Hi, I’m Rissa! Welcome to Teaching in the Heart of Florida, where my goal is simple: to help you create those magical classroom moments that remind you why you became a teacher in the first place.
My journey in education started in the classroom, teaching 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grade, before I transitioned into instructional coaching for four years. I hold a Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and earned my National Board Certification in Early Childhood, and I genuinely love the craft of teaching and learning at every level.
I started creating resources because I saw a real need. Teachers needed engaging, rigorous materials without spending every free hour making them from scratch. I’ve been there, and I wanted to help. Every resource I create is built with that mission in mind.
When I step away from the desk, I’m all about family, adventure, and staying active.
So glad you found your way here. Poke around, grab some freebies, and let’s get your students having lightbulb moments all year long!
Check out some of my 6,000+ reviews from teachers all over the world!
4TH-5TH GRADE ELA CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY READING ESCAPE ROOM
This escape room was such a hit in my classroom! My students loved the holiday theme and stayed fully engaged while practicing important reading skills. It’s truly no-prep and easy to implement, which made my life so much easier during a busy season. A perfect mix of fun and meaningful learning!
3RD GRADE MATH ANCHOR CHARTS
These anchor charts are clear, student-friendly, and perfect for reinforcing fraction and multiplication strategies in 3rd grade. I love how they support multiple problem-solving approaches and make great visuals for daily reference during lessons.
3RD GRADE DIVISION WORKSHEET PACKET
These worksheets provide clear, meaningful practice with both basic division and word problems, helping students strengthen their understanding. They’re easy to use for independent work, homework, or review and support skill development in a structured way.
GOAL SETTING SHEETS & STUDENT TEMPLATES
I was able to use this in the beginning of the year for my students to use as a self-reflection worksheet that they did share during their parent teacher conference. This became their driving tool for their learning for the rest of the school year.
REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES READING AND MAP ACTIVITY PACK
I love how this has both reading and social studies standards. It is interactive which allows for students to learn with different modalities. I highly recommend this product.
FRACTIONS JEOPARDY GAME SHOW
These fraction games were a fantastic way to reinforce key math skills in my third grade class! They made learning hands-on, fun, and low-pressure. My students practiced comparing, identifying, and modeling fractions without even realizing they were doing “work.” The games were easy to set up and full of meaningful practice. A total win for math time!
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