Legacy in Motion: Part 2

10 Minutes with Tammy™: A Promise Wrapped in Play

Legacy in Motion: Part 2

10 Minutes with Tammy™: A Promise Wrapped in Play

What started as a playful name for bite-sized lessons became something much bigger—10 Minutes with Tammy™ is now a daily rhythm, a spark of joy, and a touchstone for connection in classrooms where time is tight but belonging matters.

The idea came to life when I returned to Oregon after teaching abroad. I was working with first through fourth grade students, and I saw the same overwhelm in teachers I once felt myself. There was too much to cover, too many standards, too little time. I knew the struggle—and I knew the power of ten focused, joyful minutes.

These lessons were designed to be just that: focused, joyful, and brief. Each one asks a question, invites a chant, and sparks a conversation. It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing what matters, with intention.

More than a lesson, 10 Minutes with Tammy™ is an experience. It’s a space where students get to play with language, explore sounds, and feel proud of their progress. It’s where the heavy lifting of literacy gets softened by rhythm, rhyme, and laughter.

And here’s the best part: the lessons don’t just teach students. They teach teachers, too. I’ve seen educators light up when they realize, “Oh, I can do this. This actually works.”

This project—this promise—is about showing that small moments can lead to big breakthroughs. We don’t need hours. We just need the right 10 minutes.

Stay tuned for Part 3 in the Legacy in Motion series:

“Student Voices: What They Taught Me About Teaching.”