Skip to main content
The Link Podcast

The Link Podcast

By The Link Podcast

The Link exists to support teachers. We believe in supporting teachers through differentiated professional development that aligns with the school district student achievement goals. We are dedicated to bringing best practices and personalized support into each and every classroom in which we interact. Education is our passion, and we offer a wide range of support to help teachers and schools reach their goals. Listen in with the ladies of The Link to spark your inner creativity, add to your teacher toolbox, and re-ignite the passion you have for making a difference!
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

This About This: Reflecting on Your School Year

The Link PodcastApr 21, 2022

00:00
14:56
Testing Season Has Arrived
Mar 25, 202415:41
Innovate24: Technology in Classrooms
Mar 18, 202415:50
Igniting Engagement
Jan 17, 202418:22
‘Tis the Season to Celebrate

‘Tis the Season to Celebrate

Celebrate all of the hard work we are seeing in schools with us this week! Intentionality, purpose, goal setting, and collaboration works and we are seeing the proof in the banana pudding this holiday season. We could not be more proud of teachers this year and we cannot wait to celebrate all the growth as we wrap up the first semester.
Dec 12, 202314:27
Recommitting to Professional Learning Communities

Recommitting to Professional Learning Communities

Listen in while Jessica and Amber discuss how our schools are recommitting to the PLC process and collaboration! We are seeing teachers take pride more than ever in their instruction. Student data and instructional intentionality is soaring and we couldn’t be more proud.
Oct 18, 202316:14
Keeping Things Lite

Keeping Things Lite

Jessica and Amber discuss their 3 month hiatus as well as how we can come together as teams to keep things lite through the grind of September and October in schools! Listen in to gather some ideas for your teams.
Sep 14, 202311:06
New Name! New Logo! New Partners!

New Name! New Logo! New Partners!

Welcome to The Link Development STL! We have been up to a lot these last few weeks. We have rebranded and are branching out to offer more services. We launched we a new website, have a new logo, and we are officially partners! Check out our new website at www.thelinkstl.com We also discuss our new Summer Learning Series: Drinks and Development with The Link STL. We are offering 5 separate sessions on our most requested topics and they are only an hour! Check out all the info on our new website!
Jun 15, 202313:13
Show-Me Science of Reading Recap with Get Schooled

Show-Me Science of Reading Recap with Get Schooled

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-schooled/id1602940519?i=1000615353200 Jessica and Amber were recently guests on the new Get Schooled podcast! Listen in to their conversation about the inaugural Show-Me Science of Reading conference with the amazing ladies from CALE Education & Co! Sponsors: www.shopteacherts.com use code “LITLINK”
Jun 03, 202301:30
Windmill Denver: A Dream Come True
May 05, 202343:36
Understanding Your Standards: The Backbone of Curriculum Writing

Understanding Your Standards: The Backbone of Curriculum Writing

Listen in while Jessica and and Amber talk with the ladies at Step Up while they discuss changes happening around curriculum and assessment!
Apr 27, 202327:05
*Hot Topic*: Learning to Read VS Loving to Read

*Hot Topic*: Learning to Read VS Loving to Read

Jessica and Amber discuss a quote that is making its way around social media. The ladies discuss how making BIG statements on a BIG platform like the Sold A Story podcast can be irresponsible and cause confusion for teachers. Listen in to hear Amber and Jessica’a thoughts around the idea of learning to read vs loving to read!
Apr 06, 202317:09
Conscious Classrooms: Using Diverse Texts for Inclusion, Equity and Justice

Conscious Classrooms: Using Diverse Texts for Inclusion, Equity and Justice

Jessica and Amber discuss their new professional development book Conscious Classrooms: Using Diverse Texts for Inclusion, Equity and Justice Professional Development Book with authors Allison Briceño and Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica

Here is the brief synopsis from the resource:

When you look at all of the reading books in your classroom, can you be sure that each of your students’ voices and experiences are well represented? Drs. Briceño and Rodriguez-Mojicao created Conscious Classrooms to help teachers learn how to authentically include different voices and experiences in the classroom. They navigate the many questions surrounding diverse texts while also assisting with improving representation within the classroom. Highlights include:

  • Tools for auditing read-aloud texts, classroom libraries, and curricula
  • Sample book lists and ideas for acquiring diverse texts on a tight budget
  • Checklists and tips to determine if a book has questionable content
  • Research and instructional frameworks for diversity, equity, and inclusion

Listen in for more information on how you could use this resource in your building or classroom! 

Mar 14, 202322:35
Managing Big Feelings

Managing Big Feelings

Today Jessica and Amber discuss how to manage some of our toughest or most challenging students in the classroom. Amber shares 5 tips on how to build relationships with these students and what has worked in the past. Jessica references Capturing Kids Hearts by Flip Flippen and shares a great social emotional resource www.imaginationsoup.net for mentor text we can use in our classrooms. 

