Hey there! I'm Rachael!

I'm so glad you're here!

I've spent more than 20 years in education, first as an elementary classroom teacher and now as a curriculum creator. And while my role in education has changed quite a bit over the years, one thing has stayed the same: I love finding creative ways to make learning meaningful, engaging, and fun for kids.

And as it turns out, that passion has taken me on quite the journey!

It All Started with The Classroom Nook...

Back in 2011, I started The Classroom Nook as my own little corner of the internet where I could share teaching tips, classroom ideas, and resources I'd created along the way.

It was a bit of a hodgepodge in those early days! A little blogging, some podcasting, lots of teaching resources, and plenty of experimenting with new ideas.

But somewhere along the way, I stumbled upon something that would completely change the direction of The Classroom Nook.

And it all started with a PowerPoint presentation.

The Little PowerPoint That Started It All

After leaving the classroom, a former co-teacher and friend reached out to ask if I'd help her create a PowerPoint presentation to teach her students about the five regions of the United States.

Of course, I said yes!

What started as a simple PowerPoint quickly became something more. I began experimenting with ways to make the lesson more interactive, more visual, and more engaging for students.

Over time, that original PowerPoint evolved into a Google Slides resource, and eventually into something much bigger: the very first LINKtivity!

I loved the idea of creating a learning experience where students could explore a topic at their own pace, clicking through information, watching videos, listening to narration, and interacting with what they were learning.

And once I created that first one, the ideas just kept coming!

One topic turned into another, and another, and before I knew it, LINKtivities had become my favorite thing to create.

And Then Came 2020...

When the pandemic hit in 2020, the world of education changed practically overnight.

Suddenly, teachers everywhere were searching for digital resources that could help them teach in entirely new ways. And LINKtivities, which I'd already been creating for years, turned out to be a perfect fit for what so many teachers needed.

The demand grew quickly, and I was creating new LINKtivities as fast as I could!

As the collection expanded, I kept hearing the same question from teachers:

"Is there a way to access ALL of your LINKtivities in one place?"

It was a great question. And one that got me thinking...

With the help of my husband (who happens to be an engineer and architect by trade!), we began turning that idea into a reality.

And in 2021, LINKtivity Learning was born!

What began as a single PowerPoint presentation about the five U.S. regions had grown into an entire online library of interactive digital lessons.

Today, that library includes hundreds of LINKtivities covering science, social studies, math, language arts, and more. And over the years, thousands of teachers have used LINKtivities to bring learning to life in their classrooms.

Pretty wild to think it all started with one PowerPoint, right?

Why LINKtivities?

Here's something I've always believed: The way we teach should connect with the way our students learn.

Today's students are digital natives. They've grown up in a world where information is interactive, visual, and available at their fingertips.

And while there's absolutely still a place for textbooks, paper, pencils, and good old-fashioned classroom discussions, I believe digital learning can offer something pretty special when it's done thoughtfully.

That's really the heart behind LINKtivities.

I wanted to create resources that go beyond simply putting information on a screen. Resources that invite students to explore, discover, make connections, and take an active role in their learning.

LINKtivities bring together informational text, visuals, videos, audio narration, and interactive activities to help students engage with new concepts in ways that feel familiar and relatable to them.

It's not about using technology just for the sake of using technology. It's about using it intentionally to create meaningful learning experiences.

And that's what continues to inspire every LINKtivity I create.

The Classroom Nook Today

So, where does that leave The Classroom Nook?

Well, it's still here, of course!

Although my days of regularly blogging and podcasting are behind me, The Classroom Nook will always have a special place in my heart. It's where this whole adventure began!

Today, it's home to years of teaching ideas and resources, along with my collection of curriculum units, classroom decor, individual LINKtivities, and other materials I've created for elementary teachers.

And LINKtivity Learning? That's where you'll find the ever-growing collection of interactive digital lessons that have become such a big part of what I do.

Two spaces, but one shared purpose: helping teachers create engaging, meaningful learning experiences for their students.

I'm So Glad You're Here!

When I started The Classroom Nook back in 2011, I certainly never imagined where it would lead.

From my own elementary classroom to creating curriculum, from one PowerPoint presentation to hundreds of interactive lessons, it's been a journey full of learning, creativity, and plenty of trial and error along the way!

But through it all, my favorite part has remained the same: knowing that something I've created is helping a teacher bring a lesson to life for their students.

Whether you've been following The Classroom Nook for years or you're just discovering LINKtivities for the first time, I'm so glad our paths have crossed.

Thanks for being part of the journey!

💛 Rachael