featured teacher author: Patti White

Featured Teacher Author

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

I joined TpT in September of 2011.  One of my teacher friends had purchased some items from TpT and we incorporated them into our lesson plans.  She mentioned that it was free to join and that I should check it out.  When I heard about top sellers like Deanna Jump and Babbling Abby, who were making in the ten thousands, I thought that TpT might be a good supplemental form of income.  Times have gotten tougher and tougher with pay freezes... TpT allows me to create items at home when I have the time. 

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

I worked in retail for 22 years before I found my calling to teach in the classroom.  I had thought about teaching as a career path in college, but decided to pursue a career in retail management instead.  I started noticing how children gravitated towards me and asked me all kinds of questions, and how I really enjoyed taking with them and explaining things to them.  I revisited the idea of teaching, and after being out of school for 16 years, I decided to return and get my teaching certification.  As luck would have it, I not only got my certification, but was also accepted into the Masters Program at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) and received both my Masters and teaching certification at the same time.

3.     How are you currently involved in education?

I currently teach 3rd grade in San Antonio, Texas and have been teaching 3rd grade for 8 years now.  

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

I would say that you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by joining Teachers Pay Teachers.  Not only do you acquire a place to offer your educational items for sale, but you also develop a new circle of teacher friends to share and collaborate with.  You can start off small with the Free Membership, and if you feel that you truly enjoy it and you are making money, you can switch to the Premium Membership. 

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

One of my highlights was receiving my first check for over $500 this past quarter. It sure helped out with paying those extra bills that pop up in January. I have only been a member for 5 months and did not think that I would have that many sales in such a short period of time. This check has helped motivate me to aspire to work my way up to one of the top seller spots in 2012.

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

When I was little, I thought I was going to school to make donuts.  There was a donut shop called "Jack and Jill" in my hometown, and my kindergarten went by the same name. My older sister led me to believe that I would be learning how to make donuts at school, and I was a little disappointed to say the least.  But I soon got over it and grew to love school, because I love learning. 

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

I feel that as a member of TpT, I do participate in education outside the classroom.  I am creating engaging, quality units that other teachers can use in their classrooms, so I consider myself an author of educational material. 

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

Some day, I would love to be an interior decorator. I love to decorate my rooms by "themes", pulling things together from many different resources to make the room look "just right".  My husband would like to build custom homes, and I want to be the decorator for his "model homes." 

9.     What profession would you not like to do?

I would not want to be a surgeon.  I love the idea of saving peoples' lives, but all the blood and guts would make me nauseous. 

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

My favorite author is Sharon Creech.  I love how she breaks her stories up into very short chapters that tend to make me say, "I'll stop after this next one", but I'm am so caught up in the story that I don't.  She has a way of pulling you into her book so much so that you feel a little sad when it comes to an end.


 My favorite educational authors are Patricia Cunningham and Fontas and PInell.  They offer strategies that are student centered and practical.  These authors believe in immersing students in a print rich environment as well as differentiating instruction to fit the needs of the learners.

by Patti White  
Patti White's TPT store

Patti's Prized Products

I am especially proud of my Place Value Safari Unit Place Value Safari Unit

I had always had difficulty finding a place value activity that went up to the hundred thousands, so I decided to create my own.  This product is my top seller.

My other unique educational creation that I am proud of is my unit on Decoding Words Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and the Nifty Thrifty Fifty

Decoding Words


 This unit has colorful word wall word cards that color code the words for prefixes, suffixes, and root words as well as parts of compound words.  It also contains prefix and suffix activities as well as posters for easy reference.

Teachers Pay Teachers Link Up: Math FREEBIES!

Book Look: Star Girl by Jerry Spinelli

Star Girl
By: Jerry Spinelli 
Review by: Rosshalde Pak

Visit Rosshalde's Blog, Education Shortlist
Visit Rosshalde's Teachers Pay Teachers Store
Recommended for: Middle and High Schoolers

This book is one of Jerry Spinelli’s underrated books, in my opinion.  It’s a great story about beginning romance, finding yourself, being true to who you are, and not letting the pressure – that is so very common for teens – rule who you are.

