The Authentic Educator
15 Followers
New Jersey, United States
About the store
I’m a veteran educator with almost two decades of experience teaching middle and high school special education and general education students across Language Arts and Social Studies. I’ve served in leadership roles such as Summer School Principal, Anti-Bullying Specialist, and PBSIS Coordinator—designing interventions, developing curriculum, and supporting teachers across the board. My resources are classroom-tested, student-centered, and designed for both rigor and accessibility. I add new resources to Bundles without raising the price as a way to show customers my appreciation.
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Personal Growth Tracking Sheets | Emotional Fitness Challenge | Grades 3–8 | SEL
Turn your students’ social-emotional growth into a daily habit — not a one-time activity. The Personal Growth Tracking Sheets are a first-of-its-kind SEL tool that helps students strengthen emotional “muscles” like resilience, gratitude, focus, and kindness — one week at a time. Each week includes five short daily prompts and one powerful reflection question that train self-awareness, attention, and emotional regulation. This resource is ready to use, teacher-approved, and completely differen
3rd - 8th
Character Education, Social Emotional Learning, Writing
Gratitude Time Capsule: Letters to Future Me Grades 3–8 SEL & Writing Activity
Give your students the gift of perspective. One letter, one envelope, one powerful moment they’ll never forget.Transform November into something your students will never forget.The Gratitude Time Capsule isn’t just another seasonal writing activity—it’s a memory your students will open next year. In this low-prep SEL + writing project, students write heartfelt letters to their future selves, reflecting on gratitude, growth, and the person they’re becoming. When they reopen their letters next
3rd - 8th
Character Education, Other (ELA), Social Emotional Learning
Gratitude Month Do Nows | Build a Positive Classroom Culture in Minutes a Day
Make November feel meaningful. These 25+ quick-write prompts guide students to think deeply about kindness, connection, and purpose—all while practicing reflective writing. Designed for upper elementary, this set transforms a few quiet minutes into powerful social-emotional learning. Highlights:✨ Easy to project or assign digitally ✨ Promotes self-awareness and perspective-taking ✨ Encourages gratitude as an antidote to negativity and burnout ✨ Perfect for morning routines, transitions, or sub
3rd - 6th
Character Education, Classroom Community, Social Emotional Learning
Halloween Writing Activities Bundle – Engaging & Editable (Grades 3–8)
Make Halloween week effortless and exciting with this editable writing bundle designed for engagement, flexibility, and zero prep. You’ll get two ready-to-use digital resources that keep students writing, sharing, and laughing all week long—perfect for projection or digital use in any ELA or morning-work block. Each activity builds creativity, descriptive writing, and class discussion while saving you valuable prep time. 🕸️ What’s Included:1️⃣ Halloween Writing Bell Ringers (3 Days)Fun, sho
3rd - 8th
Creative Writing, Other (ELA)
Halloween Character Creator – Digital Writing & Drawing Activity (Grades 3–5)
Make Halloween week fun and focused with this editable PowerPoint activity that works seamlessly with Google Slides, Google Classroom, and Microsoft Teams.Students design their own unique Halloween character, write a short story introducing them, and draw or insert a picture to show their creation—all in one interactive digital file. It’s creative. It’s structured. And it’s the easiest way to keep students engaged when Halloween excitement takes over your classroom. No prep. No printing. Just
3rd - 5th
Creative Writing, Other (ELA)
Halloween “Would You Rather?” Writing Activity – No Prep, Digital, & Editable!
