Featured Teacher: Jessica C

1.     How long have you been on Teachers Pay Teachers?  What made you decide to be a part of it?

I have been on Teachers Pay Teachers for a little over a year. I decided to become part of Teachers Pay Teachers when several of my peers gushed over items I had made to use in my classes. I stumbled upon it when looking for some creative ideas for teaching The Hunger Games (special thanks to Tracee Orman for her amazing unit).

2.     When did you know that you wanted to be in education?

This will probably sound cliché, but I have always wanted to be a teacher. I always pretended to play school with my dolls. My passion for education was ignited further, however, when I traveled to China to teach English during college.

3.     How are you currently involved in education?

I am currently a first year teacher teaching at an international school in China. I will be here for two years. All of my students are ELL's who are taught in full immersion for the entire school day. It is a little daunting at times, but I love my students.

4.     What would be your advice to people who are considering joining Teachers Pay Teachers?

For anyone who is considering joining Teachers Pay Teachers I would say to go for it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Including a good community and probably a little extra money in your pocket.

5.     What has been a highlight, thus far, about being on Teachers Pay Teachers?

The highlight thus far has been the encouragement I have to do my best for my students. I see so many wonderful ideas that I am truly inspired to be the best educator I can be.

6.     What is something fun about you that other teachers don’t know?

I was in dance and drama all through high-school and college. Sometimes when I hear good music I can't help but to bust a move. You can find me dancing down the grocery aisle and with a broom while "cleaning" my apartment.

7.     Do you participate in education outside of the classroom?  In what type of role?

I am a collaborator with an education forum in China. China has certain internet restrictions so we have to email all of our comments and questions. That is a bit of a challenge. I also coach the dance team and drama guild at our school.

8.     What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

That is a tough question. I would probably be a travel reporter like Samantha Brown on Great Hotels. I would love to have the means to travel the globe, and to actually get paid for it would be amazing.

9.     What profession would you not like to do?

A principal, because you have so many things to think about. I would not like to have that role. I enjoy my classroom way too much!

10. Who is your favorite author?  Favorite educational author?  And why?

Wow! I have a list, but if I had to say one I would probably choose Suzanne Collins or Allie Condie. I am in love with dystopian fiction at the moment. My favorite educational authors are Tracee Orman, Angela Watson and Erin Gruwell. These women simply inspire me through their books and lesson plans.

by
Jessi C

.Jessi C's TPT Store

Jessi's Prized Products

Coke or Sprite Inference and Critical Thinking

This product was created for an EFL class. It introduces students to critical thinking, strategy, predictions and/or making an inference. Students play a game and try to create a strategy, persuade other players and make predictions. This could be used as an intro to teaching students how to make an inference when reading.

Coke or Sprite Inference and Critical Thinking

Living Things Lapbook

12 foldables to use with a unit on the diversity of living things. We used this product in my Life Science class as a culminating project at the end of our unit. The students loved creating their lap-books.

Living Things Lap Book

Teachers Pay Teachers Linkup: Common Core Products on Sale

Featured Teacher: Tina McV

1.     How long have you been on Teachers Pay Teachers?  What made you decide to be a part of it?

Since December of this year :)  I originally signed up in college, but after a burst of long term substituting  and a new classroom I never had time to post (lots of time to buy stuff though!)  Now that I am feeling more settled in my 3rd year of teaching, so I decided to give it a shot!  All the money I'm making I am saving for my honeymoon this summer :)

2.     When did you know that you wanted to be in education?

My first day of Kindergarten!  I have always loved school and taught my dolls in my closet when I was little :).

3.     How are you currently involved in education?

         Grade 2/3 Gifted class teacher

4.     What would be your advice to people who are considering joining Teachers Pay Teachers?

DO IT!!!  Go for it!  It is worth a shot and I do the "product sold happy dance" every time I get an e-mail product has sold.

5.     What has been a highlight, thus far, about being on Teachers Pay Teachers?

Confidence boost that people think my work is worth paying for! :)

6.     What is something fun about you that other teachers don’t know?

          I secretly love laminating and putting my materials in the bins.  It is like the icing on the cake :).

7.     Do you participate in education outside of the classroom?  In what type of role?

Not presently.

8.     What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

Starbucks Barista

9.     What profession would you not like to do?

         Office work.

10. Who is your favorite author?  Favorite educational author?  And why?

        Too many to list!

by Tina McV
Tina's TPT store

Tina's Prized Products

Monster Measurement Centers or Menu! Time, Temperature Mass & Capacity

Teachers Pay Teachers Linkup: Created for the Common Core FREEBIES!

Featured Teacher: Connie Casserly

1.     How long have you been on Teachers Pay Teachers?  What made you decide to be a part of it?

        Since 2006. My mother was urging me to share my creative teaching ideas. I found    TpT and felt it was a great fit. I am so happy that I did.

2.     When did you know that you wanted to be in education?

Ever since my Aunt Catherine, a teacher, taught me how to read when I was four years old I have wanted to share my love of the written word and my passion for writing with others. I used to line up my dolls and stuffed animals and play school with the unused workbooks she sent me every June.

3.     How are you currently involved in education?

I retired in June 2011 and now work full-time on developing curriculum and writing my blogs. They appear on my website: Teach it Write  and in the online newspaper, Herndon Patch Newspaper.

