I've been a teacher since 1977, in public and private schools, in third through eighth grades, in California, Colorado, New York, and Washington. Since 1983 I have taught in gifted classrooms, first in pull-out models, then in a self-contained 5/6 class, and now in 6th and 7th English/social studies block classes.

I also teach teachers, mostly through writing: science and social studies curriculum units for our district, resource books for teachers, and educational articles. I have presented at national science, social studies, and gifted conferences. I also do in-service training, both within my district and as a consultant.

Many of the things I have written, and many of the materials I have developed for my own classroom use—including the grammar book Elementary English—are available for free off this website (see the Books page for more).

Why is my website called Kragen U? A parent came to me some years ago and said she was so glad her daughter was in my class, enrolled at Kragen U. I laughed, but the name stuck.

As I tell my students, I am not getting them ready for their next grade level or high school. I am getting them ready for Stanford or Johns Hopkins or Harvard or wherever they decide they want to go.

No limits.

Janet Kragen works at Poulsbo Middle School in the North Kitsap School District.