Mar 10, 202328:42
Making the Most of Decodable Texts
Feb 28, 202312:18
Standing “O” for Dr. Moats
Feb 24, 202320:46
Slides or No Slides?

Slides or No Slides?

Jessica and Amber give their opinions on using slides/keynotes to deliver content in the classroom. Are students really engaged? Is authentic learning happening? Listen in to hear their thoughts.
Feb 07, 202316:50
Stop the Teacher Shaming
Jan 30, 202323:35
*HOT TOPIC*: Sold A Story Recap

*HOT TOPIC*: Sold A Story Recap

Jessica and Amber give their opinions on the most controversial podcast in education right now Sold A Story. Our opinions might surprise you!
Dec 07, 202231:51
*HOT TOPIC*: Bottom of the Barrel vs The Pinterest Queen

*HOT TOPIC*: Bottom of the Barrel vs The Pinterest Queen

Jessica and Amber discuss social media platforms and how they have taken over education and influencing authentic learning happening in schools everywhere.   

Oct 29, 202218:37
Planning: Divide and Conquer VS Planning Alone

Planning: Divide and Conquer VS Planning Alone

Listen in while Jessica and Amber talking about planning and whether or not you should plan your lessons, plan with your team, or divide and conquer.
Oct 17, 202214:03
*HOT TOPIC*: Homework VS No Homework

*HOT TOPIC*: Homework VS No Homework

Listen in while Jessica and Amber vocalize their opinions on the *HOT TOPIC* of homework! 

Sep 01, 202212:29
Back to School: 2022-2023

Back to School: 2022-2023

Welcome back teachers! It's the first days of school and the energy in the buildings has been refreshing! Listen in with Jessica and Amber to chat about the importance of teachers and some things to think about in your first week of school. 

Aug 23, 202211:45
Think About This: Classroom Libraries

Think About This: Classroom Libraries

Listen in while Jessica and Amber discuss classroom libraries and what has worked best in our experiences! 

Aug 18, 202215:24
Think About This: Welcome New Teachers

Think About This: Welcome New Teachers

Listen in while Jessica and Amber give all their best advice for new teachers! New teachers are so special to a building, and we cannot wait to guide you along the way this year. 

Aug 08, 202212:18
Becoming "Guaranteers of Learning" with Kim Lockhart

Becoming "Guaranteers of Learning" with Kim Lockhart

Listen in with while Jessica chats with our special guest Kim Lockhart as they discuss instructional shifts teachers are making around reading research and the Science of Reading.
Jul 27, 202233:17
Summer Break: New Rides and Home Edit Queens

Summer Break: New Rides and Home Edit Queens

Jessica and Amber have been embracing the summer lifestyle and slacking on the podcasting! Listen in while we recap our last few weeks of summer and a little back to school talk! 

Jul 12, 202214:50
Think About This: Starting your Day with Low Stakes Soft Starts

Think About This: Starting your Day with Low Stakes Soft Starts

The Literacy Link ladies discuss ditching the morning work and starting your day with some low stakes soft starts to get your students minds ready for the day! 

Jun 23, 202217:03
Think About This: Free Text Summer Search

Think About This: Free Text Summer Search

Jessica and Amber have been taking their kiddos on adventures this summer and everywhere they go they are finding AMAZING free texts! Let's think about all of the places we visit during the summer and where we could collect fun and new text for this year! 

Jun 17, 202209:15
Think About This: Walls That Talk

Think About This: Walls That Talk

Jessica and Amber weigh in on anchor charts and creating an environment that allows for students to anchor their learning and use the resources you create together in their everyday learning. Anchor charts can be displayed and created very thoughtfully, and we want you to think about this with us here at The Literacy Link! 

Jun 14, 202212:11
Think About This: Sound Walls VS Word Walls

Think About This: Sound Walls VS Word Walls

Finally, the episode that so many teachers have been asking for...Sound Walls VS Word Walls! Jessica and Amber discuss the WHY and HOW behind one of the biggest trends of the year. Listen in to learn what they think about Sound Walls VS Word Walls and if they should be utilized in your classroom.
Jun 09, 202214:41
Think About This: Mom Mode is in Full Swing

Think About This: Mom Mode is in Full Swing

Jessica and Amber talk about the joy and sometimes exhausting summer days of being a teacher/mom! Listen in for all of the amazing things you could take your kiddos to do this summer and the different methods of learning that can take place. They discuss the “summer slide” and how you can practice your children’s skills in non-traditional ways!
Jun 07, 202214:44
Think About This: Instructional Best Practices for ANY Subject

Think About This: Instructional Best Practices for ANY Subject

The Literacy Link ladies think about best practices that are important for EVERY subject! 

