Our Mission
We strive to provide superior customer service, innovation, quality, and commitment to schools, staff, and students of Texas. The Pencil Ladies have more than 80 years combined experience in the classroom, having taught second grade through junior college. They share a passion for developing students into stronger readers and writers. Rather than a “quick-fix” for student difficulties in reading and writing, we provide strategies with lasting impacts for both teachers and students to be more successful in the ELA/R classroom.
Customer Service
Teachers Serving Teachers
Teachers Serving Students
Strategy
Teaching students to become independent writers while incorporating a multitude of writing standards, so students create integrative, cohesive writing.
Innovation
We work to show teachers how to be successful through the use of our teacher-created resources.
Products and Services
Click here for a printable brochure!
For Teachers
- Winning Writers TE (Grades 2 -6)
- Champion Writers TE (Grades 6 -12)
- Writing Toolkits (Grades 4, 7, 9, & 10)
For Students
- Winning Writers (Grades 2-6)
- Champion Writers (Grades 6-12)
- Building Connections (Grades 3-6)
- Bridging Connections (Grades 6-9)
Staff Development
- Mastering Texas Writing Standards
- Maximizing Student Engagement
- Instructional Coaching
- Gifted & Talented 6-Hour Updates
- & more!
Meet Our Team
Teachers are the most influential factor for a students' success in the English classroom. Teachers need readily available resources to help prepare students for success based on state standards.
Joan Tolle
Joan Tolle received her BBA from Sam Houston State University and Master Reading Teacher Certification from Abilene Christian University. She holds the following certifications: Elementary and Secondary English, Master Reading (all level), Business Administration, ESL (all-levels). She has been recognized as ESC Region 14 Secondary Teacher of the Year 2014- 2015 and Colorado Middle School Teacher of the Year 2008-2009. She has been in public education for more than 25 years, as well as being an adjunct instructor for Western Texas College.
Presenter at Region 15 Literacy Conference (2022), ESC Region 6 Curriculum Collaborative Conference 2014 and Teach Rhymes with Beach Conference (2021, 2022), TALE Conference 2023 and multiple school districts (Colorado ISD, Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD, Splendora ISD, Crystal City ISD, Carrizo Springs ISD, Richards ISD, New Waverly ISD, Sealy ISD, New Caney ISD, Shepherd ISD, Livingston ISD, Montgomery ISD, Covenant Christian Academy, Coahoma ISD, Diboll ISD, Kenedy County-Wide Common School District.)
Vendor at TEPSA, TALE, TCTELA, TEKS Con, TCTA, AIE and Region 20 Literacy conferences.
Sharon Brown
Sharon Brown received her BBA and M.Ed. from Sam Houston State University. She holds Generalist 4-8 and Secondary English and Business Composite certifications. She has been recognized as a University of Texas Top 10 Texas Teacher and SHSU Distinguished Secondary Educator of the Year. She has worked at Region 6 as a GT and ELA specialist and has been in public education for more than 30 years.
Presenter at Region 15 Literacy Conference (2022), TAGT, and Teach Rhymes with Beach Conference (2021, 2022), TALE Conference 2023 and multiple school districts (Colorado ISD, Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD, Splendora ISD, Crystal City ISD, Carrizo Springs ISD, Richards ISD, New Waverly ISD, Sealy ISD, New Caney ISD, Shepherd ISD, Livingston ISD, Montgomery ISD, Covenant Christian Academy, Coahoma ISD, Diboll ISD, Kenedy County- Wide Common School District).
Vendor at TEPSA, TALE, TCTELA, TEKS Con, TCTA, AIE and Region 20 Literacy conferences.
Testimonials
GET IN TOUCH
IN THE NEWS
Keep up with The Pencil Ladies!
Literacy on the Concho 2022
Region 15 Education Service Center hosted “In the togetherness, castles are built” conference featuring Melanie Mayer, Gretchen Bernabei, Jennifer Martin, Nicole Morales, and Pencil Ladies.
Teach Rhymes with Beach 2022
Teach Rhymes with Beach 2022 included a boat ride with some pretty realistic pirates. Melanie Mayer always shares enthusiasm and passion for both Pt. Aransas and English teachers.
On the Road Again!
TALE Conference 2022 in Plano was a tremendous success. A special treat was hearing Jeff Anderson again! What a well-planned experience.
TAGT giftED19
The Pencil Ladies are back on the road! We’ll be in San Antonio for this year’s TAGT giftED19 conference. Stop by and let us meet you! https://tagtconference.org/
TEPSA – June 2019
TEPSA is back and the Pencil Ladies are excited to meet you! Swing by booth 609 and introduce yourself! When: June 12-14 Where: Austin Renaissance Hotel, 9721 Arboretum Blvd, Austin, TX 78759 Find out more information at https://www.tepsa.org/event/tepsa-summer-conference/ Summer Conference is the premier learning event for Texas PreK-8 school leaders. Features: 100+ sessions by State[…]
Pencil Ladies Take Over TEPSA
The Pencil Ladies are headed to Austin June 13-14 for the TEPSA conference at The Renaissance Hotel in The Arboretum. We will be booth #410! If your school district has writing and/or reading needs, please drop by for a visit! We would love the opportunity to get to know you. Also, we will be presenting[…]
AIE Conference
The Pencil Ladies just got back from San Antonio and the AIE Conference where we met some amazing district leaders and teachers who care deeply about their students! Thank you to Region 13 for a successful, well-organized conference.