Meet Jessica

Hi, I am Jessica. I am entering my 20th year in the field of education. During those 20 years I have taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade in Georgia, Florida, California, and Oregon. I was an instructional coach at the middle school level for six years, and am currently entering my second year as an assistant principal at a high school in rural southern Oregon.

I am a Georgia peach born and raised (and a GA Bulldog fan despite my Yankee born Ohio State family). In 2013 my small family moved to Oregon to be closer to my husband's parents. I went from working for one of the largest school districts in Georgia (where I met Amy) to small rural districts in southern Oregon. 

My husband and I have one daughter, two dogs, one cat, and eight chickens. Our daughter keeps us busy with volleyball, basketball, and soccer. When we have free time we love camping and just spending time outdoors, Oregon has so many beautiful places to visit! I enjoy reading, crafting, anything with a monogram, and finding great deals in all of my spare time 😂.

I can't wait to share our ideas and adventures with you all!

Meet Amy

Hi I'm Amy. This is my 17th year in education. Over the years, I have held quite a few jobs. I've taught 2nd grade, 5th grade, and reading intervention. I spent 4 of those years as instructional coach at the elementary level, and an additional 3 as an instructional coach at the district level. I've also had the opportunity to lead literacy across a district for 3 years. I am currently beginning my first year as part instructional coach and part administrator in a small district in northeast Georgia.

I am a Georgia peach, but was raised by Yankees so I had to learn my love of monograms and sweet tea from my friends. I've lived in Georgia all my life, and began my teaching career in the same district I grew up in. In 2009, my husband and I moved farther outside Atlanta with the anticipation of starting a family. A few years later, I went from teaching in one of the largest districts in Georgia (where I met Jessica) to the much smaller district we live in. 

My husband and I have one son, one daughter, and two dogs. If I'm not at school, I can most likely be found at the soccer field or gymnastics gym...or let's be honest, running to Target. When I have free time (ha!), I love to read, spend time with family at the lake, and shop.

I can't wait to share this little space with you, and take you along on our adventures!

Our Story

Welcome to Peaches of Our Heart. We’re excited that you’re here, and can’t wait for you to follow along with us in our adventures. We’re two Georgia peaches sharing our personal and educational experiences from different perspectives and opposite sides of the United States. So how did two people who live across the country from each other decide to blog together? Here’s our story...

In 2005, Amy and Jessica were happily teaching at different schools within the same district. Fast forward five years, and Jessica volunteered to move schools within the district just after school began. It just so happened that this move landed Jessica at the same school, but on a different grade level from Amy. Just one year later, our paths crossed and we ended up in 5th grade for the first time together. It didn't take us long to figure out that we had a lot in common!

At the end of the 2012-2013 school year our paths took opposite turns. Amy was given the opportunity to become an instructional coach for the same school, Jessica and her family were heading to Oregon to move closer to family. To say it was a difficult good-bye was an understatement. In one short year we had grown close and grew as educators and friends. Even though we went in different directions, it wasn't the end!

Six months ago Jessica kept thinking that there was something more that she wanted to do. Identifying and defining "the what" was where she was struggling. She did know that it was something she couldn't do on her own. Jessica recalled her instant connection with Amy and immediately reached out. Little did she know that Amy had been having the same feelings. After a google meet and "seeing" each other for the first time in seven years, plans and ideas quickly began to flow.

It was our connection from all those years ago that led us down this path, our love for all things teaching and education, a good read (personal or professional), and a great deal. So this blog will be a little bit of everything - family, kids, teaching, instructional coaching, and life in general.

Our ultimate goal is to share these pieces (or peaches 😁) of our heart with you!

   

Coming Soon!