4.     What would be your advice to people who are considering joining Teachers Pay Teachers?

Create items that show that learning is fun and exciting; proofread, proofread, proofread (we often miss typos because we have almost memorized what we have written); connect with other TpT teachers.

5.     What has been a highlight, thus far, about being on Teachers Pay Teachers?

Getting such positive feedback about my products. It feels good to read that buyers see the worth of my products and feel they are viable classroom tools.

6.     What is something fun about you that other teachers don’t know?

I have published a YA novel about teen dating abuse ( and was interviewed on national TV -scary!) and am revising my romantic comedy manuscript. I love creating characters and seeing them come to life.

7.     Do you participate in education outside of the classroom?  In what type of role?

 I volunteer at a local elementary school where I read to kids and we discuss books. I try to inspire teachers by offering ideas and lessons on my website; I link up with other teachers through my site and theirs and read alot to keep abreast of trends in teaching and where education is going.

8.     What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

I would love to get more novels published. Also, I have always dreamed of singing like Celine Dion or Barbra Streisand. Too bad I can barely hold a tune. I always wished that I could fly jets, too.

9.     What profession would you not like to do?

      I would not like to be an air traffic control person. The incredible responsibility they have is daunting.

10. Who is your favorite author?  Favorite educational author?  And why?

Oh gosh-so many exist; probably Patrick Conroy because he creates breath-taking word pictures, he infuses his writing with incredible passion and he offers human feelings so identifiable to his readers. Frank McCourt wrote about teaching with passion but also with honesty. He revealed teaching in all of of its glory and frustrations.

by Connie Casserly

Connie's TPT store

Connie's Prized Products

I love, love, love my product: Language Arts Worksheets:Get R.E.A.L worksheets because the flexibility of the worksheets allows them to be used with vitually any novel, short story or narrative non-fiction. Their open-ended nature makes them usable for students with all skill and ability levels.

I am really proud of my I AM the Messenger, Unit Plan because it is though, detailed and creative. Zusak inspires me with the beauty of his language and adolescents can so readily identify with his characters.

Featured Teacher Author: Erin Morrison

1.     How long have you been on Teachers Pay Teachers?  What made you decide to be a part of it?

I joined TpT in January of 2012. I am still fairly new to selling! I decided to join TpT because after buying several items, I realized that I had plenty of ideas and activities that others might find helpful. This is when I decided to post my first couple of items. I was completely amazed when my first product sold! It was a great feeling to know that others wanted to use my work.

2.     When did you know that you wanted to be in education?

I knew that I wanted to be a teacher when I was in third grade. I had a fabulous teacher, named Mrs. Jenne, who made learning so fun and exciting. Every day was an adventure in her classroom. I knew then that I wanted to be a teacher just like her. When I graduated from college with my teaching degree, I wrote her a letter telling her that she was the one who inspired me. She was so touched!

3.     How are you currently involved in education?

        This is my sixth year teaching second grade. I absolutely love it!

4.     What would be your advice to people who are considering joining Teachers Pay Teachers?

Take it slow! It is easy to get overwhelmed with all of the things that you want to do. Make a list of projects or units that you'd like to work on and then tackle them one at a time. Take a break if you need it. I know that I have so many ideas swimming in my head all the time and it really helps when I make a list.

5.     What has been a highlight, thus far, about being on Teachers Pay Teachers?

I am thrilled with the thought that my work is helping teachers and students all over the country. I've always known how rewarding teaching as a profession is, but never knew how rewarding it could be to help other teachers until I joined TpT. It is an indescribable feeling!

6.     What is something fun about you that other teachers don’t know?

           I love to sew! I just organized a sewing room in my house and am so excited to start making new things. My grandma taught me to sew when I was a little girl and now I finally have the space to set up a room to pursue this hobby. I am so excited about it!

7.     Do you participate in education outside of the classroom?  In what type of role?

I currently am on several leadership committees in my school and district. I share information with staff and provide training as needed.

8.     What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

I could never imagine doing anything other than teaching, but I've always thought it would be fun to be a photographer or chef!

9.     What profession would you not like to do?

I could never be a nurse or doctor. I give them so much credit for what they do every day. My sister is a nurse and I can't believe some of the stories she tells me! There is just no way I could ever work in this profession, but I'm glad that there are others who do!

10. Who is your favorite author?  Favorite educational author?  And why?

My favorite author is Jodi Piccoult. I love her work because she writes in a way that allows you to connect emotionally with the characters. I always get so sad when the book is over because I feel like I know the characters.

My favorite educational author is Shel Silverstein. His poetry is absolutely hysterical and so fun for kids. My students love poetry because of his books.

by Erin Morrison 
Erin's TPT store

Erin's Prized Products

I am proud of the Customized 2nd and 3rd Grade Common Core Standards Posters that I've created. I originally made these for my second grade classroom and then realized that others would probably benefit from them as well. I knew that all states shared the same Language Arts and Math standards, but that Science and Social Studies varied state to state. That's when I came up with the idea of customized posters. They are very time consuming to create, but I hope are helping many teachers around the country!

2nd Grade Common Core Standards Posters

3rd Grade Common Core Standards Posters