we often assume.
2 Feb 2026
Fueling Up Around the Read, Think, Talk, Write Framework
This episode pulls back the curtain on one of the core foundations of EL Education: the Read, Think, Talk, Write framework. Rather than viewing it as a set of instructional steps, the conversation reframes this framework as a philosophy for learning—one that builds equity, accountability, and lifelong thinking habits for students.
19 Jan 2026
Fueling Up Around Multilingual Learners
In this episode, we zoom in on how to best support multilingual learners (MLLs) in K–5 literacy instruction — without lowering rigor or watering down content. Our guest, Rebecca Miller, English Learner Systems Coach at Muskegon Area ISD, helps us explore how intentional planning, language supports, and structured interaction unlock success for ALL students.
5 Jan 2026
Fueling Up Around Routines and Structures
In this episode of Fuel Up, we zoom in on the powerful role routines and structures play in creating safe, predictable, and engaging learning environments—especially in K–5 EL Education classrooms. As we step into 2026, Kevin and Katie reflect on how routines shift during breaks and why returning to strong classroom systems matters so much.
We’re joined by Kiana Longnecker, School Climate & Culture Consultant at the Muskegon Area ISD, who helps us unpack the “why” and “how” behind effective routines. From independence to voice levels to celebrating students, this conversation is full of practical, heart-centered strategies you can use tomorrow.
1 Dec 2025
Fueling Up Around Text Sets
In this episode of Fuel Up, we dive deep into one of the most powerful—yet often underleveraged—tools within K–5 literacy instruction: text sets. Whether you're new to EL Education or a seasoned user of the curriculum, this conversation will leave you with fresh insights, practical strategies, and a renewed appreciation for the role text sets play in building knowledge-rich classrooms.
17 Nov 2025
Fueling Up Around Coaching Partnerships
In this week’s episode of Fuel Up, we pull up a chair at the EL table to talk about something many educators crave but don’t always get: a trusted partner in the work. We zoom in on coaching partnerships—what they look like, why they matter, and how they can transform both teacher practice and student learning.
Kevin and Katie kick things off by sharing their own stories of being coached (yes, even golf swings and woodturning make an appearance). Then we welcome second-grade teacher Ivana Scott to the table. Ivana opens up about joining a new school mid-year, feeling like she was “drowning,” and how coaching helped her build confidence, establish strong routines, and foster independence in her classroom.
3 Nov 2025
Fueling Up Around Test Driving Assessments
In this week’s episode of Fuel Up, we dive into the power of test driving assessments. Katie, Kevin, and guest Laura Dault (5th-grade teacher at Cardinal Elementary) explore how taking assessments yourself—just like your students would—can transform instruction, improve pacing, and boost student confidence.
20 Oct 2025
Fueling Up Around Background Knowledge
This episode focuses on the importance of building background knowledge in K–5 literacy classrooms using EL Education’s knowledge-building curriculum. Guests include Jackie Presson, a literacy coach at Muskegon Area ISD supporting Oakridge Lower Elementary, along with hosts Katie and Kevin. The discussion covers research, classroom examples, and practical strategies to support comprehension, engagement, and vocabulary development.
6 Oct 2025
Fueling Up Around Interactive Word Walls
In this episode of Fuel Up!, Katie and Kevin explore the power of interactive vocabulary walls to support K–5 literacy learning through EL Education. Joined by special guest Lyssa Cooper, a second-grade teacher at Cardinal Elementary, they discuss strategies to make vocabulary accessible, meaningful, and student-driven. From lowering the wall to modeling word use and encouraging student ownership, this episode is packed with practical tips, research insights, and inspiring classroom stories.
Whether you’re new to EL Education or a veteran, this episode offers actionable steps to boost vocabulary instruction while energizing your classroom.
22 Sept 2025
Fueling Up Around Student Talk Protocols
In this episode of Fuel Up!, we dive into the power of student talk protocols in the K–5 classroom. Our guest, Jamie Oyler, kindergarten teacher at Reeths-Puffer Elementary, shares how she builds a safe, student-led environment where every child has a voice. We discuss practical strategies for rolling out protocols, the importance of teacher intentionality, and how less teacher talk often means deeper student learning.
Whether you’re brand new to EL Education or a seasoned user, this episode is packed with insights, research, and small steps you can try right away.
8 Sept 2025
Fueling Up Around Classroom Environment
In this episode of Fuel Up, Kevin and Katie explore how intentional classroom environment design supports K–5 literacy with EL Education. From flexible seating to interactive word walls, this episode highlights practical strategies that engage students, celebrate growth, and create a collaborative learning space.
26 Aug 2025
Welcome to FUEL Up!
In the inaugural episode of Fuel Up, hosts Kevin Richards and Katie Taber introduce their new podcast for K-5 educators using the EL Education curriculum. They share their hopes for the show to be a bi-weekly "pit stop" for energy, celebration, and practical conversation around literacy.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
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