My Story Begins Here

Hi, I’m the founder of Journeys — a Washington State certificated teacher with a Master’s in Education, a passion for literacy, and enough teaching experience to comfortably handle everything from toddler dance circles to middle school debate arguments.

For 16 years, I taught in public elementary schools, where I discovered that learning works best when children feel supported, engaged, and seen. Over the years, I’ve also tutored struggling readers and worked closely with students with dyslexia. I am trained in Wired for Reading, an evidence-based program designed to support students with dyslexia, and I use structured literacy approaches grounded in the Science of Reading to help students build confidence and success as readers. Watching a child realize they can read is still one of the best parts of my job.

For the last five years, I’ve taught infant and toddler music and sensory classes, which means I now consider tiny maracas, bubbles, scarves, and glitter part of my professional toolkit. Teaching little ones reminded me how powerful play, movement, music, and connection truly are for early learning — and also taught me that toddlers are brutally honest if your songs aren’t exciting enough.

This past year, I had the opportunity to teach middle and high school students at a homeschool co-op, leading classes in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, public speaking, and debate. I loved helping students discover their confidence, share their ideas, and learn practical life skills in creative and meaningful ways.

When I’m not teaching, I’m usually spending time with my hilarious, sassy, endlessly curious five-year-old daughter, who keeps me laughing and asking questions right alongside her. My husband, Jason, and I have spent the last 15 years building a life together here in beautiful North Bend, Washington, along with our dog Crouton and our cats, Milo and Lexi.

I run primarily on coffee, Coke, and popcorn, love gardening and growing flowers, and never miss my monthly book club — mostly because we fully commit to elaborate book-themed parties. Living near the mountains and scenery of the Pacific Northwest inspires so much of what I want Journeys to be: warm, creative, connected, and rooted in community.

My goal for Journeys is simple: to help as many children as possible learn to read and discover their confidence, to create spaces where families can connect through music and sensory play, and to bring tweens together through literacy, creativity, and entrepreneurship. I believe learning should feel joyful, meaningful, and full of possibility — and I’m so excited to build that community together.

With Love, Erin Perea