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The Heart Behind the Work
Founder
Hi, I’m Jessica Skelton — a wife, a mother to two beautiful girls, and a proud member of Idlewild Baptist Church. For close to 10 years, I’ve served as a certified K–2 teacher in Hillsborough County, where I’ve poured my heart into helping young learners grow with confidence and joy.
Teaching has always been my passion, but as the public school system shifted, I felt called to start a new path — one that aligns more closely with my values and vision for children. I believe learning should be purposeful, nurturing, and rooted in grace. That’s why I created Open Book Primary: to be a resource for families seeking personalized support, faith-centered instruction, and a learning environment that bears spiritual fruit.
This journey also gives me the flexibility to live out the roles God has entrusted to me — as a wife, a mother, and a teacher with a mission. I’m here to serve, encourage, and walk alongside families who want something more for their children.
The Reason Behind Open Book Primary
After almost a decade in the public school system, I’ve watched it change into something I no longer recognize. This is not the case for all schools or educators. I know fantastic, loving, and caring educators in public school. The joy of teaching has been overshadowed though by rising behavioral challenges, a lack of accountability, and environments that stifle creativity. I’ve seen students fall through the cracks, miss the support they need, and carry emotional burdens that no child should bear. I’ve witnessed systems that silence parents, ignore real concerns, and prioritize testing over true learning.
Through it all, I’ve held onto my calling — to teach with purpose, to nurture with grace, and to serve families with honesty and heart. That’s why I created Open Book Primary.
If you’re a mom in an overwhelming season and homeschool has taken a back seat — I’m here to help.
If your child needs support with specific concepts, review, or just a confidence boost — I’m here to help.
If you’ve stepped away from public school and aren’t sure what comes next — I’m here to help.
If your child is in school but struggling to keep up — I’m here to help.
My goal is to honor your family as I honor my own — offering the very best I have to give, in a space where learning is joyful, purposeful, and rooted in faith.
CREDENTIALS
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida and hold Teaching certifications to teach all core subjects. I’m also reading endorsed, which qualifies me to teach reading through 12th grade, and I carry an ESOL endorsement to support English language learners.
While I’m certified across grade levels, my heart and expertise are firmly rooted in early childhood education. That’s why Open Book Primary focuses on K–2 learners — the foundational years where confidence, curiosity, and core skills are built. Over the years, I’ve worked with a wide range of curricula, adapting lessons, games, and stories to meet the unique needs of each child.