Good morning everyone!
A couple of weekends ago I met my first TpT milestone.
I have no words to thank you for all your support and trust. Every time I hear a “cha-ching” on my phone I say:
And I truly (from my heart) wish that my product can make the life of another teacher easier, and that such product can make a difference in the learning experience of her students.
Let me start by saying that I did not start my TpT store because I am oh-so knowledgeable and I had to share all the fantastic things that I do in my classroom.
I have always been a dedicated individual who enjoys teaching and who loves her students with all of her heart. I have also worked with outstanding teachers from whom I have learned a whole lot, and who have become some of my dearest friends.
So here’s the truth:
One Sunday morning, two years ago, as I was unwillingly vacuuming my house, my vacuum cleaner broke. I asked my Honey Graham to take a drive to the local Wal-Mart to buy an inexpensive replacement since our carpets were dirty. He very calmly told me that we would have to make our purchase with our credit card.
That Monday on the drive to work I felt guilty. My Honey Graham had a financial burden on his shoulders just because I loved teaching. It is no secret that we teachers do not make much. AND it is no secret that North Carolina teachers’ compensation falls way below the national average.
This is why I started my Teachers Pay Teachers store: so I could afford to continue teaching without feeling guilty about it. Teaching makes me happy AND I REFUSE TO QUIT IN SPITE OF THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.
Because of my TpT store:
- I can dream again!
- I have had no choice but to become the teacher I never thought possible! My Blog is a window to my classroom and I want to show my readers the best, so that they can duplicate in their own classrooms.
- I am fully aware of current education research and approaches.
- More importantly: It is the first time in my teaching career, that my effort is reflected in my income.
So yes, I initially I needed to be more financially stable. But now, now I know that I have a lot to offer and I work very hard at creating products that:
- are engaging
- are based on valid, current research
- meet students needs and enhance their strengths
- are aligned to the curriculum
- target more than one skill. I truly believe that teachers should work smarter, not harder!
You might say: But how does she do it? Where does she find the time?
Very simple:
I do:
- work/create when my boys go to bed, after they are fed, read to, their homework is done, and lunches are packed.
- I also hired a cleaning lady. She comes twice a month and keeps me sane.
- network with other awesome bloggers like Krista from Teaching Momster, Lisa from PAWsitively Teaching, and Marie from The Literacy Spot. {Among others!}
- take a lot of pictures in my classroom. You never know when a “bloggable” moment might happen.
- respect my family time.
- have very high standards for myself and I keep very strict goals on a monthly basis.
- go to bed late on most nights.
- rest when I am tired.
- read a lot of literacy and math related material. My Amazon wish list is bigger than the state of Texas.
- drink a glass of wine every now and then.
- go for runs. They help me clear my mind!
- cook a nice meal for my family on most days.
- Read a lot about promotion, design, and social media.
- have a very supportive husband!
- Pray everyday
I don’t:
- waste time.
- procrastinate
- clean my bathrooms
- pick up after my children
- stress over things I cannot control.
- eat junk food
- keep negative people in my life
Why Am I telling you all this?
If you think that you are not good enough, or that you don’t have what it takes to start your own TpT store… You are wrong!
If you are ever interested in starting your own store, you may use my affiliate link:
Oh Snap, I almost forgot! As a token of my appreciation for all your support and trust, this awesome product will be free until September 27th, 2015! Enjoy!
Click on the link to get it (for a limited time) from my TpT store!!
Thankfully yours,
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