Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Sears.
Jamie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was sitting at my kitchen table in tears- full on ugly tears. I was so overwhelmed and discouraged. How could I be the teacher that I knew my 3rd graders needed without any resources, inadequate training, and almost no time?
I now know that the first year is ridiculously difficult for almost every teacher, but at the time, I was convinced that I was the only one drowning.
I knew that I needed to improve my lessons. My students were confused and bored. It was a terribly scary combination. I wanted more engaging activities, but I just could not afford them. So, I used my self taught Digital scrapbooking skills and started making my own classroom resources.
One day a coworker made the comment, “I love that activity. I would totally pay for that.”
That is when the idea for Not So Wimpy Teacher was born. In 2013 decided to sell my classroom resources so that I would be able to afford to buy even more resources for my students. I had no idea where this would all lead!
I spent every night and every weekend creating resources for my store. I started a blog and a Facebook page where I was able to help teachers to implement these activities and become more engaging and effective teachers. I listened to their struggles and worked hard to create a solution.
In 2016 I left my teaching job in order to spend more time with my family and creating resources that would lead to less teacher tears.
I continued to listen to teachers and in 2019, I created an online course to help teachers learn how to teach writing without all of the stress and overwhelm. Over 3,100 teachers took my course that summer.
Now I have built a team that consists of some of the greatest teachers. Together we continue to educate elementary school teachers and change the world of education.
The success of my business is something that other entrepreneurs are curious about. I would receive messages every day asking for suggestions and tips for growing a business. I am so excited that I am now hosting a podcast for other online entrepreneurs who are ready to bravely grow their business. It is called the Not So Wimpy Entrepreneurs. Helping other business owners allows me to make an even bigger impact in the world!
I still cry- like when my daughter took her first steps- but I am no longer being wimpy. I saw a need and I found a solution!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There are so many struggles that are baked into my success story! It is the struggles that gave me the opportunity to learn and stretch myself.
Just getting started was hard. That’s why most people don’t do it! I had to learn about building a website, graphic design, and Facebook ads. I did not have ANY experience with business or marketing. But, the best way to learn is to just do it!
My biggest struggle has always been balancing my family and running the business. It can feel like an unbalanced scale sometimes.
I have five kids and I want to be a present mom who volunteers for the marching band and makes banners for the pom competitions. That can be a challenge when I am blogging, podcasting, creating resources, recording courses and running giant Facebook groups.
I am learning that I just can’t do it alone.
I have been hiring help for my business and learning to let go of things that aren’t in my unique genius.
Please tell us about Not So Wimpy Teacher.
I am known for creating resources for teachers in grades 2-5 that are engaging and effective, but easy to prepare and implement.
I almost proud the online writing course that we have created for teachers. Educators kept complaining that writing was hard to teach and that their students were not making the growth they needed. Teachers admitted that they just didn’t know HOW to teach writing.
I just hate the idea of another teacher crying her eyes out because she loves her students dearly, but she has no idea how to be the teacher she dreamed that she would be.
I got to work!
I created a seven module course via video. I worked to answer all of the questions and struggles that teachers had expressed. With the help of my amazing team, we showed up in a Facebook group every day and made certain that every teacher in the course had the answers that they needed.
We had over 3,100 teachers take the course last summer. It was life changing for me and for the teachers in the course. I kept hearing comments like, “I feel more excited about teaching than I ever have before!” These not so wimpy teachers went back into the classroom and changed the way that their students would feel about writing. Students are actually moaning and groaning when writing time is over!
I can’t believe the power of a motivated teacher who has the tools and strategies that she needs.
We are knee deep planning for the same course this summer. We plan to have over 4,000 teachers sign up when the doors open in June!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I credit 100% of my success to the teachers who have trusted me, my resources, and my trainings. Teachers are the hardest working people that I know. The fact that they are so committed to their students that they will take courses over the summer and spend their own money on classroom activities is a testament to their awesomeness.
I did not create Not So Wimpy Teacher on my own.
My husband, Scott, dried all of my wimpy tears and encouraged me to follow this crazy dream. He watched the kids, ran loads of laundry, and cooked dinner while I worked. Eventually, he quit his full-time job and joined my team. I am so lucky that he was willing to learn how Facebook ads work and has the patience to deal with taxes and legal stuff.
I now have a team! Lindsay, Stacey and Jonna work behind the scenes to help teachers. They make me look good even when I am a hot mess of unanswered emails and forgotten dentist appointments. Their love for teaching and kids is evident in every resource they help create and every Facebook post they write.
Finally, I’d be lost without my accountability partner, Amanda. She is a successful teacher author with her own store, but she always finds the time to text me. She has become a trusted friend that I run to when I feel scared or uncertain about this crazy entrepreneur life. Everyone needs an Amanda!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.
notsowimpyteacher.com - Email: jamie@
notsowimpyteacher.com - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/ notsowimpyteacher and https:// www.instagram.com/not_so_ wimpy_entrepreneur/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/ NotSoWimpyTeacher/ - Other: https://podcasts.apple.
com/us/podcast/not-so-wimpy- entrepreneur-podcast/ id1497046816
Image Credit:
Julie Griffin Photography
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