Meet Leah
Me — An Early Learning Teacher?
I always knew I wanted to help others, but teaching wasn’t on my radar until midway through my freshman year at Oregon State. I thought nursing was my calling, but after volunteering at the campus blood bank, I quickly realized that working with blood wasn’t for me.
Inspired by my dad, a guidance counselor, I shifted my focus to middle school science and outdoor education. Unexpectantly, for my student teaching practicum, I was placed in a first-grade classroom—I was devastated. I couldn’t picture myself teaching young children. To my surprise, I fell in love teaching first grade. Helping young children learn to read and write sparked my passion for literacy.
My first job involved providing daily support for 60 striving first-grade readers and was followed by teaching a multi-age K-2 class. Both experiences deepened my understanding of how children learn. That unexpected first-grade placement turned out to be life-changing, shaping the teacher and teacher author I am today— a true testament to trust that everything happens for a reason!
My Career as a Teacher
Growing up in a small Alaskan town everything about college was an eye-opening experience — The huge campus, classes held in auditoriums, deciduous trees, and how much I loved my education classes. College offered me new experiences and opportunities, and I fully embraced them all.
After earning my degree, I spent 12 years teaching striving readers, a multiage K-2 class, kindergarten, and first grade. The next decade, I expanded to grades 2-5, and in my final 12 years, I taught kindergarten and became a mentor, a literacy coach, and an instructional coach.
As a coach, I started creating resources to help teachers find engaging, standard-aligned activities. Encouraged by colleagues, I began sharing these resources on Teachers Pay Teachers, hoping to support young learners and save precious time for teachers.
I truly do miss the classroom and collaborating with teachers, and I am so grateful for the online teaching community and all the connections that I am making! It has shown me that I can still make an impact working with teachers, students, and parents while working from home.
My Family
I have a wonderful husband that thoroughly loves and supports me. My husband, Ted, and I have 3 adult children and have been recently blessed with our seventh grandchild! Our last two grandbabies arrived in October and November of 2024. That gives us 7 kiddos all under the age of 8. We are overjoyed with our growing extended family and feel blessed to be a part of their lives. In addition, Ted and I love to travel and hope to see all the grandkids soon. We have found that being grandparents is a wonderful, rewarding experience. We love everything about it!
A Little More About Me
I have never liked lists. I have always prided myself on not having to use them. Ha! Well, that is not the case any longer. I find that I need them – my brain is very full. So, here is a list that I made for you to learn more about me. Is there something we share?
- Grew up in Alaska
- Happily married
- Grandmother to 7
- Oregon State alumni
- Favorite colors – lime green and bright blue
- Polka dots are the best!
- LOVED the Eras Tour! The Best. Concert. Ever.
- Enjoy watching baseball, soccer and football; I dislike golf (the whisper sport)
- Can NOT sing! NOT one note!
- Coffee enthusiast – Quad oat latte please!
- I love house plants – All of my plants have names. My two most recent purchases are Fred and Wilma.
- SLOW, steady worker – love details
- Analyzer – it’s my strength, but it can be a time-consuming challenge
- Tech is not my friend – if there is a way to mess it up, I will find it!
- Enjoy professional books, conferences, workshops, webinars – a life-long learner!
- Love strategy and problem-solving games – But NO timed games please. lol!
- There is nothing like a good children’s bookstore!
Leah
