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Hi! I’m Brooke, creator of Literacy in Focus. I have a secondary teaching credential in Language Arts and Social Science as well as a Master’s Degree in Education. I started my teaching career at a high school in South Los Angeles.  To say I hit the ground running is an understatement.  I taught 9th, 10th, and 11th grade English from a cart that I rolled around campus.  The school, although massive, didn’t have enough classrooms to accommodate all of their teachers.  Suffice it to say, I learned a lot my first year.  I taught at the high school level another year before moving to a charter middle school in Orange County.  As a student, middle school was hell on earth.  As a teacher, I couldn’t get enough.  I was teaching 7th grade World History and 8th grade U.S. History.  I also served as the school’s technology coach. Eventually, with my growing knowledge of the 7th and 8th grade curriculums, I became the History Department Chairperson.  As the years progressed, the number of English learners at our school increased.  Upon request, I was given the opportunity to teach History, Reading, and Language Arts to all levels of language learners.  Soon, I became the Curriculum Manager and English Language Advisor for our school.  

It was during my time spent working with English learners that I grew the most as a teacher.  The provided curriculum didn’t meet the needs of all of my students.  I was constantly creating new material, researching effective strategies, and developing engaging lessons that encouraged critical thinking.  I was determined to create a learning environment where all students could thrive.  Although successful, I was exhausted.  I had spent over a decade giving every ounce of my being to my teaching practice. It was time to make a choice between creating curriculum or teaching.  It was one of the toughest decisions of my life.

Ultimately, I made the decision to leave the classroom and work full-time creating content and material for teachers around the world. I took a leap of faith, and it worked out.  I love what I do.  I enjoy creating captivating resources that meet the needs of all levels of learners.  I strive to create materials that can be differentiated, modified, or scaffolded for a diverse group of students.  

In 2019, my first book was published. Titled Home of the Brave: 15 American Immigrants Who Shaped US History, the book features 15 different biographies and corresponding activities for upper elementary and middle school readers. My second book, World History for Kids: 500 Facts, was published in 2021. Starting in 4000 BCE and finishing in the modern day, this book makes learning history as engaging as possible by breaking it down into fun facts kids will love.

If you’re reading this, chances are good that you are a teacher.  My goal is to serve you and your students to the best of my ability.  I have first-hand knowledge of how important it is to deliver meaningful lessons in a short period of time.  Every second counts. I get it, and I have your back.     

Please feel free to reach out with any questions! I love making new teacher friends! 

Take care,
Brooke