If there’s one thing I’ve been consistent about lately… it’s being inconsistent. Not in everything, but definitely here on my blog, on social media, and on TpT.
The truth? I was burnt out. Teaching is demanding enough, and the constant push to market, create content, and stay active online just drained me. Somewhere along the way, I lost my drive.
So, I took a break.
But here’s the thing—I still love teaching. I love creating. I love making my classroom an inviting and motivating space. I love learning new things. And I definitely love a good crafty hobby.
Enter: My Laser Cutter and a Brand New Adventure!
So, I did what any burned-out, slightly obsessive, overly creative person would do… I bought a laser. And wood. And paints. And a whole bunch of other things that I thought I needed but now have no idea why I bought. 🤷♀️
I started creating—everything and anything. But no matter how many things I made, my ideas kept circling back to teaching. I kept thinking, How can I use this in my classroom? How can I make learning more fun?
That’s when Copper Bay Creations was born.
Introducing: PRAISE PAGE TOPPERS! 🎉
My first product line is something I started using right away in my classroom — PRAISE TOPPERS! These are large, laser-cut teacher magnets designed to display student work in a fun, engaging way. Whether it’s a whiteboard, bulletin board, or fridge, these eye-catching designs celebrate hard work and bring positivity into the classroom.
My store is still in its baby stages (so be gentle, haha!), but I’m excited to share more of my creations with you soon.
If you’re a teacher who loves creative and motivational classroom decor, I hope you’ll follow along as I continue this new journey. Thanks for being here—I can’t wait to show you what’s next!
Motivate, Inspire, and Celebrate Student Work with Praise Toppers!
I am obsessed with these motivational magnets! One of the most powerful ways to encourage students to give their best effort is to show them that their work matters.
Celebrate it. Highlight it. Make it a BIG DEAL!
Displaying student work in a visible, high-traffic spot—like your front whiteboard or a bulletin board—creates a classroom culture where effort and growth are celebrated daily. I love choosing one new piece each day and placing it front and center. Throughout the day, I refer back to it, pointing out why it’s a great example:
✔ Look at this amazing vocabulary!
✔ See how clearly this student organized their thinking?
✔ Notice the perfect punctuation and capital letters?
When students see real examples from their peers being recognized, they strive to improve—and the results come FAST. Plus, changing out the example regularly ensures that all students get a confidence boost, especially those who need it most.
Praise Toppers: The Perfect Way to Show Off Student Work!
These praise toppers come with two backing options—a strong magnet for whiteboards or a thumbtack backing for bulletin boards—so you can display them wherever they work best in your space!
I’m slowly adding all of my designs to my shop, but my first two are ready to go!
❤️ LOVE this WORK! (Valentine’s Day & Beyond!)
This page topper was originally designed for Valentine’s Day, but honestly? It works all year long! I paired it with a math-meets-art tessellation lesson, and the results were stunning. Tessellations make an amazing display, and this topper makes sure everyone knows how much you LOVE their hard work!
🥒 "This is a BIG DILL!" (Because Pickles = Instant Fun!)
If your students are anything like mine, they love pickles. So of course, this had to be the next praise topper I made! Bright, fun, and totally eye-catching, this topper brings some humor and motivation to your display. I used it to showcase another mathy art lesson—a cool optical illusion project that looks incredible on a bulletin board!
(Psst... this lesson is available on my TpT store! It’s no-prep, step-by-step, and makes an awesome sub activity! You can find it HERE.)
More Praise Toppers Coming Soon!
I have so many more motivational page toppers in the works, and I can’t wait to share them with you. Keep an eye on my shop for new designs coming soon!
