Hi! I'm Shelly!
Welcome to my blog!
My Teaching Journey & Why I Create Resources
My career in education has been quite the adventure! When my daughters were little, I ran a private preschool called Promoting Success—though locals jokingly called it Lil' Harvard (not sure if it was the quality or the tuition! 😄).
Funny enough, Promoting Success actually started as a direct mail venture, selling printed educational resources to parents. Later, I spent most of my career in special education, working with middle school, high school, and alternative education students. With limited resources available, I created my own materials to support my students' diverse needs.
I later became a special education coordinator for a school district in Iowa, overseeing multiple programs and supporting teachers. But my passion has always been creating resources that make learning accessible and engaging.
That's why I love what I do today. If Teachers Pay Teachers had existed back then, I know I would have been able to individualize instruction, save time, and help my students succeed even more.
A Little About Me
I've been married for 34 years, have three amazing daughters (all married), and three wonderful grandkids. Somehow, we all ended up in the same city—including my parents—which has been an unexpected blessing! When I'm not creating resources, I love spending time with family, staying active, and traveling—preferably somewhere with a beach or a hiking trail!
Why do I love what I do?
I've been there—scrambling for resources, meeting diverse learners' needs, and wishing for more time to focus on my students instead of reinventing the wheel. As a special education teacher, I often had to create my own materials from scratch—because many times, there were none! That's how I found my passion for designing engaging, easy-to-use resources that save teachers time and help students succeed. Now, I'm on a mission to make your life easier. Whether it's a single lesson, preteaching, test prep, or an emergency sub plan, my resources are flexible, effective, and ready when you need them. That's why Promoting Success has always been more than just a name—it's a mission: Promoting Success for You and Your Students.
Why do I offer so many freebies?
I know how valuable your time and budget are, so I offer free resources as a "try before you buy" option. Each one is a sample of a full-sized product, letting you see if it's the right fit before committing. My goal is to save you time and money while ensuring you have engaging, effective resources that work for your students. Whether you need a quick lesson, an intervention tool, or a last-minute activity, my freebies offer a no-risk way to find what works best for you!
