April Grob
April Grob is a dedicated educator with over a decade of experience teaching in the Ferguson-Florissant School District. She specializes in elementary education, working with students from kindergarten through sixth grade to build strong foundations in reading, math, and critical thinking. Known for her adaptability and skill in managing classrooms of varying sizes, April excels at creating engaging learning experiences that meet each child’s unique needs. In addition to her teaching career, April is a self-published author who shares her creativity and love of storytelling with a wider audience. She earned a Bachelors in General Education with a certificate in Teaching and a minor in psychology from Columbia College, along with certifications in STEM education from Maryville University of Saint Louis. Her background in both education and psychology allows her to approach teaching with a holistic understanding of student development and learning strategies. This also contributes to her skills of hosting her own STEM Coding Camp for the month of June as well as being a Coding Camp Teacher for Maryville University's Coding Camp.
Outside the classroom, April is passionate about volunteering and community involvement. She has taught pre-K lessons through The Crossings Church for 10 years and served in medical records at Winn Army Community Hospital on the Fort Stewart Army Post. April is also passionate about the work she puts into her own small business, CraftyPicks25, which she has a digital storefront on Etsy and her physical storefront being local to her area.
When she isn’t teaching or writing, April enjoys spending time with her husband and children, playing video games, watching horror movies, and exploring her love of food. Her commitment to education, creativity, and family highlights her as both a lifelong learner and a mentor for the next generation.
• Teaching Certification Program
• Columbia College- MA
• Maryville University
• Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching - nominated 1/5/2024
• Building Teach Award - 5/2024
• VoyageSTL Magazine - featured 1/27/2025 & 10/14/2015
• Bold Journey Magazine - featured 5/19/2025
• Building Teacher of the Year 24/25 school year
• Certificate of Recognition of Teacher of the Year from St. Louis County 5/1//2025
• Resolution from the MO House of Representatives 5/14/2025
• Building G.O.A.T Award October 2025
• Who's Who in America - nominated 6/2025 & 10/2025
• Loeb Award - St. Louis Science Center- nominated 12/15/2025
• Influencial Women Magazine - 1/9/2026
• National Science Teaching Association 2/2025 - present
• MNEA
• The Crossings Church - Innerbelt
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my tremendous drive and passion for what I do. I love crafting and writing, and I find great fulfillment in teaching science, STEM, and writing to my children and my students, inspiring them to learn and grow alongside me.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
If you heart is not in it, don't do. Half hearts or no hearts in it will bring people down and whole hearts will lift others up and encourage them to try and never stop trying.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise women coming into any field to remember their "Why." I would also advise them to get a new "Why" if it isn't originally rooted in them and their calling. If your "Why" is for someone else, it will not work. It's great to have encouragement from others, but they can't be your foundational reason, they can assist your reasons, but again, they can't be your reason.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
My biggest challenges I face in my field is people putting me in a box of assuming I'm too young to do something, I'm married with kids so I can't do something, or assuming that because I don't have as much as them or the next person that I can't find a way to get things done. I also face challenges of being stereotyped via typical black people things by black and white women when it comes to being an author. Lastly, doing things on a teacher salary can sometimes pose challenges because I'm still a new author and I'm really just now learning how to promote CraftyPicks25.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My Christian values are most important things in both my careers and my personal life. God is my foundation for all I do, including caring for my family. I would have it no other way.
Locations
Ferguson-Florissant School District / Indie Author / Small Business Owner
St. Louis, MO 63146