Hi, I’m Lisa!
I’m Lisa, a fifth grade reading teacher who loves helping students discover great books and supporting busy teachers with practical classroom ideas.I have been teaching since 2004, and I still love sharing great books with students and talking about reading with just about anyone willing to listen.
I began my career as a special education resource teacher, where I developed a deep appreciation for students who may struggle at school. Since 2015, I have taught fifth grade. Over the years I have found that supporting neurodivergent learners continues to be an important part of my work. Whether a student is navigating anxiety, difficulty focusing, limited opportunities, or challenges with organization, time management, and other executive functioning skills, I love finding ways to make learning feel more engaging, accessible, and enjoyable.
Reading has always held a special place in my classroom. There is something incredibly rewarding about helping a student discover a book they love, build confidence as a reader, or realize that reading can actually be fun. I earned a master’s degree in reading and later completed an English learner endorsement so I could continue growing as an educator and better support the wide variety of learners in my classroom.
I created Lisa Teaches Reading to help busy and overwhelmed teachers find creative reading ideas, engaging activities, and practical classroom supports. Teaching is incredibly rewarding, but it is also a lot. My goal is to share realistic ideas and ready-to-use resources that save teachers time, take a little stress off their plates, and help make their classrooms places where all students can succeed.
FYI: I only endorse things that I've personally used or have come highly recommended from my teacher friends and family and think they may be helpful to you. If you buy anything mentioned using my Amazon referral links, I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
When I’m not teaching, reading, or creating classroom resources, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our two children, and our dog. We live in the suburbs of Chicago and love traveling together across the United States, exploring new places, and making family memories.
I’m so glad you’re here. I hope you find ideas and resources that help you feel supported, inspired, and a little more prepared to survive and enjoy another day in the classroom!
You can also visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store, Novel Ideas, to explore more reading resources and classroom activities as well as my Amazon shop for my favorite teaching tools and book recommendations.