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I’ve worn many hats in education over the years—classroom teacher, elementary principal, instructional leader, curriculum promoter, and now, once again, a kindergarten teacher. I’ve also worn the most important hat of all: mom. And across every role, one truth has remained constant: children cannot learn well when their hearts are overwhelmed.

Each year, I choose one word—not as a resolution, but as a guide. A word that grounds my work, sharpens my focus, and gently calls me forward when the days feel heavy or rushed. For 2026, my word is Rise. You may already know this if you read my last post or follow me on any of my social media channels.

Every Christmas Eve, especially these past few years, now that I am in my fifties, it feels like past and present are merging into one.  

A Year of Romance, Comfort, and Turning Pages ( And Pages and Pages...) 

There’s something magical about getting dressed for a day in kindergarten. It’s part ritual, part mindset shift, and part pure joy. After all, in a kindergarten classroom, your outfit isn’t just clothing—it’s armor, artistry, and often a conversation starter with 5-year-olds who notice everything.

When it comes to gift-giving, there are presents that delight for a moment… and then there are gifts that last. A journal is one of those rare treasures that continues to give long after the wrapping paper has been recycled. Whether you're shopping for a reflective teen, an overwhelmed mom, a young writer, a teacher, or a friend seeking inspiration, the right journal becomes a companion, a tool, and a tiny sanctuary.

As a mom of teenagers, a kindergarten teacher, and a self-proclaimed fashionista, I’ve learned one truth that guides everything from my wardrobe to my classroom décor to the way I show up in the world:

Perfect for an afternoon with your own children, grandchildren, or for kindergarten and early elementary classrooms!

December has a kind of magic that feels different when you’re a mom of teenagers and a kindergarten teacher—and different still when you’ve once sat in the principal’s chair, watching entire school communities transform with the season. It’s a month that shimmers in layers, each one revealing a new kind of wonder.

Here are 10 of the most popular and well-liked screen-free gifts for young kids right now — toys and games that encourage imagination, creativity, and active play instead of screen time!