About Me

Hi there! I’m Rachel, the creator of Hopping into Kindergarten. I live in Iowa with my wonderful husband, our dog Murphy, and our two bunnies, Izzy & Lilly (who inspired my store name!). Besides teaching, I’m very passionate about animals and dream of someday having a farm for rescued animals! Murphy and Lilly are both from animal shelters, and helping animals is something near and dear to my heart.

Growing up, I moved around very often as we were a military family! We landed in Iowa right before I started HS and I’ve been here ever since. I went to Iowa State University for my undergrad in Elementary Education with endorsements in Reading and ELA. I met some of my best friends at ISU and cherish my memories! I earned my Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa with an early childhood/full inclusion endorsement.

I love teaching the little ones and creating resources that I believe in. From engaging science centers to literacy activity ideas, I hope you’ll enjoy my blog and TPT store and find something to use in your own classroom or with your little ones at home. I taught kindergarten for seven years in public school and have some wonderful memories. I aspire to someday open my own early childhood center or become a professor in the early childhood field. Happy teaching, and thanks for stopping by!