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Teaching Essentials

Rated 4.89 out of 5, based on 154 reviews
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Middleburg, Florida, United States
About the store
With more than 20 years in public and private education, I’ve served as a classroom teacher, instructional leader, and college professor. My work has centered on supporting student success, strengthening instructional practices, and empowering educators at all stages of their careers. I bring real-world classroom knowledge and leadership experience to every resource I create, ensuring they are practical, engaging, and ready to use.
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Preview of America's White Table Activity Packet

America's White Table Activity Packet

Great resource for Veteran's Day! After reading aloud AMERICA'S WHITE TABLE by Margot Raven, use these activities to extend and support key ideas within the book.
Preview of United States History (Gr 5) - McGraw Hill Vocabulary Quizzes & answer key

United States History (Gr 5) - McGraw Hill Vocabulary Quizzes & answer key

Textbook Publisher: McGraw Hill - Grade 5 - United States History Packet includes vocabulary quiz and answer key for all 7 units. This packet is an excellent companion for two other items I'm offering...United States History (Gr 5) - McGraw Hill Word Wall & Essential Questions. (Look for the BUNDLE! and save some money.) Please be kind, leave feedback.
Preview of Novel Unit - Punished by David Lubar

Novel Unit - Punished by David Lubar

Punished by David Lubar is a short pun-ny novel that helps students understand figurative language. It's a short and fun read your students will enjoy! This novel unit includes vocabulary, discussion quesitons and journal prompts for the novel. Please be kind and leave feedback, upon purchasing.
Preview of Tone, Mood and Theme fill-in-blank

Tone, Mood and Theme fill-in-blank

Use these summary sheets to teach students about tone, mood and theme. Students will fill-in-the-blank as you teach. Ideal for placing inside a Reader's notebook as a reference. **Please be kind and leave feedback**
Preview of The Giving Tree Activity Kit

The Giving Tree Activity Kit

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is a wonderful book. Use this book to help your students understand generosity and the spirit of giving. Activity Kit includes: >text summary > graphic organizer to help students record their own generosity > Fan and Pick question strips for collaborative response on how to be generous > bulletin board idea for a monthly collection of generosity
Preview of "My Doggy Ate My Essay!" Poetry Fun & Comprehension for Grade 3

"My Doggy Ate My Essay!" Poetry Fun & Comprehension for Grade 3

Bring giggles and learning together with this funny, dog-themed poetry lesson designed for 3rd grade readers! Based on the humorous poem “My Doggy Ate My Essay,” this engaging, standards-aligned slide deck helps students explore rhyme, structure, and meaning—all while enjoying a lighthearted take on homework excuses. This resource is perfect for whole-group instruction, small groups, or independent practice. Students will read (or watch!) the poem, answer comprehension questions aligned to th
Preview of Math Minis: Daily Exit Tickets for 2nd Grade

Math Minis: Daily Exit Tickets for 2nd Grade

Looking for a quick and effective way to assess your students’ understanding of 2nd-grade math standards? This resource includes exit tickets aligned to the Florida B.E.S.T. Standards, making monitoring progress, guiding instruction, and supporting student mastery easy. Each included benchmark features 3 exit tickets—designed with simplicity and purpose—to help you formatively assess key skills in small bites. These can be used at the end of a lesson, during centers, or for intervention tracki
Preview of Milo and the Mysterious Island by Marcus Pfister

Milo and the Mysterious Island by Marcus Pfister

Introducing an engaging resource bundle inspired by Marcus Pfister's "Milo and the Mysterious Island," tailored for second-grade learners! Packed with diverse activities to enhance reading comprehension and vocabulary skills, this bundle offers a range of educational fun. Explore the captivating tale with vocabulary terms, enabling students to grasp key concepts effortlessly. Encourage critical thinking with comprehension questions that deepen understanding. Dive into the narrative's sequence wi
Preview of The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant Activity Packet

The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant Activity Packet

Here's a packet to supplement your teaching of Cynthia Rylant's book The Relatives Came. Packet includes vocabulary and writing activities.
Preview of 4th Grade Math Vocabulary BINGO game (and quiz)

4th Grade Math Vocabulary BINGO game (and quiz)

Use this item as flashcards throughout the year to help students learn key math vocabulary words. Packet includes a BINGO board and calling cards. Quiz with answer key also included and is a great resource for tracking student performance at the beginning/middle/end of the year. Please leave feedback.
Preview of United States History (Gr 5) - McGraw Hill Essential Questions