Jun 01, 202214:26
It's Not Supposed To Be Like This...

It's Not Supposed To Be Like This...

WARNING: The content of this production may be emotionally challenging.
Jessica and Amber discuss with heavy hearts the tragedy that happened this week in Uvalde, TX.
May 26, 202210:16
Think About This: Play vs Academics

Think About This: Play vs Academics

Jessican and Amber discuss the hot topic of "play" during the school day and how we can incorporate it into our day in an intentional and purposeful way! Listen in to hear their points of view and how it aligns with the latest research around play.
May 24, 202214:42
Think About This: Data, Reflection, Planning Meetings... OH MY!

Think About This: Data, Reflection, Planning Meetings... OH MY!

Jessica and Amber decompress and reflect after a week filled with data, reflection, and planning meetings. Tune in to hear what our thoughts are around using all of this information to guide the work for next year! 

May 20, 202215:11
Think About This: The Struggle of Teaching Grammar

Think About This: The Struggle of Teaching Grammar

Jessica and Amber discuss the struggles teachers are having when it comes to the WHEN and HOW of teaching grammar within their day. Listen in to hear our thoughts and suggestions! 

May 18, 202211:27
This About This: Making A Lasting Impact

This About This: Making A Lasting Impact

Jessica and Amber chat about losing an important member of a strong trio they have formed and how she has made a lasting impact on them! They discuss the characteristics in mentors, friends, and leaders that have made a strong lasting impact in their lives. 

May 13, 202212:33
Think About This: What's in Our Book Stacks?

Think About This: What's in Our Book Stacks?

Jessica and Amber give you an update on how great.... or not so great...the Keystone Habits are going. They also give you summer reading inspiration from their own personal book stacks and implementing FIGURE IT OUT FRIDAYS! Listen in to learn more.
May 12, 202214:43
Think About This: The Teacher/Mom Hustle is REAL

Think About This: The Teacher/Mom Hustle is REAL

Our special Mother's Day episode reflects on the teacher/mom hustle and finding your rhythm! 

May 10, 202211:39
Think About This: Assessments

Think About This: Assessments

After a week filled with curriculum planning, assessment creation, and district planning meetings Jessica and Amber sit down to talk assessments. We are thinking about the WHY, HOW, and WHEN we are assessing students.
May 06, 202217:07
Think About This: Reflecting on Our Personal Keystone Habits

Think About This: Reflecting on Our Personal Keystone Habits

Jessica and Amber reflect after the episode with Dr. Stephanie Affinito around Keystone Habits. The ladies of Lit Link discuss what Keystone Habits they are implementing in their daily lives.
May 04, 202212:23
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week

Jessica and Amber want to shout out our appreciation to all of our amazing teachers that we work with every single day! You all are ROCKSTARS!
May 02, 202215:09
Keystone Habits with Dr. Stephanie Affinito

Keystone Habits with Dr. Stephanie Affinito

Jessica and Amber were so excited to sit down with Dr. Stephanie Affinito to talk about one of The Literacy Link's favorite books Leading Literate Lives. They discussed Keystone Habits and how teachers and students can build these reading and writing habits in their daily lives and the benefits these habits can bring to your classroom or life! 

https://amzn.to/3waXU5J

https://www.thecoachingsketchnotebook.com/2020/04/a-virtual-coaching-toolkit.html


Apr 29, 202219:49
Think About This: Our Favorite FREE Resources

Think About This: Our Favorite FREE Resources

Jessica and Amber discuss a few of their favorite FREE reading and writing resources you can use in your classroom! 

https://dogonalogbooks.com/

https://www.storyjumper.com/

https://www.scribblitt.com/

https://thesixshifts.com/

https://www.readingvine.com/

Apr 27, 202216:07
Think About This: End of Unit Celebrations

Think About This: End of Unit Celebrations

Amber and Jessica bring some end of the unit celebration ideas to the podcast...and the best part is most of them are FREE! Listen in to see how you could incorporate celebrations into your end of the year units.
Apr 25, 202211:05
This About This: Reflecting on Your School Year

This About This: Reflecting on Your School Year

Jessica and Amber discuss the importance of reflection and how it can be a powerful tool with teachers and administrators. They give ideas on how you could end the year with an impact! 


Apr 21, 202214:56
Think About This: Setting Your Kids Up with a Winning Streak
Apr 19, 202213:60
Think About This: Fostering a Love of Writing
Apr 14, 202211:20
Think About This: Fostering a Love of Reading

Think About This: Fostering a Love of Reading

The Literacy Link ladies discuss a few ways to foster your students love for reading! 


www.theliteracylink.org

Apr 14, 202211:14
Think About This: Making the Most Out of the Final Weeks of School
Apr 11, 202210:32