The Biggest Mistake I Made Buying Teachers Pay Teachers Resources as a New Teacher

When I started teaching 14 years ago, Teachers Pay Teachers quickly became one of the tools I relied on most.

I was still figuring out who I was as a teacher, and seeing how other educators approached literacy, math, classroom management, and centers gave me confidence while I found my own style.

And honestly? It still does.

Some of my favorite classroom activities have come from incredibly talented teacher-authors. TPT has saved me countless hours over the years, introduced me to new teaching ideas, and reminded me that I don't have to reinvent the wheel. 

If I could go back and give first-year-teacher Erin one piece of advice, it WOULDN'T be "Don't shop on TPT." It would be this:

Shop with a plan.

The Mistake Wasn't Using TPT

As a new teacher, I bought resources based on whatever I needed that week.

- A phonics activity here.

- A math center there.

- A writing craft before a holiday.

- Morning work when I realized I didn't have enough.

None of those purchases were mistakes. In fact, I still use many of them today. The mistake was that I wasn't thinking ahead. I was solving today's problem instead of building a collection of resources I could return to year after year.

The "I'll Just Grab One Thing..." Mindset

If you've taught for even a week, you know how easy it is to fall into this cycle! Tomorrow's lesson isn't quite ready. You realize you need one more center, one more writing activity, or one more game to reinforce a skill.

So, you hop onto TPT, spend a few dollars, download exactly what you need, and move on.

Truly, that's one of the reasons I love TPT! It gives teachers access to high-quality, classroom-tested resources exactly when they need them.

The challenge is that those small purchases can add up over time if you're always shopping reactively instead of intentionally.

Looking back, I realized I wasn't wasting money - I just didn't have a strategy.

What I Do Differently Now

- I keep a running wishlist.

- I wait for sales whenever I can.

- I look for bundles before buying individual resources.

- I invest in resources I'll use year after year.

- I follow creators whose teaching style matches mine.

What 14 Years of Teaching Has Taught Me

Today, I still shop on TPT all the time, but I approach it differently.

Before I buy something, I ask myself:

- Will I use this year after year?

- Does this fill a real gap in my classroom?

- Is there a bundle that includes this resource and others I'll use?

- Can I add it to my wishlist and wait for a sale?

Those simple questions have helped me build a classroom resource library that I actually use instead of collecting downloads I'll forget about.

From TPT Buyer to TPT Seller

For years, I was simply a TPT buyer.

Like so many teachers, I was constantly creating things for my own classroom - activities to fill curriculum gaps, centers that matched the way I taught, and little ideas that made learning more engaging for my students.

I've always loved creating!

In fact, in college, one of my elementary education professors once questioned whether I had plagiarized an activity I designed because she couldn't believe I had created it myself (that's a story for another day!).

At the time, I was more flattered than offended. Creativity has always been one of my favorite parts of teaching.

As the years went on, I noticed something interesting. The resources I was creating for my own students were becoming the ones I reached for again and again. They had been tested, revised, tweaked, and improved by real classroom experience.

Eventually, I had a simple thought:

If these resources are helping my students, maybe they'll help someone else's, too.

So I opened my own Teachers Pay Teachers store.

What started as a way to share the lessons and activities I was already creating has grown into something I never expected. One of the greatest joys has been hearing from teachers who tell me a resource saved them planning time, helped a struggling learner, or became a favorite in their own classroom.

Being both a buyer and a seller has given me a unique perspective.

- As a buyer, I know the relief of finding the perfect resource after a long day.

- As a seller, I know the hours of planning, revising, classroom testing, and heart that go into creating those resources.

That's one of the reasons I love the TPT community so much. At its core, it's teachers helping teachers.

Now, I jot down big-picture ideas and organize things like classroom systems, decor, and start-of-year routines. But I leave plenty of room to adjust once I meet my new group of learners.

Why I Love Bundles

One of the biggest lessons I've learned over the years is that bundles can be one of the smartest ways to build your classroom resource library.

Whether it's a creator bundle from one store on TPT or a collaborative bundle from various teacher-authors, you're getting a variety of high-quality resources for much less than purchasing each one individually.

When it comes to collaborative bundles, I love how they introduce you to new teacher-authors you may never have discovered otherwise! Some of my favorite TPT creators are people I first found through working together on these bundles.

