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SurviveUntilSummer

Rated 4.6 out of 5, based on 10 reviews
15 Followers
Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States
About the store
Teaching isn’t for the faint of heart—especially when you’re in survival mode, counting down the days until summer. With over a decade of experience in the trenches of public education, including six years on a core curriculum team at a Title I school, I’ve been where you are. I understand the juggling act of managing diverse student needs, meeting standards, constantly producing paperwork to prove you are doing those things, and somehow keeping your sanity intact. Armed with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and hands-on experience across elementary, middle, and high school classrooms (not to mention ESL, special education, and dual enrollment), I know what it takes to survive—and thrive—in this profession. That’s why I create custom, comprehensive unit plans, lesson plans, and assessments that are as practical as they are pedagogically sound. Every resource I offer is crafted with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, ensuring that you can reach every student without drowning in extra work. My goal? To lighten your load so you can stop just surviving and start enjoying teaching again. Let’s work together to make your life easier, your students’ learning more impactful, and get you one step closer to a summer where you can actually relax.
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All resources

Preview of "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson: Discussion Questions | PDF & Google Doc

"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson: Discussion Questions | PDF & Google Doc

Encourage deep critical thinking and engaging classroom discussions with this set of discussion questions for Shirley Jackson’s short story, "The Lottery." This resource includes literal, interpretive, and critical thinking questions designed to help students explore the story’s themes, characters, symbolism, and societal implications. What’s Included:Literal Questions: Help students recall key details about the story’s plot, setting, and characters.Interpretive Questions: Encourage deeper ana
Preview of Edgar Allan Poe Unit - Tell-Tale Heart Vocabulary Worksheets - CCSS Aligned

Edgar Allan Poe Unit - Tell-Tale Heart Vocabulary Worksheets - CCSS Aligned

Help your students master key vocabulary from Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Tell-Tale Heart" with these engaging vocabulary worksheets. Perfect for middle and high school, these worksheets offer a variety of activities, including context clues, matching, sentence writing, synonyms/antonyms, and fill-in-the-blank exercises. Designed to build both comprehension and analysis skills, these worksheets are fully editable in Google Docs, making them easy to integrate into Google Classroom or any
Preview of Hero’s Journey Blank Graphic Organizer (Printable PDF)

Hero’s Journey Blank Graphic Organizer (Printable PDF)

Help your students master the Hero’s Journey with this versatile and easy-to-use graphic organizer! This printable PDF is designed to guide students through the 12 stages of the Hero’s Journey, allowing them to visually map out the narrative structure of any story, book, or movie. Perfect for classroom activities, homework assignments, and assessments, this organizer is an essential tool for teaching literary analysis and storytelling techniques. What’s Included:Printable Graphic Organizer: A o
Preview of "The Most Dangerous Game" Comprehension Questions and Answer Key

"The Most Dangerous Game" Comprehension Questions and Answer Key

Elevate your literature lessons with this comprehensive set of comprehension questions and answer key for Richard Connell's gripping short story, "The Most Dangerous Game." This resource is designed to test students' understanding of the text while encouraging critical thinking and in-depth analysis. What's Included:Multiple-Choice Questions: Assess key plot points, character motivations, and thematic elements with carefully crafted multiple-choice questions that cover the full narrative arc of
Preview of Hero's Journey Stage 1 and 2 Teaching Bundle (Google Doc, Google Slides)

Hero's Journey Stage 1 and 2 Teaching Bundle (Google Doc, Google Slides)

Equip your classroom with a comprehensive set of teaching resources to explore the "Ordinary World" and "Call to Adventure" stages of the Hero's Journey! This all-inclusive bundle is perfect for middle and high school English classes, providing everything you need to teach these critical stages of storytelling. From lesson plans and slides to interactive activities and homework assignments, this bundle ensures a thorough understanding of narrative structure and character development. What’s Inc
Preview of "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson: Graphic Organizers | PDF & Editable Google Doc

"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson: Graphic Organizers | PDF & Editable Google Doc

