What’s in a Name?

Let me tell you—coming up with a name for my brand was hard. I mean, seriously, I was tossing ideas around, but nothing felt quite right… until someone suggested Effective Effort with Elizabeth—and boom, it just clicked.

Why? Because it’s not just a cute alliteration (though I do love one of those!). It’s me. It’s how I teach, how I parent, and honestly, how I live my life.

I grew up with a learning disability, and later I became a teacher working with students with special needs. Add in raising four kids—and yeah, I know a thing or two about putting in the work. But here’s the thing: I never wanted to waste time on stuff that didn’t work. Whether it was a teaching method, a parenting hack, or a life strategy—if I was going to pour my energy into something, I wanted it to make a difference.

That’s what Effective Effort means to me: working hard, yes—but working smart, too.

So, what can you expect here? This is a space where I’ll be sharing real strategies that have actually worked for me, my students, and my family. Teaching tips, parenting ideas, life hacks—if I’ve tried it and it’s helped, I’ll share it.

Will everything here work for everyone? Probably not—and that’s okay. But my hope is that you’ll find something that helps make your life a little easier, a little smoother, or a little more joyful.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, an online educator, a homeschool parent, or just someone looking for ways to make the day run a little better—welcome to Effective Effort with Elizabeth. I'm so glad you're here!