Hi! I'm Emily.

At Education to the Core, we are hyper-focused on helping you find trusted, research-based, and affordable K-3 resources designed by classroom teachers who understand your students' needs.

Education to the Core is the world's leading & most trusted resource for primary teachers. We improve the lives of every educator and learner with the most comprehensive, reliable, and inclusive educational resources.

The Educators Behind Our Resources

Emily Garcia

Founder and CEO

Janessa Fletcher

Curriculum Advisor & Community Specialist

Kristin Halverson, NBCT

Lead Curriculum Designer

Monica Mesman

Social Media Specialist

Sarah Barry

Curriculum Designer

Gretchen Vogle

Curriculum Designer

Our Core Values

Embrace Learning

The power of learning is contagious. We embrace learning everyday in our roles for our teachers and to support students.

Drive the Greater Good

We are teachers serving teachers. We exist to serve our community and to create a future that is better than the present with every action we choose.

Lead Responsibly

Each teacher is a leader in their respective roles, and we lead from a place of in of integrity. We do the best work for our community, every time.

Start From The Heart

At the heart of it all is our passion for teaching and improving the lives of our teachers & students. In all we do, we start from the heart.

Create Boldly

We don’t exist to be put in a box, and for us, one-size does not fit all. We think bigger, we strive for greater, and we are not afraid to break the mold.

Build Trust

Teach one, create one, reach one. As teachers ourselves, the ultimate sign of success is the trust we receive from other teachers in our products.

Break Conventions

In our products, our goals, and our actions, we take pride in going against the grain to think bold(er) and know it can be the difference.

Remain Humble

We work hard, we strive for excellence, and as we grow, we celebrate our wins while remaining humble as we serve others.

Giving Back to the Community

At Education to the Core, our commitment to our teacher community is at the heart of everything we do. Each year, we actively give back by teaching and volunteering in classrooms, ensuring we stay connected to the core of our mission: empowering teachers and improving the lives of every learner.

We proudly sponsor breakfasts and lunches for teachers, recognizing their dedication and hard work. Additionally, we provide essential resources to local schools, supporting educators and students alike. Our efforts are driven by a passion for education and a desire to make a meaningful impact in our community.

Empowering Teachers Everywhere: Emily's Journey

In the vibrant Phoenix metropolitan area, a passionate teacher named Emily discovered her calling. From the moment she stepped into her first classroom, she was captivated by the energy and potential of her students. However, Emily quickly noticed a significant lack of practical resources to support their learning.

Determined to bridge this gap, she began creating her own materials, meticulously tailored to her students’ needs. Her innovative approach was noticed. Colleagues on her grade-level team soon recognized the impact of her resources and started requesting her creations for their entire grade level.

It became evident that creating educational resources was Emily’s true passion. By day, she inspired her students, and by night, she transformed into a dedicated creator, developing comprehensive, reliable, and inclusive materials. Realizing the broader potential of her work, she began sharing her resources globally, receiving enthusiastic praise from educators worldwide.

Twelve years later, Emily’s vision had grown beyond her wildest dreams. With a small but mighty community of seasoned teachers, she found a way to provide affordable access to educators worldwide.

She launched a membership platform, offering teachers instant access to her extensive library of resources at the click of a button.

For Emily, convenience and accessibility are paramount. She aims to equip every classroom worldwide with these powerful resources, ensuring that teachers everywhere can provide the best education possible. Moreover, Emily understands the critical importance of work-life balance for teachers. Her platform is designed to save educators time and effort, allowing them to focus more on their students and their own well-being.

Emily’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of passion, innovation, and dedication in education. By empowering teachers with high-quality resources and supporting their work-life balance, Education to the Core is making a lasting impact on classrooms around the globe.

Emily Garcia

Founder and CEO

Hey there! So glad you found ETTC! I graduated from Arizona State University with my Masters Degree in Elementary Education. I taught Kinder, 1st, and 2nd Grade in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. I strongly believe that in order to teach anything, you need to have a strong focus on relationships, classroom management, discipline, positive praise, and the magic fairy dust. Due to a major lack of funding, many teachers are not equipped with the right tools and guidance they need to succeed in the classroom. It is my goal to help as many teachers as possible so they and their students can enjoy and thrive in the classroom.

Janessa Fletcher

Director of Content

I come from a long line of educators, so it was no surprise when I graduated from Northern Arizona University with my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education. Since graduating, I have added Early Childhood, Structured English Immersion, and Reading endorsements to my certificate. I taught preschool for two years in Albuquerque, New Mexico before moving to Phoenix, Arizona, where I taught kindergarten for eight years. During my kindergarten tenure, I had the opportunity to teach self-contained English Language Development classes. After having my second child, I stepped out of the classroom to become a Reading and Mathematics Interventionist and Instructional Coach. I was able to plan with teachers and develop curriculum to help differentiate instruction for all groups of learners in their classrooms. My passion lies in watching students succeed every day, as they strive to reach their goals.

Kristin Halverson, NBCT

Lead Curriculum Designer

I have always wanted to be a teacher – from the time my mom took me to school with her as a young child to today – it is what I was put on earth to do. I am, however, also a passionate environmentalist, so I took a roundabout way to classroom teaching (where I taught 4K-4th grade for 13 years). I completed my undergraduate work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Natural Resources/Environmental Studies and am an avid Badger fan. I continued my education and now hold a master’s degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education, Reading Teacher and Reading Specialist Certifications, my National Board Certification as an Early Childhood Generalist (the most transformative process I’ve undertaken when it comes to my profession), and my National Geographic Educator Certification. I love building relationships with students and helping them achieve, but most of all, I love encouraging them to connect, explore and engage with the world around them and use their voices to make positive changes in the world.

Monica Mesman

Media and Support Specialist

Hi, I’m Monica Mesman! I earned my Bachelor’s in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology from Northern Arizona University and my Masters in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Walden University. Growing up, I struggled with school and academics. I remember sitting at the teacher table in my elementary years. I found that my struggles in the classroom have helped shape me into the teacher I am today. I try my best to build relationships and engage kiddos with hands-on experiences that help them to form a love of learning. I am excited to share my love of learning and engagement with the ETTC Community! When not creating, I love spending time with my husband, two children, and our furbaby Axle.

Sarah Beberman

Curriculum Designer

Hello! My name is Sarah Beberman and I am so excited to be a part of Team ETTC! I am currently a second-grade teacher in Massachusetts. I have a tuxedo cat named Wendy! I have my Bachelors in Elementary Ed. and Earth Science, my Masters in Special Education, and my CAGS in Reading. I love the opportunities teaching gives for feeling like you are making a difference, no matter how small. I hope to do the same on a bigger scale by contributing to ETTC! When I’m not teaching I love to read, craft, and try new recipes!

Gretchen Vogle

Curriculum Designer

Hi! My name is Gretchen Vogle. I have worked in education for over twenty years, spending most of the time in second and third grade. I received my Bachelors in Elementary Education with minors in Spanish and German from Millersville University. I also earned my Masters in Education from Wilkes University. When not in the classroom, I enjoy reading and traveling. I am excited to contribute to ETTC and help life easier for teachers!