How to Make a Simple Pencil Shirt
When it comes to teacher fashion, what do you think of? Does a wonderfully rustic, handmade pencil shirt fit into that first flurry of ideas? Perhaps there are a range of images...
Motherhood
My world changed when I had my daughter. In this section, I chronicle my wonderful and turbulent odyssey through motherhood. Can you relate?
How to Live in Your Pumpkin Spice Era for Cheap
For some of the us, the first whiff of pumpkin spice or even a two-degree dip in temperatures can be enough to signal a life-giving change in seasons. (It is me. I...
Substitute Teaching as a Financial Freedom Lever
There's plenty of talk on the Internet these days about achieving "financial freedom." Forums, YouTube playlists and social media platforms seem to have been set ablaze with discussing this new goal. If...
How to Throw an Easy Puppy-Themed Toddler Birthday Party
My daughter turned two, and there wasn't a simpler idea that came to my mind to celebrate her, other than: puppies. She loves puppies. She talks about them constantly, waves indiscriminately to...
Should You Teach Summer School? The Ultimate List of Pros and Cons
When school's finally out for the summer, it's debateable who's more thrilled: the students or the teachers. Summer break in traditional schools can be seen as a restorative stretch of freedom, a...
The Worst to Best Side Hustles for Resigning Teachers
If you're planning on this spring being your last semester in the classroom, first: Go you! (I know it's not easy to leave this love/hate career) Come up with a strategy for...
Church and Good Food: Our Plans for Easter with a Toddler
Celebrating Easter is an occasion I always look forward to. Stuffing myself into billowing pastel church dresses and savoring Easter basket chocolates piece by piece has given way to dressing my own...
5 Easy Springtime Crafts I Made as a Busy Mom
Did the groundhog see his shadow this year? I don't remember. Regardless, my home state of Florida forges ahead with spring before most places anyway. Likewise, I'm in full-force spring mode. Whether...
How to Make Your Own Mama Sweatshirt
How do you dress up a pretty standard, comfy mom uniform? Is there any pizzazz to add to around-the-house sweats? Or is there any way, aside from the obvious sight of a...
From Teacher to Mom to Blogger: What I Learned
It's the blog's birthday! That's right-- Chocolate for the Teach has dug little roots down on this spot on the web for a whole rotation of earth around the sun. And just...
4 Surprising Ways Teaching Prepared Me for Motherhood
"Are you a mom?" one of my first graders inquired. "No," I replied. "Do you shop?" was her follow-up question. I answered in the affirmative. Yes, I do participate in the economy...
Why Subbing is Great for the Family Building Phase
My focus in the past few years has shifted. For so long I was a people-pleasing career builder, grasping to be the perfect teacher. (Can you tell I was a straight A-...