It started with a deep love for teaching and has since flourished into a deep love for providing educational resources for teachers. Becca (Williams ’10) Foxwell created Foxwell Forest while working as a first-grade teacher for eight years and continued this work after transitioning out of the classroom. Foxwell Forest is a hub of creative resources available to teachers in an effort to make their lives as an educator just a tad easier.

Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Becca Foxwell (’10) started Foxwell Forest to support other educators through a hub of resources.

The Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year in 2016-17, Foxwell’s time in the Early Childhood Education program at LBC prepared her well for her educational path and continues to impact her work today. “I knew that in order to be an effective Christian teacher, I would need a solid foundation in both God’s Word and in teaching practices. LBC not only offered both of these but also did so with excellence,” she said. In fact, this background at LBC shaped her mission and goals for Foxwell Forest as well.

“When teachers work with me, whether through signing up for my weekly emails or reading a blog post with tips, grabbing a free teaching tool or buying one of my digital resources, my goal is always to equip them with effective, time-saving tools that will help them create a positive classroom environment and engage all students in learning,” she said. “I know firsthand that teaching is hard! But it is such an important job, and I never want teachers to forget that they are making a difference and changing lives every single day!”

Foxwell refers to herself as a cheerleader for these teachers. She feels that the Lord has placed her in this supporting role for a greater purpose that still fulfills her desires in education.

“I believe that [teaching] is a desire that the Lord placed in my heart from a very early age and that this is what I was created to do,” Foxwell shared. “So, even though teaching in a traditional classroom is no longer my vocation, it’s still my passion and makes my heart come alive!”

Foxwell started Foxwell Forest in 2012 when a friend introduced her to Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT), a website where teachers can post their own resources to be used by other teachers. Foxwell said that sharing her resources started out as a hobby but, years later, has blossomed into Foxwell Forest. Foxwell still keeps her original TPT page up to date while also creating resources on the Foxwell Forest’s website.

Foxwell also shared that it was during her PA Teacher of the Year honor that her heart for teachers grew significantly. By being able to spend so much time with teachers who were invested in their students and their work, Foxwell saw more and more opportunity to support them.

Perhaps the best part of Foxwell Forest for this innovative educator is the flexibility that this role as a resource creator and manager has given her. She now gets to work from home in Lebanon County, Pa., and raise her two boys, Sammy and Caleb. “I’m blessed to spend my days at home raising tiny disciples of Jesus while also pouring into the lives of teachers all around the world online,” she said.

Foxwell tells of sweet moments with her boys that are possible because of this time working from home. Her day-to-day consists of “lot of diapers, snuggles, dishes, car races, laundry and books!” Foxwell runs her business on just 5 to 10 hours per week during naptimes and when her husband, David, takes the boys on daddy-son outings. This flexibility allows Foxwell intimate quality time with her family while also giving her the opportunity to provide for her family and support teachers through Foxwell Forest.

“My resources are used by thousands of teachers around the world, and that continually blows my mind and humbles my heart,” she said. “It’s truly amazing what God can do when we take a big step of faith and follow the calling He has placed on our life!”