This book would be best for middle and high school students.  I used it once with a Gifted class of fifth grades, and some of the concepts – especially that of romance, was lost on the students.  From then on, I utilized it with older students and teenagers.  They were much more receptive to the book and the messages of it.  Both girls and boys enjoyed the book.  That is probably due in large part to the main character being a girl (Star Girl) and the narrator being a boy (Leo).

This book could also serve new educators well, or people who are going through Master’s degree programs for education.  The reason I say this is that the book accurately captures the need teens feel to fit in, and at the same time, to be individuals.  This emotional battle in all teenagers is important for their teachers to understand, and not forget like we tend to do as we become older.

From the first time I picked up this book as a substitute teacher, I knew it was special, so much so I read the whole book in less than one day.  If you are a fan of Spinelli’s books, you probably will too.  If not, then I think there is no better book from his collection to start with.

Promoting Learning Outside the Classroom

by Elaine Hirsch, Guest Author

Three strategies American teachers find helpful to promote student learning outside classrooms are learn-by-doing, community immersion and peer cohorts. All three serve to embed outdoor learning experiences meaningfully into students’ minds. According to MBA Online, many traits of leadership in the workplace are developed through practice rather than hereditary traits. Practical examples cited from 4-H, Georgia State University and California State University exhibit three ways in which students can learn by moving traditional learning outside classroom walls.

Benefits of learn-by-doing include being learner-centric, fosters the performance of admirable acts, brings fun to educational experiences and teaches concrete science concepts, as well as general life skills. For example, students may be asked to work on alternative energy problems to help solve the world’s energy crisis.

After pupils have completed learn by doing exercises, teachers ask provocative questions to cement experiences:

• What were the experiences like?

• How did these experiences affect mental, physical and spiritual well-beings?

• What stood out as most significant when solving problems?

• What about the experiences were relevant to own lives?

• How can these experiences help prepare for fulfilling futures?

The 4-H club represents the epitome of learn-by-doing philosophy, also known as experiential learning. Children achieve self-reliance and build self-confidence by accomplishing tasks with minimal adult supervision. 4-H clubs are great compliments to traditional K-12 education. Students gain real-world experiences through a nationally-recognized organization. At the core of experiential learning are activities, scenarios and dilemmas for children to resolve.

Georgia State University is in downtown Atlanta, an ideal location for fostering community involvement and cultural enrichments. The school offers numerous programs to further these processes. Learners might visit Gone with the Wind author’s home and museum, the Margaret Mitchell House, or participate in Dialogue in the Dark (DITD), where vision-impaired guides lead participants through a dimly lit maze to increase skills such as empathy and understanding.

GSU students comment on the urban locus of their school:

“Downtown Atlanta opens the mind to different things.”

“It makes you want to be interactive rather than just sitting in the library or being in class all the time.”

“After a full day of community service, we do a celebration in the park.”

“GSU is intermingled with the business hub, so [the two] are as one.”

“The location of GSU makes me realize thatcollege is just a part of [a full] life.”

California State University facilitates learning cohorts in the form of freshman learning communities. To enhance first-year college success, freshmen are grouped with like-minded individuals on the same career paths.

Significant required coursework is shared, and a group of 25 students is paired with accessible study partners. Top-ranked instructors give personalized attention to these cohorts. Some of the advantages of this program are help with easier college schedules and planned time for outside activities.

The proof of success for such a program is in the results:

• Superior grade point averages

• Enhanced written abilities

• Better self-expressions

• Higher four-year completion rates

The acquisition of important life skills are important by-products of both community immersion and learn-by-doing programs. These extracurricular activities seek to complement students’ traditional education by allowing them to apply abstract knowledge learned while growing up. Students become better decision makers, build self-esteem and enhance their communication abilities. Also, the ability to strengthen friendships is reinforced, as well as volunteering to help those less fortunate and building stronger communities.

Learn-by-doing creates many advantages for students of all ages. It takes traditional classroom learning a step further and opens the door for increasing life skills needed for successful futures, and today’s students are our future leaders.

