Nearly Half of New Teachers Feel Unprepared for the Classroom -
Let's Change That
Too many pre-service teachers graduate feeling unready to handle real-world classroom challenges.
The READY for School Academy is the proven, research-backed program that bridges the gap between theory and practice—so your elementary teacher graduates enter their first year confident, capable, and ready to thrive.
Ensure Your Pre-Service Elementary Teachers are READY for Day One
44% of new teachers leave the profession within the first five years.
One of the top reasons? They don’t feel adequately prepared for the realities of managing a classroom, engaging students, and navigating their first year.
Universities provide essential theoretical foundations for future educators, but research shows that pre-service training often lacks the hands-on, practical preparation new teachers need to succeed in their first classroom.
The result? Graduates enter their first teaching jobs feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and at risk for burnout—and many of them leave the profession before they ever get the chance to truly thrive.
The READY for School Academy:
Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice
The READY for School Academy is a self-paced, research-backed online program designed to equip pre-service elementary teachers with the real-world classroom management, planning, and instructional skills they need to start their first year feeling confident and prepared.
By partnering with universities, we provide a seamless, structured approach to help future teachers apply what they’ve learned in their coursework to real-world classroom scenarios—before they graduate.
What’s Inside the READY for School Academy?
✅ Opportunities to Maximize Student Teaching Experiences with focused attention on applying theoretical principles inside real classrooms.
✅ Self-paced, Flexible Guidance for teachers preparing to graduate and set up their own elementary classroom.
✅ Implementation Guide & Reflective Activities for university professors to provide structured support without a heavy time investment.
✅ Step-by-Step Video Trainings on classroom set-up and design, classroom management, planning & data management, and establishing positive parent relationships.
✅ 150+ Printable Resources and Templates (including 3 classroom themes) that eliminate overwhelm and help teachers create a positive, structured learning environment.
✅ Program Certification and 10 PD Credit Hours for each teacher upon completion of the program and passing five 15-point assessments.
Why Universities Are Investing in
READY for School Academy
Bridges the Theory-Practice Gap
Complements existing coursework with applicable strategies and resources to help new teachers apply what they learn.
Flexible &
Self-Paced
Allows students to complete training on their schedule as part of their coursework or as supplemental preparation.
Enhances Pre-Service Fieldwork
Gives future elementary teachers actionable tools to use during student teaching and early career experiences.
Enhances Reputation & Accreditation Standards
Universities that demonstrate a commitment to innovative teacher preparation strengthen their national and state-level accreditation standing, making them more attractive to both students and funding opportunities.
Differentiates Your University from Competitors
Institutions that integrate practical, real-world training into their programs stand out to prospective students who prioritize career readiness.
Boosts University ROI & Enrollment
Universities that provide real-world preparation see higher graduate employment rates, stronger alumni engagement, and increased enrollment from prospective students seeking effective teacher training programs.
Proven Success –
Over 3,000 elementary teachers trained with results that show increased teacher confidence, job satisfaction, and long-term commitment to the profession.
The Cost of Under-Preparation?
Lost Teachers, Lost Students, and Lost Investment.
Replacing just one teacher can cost a district between $9,000 and $20,000—and universities feel the impact, too.
When graduates leave the profession within their first five years, universities lose alumni success stories, program credibility, and potential future mentors for new pre-service teachers.
READY for School Academy is an affordable, high-impact solution designed to ensure your graduates enter the workforce ready, confident, and committed to a long-term career in teaching.
"Out of all the things I've bought for my classroom, the R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy has paid off the most. I can't believe how much it has helped me prepare for my first year of teaching. I went from nervous and overwhelmed to feeling like I'm going to rock this year. I know I'm going to look back and know this was the best decision I made all year."
- Ashley O’Dell, Academy Graduate
READY for School Academy Creator:
Lori Friesen, PhD
✅ 10 years’ elementary teaching experience.
✅ PhD in Education, University of Alberta.
✅ Presidential Doctoral Prize of Distinction.
✅ Taught pre-service teachers, University of Lethbridge.
✅ 3,000+ READY for School Academy graduates.
✅ 600,000+ downloads: Beginning Teacher Talk Podcast.
✅ Author: Dear New Teacher, Here’s Exactly What to Do (2024) and The Beginning Teacher's Handbook for Elementary School (2007).
"As a part of our New Teacher Induction process, all teachers are given two resources to utilize. One is The First Days of School book by Harry Wong, which has sold over 3 million copies. The other resource is Lori Friesen’s The Beginning Teacher’s Handbook for Elementary School. It is a great tool that provides new elementary teachers with many practical ideas and applications. The value of this book is apparent when I have veteran, experienced teachers requesting copies of their own."
- Lowell S. Leffler, Former Deputy Superintendent,
Prairie Rose School Division #8
The R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy is a game-changer for new and experienced teachers alike.
With a strong foundation in research-backed best practices, this program bridges the gap between theory and real-world teaching—ensuring educators step into their classrooms with confidence and clarity. Dr. Lori has created an invaluable program that empowers teachers to establish thriving learning environments from day one. If you’re looking to start the school year strong, this academy is the perfect place to begin!
Robin Bright, PhD
Professor, Faculty of Education
University of Lethbridge
Give Your Pre-Service Teachers the Support They Deserve
What other teachers are saying about their experience inside READY for School Academy:
Let’s Partner to Set Your Future Elementary Teachers Up for Success
Book a 20-Minute Discovery Call NowReferences
Carver-Thomas, D., & Darling-Hammond, L. (2024). What’s the cost of teacher turnover? Learning Policy Institute. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/2024-whats-cost-teacher-turnover-factsheet
Diliberti, M., Schwartz, H. L., & Grant, D. (2021). Stress topped the reasons why public school teachers quit, even before COVID-19. RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1121-2.html
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Learning Policy Institute. (2017). The role of teacher preparation and professional development in teacher shortages. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/topic/teacher-preparation-and-professional-learning
Matsumoto-Royo, K., & Ramírez-Montoya, M. S. (2021). Core practices in practice-based teacher education: A systematic literature review of its teaching and assessment process. Studies in Educational Evaluation, 70, 101047. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stueduc.2021.101047
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