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Tisha

Dr. Tisha Shipley is a children’s author and advocate with over 24 years of experience in education. She has taught Pre K, Kindergarten, and Gifted and Talented students in grades three through six....

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From Educator to Author: Checking Another Dream Off My Bucket List

As teachers, I often wonder why we are always adding something new to our bucket lists. Or maybe I should say... I know I am!

I think educators are naturally driven to grow, create, learn, and find new ways to make a difference. We are always looking for ways to be better, do better, and reach the children and families we serve in meaningful ways.

Well, I recently checked something pretty big off my bucket list.

I became an author.

For months, I have been creating, writing, revising, dreaming, and working alongside an incredible illustrator to bring my first children's book, Rider's Magic Mark, to life. And now, I can finally say that the launch date is almost here!

Rider's Magic Mark launches November 21^st!

This book is incredibly special to me because it is more than just a story. It is a story about discovering what makes us unique, recognizing our strengths, finding courage, and celebrating the things that make each of us who we are.

Rider is a seven-year-old who discovers that he has a Magic Mark. As he learns more about his mark and what it means, he begins to discover something even more important: sometimes the things that make us different are also the things that make us powerful.

Throughout the story, children are introduced to characters who each have their own strengths and unique Magic Marks. The characters explore qualities such as bravery, empathy, creativity, humor, and wit while learning important lessons about friendship, confidence, kindness, and being comfortable with who they are.

My hope is that children will see themselves somewhere within these pages—and that they will also learn to see and celebrate the differences in others.

But I Didn't Stop at the Book

As an educator, I knew I wanted Rider's Magic Mark to be more than a book that gets read once and placed on a shelf.

I wanted teachers and families to have meaningful ways to continue the conversation after the last page.

That is why Rider's Magic Mark comes with a plethora of free resources available through the book's website. These resources are designed to help teachers, families, and children explore the themes of the story through conversation, activities, reflection, creativity, and social-emotional learning.

I have also developed two companion curricula to extend the learning even further.

The companion curricula provide educators with activities and ideas that connect the story to important areas of children's social-emotional development, including confidence, self-awareness, kindness, empathy, relationships, and recognizing personal strengths.

I wanted teachers to be able to pick up the book and immediately have ideas for what they could do next.

More than a Book: Creating Curriculum to Bring Rider's Magic Mark to Life

A Book for Children, Teachers, and Families

One of my biggest hopes for Rider's Magic Mark is that it finds its way into the hands of teachers, students, and families.

I want children to read it and think, "There is something special about me."

I want teachers to use it as a starting point for meaningful classroom conversations.

And I want families to use it as an opportunity to talk with their children about differences, strengths, kindness, courage, and what makes each person unique.

Writing a children's book has been a journey I never expected to take when I first began my career in education. There have been countless revisions, ideas, questions, changes, and moments when I wondered, "Am I really doing this?"

But here I am.

From educator to author.

Another item checked off the bucket list.

And perhaps the most exciting part is knowing that this dream isn't just about me. It is about creating something that I hope will make a difference for children, teachers, and families.

This got me to thinking, what is on your bucket list. Can I give you a push to try something new and maybe even scary? You got this!

I cannot wait to finally place Rider's Magic Mark into your hands.

November 21, 2026, can't come soon enough!

Find out more about the curriculum

Celebrate Differences. Discover Strengths. Shine Bright.

— Dr. Tisha Shipley

Here are some other ways to think of Gratitude!

Practicing Gratitude Personally and as a Professional In the Classroom Community

Growing Gratitude and Confidence in Our Classroom Communities continues the conversation on why it is important in our classroom!

Website for free curriculum and the book!

https://www.ridersmagicmark.com/

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