United States History (Gr 5) - McGraw Hill Essential Questions

Clipart theme: Flowers, neon/bright colors Using the grade 5 McGraw Hill United States History textbook, all Big Ideas and Essential Questions from the 7 units have been spotlighted with these single page posters. Great to post within your room or on your agenda to help keep students focused. Feedback appreciated.
Preview of BUNDLE!! Story Map

BUNDLE!! Story Map

Ignite a passion for reading and critical thinking with our Story Map Activity Set! This versatile set features a range of engaging resources to deepen students' comprehension and analysis of literature. Utilize the exit slips for quick assessments of understanding, allowing students to reflect on key story elements independently. Create vibrant bulletin boards showcasing students' responses, fostering a collaborative learning environment, and celebrating their insights. Enhance classroom discus
Preview of For Administrators: Christmas Read Aloud

For Administrators: Christmas Read Aloud

This product is designed for Administrators to give the gift of time to their staff.
Preview of Student Resource book for Suffixes

Student Resource book for Suffixes

This foldable book can be used as a student's personal resource book of suffixes and their meanings (provided) while there is space available for students to record examples of words using the targeted prefix. 4th grade Common Core: RF.4.3, RF.4.3a , RF.4.4, L.4.2d, L.4.4, L.4.6 5th grade Common Core: RF 5..3, RF.5.3a, RF.5.4, L.5.2e, L.5.4, L.5.6 **Please be kind and leave feedback**
Preview of 180 Daily Writing Prompts

180 Daily Writing Prompts

Need a daily writing warm-up? Look no more! This file contains a writing prompt for every day of the school year. Please leave feedback, upon purchasing.
Preview of Brain Bag Kit

Brain Bag Kit

Increase engagement!! Make a Brain Bag for each student and allow them to use these non-verbal cue cards to fully interact in cooperative groupings, as a pair or individually. Great quick assessment for teachers to take the pulse of any lesson's comprehension/understanding by students.
Preview of Quarterly and EOY Report Card Raffle/Drawing Tickets

Quarterly and EOY Report Card Raffle/Drawing Tickets

Looking for a way to reward students for their academic achievements? Here are raffle/drawing tickets for students who perform Satisfactorily (S), or with As and/or Bs on their report card. Conduct the drawings quarterly and at the end of the year.
Preview of BUNDLE!!  Student Response Cards

BUNDLE!! Student Response Cards

Elevate classroom engagement and participation with our Student Response Cards! Designed for quick and easy feedback, these cards empower students to actively participate in lessons and assessments. Perfect for formative assessments, classroom discussions, and quick checks for understanding, these response cards promote student involvement and facilitate instant feedback for educators. Lightweight and portable, they are ideal for use in classrooms of all sizes and can be easily stored for futur
Preview of Patriotic 4x4 Bingo

Patriotic 4x4 Bingo

Elevate your classroom or family game night with our Pledge of Allegiance Bingo Set! Designed to instill patriotism while having fun, this comprehensive set includes everything you need for an engaging bingo experience. Perfect for educators teaching civic education or anyone passionate about American heritage. What's Included:25 Unique Player Cards: Each card features a 4x4 grid filled with words related to the Pledge of Allegiance, ensuring every player has a distinct card.Calling Card Sheet:
Preview of Student Resource book for Prefixes

Student Resource book for Prefixes

This foldable book can be used as a student's personal resource book of prefixes and their meanings (provided) while there is space available for students to record examples of words using the targeted prefix. 4th grade Common Core: RF.4.3, RF.4.3a , RF.4.4, L.4.2d, L.4.4, L.4.6 5th grade Common Core: RF 5..3, RF.5.3a, RF.5.4, L.5.2e, L.5.4, L.5.6 **Please be kind and leave feedback**
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About the store

Experience

With more than 20 years in public and private education, I’ve served as a classroom teacher, instructional leader, and college professor. My work has centered on supporting student success, strengthening instructional practices, and empowering educators at all stages of their careers. I bring real-world classroom knowledge and leadership experience to every resource I create, ensuring they are practical, engaging, and ready to use.

Teaching style

Key tenants to my educational philosophy: * Learning is a lifelong process. * All can learn - just not at the same rate/method. (Thank goodness! How boring would it be if we were all the same?) * Mistakes are the evidence of learning in progress. * Every day may not be good - but there's something good in every day! * It's acceptable to not know how, it's not acceptable to not try.

My own education history

Certification in Elementary Education (Gr 1-6), Educational Leadership. Endorsements added to teaching certificate: Reading, Special Education (K-12)

Additional biographical information

Married with 2 beautiful step-daughters. Our family is blessed to have a grandson and a granddaughter as well.