I’ve been teaching since 2012, and my passion for education has only grown stronger with each passing year. What I love most about teaching is the students. From their enthusiasm to learn to their endless curiosity, they are the heart of everything I do in the classroom. It’s why I became a teacher, and it’s why I continue to love it every day.
For years, my colleagues encouraged me to sell the resources I created for my students online. They recognized the value of the materials I’d developed and believed I could help others by sharing them. But each time, I hesitated. “I’m too busy,” I’d say, “I don’t have the time,” or “What if they don’t like it?” I also convinced myself that I wasn’t perfect enough to take on such a big step. Instead of sharing my work online, I focused on my students, creating and sharing in my classroom.
When I was in college earning my elementary education degree, I was required to complete a certain number of observational and clinical hours before I could begin student teaching. For me, that meant 100 hours, but the number varied depending on the program. To fulfill that requirement, I opened my classroom to college students, inviting them in to observe, assist with lessons, and learn from my teaching. I enjoyed having them in the classroom, sharing my knowledge and experiences with them as they prepared to become educators themselves. It was a rewarding experience, and I was happy to support the next generation of teachers.
However, since having my own children, I haven’t been able to offer these same opportunities. That’s when Teach & Thrive Learning was born. This blog has given me the chance to continue doing what I love—sharing resources, teaching strategies, and insights—but on my own terms. I can write when I want and share what I feel is important, all while giving myself grace along the way. It doesn’t have to be perfect, and I’m okay with that.
The beauty of starting this blog is that it allows me to inspire others, whether they’re fellow educators, parents, or anyone who can benefit from the resources and ideas I’ve developed over the years. There’s something deeply fulfilling about offering support and advice to others, especially when it comes to the world of teaching. I’ve always loved helping others succeed, and now I’m able to do that in a different way.
While I’m still unsure of where this journey will take me, I’m excited to see what’s next. I’m enjoying learning new things, offering resources to those who need them, and simply being real about the challenges and beauty of life. It’s all part of the process.
Starting Teach & Thrive has been such a rewarding journey. If you’ve got a passion or an idea, I encourage you to take that first step! It doesn’t need to be perfect—just start where you are. For me, it all began with reliable hosting from Hostinger and a stunning theme from 17th Avenue Designs, which helped bring my vision to life. As an affiliate for 17th Avenue, I highly recommend checking them out if you’re ready to design your own blog or website. I bought the Uptown theme and tweaked it a little. They have a highly detailed install page complete with step by step directions and tutorials to make it doable for anyone.
Taking the first step is always the hardest, but with the right tools and support, you’ll be amazed at what you can create. I hope this story has inspired you to take that leap and start your own journey.
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