Meet Brooke
I'm a published author, curriculum designer, and former ESL and ELA teacher with over 15 years of classroom experience. I’m the CEO and creator behind Hot Chocolate Teachables and Classroom Wishlist, where I design engaging ESL games, grammar activities, speaking resources, and classroom-tested materials that help teachers make language learning more fun, flexible, and effective.
After more than 15 years of classroom experience, I know teachers need resources that are not only cute or creative, but also useful, flexible, and easy to prep. Every activity I create is designed with real classrooms in mind.
I started Hot Chocolate Teachables because I wanted to make the kinds of ESL and English resources I always wished I had as a teacher: activities that are engaging, visually appealing, easy to use, and strong enough to support real learning.
From the Classroom to Ready-to-Use Teaching Resources
My teaching style has always been simple: students learn more when they are actively participating, talking, moving, laughing, thinking, and playing. That is why so many of my resources are built around games you can play almost anywhere — at a desk, in small groups, around the classroom, during tutoring, in centers, or even as a quick five-minute activity when your lesson finishes early.
Before creating teaching resources full time, I spent years teaching ESL, EFL, ELA, and English language learners of all ages. I have worked with students from many different language backgrounds, taught mixed-level classes, supported young learners, and helped teens and adults build confidence in English.
I have also lived the teacher reality of packed schedules, limited planning time, mixed abilities, and the constant need to keep students engaged while still building real language skills.
That experience shaped everything I create today.
My Teaching Philosophy: Learning Through Play
I am a huge believer in learning through play, especially in the ESL and ELL classroom.
When students play a language-based game, they are not just “having fun.” They are practicing listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, fluency, problem-solving, and conversation skills in a way that feels natural and low-pressure.
That is why my resources often include:
âś“ speaking prompts that actually get students talking
âś“ grammar games that feel more engaging than worksheets
âś“ vocabulary activities students can use again and again
âś“ printable games that work with almost any curriculum
✓ Boom Cards™ for self-checking digital practice
âś“ escape rooms and task cards that encourage movement and teamwork
âś“ low-prep activities for busy teachers
My goal is to help teachers bring more energy, confidence, and joy into their lessons without spending hours planning from scratch.
My background
I graduated from California State University, Los Angeles, and later owned and operated an English language school in Italy for many years.
I am TEFL/TESOL certified and have continued to study professional development for Phonics, Science of Reading, Teaching in ESL classrooms, ELD strategies, young learner instruction, bilingual learning, and classroom language development.
Over the years, I have taught English to young learners, teens, and adults, and I have learned one thing again and again: language sticks when students feel comfortable, interested, and involved.
That belief is at the center of every game, task card set, Boom Cards™ deck, and printable activity I create.
Today, I live in Italy on the beautiful island of Sicily with my husband, two children, dog, and cat.
Living abroad has given me an even deeper understanding of language learning, cultural communication, and what it feels like to use a second language in real life. That perspective helps me create resources that are practical, flexible, and supportive for both teachers and students.
Exciting News!
Recently, I launched the Teacher Toolkit Membership, a project I had been thinking about for a long time and finally brought to life. After years of creating classroom-tested ESL games, grammar activities, speaking task cards, Boom Cards™, phonics games, seasonal resources, and printable activities, I wanted to give teachers a simpler way to find what they need for the whole school year.
The membership was created for busy teachers who want to spend less time searching for activities and more time actually teaching. Instead of buying one resource at a time, members can explore a growing library of ready-to-use classroom materials and download what they need for grammar lessons, speaking practice, vocabulary review, seasonal activities, phonics practice, classroom routines, early finisher tasks, and last-minute lesson gaps.
This launch has been such an exciting step for Hot Chocolate Teachables because it brings together everything I believe in as an educator and curriculum designer: low-prep teaching, learning through play, flexible classroom games, and practical resources that make teachers’ lives easier.
My goal with the membership is to help teachers feel prepared and supported all year long, whether they are planning ahead over the summer, teaching mixed-level groups, supporting ESL and ELL students, reviewing before testing, or simply trying to make their classroom feel more engaging, fun, and manageable.