I am an educator, author, and influencer with a deep commitment to helping teachers and students thrive. Over the past fifteen years, I have worked as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, district lead, and state-level literacy and assessment coordinator. Today I share my expertise with schools, districts, and educators across the country through professional learning, authorship, and digital resources.
I am the author of Leading with Administrator Clarity (Ulysses, 2022), Getting Started with Teacher Clarity (Ulysses, 2021), and the coauthor of The Formative Assessment Handbook (Wiley, 2023). My books take complex research and translate it into practical tools educators can use to increase student outcomes, improve instructional clarity, and create meaningful learning experiences. My work is grounded in John Hattie’s Visible Learning research, the Science of Reading, and evidence-based practices in formative assessment, PBIS, and MTSS.
I served as the ELA and Literacy Assessment Coordinator at the Idaho State Department of Education, where I oversaw statewide assessment systems, supported district leaders, and trained thousands of educators. Currently, I work in educational partnerships at Collaborative Classroom, where I help districts align research-based literacy programs with their goals and funding priorities.
In addition to my professional roles, I have built a thriving online presence as the founder of Tales From a Very Busy Teacher. Across Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and my blog, I connect with more than one hundred forty thousand educators. I share teaching strategies, classroom resources, and professional development support, creating content that bridges research and practice while inspiring and supporting teachers around the world.
I am known for my energy, creativity, and clarity. I have spoken at national and regional conferences, facilitated professional learning sessions across the United States, and authored resources that help thousands of teachers plan with confidence. Whether through my books, professional learning, or digital platforms, I strive to empower educators and improve student outcomes.