Related Teachers Pay Teachers Products:

Exit Slips = Creative Closures  FREE!
All About You Questionaire $1.50
Finding the Perfect College  $1.00
Integrate Technology Across the Curriculum  $2.95
7 Minute Zingers Creative Writing Prompts $3.00
Sports Theme Classroom Packet   $4.50
Scavenger Hunts  $3.75

featured teacher author: Lindsay Perro

Featured Teacher Author: Lindsay Perro 

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

I've been on Teachers Pay Teachers since October 2010. I was encouraged to join by a co-worker.

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

I knew I wanted to be in education when I was in middle school. I was inspired by a few great teachers.

3.     How are you currently involved in education?

I am a Middle School Math Intervention Specialist who works with students who are at risk of not passing the state assessment. I also teach an 8th grade Honors Algebra class. 

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

Go for it! It can change your life!

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

I feel like being on Teachers Pay Teachers has made me a better teacher. Having products used by other teachers really encourages me to be more creative and organized in everything I do in my classroom.

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

I love Disney Princess movies. My 3-year-old daughter is in love with them right now... and honestly I don't mind! :) They make me feel like a little kid again!

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

I don't at this time.

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

I would love to be a curriculum writer. I really enjoy creating things and coming up with new questions and ideas!

9.     What profession would you not like to do?

Anything in the medical field. Blood makes me woozy!

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

My favorite author is Nicholas Sparks. I get "sucked in" to everything he writes!

by 
Lindsay Perro
Lindsay's TPT store

Lindsay's Prized Products


I'm proud of my First Grade Math Common Core Bundle. I decided last summer to try to really get into the Common Core Standards for all grades and First Grade was where I started. It's been very successful so far! 


1st grade Math Common Core Standards Bundle

I'm also proud of my "Beyond The Worksheet" creation. It's a collection of 49 activities that take students beyond just a worksheet in the Middle School Math classroom. 


Beyond the Worksheet

Teachers Pay Teachers Link Up: Dr. Seuss!

President's Day

by Beth Hammett

Teacher Pay Teacher Storefront:
Beth Hammett

President's Day was not always one day, and some educators may remember when February included two days dedicated to presidents: February 12 for President Abraham Lincoln and February 22 for President George Washington. Then, in 1971, the holidays were rolled into one and designated as President's Day, which was celebrated on the third Monday of the month.  

Why was the date changed? To give workers an additional federal holiday that fell on Monday. Former President Richard Nixon was credited with the bill that resulted in President's Day, but the push to do so began in the 1950s when states celebrated both Lincoln and Washington's birthdays. Even then federal administrators wanted a uniform national holiday, but governors failed to agree on a specific date. Therefore, the plan for President's Day was dropped. When the idea resurfaced again in 1970, it was corrected with House Bill 11582, which was implemented the following year. 

President's Day is much more than just a holiday--it's a day to celebrate our country's leaders. Many educators will reinforce important accomplishments and historical facts on the special day. Others will retell stories that portray presidents as human beings with empathy and humor. For example, Abraham Lincoln pardoned the first presidential turkey because his son begged to save Jack, who was destined for the family's Thanksgiving dinner. Teddy bears were named after Theodore Roosevelt when he failed to shoot a black bear on a hunt and a cartoonist illustrated him with a stuffed bear. Conspiracy theories, such as the  death of President Kennedy and President Lincoln, fascinate older students. Also, the strange parallels between the lives of Kennedy and Lincoln have become great topics for debates. 

Celebrating President's Day should be fun for students. Let them collaborate on projects that highlight unusual facts, as well as stating common knowledge, about our nation's leaders. February is a great month to incorporate the backgrounds of presidents into lesson plans, and check out the fabulous presidential lesson plans from Teachers Pay Teachers that makes learning about presidents educational and easy.    

Related Teachers Pay Teachers Products:
Top Ten Outstanding Presidents Word Puzzles  FREE!
Happy Birthday, George! A President's Learning Center Binder  FREE!
President's Memory Game  $2.49
Top Ten Oustanding Presidents: A Complete Unit for President's Day $3.00
President's Day PowerPoint and Interactive Quiz  $3.00
President's Day Project Packet  $3.00
Write About Lincoln and Washington Activities  $3.99
Positively Presidential  $4.00