Make Halloween week fun and easy with this editable “Would You Rather?” writing activity!Perfect for morning work, writing centers, sub plans, or class discussion, this PowerPoint resource gives students five creative Halloween-themed “Would You Rather?” questions with space to explain their answers. You can project it, assign it digitally, or print it—whatever fits your classroom best. It’s fully editable, so you can adjust the text, font, or directions to fit any grade level or class routin
3rd - 8th
Creative Writing, Other (ELA)
Also included in: Halloween Writing Activities Bundle – Engaging & Editable (Grades 3–8)
Mystery at Midnight Manor – Halloween Reading & Inference Activity (Grades 3–5)
Halloween week can be chaotic — but this resource keeps it academic and engaging. Your students will love diving into this one-page mini-mystery packed with clues, critical thinking, and just the right amount of spooky fun. They’ll read the short story “Mystery at Midnight Manor”, make inferences, cite text evidence, and write their conclusions — all in one ready-to-use activity. It’s the perfect mix of reading comprehension and logic-based reasoning that keeps students focused while still f
3rd - 5th
Reading
Quick Codes for Conference Notes – Reader’s Workshop Teacher Reference Tool
Save time during 1:1 and small-group reading conferences with this Quick Codes reference chart for Reader’s Workshop. Instead of writing full sentences, use shorthand codes to track student progress, guide conversations, and prompt deeper thinking. This resource includes both a ready-to-print PDF and an editable Word version, so you can update or customize the codes to match your classroom language and needs. Print and laminate your copy to keep on a clipboard. During conferences, use a dry
4th - 8th
Balanced Literacy, Reading, Reading Strategies
Universal NO COST Classroom Reward System
No Cost • Easy to Manage • Builds Self-Regulation for LifeWhy This Works: Teachers everywhere struggle with disruptive behavior and constant power struggles. Traditional systems cost money, rely on extrinsic rewards, and often fade out quickly. This system builds intrinsic motivation by teaching students that their everyday choices directly impact their freedom and privileges, helping them take ownership of their behavior instead of relying on external rewards.This Universal Reward System i
4th - 12th
Character Education
Halloween Writing Bell Ringers – No-Prep Editable Digital Warm-Ups
Light up your classroom this October with these editable, digital Halloween writing prompts. These easy bell ringers are perfect for the days leading up to Halloween! Perfect for morning work, class openers, or quick writing warm-ups, these slides are designed for teachers to display and discuss as a class — no student logins or devices required. Each prompt gets students thinking, laughing, and writing creatively in just a few minutes, making it ideal for those busy October days. 🕸️ Wh
3rd - 8th
Creative Writing, Other (ELA)
Also included in: Halloween Writing Activities Bundle – Engaging & Editable (Grades 3–8)
Violence Prevention & Nonviolence Resource
Pledge of Nonviolence + Cross-Curricular Discussion QuestionsBring meaningful conversations and reflection into your classroom with this ready-to-use resource on peace, respect, and nonviolence. Perfect for Violence Awareness Week, SEL lessons, or advisory periods. What’s Inside: 1. Pledge of Nonviolence Presentation Student-friendly pledge with seven commitments: Respect Self & Others Communicate Better Listen Forgive Respect Nature Recreate Nonviolently Act Courageously Reflectio
5th - 12th
Character Education, Graphic Arts, School Counseling
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About the store
Experience
I’m a veteran educator with almost two decades of experience teaching middle and high school special education and general education students across Language Arts and Social Studies. I’ve served in leadership roles such as Summer School Principal, Anti-Bullying Specialist, and PBSIS Coordinator—designing interventions, developing curriculum, and supporting teachers across the board. My resources are classroom-tested, student-centered, and designed for both rigor and accessibility. I add new resources to Bundles without raising the price as a way to show customers my appreciation.
Teaching style
My teaching style blends structure with creativity. I believe students learn best when materials are clear, consistent, and scaffolded for their success—especially students with IEPs or learning differences. I design everything I post with an eye toward differentiation, engagement, and skills that transfer to the real world.
Awards & shining teacher moments
PBSIS Coordinator and Restorative Support Leader
2007 Distinguished Service Award, Rutgers University
Multiple First-Place Awards for Writing & Editing, NJCPA
Summer School Principal- overseeing programming, assessments, and student progress
Recognized for creating systems that improved school climate and student behavior outcomes
My own education history
M.A. in Educational Administration and Supervision – New Jersey City University
M.A.T. in Special Education – New Jersey City University
B.A. in English, Cum Laude – Rutgers University
Certified Supervisor & Principal in the State of New Jersey
Certified K-12 in Social Studies, English, and Students with Disabilities
Additional biographical information
My classroom is where structure meets authenticity. I design my resources based on real needs—not trends—and I care deeply about clarity, connection, and results. Whether you’re a new teacher looking for support or a veteran looking to refresh your toolkit, I hope my store becomes a place you trust for high-quality, purposeful resources.
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