That's one of the reasons I'm excited to be part of the Ultimate Early Elementary Bundle this year!

Not because I think every teacher needs more resources, but because I believe teachers deserve the right resources - the ones they'll use over and over again.

This bundle includes over 100 resources created specifically for PreK-2 classrooms! Every contributor added something new to this year's bundle, making it a wonderful way to discover fresh ideas while building your classroom library.

(If you're reading this after the bundle has ended, don't worry! Collaborative bundles come around from time to time, and they're always worth keeping an eye out for.)

If I Could Give New Teachers One Piece of Advice...

Don't feel like you have to create everything yourself.

Some of the best ideas in my classroom started with another teacher who was willing to share what worked for them.

And some of the resources I've created have been inspired by seeing a need in my own classroom and thinking, There has to be a better way.

That's what I love most about teacher-author communities. It's not about buying every resource or creating every resource. It's about teachers sharing ideas, encouraging one another, and making this incredible profession just a little bit easier.

Whether you purchase a single resource, invest in a bundle, or create something from scratch, the goal isn't to have the biggest collection of classroom materials.

It's to have the right resources - the ones that save you time, engage your students, and give you more opportunities to focus on what matters most: teaching.

After 14 years in the classroom, that's the lesson I wish I'd learned sooner.

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I encourage you to take a look at this summer's Ultimate Early Elementary Bundle!

It's filled with exclusive resources from talented teacher-authors, and I'm honored to have one of my own creations included.

Unlock Your Grade Level Bundles Here!

If this summer's sale has ended, keep an eye out next year for the next bundle event!

I also hope you'll still remember this: shop intentionally, support fellow educators when you can, and know that you don't have to do this job alone.

Happy teaching!

What I Wish I Knew About Summer Break My First Year Teaching

I still remember many moons ago, finishing my very first year of teaching:

Proud but exhausted.

My to-do list was a mile long.

My brain couldn’t seem to shut off, even though the school year was over.


If you're a newer teacher (or even a veteran who needs a reset), you might relate! Balancing rest with the pressure to plan, organize, and “get ahead” can be tricky.

So, here's what I wish someone would have told me about summer break that first year.

1. You're Allowed to Rest without "Earning It."

I used to feel like I had to “deserve” summer break. I told myself I’d relax once I finished organizing my files, planning my units, and reading a stack of PD books. Spoiler alert: I just ended up being very, very tired.

Now I know that rest is not a reward -- it’s a requirement. You don’t need to laminate 500 things or color-code your entire life before you’ve “earned” a nap or a beach day. After a year of juggling, pivoting, and putting out classroom fires (maybe, sometimes, hopefully NOT literally), simply making it through is enough. Showing up for your students day after day is more than reason enough to slow down and recharge.

2. You Are Still A Teacher, Even When You're Not Teaching.

If you feel a little “off” without the structure of your school day, that’s normal. If you're anything like me, you might even have a mini identity crisis without the routine and purpose of the classroom. That doesn’t mean you’re doing summer wrong. It just means teaching is a huge part of who you are.

What can you do? Find other ways to engage your passions: create, read, tutor, organize, write. You’re still making a difference, even when your classroom is empty.

3. Your Identity is More than Just Your Classroom.

That first summer, I had no idea what to do with myself outside of being “Miss Clark.” I missed the routine, the hugs, the constant chatter, and even the tattling. Honestly, someone should probably do a psychological study on what happens to teachers when no one needs help opening their snack or tying a shoe.

The truth is, teaching is just one part of who we are. Summer is our chance to reconnect with all the other pieces! Whether it’s baking cookies you don’t have to share, hiking a trail without a line leader, or binge-watching something with absolutely zero educational value… do you. Refill your cup in whatever way makes you feel like a human again.

4. You Don't Have to Plan Your Whole Year in July.

It’s tempting to use summer to plan everything for next year, especially if you like being ahead. But here’s the truth: you’ll change and so will your students. Your ideas in July might not make sense come October.

Now, I jot down big-picture ideas and organize things like classroom systems, decor, and start-of-year routines. But I leave plenty of room to adjust once I meet my new group of learners.

5. Next Year Will Feel Different... Because You Will Be Different!

It’s easy to replay mistakes from the past year and worry about next year. But trust me: you’re not starting from scratch again.

You’ve learned how to manage transitions, build relationships, teach a lesson that bombed, and handle tricky conversations with families. Even if next year brings a new grade or new admin, you are already stronger than last August.

