I’m Alyssa—a licensed educator, academic tutor, and children’s literature author who believes that stories and learning share the same magic: they help kids grow with confidence, curiosity, and courage.
My teaching journey began in 2016, tutoring students with Down Syndrome, and soon after, I directed a therapeutic summer camp for children with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Those early experiences taught me how powerful it is when students feel understood, supported, and celebrated. Since then, I’ve earned dual degrees in Cross-Categorical Special Education and Elementary Education from Carthage College in WI, and have spent years teaching as both a learning specialist and a 5th-grade classroom teacher. In every role, I help students strengthen foundational skills, develop executive functioning strategies, and build academic confidence that lasts.
My author journey grows right alongside my teaching. The same things I love most in the classroom—curiosity, imagination, emotional growth, and connection—show up in my writing too. I write picture books that support emotional regulation, sensory needs, resilience, and empathy, and I create middle-grade stories filled with adventure, heart, and wonder.
Outside both the classroom and the writing desk, I’m an adventurer at heart—backpacking in Alaska, canoeing through Canada, and exploring wild places that continually inspire new worlds, characters, and story ideas.
Teaching shapes my writing. Writing enriches my teaching. And at the center of both is my passion for helping kids feel seen, capable, and excited about learning—whether through a math lesson, a read-aloud, or a story that sparks their imagination.
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Stories for those with invisible disabilities, including neurodiversity and chronic illness, where strength often shows up quietly and unexpectedly.
Stories grounded in social-emotional learning, giving language to big feelings, steady tools for hard days, and space for joy.
Stories shaped by adventure in the Northwoods, remote rivers, and high mountain peaks, where awe, mischief, and the wild spark courage and healing.
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A few of my most notable journeys...
Solo Backpacking trip through the Porcupine Mountains
Pioneer - Camp Manitowish - Two weeks canoeing through Quetico Canada.
Expedition - Camp Manitowish - Two weeks backpacking through Artic National Wildlife Refuge.
Intermediate Expedition - Camp Manitowish - Thirty days paddling along the Geikie river and foster water shed in Saskatchewan Canada.
Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center - Wildlife conservation and learning adventure over one month in the North Woods.
Mt. Huron Peak - Colorado 14'er.
Mt. Grays Peak - Colorado 14'er.
Endless bouldering and ice climbing across the United States
Up next...
John Muir Trail - 12 day backpacking tour.
Mt. Whitney - Highest peak in the lower 48.
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Academic Tutor & Executive Functioning Coach - Private tutoring with specialize support and coaching.
Behavioral Technician - Applied Behavior Analysis therapy with children with autism.
Evening Program Director - Designed therapeutic recreational activities for children and adults with disabilities and chronic illnesses.
Learning Specialist - Taught classes for students with emotional behavioral challenges and learning disabilities.
Classroom Teacher - Taught in an inclusion style classroom supporting general education, students with IEPs/504 plans and enrichment curriculum.
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K-8th grade general education tutoring and support.
K-12 special education support.
Executive functioning and social-emotional learning.