Help your students visually organize and analyze key elements of Shirley Jackson’s "The Lottery" with these versatile graphic organizers. This resource includes a variety of tools that guide students in breaking down the story’s plot, characters, themes, and symbols, making it an ideal supplement to your ELA unit. What’s Included:Plot Diagram: A clear framework for students to map out the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution​.Character Analysis Chart: A detailed cha
Preview of "The Most Dangerous Game" Graphic Organizers (Editable Google Doc, PDF)

"The Most Dangerous Game" Graphic Organizers (Editable Google Doc, PDF)

Help students organize their thoughts for your literature lessons with this comprehensive set of graphic organizers designed specifically for Richard Connell's classic short story, "The Most Dangerous Game." These organizers help students visually map out key elements of the story, making it easier to analyze characters, plot structure, themes, and more. What's Included:Character Analysis Chart: This organizer allows students to delve into the key traits, actions, and development of major chara
Preview of "The Most Dangerous Game" Literature Circles Discussion Questions (Google Docs)

"The Most Dangerous Game" Literature Circles Discussion Questions (Google Docs)

Engage your students in meaningful discussions and critical thinking with these comprehensive discussion questions for Richard Connell's thrilling short story, "The Most Dangerous Game." This resource is designed to facilitate in-depth conversations and analysis, helping students to explore the story's themes, characters, and literary elements more deeply. What's Included:Literal Questions: Focus on key details of the plot, character roles, and narrative events to ensure students have a solid u
Preview of Hero’s Journey Guided Practice Cards (Printable PDF)

Hero’s Journey Guided Practice Cards (Printable PDF)

Make learning the Hero’s Journey interactive and fun with these guided practice cards! This set of printable PDF cards is designed to help students explore and understand the 12 stages of the Hero’s Journey in an engaging, hands-on way. Perfect for small group activities, class discussions, and guided practice sessions, these cards provide a versatile tool for reinforcing narrative structure and storytelling techniques. What’s Included:12 Printable Guided Practice Cards: Each card represents on
Preview of Edgar Allan Poe Unit - "Cask of Amontillado" Graphic Organizers (CCSS-Aligned)

Edgar Allan Poe Unit - "Cask of Amontillado" Graphic Organizers (CCSS-Aligned)

Help your students break down Edgar Allan Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado with these graphic organizers designed to guide their understanding of the story’s characters, plot, themes, and symbols. These CCSS-aligned worksheets provide structured frameworks for students to analyze key elements of the story, making them perfect for supporting comprehension and literary analysis in both middle and high school classrooms. What's Included: Character Analysis Chart: Students will track key traits, act
Preview of Hero's Journey Activities Bundle (PDF, Editable Google Docs)

Hero's Journey Activities Bundle (PDF, Editable Google Docs)

Engage your students with this dynamic set of activities designed to deepen their understanding of the Hero’s Journey! This bundle includes a variety of hands-on, creative activities that reinforce narrative structure and storytelling techniques. Perfect for middle and high school English classes, this bundle provides diverse resources to enhance your Hero's Journey unit and ensure your students stay engaged and motivated. What’s Included in This Bundle:Hero’s Journey Guided Practice Cards (Pri
Preview of Edgar Allan Poe Unit - "Cask of Amontillado" Vocabulary Worksheets Bundle

Edgar Allan Poe Unit - "Cask of Amontillado" Vocabulary Worksheets Bundle

Bring Edgar Allan Poe's chilling tale, The Cask of Amontillado, to life while building essential vocabulary skills with this comprehensive set of three vocabulary worksheets. These worksheets are designed to engage your students in a meaningful exploration of key terms from the story, improving their language and comprehension skills. Each activity is CCSS-aligned, requiring no prep work, and adaptable for both middle and high school students. What's Included: Worksheet 1: Context Clues Pract
Preview of Edgar Allan Poe Unit - Tell-Tale Heart Graphic Organizers - CCSS Aligned

Edgar Allan Poe Unit - Tell-Tale Heart Graphic Organizers - CCSS Aligned

Enhance your students' understanding of Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Tell-Tale Heart" with this set of graphic organizers. These visual tools help students break down the complex elements of the story, such as character analysis, plot structure, themes, and symbolism, allowing for a deeper, more structured approach to literary analysis. Perfect for middle and high school, this resource requires zero prep and is ready to use for print or digital assignments. This resource is ideal for helping
Preview of Hero's Journey Graphic Organizer and Visual Aids Bundle (Google Slides, PDF)

