and I'M passionate about not sugar-coating teaching.
hey there! i’m Karyn, a second-grade teacher who’s passionate about creating a classroom full of connection, creativity, & joy. with 8 years of teaching under my belt, i’ve learned the power of setting boundaries, both for my students & for myself. social-emotional learning, hands-on exploration, & outdoor learning are at the heart of what i do every day in my classroom.
when i’m not teaching, you’ll find me enjoying the simple things—sipping coffee, hiking with my dogs, decorating my home, & finding moments of calm. i believe in living intentionally & creating spaces that spark joy, whether it’s in the classroom or at home. i’m here to inspire teachers to embrace balance & wellness, reminding you that we deserve to thrive both inside & outside of school.
ready to explore more about teaching, wellness, & living with purpose? you’re in the right place. let’s create a life where we love what we do and take care of ourselves along the way.
I'm Karyn,
Believe it or not, I wasn't always this way. I once juggled chaos & burnout—then I discovered the secrets to balance that changed everything.
want to create beautiful spaces but don’t know where to begin? this freebie guides you step-by-step in crafting a calm, functional classroom that feels just like home.
my journey to finding balance wasn’t easy, but it all started when I began to prioritize what really mattered in my classroom. by creating a calm and functional space, I noticed how much it helped my students feel more at ease and focused. adding social-emotional learning gave us a chance to connect beyond academics, while outdoor learning brought a refreshing change of pace.
as I made these shifts, I found a clearer sense of purpose, which helped me set boundaries that I desperately needed. it’s been a work in progress, and I’m still learning and growing every day, but focusing on these priorities has made a real difference for me as a teacher and a person.
The Stress-Free Guide to Setting Up Your Classroom
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How It Started
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2013
i graduated from high school, packed my bags, & headed to small-town maine to go to school to be a teacher!
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2013-2017
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2024
this past year has been filled with challenges both in & out of the classroom. i started my online wellness business, began my teacher-gram, & am set to graduate with my master's within the next year!
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2020
the pandemic brought on a whole set of challenges & truly pushed me to the brink as a teacher. i learned that i needed to set some serious boundaries & also that my kids needed so much more they could get in a boxed curriculum- hence the push for SEL & trauma-informed practices!
during these years, i studied early childhood education (birth-grade 3), worked through school at the local elementary school, fell in love, graduated from undergrad, & got engaged! I also got my first teaching job in first grade!
2018
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i married my husband, matt, on a hot summer day in july on a beautiful farm in front of all our friends & family! we danced the night away & had a big ole party!
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2025
in may, i was honored to be named somerset county teacher of the year. this recognition has given me the opportunity to collaborate with my cohort of county honorees on a statewide service project, advocate for educators, & connect with leaders across maine—all while continuing to celebrate the work happening in classrooms every day.
Sip on the dreamiest bevys that support wellness from the inside and out!
Check out a few of my favorite go-tos—from classroom essentials to cozy home finds and wellness picks I reach for every day. Take a look around and explore the things I love most!
Arbonne Favs
Home Decor
My go-tos for keeping my classroom calm & helping things run smoothly!
Classroom Must-Haves
Let's Hang on The Socials
Instagram
Pinterest
facebook
tiktok