Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Walker.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve been a teacher since 2005 and started Easy Teaching Tools in 2010 to share some of my resources with other teachers. Teachers would order from me and I’d send out their product on a CD—very old school. I discovered a website called Teachers Pay Teachers where teachers could download my resources right away. It was a game-changer. From there, I’ve grown my business to speak at teaching conferences, selling on my own website, and creating courses to help teachers save time and create little more balance in their lives.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There’ve been some struggles along the way. While trying to run my business (which was a hobby at the time), I was also laid off as a teacher when the economy tanked. It was crazy, 400 of us were tenured in my district with no place to go. I was absolutely broke and took any random job to be able to pay my bills. I sold my car, got a roommate, tutored, nannied, and even pet sit. It was tough! I’d always wanted to move to Hawaii, as my family grew up there. I got offered a first-grade teaching job on O’ahu and had to move out there in two weeks. It was wild! I showed up on O’ahu with two pieces of luggage, two boxes, and no place to live.
My biggest take away from that was that I didn’t give up. I did what I could to create opportunities to make things work. It wasn’t easy, but it definitely helped me get more creative when things weren’t going as planned. It also helped me in my business to be driven and goal-oriented.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I create online teaching resources, like lesson plans and materials for teachers. It’s basically like an ETSY for teachers. I’ve also created an organization course to show teachers how to be efficient and save time so they can focus on teaching and actually leaving the classroom at a decent hour.
I’m a big advocate for teaching self-care and helping teachers find more balance between teaching and their personal life. As amazing and rewarding as teaching is, it can also be all-consuming. I’m super proud of what Easy Teaching Tools has turned into. What started small, has turned into something so much bigger as we’ve helped thousands of teachers and their students.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Don’t give up. You’ll be told “No” a lot, but don’t let that stop you. Keep asking because there is someone out there that will tell you “Yes.” Your family, friends, and even strangers may question you, but just keep going. Your hard work will pay off.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.easyteachingtools.com
- Email: kristen@easyteachingtools.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/easyteachingtools/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EasyTeachingTools/
Image Credit:
Brooke Aliceon
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