Hero's Journey Graphic Organizer and Visual Aids Bundle (Google Slides, PDF)

Enhance your students' understanding of the "Accepting the Call" stage of the Hero’s Journey with this comprehensive visual aids bundle! Perfect for middle and high school English classes, this bundle includes a set of engaging slides and a versatile graphic organizer, designed to support visual learners and facilitate interactive learning. These resources make abstract concepts more tangible and help students analyze character decisions and narrative structure in a more meaningful way. What’s
Preview of Hero's Journey Stage 1 and 2 - Ordinary World and Call to Adventure Homework

Hero's Journey Stage 1 and 2 - Ordinary World and Call to Adventure Homework

Reinforce your students’ understanding of the Hero's Journey with this engaging homework assignment focused on the "Ordinary World" and "Call to Adventure" stages! Perfect for middle and high school English classes, this editable Google Doc encourages students to apply their knowledge of narrative structure to the media they engage with daily. By connecting classroom learning to real-world examples, this homework promotes critical thinking and deeper comprehension. What’s Included in This Listi
Preview of Hero's Journey Lesson- Homework Activity (Editable Google Doc)

Hero's Journey Lesson- Homework Activity (Editable Google Doc)

Reinforce your students' understanding of the Hero's Journey with this engaging homework activity! This editable Google Doc homework assignment encourages students to apply the stages of the Hero's Journey to real-life situations or current events. Perfect for middle and high school English classes, this activity promotes critical thinking and real-world application of narrative concepts. What’s Included:Editable Homework Assignment: An easy-to-follow homework activity that guides students to i
Preview of The Hero's Journey - Accepting the Call - Homework (Editable Google Doc)

The Hero's Journey - Accepting the Call - Homework (Editable Google Doc)

Reinforce your students’ understanding of the Hero's Journey with this engaging homework assignment focused on the "Accepting the Call" stage! Perfect for middle and high school English classes, this editable Google Doc encourages students to apply their knowledge of narrative structure to the media they interact with daily. By identifying examples in books, movies, or shows, this assignment promotes critical thinking and real-world application of storytelling concepts. What’s Included in This
Preview of The Hero's Journey - Character Decisions - Graphic Organizer (Printable PDF)

The Hero's Journey - Character Decisions - Graphic Organizer (Printable PDF)

Help your students analyze character decisions with this interactive graphic organizer focused on the "Accepting the Call" stage of the Hero's Journey! Perfect for middle and high school English classes, this printable PDF provides a structured framework for exploring different decision paths that characters might take when faced with the call to adventure. This visual tool is ideal for guiding classroom discussions, independent analysis, and group activities. What’s Included in This Listing:Pr
Preview of FREE Reference Guide: Examples of the Hero’s Journey in Popular Media (PDF)

FREE Reference Guide: Examples of the Hero’s Journey in Popular Media (PDF)

Enhance your students’ understanding of the Hero’s Journey with this FREE reference guide! This printable PDF provides clear and concise examples of the 12 stages of the Hero’s Journey as seen in popular books and movies. Use it as a supplemental resource to help students connect the Hero’s Journey framework to stories they already know and love. What’s Included:Comprehensive Reference Guide: A one-page PDF that outlines each of the 12 stages of the Hero’s Journey with examples from well-known
Preview of FREE Resource: "The Most Dangerous Game" Character Chart (Printable PDF)

FREE Resource: "The Most Dangerous Game" Character Chart (Printable PDF)

Help your students delve deeper into Richard Connell's gripping short story, "The Most Dangerous Game," with this free, printable character chart. This graphic organizer is perfect for analyzing the key characters and their development throughout the story. What's Included:Character Analysis Chart:Objective: Guide students in analyzing the traits, motivations, and development of major characters like Rainsford, Zaroff, Ivan, and Whitney.Instructions: Students complete the chart by filling in de
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About the store