TEACHER - TO - TEACHER...

Give yourself credit. You’re growing, even in the quiet of summer. You don’t need to plan every minute of next year or prove your productivity with color-coded bins. You just need to give yourself what you actually need -- whether that’s quiet, adventure, creativity, or just a lot of snacks no one steals.

Who's up for the annual Teacher Summer BINGO?!

Think of it as a light-hearted challenge just for you. Check off what feels good, skip what doesn’t, and celebrate every little square you complete.

Make this summer about doing something that fills your cup, and realizing that even one or two small wins can make a big difference.

Take the nap. Read the book. Binge the show. Walk slowly through Target for absolutely no reason.

Soak it up, because you deserve every sunny second.

Happy summer!

Interactive Modeling for Better Behavior and Smooth Transitions: My Top 5 Routines!

Ah, March—the month where students seem to forget every routine you’ve painstakingly taught them since August. Lining up turns into a conga line, transitions resemble an episode of Wipeout, and somehow, someone is still using scissors to cut their eraser into tiny confetti pieces. Sound familiar?!

The truest thing you'll ever here when it comes to teaching:

There is no "wrong" time to do a classroom reset.

Before we all descend into complete classroom March Madness, let’s take a deep breath and get back to basics: Interactive Modeling — the secret weapon that keeps our classrooms from turning into a free-for-all.

What Is Interactive Modeling (And Why Didn’t I Try This Sooner?)

Unlike the classic "I told them, so they should know" approach (which, let’s be honest, has a 0% success rate), Interactive Modeling actually shows students how to meet expectations. Instead of just telling them, we:

Model the behavior ourselves.

Ask students what they noticed.

Have a student model it, too.

Let the whole class practice.

It’s like a mini reality show where the "winner" gets the prize of not being constantly reminded how to walk in the hallway!

Here are my TOP 5 ways to use interactive modeling with classroom routines:

1. Entering the Classroom Calmly

(Also known as: Entering the Classroom Like a Calm, Collected Human)

How they actually enter: Running, talking, dropping their backpack in the middle of the floor like it’s a crime scene.

How we want them to enter: Walking in, putting belongings away, starting the morning routine like the independent learners we know they can be.

Model: Walk in quietly, put belongings away, and start the morning routine.

Ask: "What did you notice about how I entered?"

Student Model: Choose a student to demonstrate.

Class Practice: Everyone tries it together.

2. Lining Up & Walking in the Hallway

(Also known as: Lining Up Without Looking Like a Flash Mob)

The second you say "Line up," students can interpret this as Run and shove your way to the front! Instead, let’s slow it down.

Model: Show how to stand in line, keep hands to yourself, and walk silently.

Discuss: "What helped us stay safe and respectful?"

Student Model: One or two students demonstrate.

Class Practice: Try it as a group.

3. Using Materials Respectfully

(Also known as: Using Materials Like They’re Not Disposable)

Markers with missing caps. Scissors in the wrong bin. Glue sticks that have been twisted into oblivion. If this sounds like your classroom, it’s time for a refresh.

Model: Take out materials, use them properly, and clean up.

Ask: "What did you see me do with the materials?"

Student Model: Let a student demonstrate.

Practice & Reinforce: Have small groups practice and share observations.

4. Transitioning Between Activities

(Also known as: Making Transitions Less… Dramatic)

Model: Show what a quick and quiet transition looks like (ex. moving from the rug to desks).

Discuss: "What did it look like while I was moving? What did it sound like?"

Student Model: Let a student or small group try.

Class Practice: Have the whole class transition together.

5. Asking for Help

(Also known as: Asking for Help Like a Pro Without Yelling "TEACHERRRR!" Across the Room)

Model: Demonstrate raising your hand, waiting patiently, and using a kind voice.

Ask: "What did you notice about how I asked for help?"

Student Model: Let a student try it.

Class Practice: Students practice with a partner. Bonus points if they don’t wave their arm like they’re hailing a taxi.

FINAL THOUGHTS: RESET & REFRESH.

March is the perfect time for a routine reset. With Interactive Modeling, you’re not just reminding students. You’re engaging them in the process.

Plus, who knows? By reinforcing expectations now, you might just survive the countdown to summer with your sanity intact.

Happy interactive modeling!