I’m so glad you are here! My name is Kristin and I am passionate about helping teachers and homeschooling parents educate their children without all the stress. I love blogging and sharing tips, ideas, and resources that are going to challenge students and make learning fun! If this sounds like something you need, we are going to be great friends! 😉
My Teacher Life
I guess like many teachers, I always knew I wanted to be a part of this crazy world we call Education. I remember when I was in Middle School, I was asked to help a struggling student, and that was it….I was a Teacher (or at least I knew that’s what I wanted to be). The feeling of helping someone else learn something just made me…happy! I couldn’t get enough.
After making the decision to become a teacher, I did everything in my power to become one. I eventually earned a Master’s degree in Elementary Reading and Mathematics. Most of my years teaching were in 5th grade, but I’ve also taught in 3rd and 4th. During my final year as a teacher, I was a Title I teacher in Mathematics, grades 3-5. I “pushed-in” to other classes and worked with struggling students. This experience changed the way I looked at the Common Core and Math instruction in general and made me a better teacher!
Throughout my teaching career, I always LOVED developing resources for my students. It wasn’t that I had tons of extra time to make everything. We all know teachers never have “extra” time. I made many of the resources I used in my classroom because I was never satisfied with what I was given. I’m sure you can relate! I wanted resources and systems in my classroom that would meet the needs of MY students. This desire is what led me to where I am today.
My Personal Life
Long before becoming an Educator, I met the man of my dreams…at the age of 15. Yes, that’s right…15. Before I continue, let me just say that I do not condone kids running off and getting married! This is not typically a successful situation….however, it was for me! It probably helped that my parents were also high school sweethearts, and they were always there as a positive model for us.
So, I was 15 and met Luis, my future husband, in a typing class in High School. We dated all through High School and got married 2 days after graduation. We ended up going to college together (in the same classes), working together (in the same restaurants), and became teachers….you guessed it, even in the same school.
After 9 years of marriage, we became the proud parents of Emma (now 11) and Grace (now 8). Emma is super smart, funny, and a little crazy. Grace is a lot crazy, funny, super cute, and melts me with her smile. My family is everything to me. Without them, I would not be the person that I am today.
Before my youngest was born, my husband suddenly lost his job. We were living paycheck to paycheck and never thought this would happen to us. After going through all of our “plans”, we eventually foreclosed on our home. Right around this tough time, I found Teachers Pay Teachers. I used my love of creating resources for my own classroom and began creating and selling on this site. My journey through Teachers Pay Teachers started slowly for me. It wasn’t until about a year later that I would realize its potential.
My Life Now
Without my past, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. In 2014, I decided to leave teaching to pursue my love of creating. I’m not sure when I will go back to the classroom, but for now, I am in love with the idea that my resources help students all over the world. In 2015, I made the HUGE decision to homeschool my two daughters. Homeschooling not only allowed me to spend quality time with my own kids as they learned, but it also allowed me to continue to be the teacher I had always wanted to be.
About a year after covid hit the world, my girls decided they wanted to return to public school. The isolation was difficult and socializing became a priority. This was a huge change for our family, but I’m excited about the new experiences they will have.