Experience

Teaching isn’t for the faint of heart—especially when you’re in survival mode, counting down the days until summer. With over a decade of experience in the trenches of public education, including six years on a core curriculum team at a Title I school, I’ve been where you are. I understand the juggling act of managing diverse student needs, meeting standards, constantly producing paperwork to prove you are doing those things, and somehow keeping your sanity intact. Armed with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and hands-on experience across elementary, middle, and high school classrooms (not to mention ESL, special education, and dual enrollment), I know what it takes to survive—and thrive—in this profession. That’s why I create custom, comprehensive unit plans, lesson plans, and assessments that are as practical as they are pedagogically sound. Every resource I offer is crafted with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, ensuring that you can reach every student without drowning in extra work. My goal? To lighten your load so you can stop just surviving and start enjoying teaching again. Let’s work together to make your life easier, your students’ learning more impactful, and get you one step closer to a summer where you can actually relax.

Teaching style

I know firsthand how overwhelming teaching can be—I hit the wall myself and walked away in the middle of my third year, burned out and convinced I was done for good. Thankfully, I found my way back to my calling, but so many incredible teachers never do. That’s why I’m passionate about creating resources that help you not just survive the school year, but actually enjoy it. My teaching style is centered around making your life easier while keeping your classroom dynamic and inclusive. Using the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, I ensure that my materials offer multiple pathways for students to access, engage with, and express their understanding—so you’re not left scrambling to meet every student’s needs. I focus on blending rigorous academic standards with creative, hands-on activities that genuinely foster a love for learning. Whether it’s collaborative group work, independent practice, or interactive projects, my lesson plans are designed to engage students while reducing your stress. Above all, I’m committed to helping teachers avoid the burnout that nearly ended my career. My resources are crafted to make teaching more manageable, effective, and—dare I say—fun, so you can rediscover the joy of the classroom and keep doing what you love.

Awards & shining teacher moments

I’m honored to have graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, earning endorsements in ESL and Special Education. My passion for making a real difference in the classroom led me to pursue additional certification in English/Language Arts K-12, with a Reading Endorsement, and to further my expertise with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. Currently, I’m working towards a second Master’s in Educational Psychology because I believe in always growing and improving—just like the teachers I aim to support. Throughout my career, I’ve been privileged to work at the same Title I school, where I’ve had the unique opportunity to teach the children of my former students and collaborate with some of my own graduates as colleagues. This continuity has allowed me to build deep, lasting relationships within my community—relationships that have been a constant source of inspiration and one of my greatest professional achievements. As the Dual Enrollment Coordinator, I’ve seen firsthand the power of education to transform lives. Over the years, more than 60 of our high school students have graduated with 30+ college credits, and over 30 have earned their Associate's Degree before even receiving their high school diploma. There’s nothing quite like watching those students walk across the stage at graduation, knowing they’re stepping into their futures with a head start. These moments of connection and success are what drive me to create high-quality, impactful resources for educators like you. I know how tough this job can be, but I also know how rewarding it is when you have the right support. I’m here to make sure you not only survive until summer but thrive all year long.

My own education history

- Graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education - Endorsements in ESL and Special Education - Additional Certification in English/Language Arts K-12 - Reading Endorsement - Master's Degree in Educational Leadership - Currently pursuing a second Master's in Educational Psychology

Additional biographical information

My journey in education has been deeply fulfilling, from guiding students through their academic paths to supporting fellow educators in creating impactful classroom experiences. I’ve seen the highs and lows of teaching, from the joy of watching students achieve their dreams to the burnout that nearly took me out of the profession altogether. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping teachers move beyond survival mode and rediscover the joy in what they do. Whether working with young learners or future college graduates, my commitment to fostering a love for learning and ensuring educational success has always been my driving force. Now, through my TpT store, I’m excited to share the tools and resources that can help you not just survive but thrive in your teaching career. If you’re ready to make teaching easier, more enjoyable, and more impactful, explore my store. Together, we can create the perfect educational materials tailored to your unique needs. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or special requests—I’m here to support you every step of the way. Let’s work together to turn this year into one you’ll actually want to remember.