Meet Tracy Sievers | Curriculum Writer & Educational Resource Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tracy Sievers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tracy, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Never in a million years did I think I’d own my own business… I had been a teacher for over 20 years and figured I’d do it until I retired. Although teaching was a challenging job, I always found so much love in the walls of my classroom. Through the years, it got tougher and after COVID, it became so much more than teaching kids. Our already full plates became piled on with more requirements from the state and district that did nothing but take up time and energy. Teaching became 10% of what I did all day – while most of my day was spent doing other things I was told I had to do. I spent close to ten hours at school each day and would then come home and spend nights and weekends catching up. I felt pulled in so many different directions. My own kids barely saw me and when they did, I wasn’t at my best. I was tired. I was grumpy. I was worn out. I couldn’t keep living this way.

I started to wonder what it would be like to quit teaching and do something that I actually enjoyed, was on my time, and allowed me to be present with my own family. It seemed like a dream. By the grace of God, I came across Lauren Golden’s Free Mama Movement on Facebook and clicked the link. Within a few weeks of following her, I knew there was more out there. I didn’t need to settle. I didn’t need to just exist. I could change my path and my future no matter how old I was. And about a month later, I told my principal I would not be renewing my contract for the next year.

I wasn’t sure what exactly I would do, but I knew I could figure it out. And that’s what I did. Eventually, I was hired as a contractor for a curriculum company out of the Houston area. And I also started my own company making educational resources for teachers and homeschool parents.

Now I make my own schedule, work from my home, and spend time with my family each and every day. I am beyond blessed.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Raise Your Hand Resources are educational language arts resources that are carefully created to make teachers’ jobs easier. I put myself back in the classroom, making sure my products are not only engaging to students, but also meet the necessary objectives of each skill being assessed. Basically, I create things I wish I had when I was teaching.

I have big goals and work every day to get closer to them. But the beauty of it, is that I’m doing it for me. I don’t have someone else dictating what’s important.

Owning your own business brings with it many unique challenges. Am I on the right path? Should I do this or do that? But when you do something you’re passionate about, you’re more apt to take these challenges head on.

I’ve learned so much in the last year… but the thing I go back to time and time again is something Lauren Golden says quite often. “You can be scared and still be brave.” So that’s what I try to do.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I’m honest, I’m a homebody. My favorite thing is to relax by our pool, with some drinks in hand, and the Rangers game on. What can I say? I’m pretty easy to please. But if I’m forced to leave the house, give me a good patio, some yummy drinks, and country band, and I can handle that. For a great Happy Hour, Katy Trail never disappoints. For a little trendier vibe, Legacy West is always a hit with out-of-towners. And if I’m gonna be out past my bedtime, a country concert at Billy Bob’s is the way to go.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Lauren Golden, of the Free Mama Movement, put me on a path to say YES to myself and my family. She is the most hands-on, inspirational leader I’ve ever worked with. She KNOWS her community and she shows up big time for each of us.

Closer to home, I have to give my husband, Brad, some credit here too. When I approached him out of the blue (with sweaty palms and a pounding heart) to say I wasn’t sure if I could teach one more year, I was beyond worried. We used my income. We tried to make smart money decisions. We didn’t do risky things! But the moment I said what I was thinking, he told me to go for it. Point blank. He said we’d figure it out. His support is what made me jump in with two feet.

Website: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Tracy-Sievers-Raise-Your-Hand-Resources

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raiseyourhandresources/