Hi and welcome! I’m Maria. I’m a kindergarten teacher turned work-from-home blogging mom to Dessa and Harvey: two beautiful, sweet, and joyfully energetic children.
I graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, then went on to complete my Master’s degree in Curriculum and Teaching from MSU a few years later. I spent 13 years teaching First Grade and Kindergarten (both full-day and half-day) at a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Each program came with its own exciting and challenging moments, but I especially loved teaching half-day kindergarten. Kinder Craze started as a space to share my passion and love for early childhood education.
I love having the opportunity to stay at home with my babies while they are young and often think about returning to the classroom once they are at school full-time. I don’t want to rush a single moment of our time together because I know that they are only little once and I want to enjoy as much of this sweet, exciting, exhausting, challenging season in our lives as I can. And right now, It’s pretty fun just being a regular mom who takes her kids to school.
Even though I’m enjoying my time at home with two little ones, my heart always fills with joy and nostalgia each time I look back at photos of my classroom. School has always been my happy place and I made every effort to nurture that love of learning for my students by creating a warm, cozy, welcoming classroom environment.
The Kinder Craze blog is still loaded with ideas and inspiration for classroom teachers, and now also features content and crafts for toddlers and preschoolers. You’ll also find printable classroom activities and instructional decor in my store on Teachers Pay Teachers.
I love all things tidy and organized, bright colors, natural lighting, and I think quiet time by myself for a mani and pedi is the ultimate treat. When I’m not chasing kids around the house in a desperate attempt to keep up, I share a lot about our home decor, family experiences and fashion finds along with my husband Rob on our personal blog, Crazy Together. Come stop by and say “Hi!”
