Saturday, October 13, 2012

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 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.

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