REAL TALK:
It’s not a dream job if it steals your life.
You just need clear, classroom-tested curriculum that works.
The Hungry Teacher is here to make sure you never have to plan from scratch or second-guess your approach again.
Getting there shouldn’t take you down another Pinterest rabbit hole.
You deserve to have nights and weekends free, like the rest of society.
I help middle school ELA teachers simplify their lesson planning, develop students into lifelong readers & writers, and reclaim their time.
Because teaching well shouldn’t mean working nights and weekends just to stay afloat.
Too many teachers are expected to be curriculum designers and “cruise directors”—with no extra support and barely any planning time. Which leads to late nights, missed time with friends and family, and exhaustion.
But we believe you can help your students love reading and writing, and still have a life.
That’s why we created simple frameworks that center on independent reading, flexible writing conferences, mentor texts, and practical grammar instruction. Our resources are clear, structured, and ready to use so you can focus on what matters most.
I didn’t start out as a middle school ELA expert—far from it. When I transitioned from a self-contained elementary classroom to teaching sixth-grade ELA, everything fell apart. I had triple the students, half the planning time, and a scripted curriculum that made my students hate reading and writing. They barely engaged, wrote just a few sentences a day, and struggled to finish a single book. Meanwhile, I was drowning in grading, exhausted, and completely burned out by October.
I knew something had to change. So I stopped following ineffective strategies and started creating my own. I prioritized independent reading, daily writing, structured conferences, and mentor texts—all designed to fit within my short class periods.
The results? My students went from barely reading to finishing multiple novels per unit. Their writing stamina skyrocketed from a few sentences to nearly two pages a day. And my biggest win? I never took grading home.
Now, I help other middle school ELA teachers do the same. Through The Hungry Teacher’s Hub and the Masterful Mentor Text Curriculum, I provide practical, time-saving strategies that actually work—so teachers can engage their students, teach effectively, and reclaim their time from the exhausting planning-grading cycle.
MEET MARTINA
Pull up a beanbag chair!
I’m spending time with my husband and three kids in our small hometown in the mountains of Colorado.
💖 When I’m not nerding out over teaching?
The Fault in Our Stars
Freak the Mighty
Counting by 7s
📚 Books I could read over and over:
Bachelor of Science in Education
Masters of Science in K-12 Literacy: Reading Specialist Certification
✏️ My Experience and Credentials
I have noticed some major gains in my students’ understanding of our standards after using bell ringers to begin our class. The visuals are easy to have ready for students! I feel like I really got a lot for my money and would definitely recommend this to any reading teacher.
"I have noticed some major gains in my students’ understanding of our standards after using bell ringers"
jennifer
Upper Elementary & Middle School ELA
Students are excited & engaged. The amount of detail in this product is amazing!
This resource has saved my life during a stressful grade level move.
"This resource has saved my life during a stressful grade level move."
sarah
Sixth Grade Reading
In the past, curriculum always felt like it was just a hodgepodge. I just never felt like I covered everything. Now, the lessons cycle back with intention. This feels more comprehensive. The shift from teaching the novel to using the novel to teach is outstanding. Martina’s resources help me teach the way I’ve always wanted to teach—I just didn’t know how.
"Martina’s resources help me teach the way I’ve always wanted to teach—I just didn’t know how."
amy
Middle School ELA teacher, Texas
Our values infuse everything we create.
Keep it real. We’re honest about the ups and downs of the classroom experience. (Most teachers aren’t looking for an escape hatch, but their feelings deserve to be heard & validated.)
Teach what matters. We focus on developing critical thinkers and lifelong readers & writers—we’re not just checking standardized testing boxes.
Use what works. We provide tried-and-true resources that can serve as a full curriculum or a jumping-off point for creating your own classroom rhythms. We want to help you trust your teacher gut—even when budgets & schedules are tight.
Lead with empathy. Teaching is a leadership role without much built-in support. We help teachers feel seen, understood, and supported.
Leave work at work. Teachers deserve rest. Our resources offer sustainable classroom rhythms that help you stay “on” during the school day and log off after the final bell rings.
