Hi there! I’m Tina, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed by your classroom, constantly searching for a solution that actually works, I want you to know: I’ve been there too.
In my early years of teaching, I was a bundle of stress and self-doubt. No matter how many hours I spent prepping, creating behavior charts, or rearranging my classroom, I couldn’t shake the chaos. My students were restless, the learning environment felt hectic, and I was left wondering if I was failing at the one thing I loved most.
I was exhausted, my health was suffering, and I was on the brink of burnout—and yet I still believed there had to be a better way.
I dove into every resource I could find, looking for a way to balance teaching standards with a sense of calm. I knew I wanted my classroom to be more than just a place to meet academic goals; I wanted it to be a safe, inspiring space where both I and my students could truly thrive.
After years of research, trial, and error, I finally found the answer in what I call the LEAF Method™—a nature-inspired approach that combines Learning, Exploring, Action, and Flourishing. By creating a calmer, more natural learning space, I watched my classroom transform from chaotic to calm, from overwhelming to inspiring.
Suddenly, my students were more engaged, less anxious, and eager to learn. And for the first time in years, I felt like the confident, capable teacher I’d always knew I was meant to be.
That transformation sparked a mission in me. I knew I wasn’t the only teacher struggling with chaos, stress, and the pressure to meet standards in an outdated way. I wanted to help teachers like you skip the years of frustration I endured and experience a calm, focused, and effective teaching environment now.
That’s why I created the Teach The TK Way — complete with the Natural Classroom Specialist Collection, and The Teach The TK Way Blueprint, step-by-step programs designed to help you build a classroom environment where your students thrive and you regain a sense of joy and balance. The Complete Collection includes everything you need to:
Bring in elements of nature to build community, hands-on experiences and real world lessons.
Seasonal lessons provide creative learning opportunities for your students while also integrating your required standards based and objectives.
Teaching a variety of components from graphing to weight and height measurements. Also includes ten frames and number sense up to 100.
From ABC's to ASL learning. Students will gain phonemic awareness using the provided lessons. Help your young students gain a grasp of the language.
One of my favorites: take it all outside When you remove the walls the children cannot bounce off of them. Get organized and outside today.
The complete, integrated curriculum from art to movement + all the academic domains & more. Covers a traditional school year with 28 units.
I’m Tina, your nature loving (but not so green thumb) guide on your journey to a more calm learning space. You can find me with a cozy cup of coffee, headed to high mountain living from the oak studded cattle ranches of the central valley! Helping teachers calm their chaos and fall in love with their classrooms is my passion. And I am here to share with you!
Create a peaceful learning environment in 5 easy steps. Using your unique community aspects, and all on a budget!
Grab the guide that has transformed thousands of learning environments since 2012!
Hands-on learning and standards based lessons can work in conjunction. Let me show you exactly how!
Head over to my sister site and read all about how to connect play and the standards to create a well rounded classroom learning space.
I am so excited to have you on this journey! We are here to play in the name of nature-based learning- but I also understand that you have expectations in your classroom- let me show you how to combine the two!