About BMD-R EDvance Solutions
Built by an educator, for educators — because the first year of teaching deserves real support.
Overview
The first year of teaching can be exciting, rewarding, overwhelming, and challenging all at once. This toolkit was designed to support new teachers as they navigate the realities of the classroom with confidence and purpose. Inside, you will find practical strategies, organizational tools, time-management tips, and classroom ideas that helped me remain focused, balanced, and passionate throughout my own teaching journey.
More than just a collection of resources, this toolkit serves as encouragement for educators who are learning to manage responsibilities while building meaningful relationships with students and creating positive learning environments. Its goal is to help new teachers not only survive their first year, but truly thrive—both personally and professionally.
Machelle Drake
Machelle Drake is a dedicated educator with more than 30 years of experience in the Dougherty County School System (Albany, Georgia) serving students, teachers, and school communities in a variety of educational roles. Her passion for teaching began in childhood while "playing school," where creativity, leadership, and a love for learning naturally emerged. What started as childhood imagination ultimately became a lifelong calling and career in education.
Machelle began her professional journey after earning a diploma in Paraprofessional Studies from Albany Technical College. During her internship, she was hired at an elementary school, where she spent 14 years as a paraprofessional supporting student learning and classroom instruction. Committed to continued growth and excellence in education, she later earned both a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Albany State University.
Throughout her career, Machelle has served in multiple educational capacities, including third-grade teacher (all academic subjects), fourth-grade teacher (all academic subjects), Reading Specialist/Instructional Coach (Grades K–5), Success for All Reading Facilitator, new teacher mentor, intervention teacher (Grades 3–5), and EIP teacher (Grades 1–2). These diverse experiences have provided her with a broad understanding of instructional practices, student needs, and the day-to-day realities educators face—especially new teachers.
She has attained LETRS Training Certification, a Reading Endorsement, and ED Connections Mentoring Endorsement (2 of 3 years completed).
Her most rewarding accomplishment came during her final year as a classroom teacher, when she was ranked #3 in the district and #1 among elementary teachers for Student Growth Percentile (SGP), while teaching all academic subjects.
Driven by a desire to encourage and support fellow educators, Machelle created this platform to provide practical strategies, organization tools, and real-world guidance to help teachers remain confident, balanced, and passionate about their work. Her mission is to empower educators to not only survive in the classroom, but truly thrive.
WHAT WE STAND FOR
To empower new teachers with practical tools, supportive strategies, and real-world guidance that promote organization, balance, confidence, and a lasting passion for teaching during their first year in the classroom.