Hey there everyone!

Thanks for stopping by. I have some news to share…

I OPENED A TEACHERS PAY TEACHERS STORE!!

You can find my storefront if you click here!

My store is called The Bookish Classroom because my goal is to set up teachers with no prep materials to nurture class discussion, analysis skills, and a love of all things bookish!

Why I Decided to Open the Store

That is a picture of me during my first year of teaching. I was 22 years old, fresh out of college, and terrified because I had no idea what I was doing. (I also had a terrible haircut and had just broken up with my boyfriend of 6 years, but that’s a story for another time.)

My first two years of teaching were the worst years of my life. The only reason I made it through without turning into a total puddle of tears is because I was lucky enough to find a wonderful support system who let me cry on their shoulders.

Every day I cried after school, and every day before school I had a panic attack. Well, actually that year my anxiety came out in a variety of physical ailments that I didn’t realize were just anxiety with a mask. Hives, migraines with aura, a fever and joint pain with no point of origin.

I was so overwhelmed by all of it. The classroom management, the observations, the workload. I was ready to work hard, but this was a level of stress I had never experienced before because it felt like admin who was supposed to be on my side had placed a target on my back. And that target was realized at the end of my second year.

I am thankful for that transfer because where I spent the next decade plus became my home. My direct supervisor was welcoming and believed in what I could do.

Don’t get me wrong. Teaching was still hard. I am an introvert who took on an extrovert’s job, and there were so many days I crashed. So many days where I thought, “Why am I doing this to myself?” So many days where I wanted to get out but didn’t know how.

But there were also the good days, the good students who make you laugh. It’s just…teaching is tough.

You spend all of your nights and weekends preparing for a 40 minute class, just to turn around and have to do it again the next day. It takes a lot of persistence, a lot of creativity, a lot of time and energy. And imagine when the lesson flops! And you’re like, “I just spent my entire f**king Sunday planning this one lesson for it to suck!”

I was riddled with Sunday scaries, and don’t even get me started about the dread that came at the end of every long break. Woof.

I say all this to say that I opened my store for the girl in that picture. 22 years old and completely lost, wondering what she got herself into but also needing a lesson or unit plan that was going to get her through whatever novel she was attempting to teach.

What do I plan on doing with this store?

After those first couple of years spent in teaching hell, I found my home at East Side. I was lucky enough to work with a group of people who were so smart and so generous that I learned how to be a good teacher. It was through the support of my supervisor and fellow teachers that I felt myself growing and wanting to be better at my craft.

During that time, I also cultivated a passion for helping new teachers find their way.

I opened my classroom to student teachers, gave them access to all my lessons, and supported them emotionally through the trying time that is figuring out how to teach.

I want to be a resource for those teachers that need a hand to pull them up, or a lesson for a day when they just need some space and ease, or a bit of guidance when creativity is waning.

One of the best parts about teaching is the community that comes from the experience of being in the classroom. I want to be there for teachers the way other teachers have been there for me.

And for that young woman who cried every day wondering what the hell she got herself into. I’m doing it for her too.

Need resources?

I’m currently working through a Great Gatsby unit plan, most parts of which are up and running.

I also have a lot of teaching resources for students in grades 2 through 5 that incorporate coloring pages and creative writing prompts.

You can click here to check out my full store!

In the mean time, I’d love to know what resources teachers are interested in and what passion projects you are working on!

Until next time, my friends!