In The Kindergarten Teacher Academy, you’ll work through the content from the comfort of your own home — from any internet-connected computer, tablet or phone — at a pace and time that works for you. Binge or take it nice and slow. It's completely up to you. Just pull on your pajama pants, grab your favorite drink and snack, and settle into a cozy spot with your device. You have lifetime access to this online professional development course and all of its materials...You set the pace. No deadlines, no assignments, yet everything you need to become a more effective kindergarten teacher.

Absolutely not. This is about you and your growth as a teacher. I will support you, teach you, and coach you, but I am not here to score or judge you. This course is self-paced so there is no "behind" or "ahead." You determine how quickly or slowly you move through the lessons and implement the strategies. I want this to be the best learning you've ever experienced and for that to happen, you will take on what you are interested in and ready to take on.   

I left the classroom in 2012 to study with the best of the best in education and was certified as a literacy coach. In working with classroom teachers, I found it was difficult for them to apply the theory in their classrooms because they had not been through the rigorous training that I had. I searched everywhere and tried to find "the magic bullet" of teaching...the one thing that would make everything easier for teachers and their students. It was no where to be found! 

In 2016, I returned to the classroom to implement this way of teaching...searching again for that silver bullet. I didn't find it, but what I did find was that something that may work in theory, does not always work in a real classroom with real students. There were many things that didn't "fit" the way it was expected to fit. Only someone with my background AND the ability to experiment with it in the classroom would notice these mismatches. So, I had to make some adjustments.

From here, I began sharing my ideas with other teachers and this approach to teaching kindergarten was born. I honestly didn't realize it was so different until I was back in the trenches and saw the unintentional things teachers were doing to make everything so hard. It wasn't the teacher's fault! They were following guidelines laid out by someone that either knew the theory or knew the classroom AND NOT BOTH. From then on, I've made it my mission to change teaching and learning forever.  

I believe the reason is because it will make you a better teacher. By delivering such an effective program, teachers will get better and better; therefore, the big publishers will LOSE A LOT OF MONEY because school districts will no longer need to purchase bandaid after bandaid to improve student learning. They don't want you to know how to do your job without their resources.  Once you finish this course, I don't believe you will ever need to take another.  

Definitely! I have provided resources for you if you do not currently have any to use. Many materials and resources are included in The Kindergarten Teacher Academy, but this is actually a very small piece of what The Academy is. In The Kindergarten Teacher Academy, I will share ways you can become more effective at instructing your students and supporting them through the learning process. These teaching techniques are research-based and tested by your truly. Any resource you use in your classroom will be more effective because you will have a strong understanding of best teaching practices. 

The best way to contact me is to email me at jess@thenextpage.info. I am happy to help, so please reach out. 

Jessica wears many hats: Mother, Teacher, Trainer, Specialist, Literacy Expert, Instructional Coach, Visionary. They all have one thing in common: Her passionate desire to improve children's lives by not only teaching them more effectively, but also by inspiring them to be continuous learners and be the best version of themselves.  

Hi, I'm Jess and yes, I'm all of the things listed above, but please understand that when I left my very small hometown of 300 people to head off to college, I truly never thought I would find myself here...Who does though, right? I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher, but I had no idea I would love teaching other teachers just as much as I loved teaching students.  To be the best teacher of teachers that I can, I continue to learn and understand the best in teaching and learning in my own kindergarten classroom. My motto is, "If we can do it in kindergarten, we can do it at any level."  

Early on in my teaching career, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime: To train with and be coached by the greatest minds in the field of education today. Who would say no to this? Well, not me. I've always been a go-getter and a little naive because let's be honest here, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

At the time, I certainly did not realize the impact this training would have on my teaching career, nor how it would ignite a fire in me that will not be tamed. But it did and now I am here to tell my story and how I've come to the conclusion that I will change the world with my approach to teaching. Pretty brave statement, huh? I know. I'm a little embarrassed to say it, but it's true. I know the theory. I know best-practice. I know A LOT of stuff about teaching, but I also know the real life of teachers: crazy, head-spinning busy, kids at home, husbands (and ex-husbands) at home, money being tight, but still spending it on things for school, loving to, but also dreading going back to school after weekends or vacations, thinking about my school kids just as much as I think of my own, to-do lists, piles to go through, I could go on and on, but I feel like you know what I'm talking about. I'm here to tell you that I get it. I'm living this same life, but I've also figured out how to manage it all. Well, not all of it. I really need to put some money in my daughter's school lunch account. I'm still working on the OUTSIDE of the school day things, but when it comes to teaching effectively, I've got you covered.  

Here's the whole story:  Up in Northern Wisconsin, I’m a full-time kindergarten teacher, author, ELA staff developer, educational consultant, course and webinar creator, PBIS coach, academic chair, mentor, former 1st grade teacher, 2nd grade teacher, literacy coach, reading specialist, interventionist, mom to two teenage girls - Carsyn and Camryn, and David’s best girl.

I’ve studied the theory at Ohio State University and Lesley University and have immersed myself in the work of the experts in education. I’ve trained and coached countless teachers and have provided professional development to numerous groups.  The most difficult part of the profession that I love is understanding the theory AND making it practical in the classroom.

Teachers work hard and create small miracles in children’s lives on a daily basis, but many are at a breaking point. Too many initiatives, too many new programs, and too many unrealistic expectations are placed on teachers everyday, every year.  As a literacy leader, trying to weed out the bad from the good, my head was spinning!

I would hear the same question over and over again.  This sounds great, but…“What does this really look like in a classroom with real kids, students are not developmentally ready for the rigor and expectations that 21st century learning calls for, or I’ll wait until this goes away. Until then, I’ll do what I want.”  

After several years of hearing comments such as these, I felt I needed to gain a better understanding of how drastically the landscape of teaching and learning had changed. I needed to do my own action research, right where the rubber meets the road.  I needed to clear my head and get back to the business of kids. I needed to return to the classroom.

Currently, I am teaching kindergarten…and yes, I have learned a lot!  What was my biggest epiphany upon returning to the classroom? Kids are still amazing and once a fire for learning has been lit, it cannot be extinguished. When they feel good about what they are doing at school, children behave better. Given the opportunity and support for learning, not all, but most students will meet, if not surpass, grade level expectations.

When I returned to the classroom with theory-backed, evidence-based teaching strategies, the expectations that I set for myself and my students were quickly met, raised, and met again.  I have been very lucky to have been given the opportunity to learn, train, and be coached by the best of the best and this is where I feel I can now make a difference. I understand best practices in teaching and learning. I embed these practices in research-based theory and design instruction that works in REAL classrooms with REAL students.

What I can’t do is to keep this information to myself. It’s too valuable and not fair to others that were not able to receive the training I did. “If we want greatness to be more than a flash, we need to share the secrets (John Hines).”

I am here to share my secrets and support you in becoming the teacher every kid deserves to have.  Please believe me when I say there is nothing special about my teaching ability. I’m a regular teacher, just like you and if I can do it, so can you. Teaching is my passion and I strive to be better everyday. I truly believe that “Teaching children well will change their lives; inspiring children will change the world.”  

Together, we can AND will make a difference. I’m here to offer you support, inspiration, and clarity in this crazy world of teaching kindergarten. Thank you for being here.