What Is Stan Store? (And Why It Might Be the Smartest Move You Make This Year as a Teacher-Creator)

If you're in your first few years of teaching, you already know this job isn't just about teaching. It's about keeping fifty plates spinning at once while still trying to breathe, sleep, eat something green occasionally, and maybe, just maybe, keep that spark you started with.

Whether in year one or year five, it's common to start feeling stretched thin. Maybe you've already asked yourself:

• How do I manage the workload without burning out?

• Is there a way I can make all the effort I put in last term beyond just one term?

• Can I share what’s worked for me with others?

That’s where Stan Store quietly enters the chat, not as a business tool, but as a way to protect your time, share your value, and support other teachers like you.

In this post, I’ll break down exactly what Stan Store is, how it works for teachers, why it helps with sustainability (not hustle), and how other educators are using it to make their teaching lives a little lighter.

Let’s start with the reality: teaching in the early years is full-on.

You manage curriculum, behaviour, marking, deadlines, displays, CPD, form time, emails, school events, etc. Many of us also create resources from scratch, rework worksheets for different groups, or spend hours searching for the “right” activity online, often late at night or on weekends.

The truth is: you’ve already built more than you think.

What if there was a way to take that starter pack of resources you’ve made, and use them to:

• Reduce your future planning load

• Share what’s working with others

• Feel more confident in your teaching toolkit

• Earn some passive support (yes, income too, but that’s not the whole point)

That’s where Stan Store comes in. It’s not about “starting a side hustle” or becoming a full-time content creator. It’s about giving yourself a system that supports you.

Stan Store is a social-first digital storefront. It’s a tool that lets you:

• Host digital resources like lesson plans, checklists, templates, and guides

• Share these via your social media bio (Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc.)

• Automatically deliver downloads or freebies

• Book calls or mentoring sessions

• Build an email list (without paying for Mailchimp or ConvertKit)

All of this is done from one simple dashboard. There are no tech headaches and no “how do I connect Stripe to Wix to Dropbox” kind of stress.

You don’t even need a website. It replaces all of that with one link.

It’s ideal for:

• Teachers in years 0–5 who want to share what’s worked with others

• Early-career educators looking for a more manageable way to stay organised

• Mentors or subject leads offering 1:1 help or revision sessions

• Teachers with a growing social media presence who want to support their community

But honestly? You don’t need to have a following. Some of the most successful teacher-creators started with 400 followers and a link in bio. What matters is consistency and community, not clout.

This isn’t about selling your soul to hustle culture. It’s about creating systems that work for you. Here's how Stan Store can support your long-term teaching career:

1. Reduces Repetition

You know those resources you remake every year? Upload them once to Stan Store and have them ready whenever a colleague, trainee, or Instagram DM asks for them.

2. Empowers Reflection

When you create for others, you refine your own practice. You think more critically about how your resources support learning, which strengthens your teaching.

3. Builds Professional Confidence

Sharing your work publicly can feel scary, but it helps you realise that I’m not just surviving but creating solutions. That’s powerful.

4. Connects You to Like-Minded Educators

Sharing your store helps others find you. You become part of a broader conversation about teaching, learning, and well-being. That visibility opens doors, collaborations, opportunities, and connections.

Here’s how to keep it easy:

Step 1: Choose 1–2 Simple Resources

Think: seating plans, checklist templates, display ideas, or CPD presentations you’ve delivered.

They don’t have to be fancy. Just helpful.

Step 2: Sign Up for Stan Store (Free for 14 Days)

You’ll get access to product uploads, email automation, and more.

👉 Click here to get your free trial and follow the setup prompts.

Step 3: Upload + Name Your Product

Upload your PDF or link it to a Google Drive folder. Add a name, description, and a cover image. Done.

Step 4: Add a Freebie or Lead Magnet

This could be a free template or a downloadable checklist. Anyone who downloads it is automatically added to your email list. You can even set up a welcome email inside Stan.

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Step 5: Share Your Link

Add it to your bio. Mention it in a story. Pin it in a post. That’s it.

You don’t need to launch big. You need to start.

The basic Creator Plan (£23/month) includes all these features, and you can try it out first with a free 14-day trial.

Here’s what this isn’t:

• A side hustle you have to scale

• A business you now have to manage

• Another thing on your already-too-long to-do list

Here’s what it is:

• A system that lets your teaching resources work for you

• A way to support and connect with other teachers

• A reminder that your knowledge has value, even if you’re new

You’re not selling out. You’re setting up structures that protect your time and expand your reach.

And as someone who mentors new teachers and supports teacher wellbeing, I believe strongly in anything that helps you build a career that’s not just “doable” but deeply sustainable.

You don’t need to wait until you feel “ready” or like an expert. You already know things that will help another teacher feel less stressed tomorrow.

Here’s your action plan:

✅ Pick one resource you’ve already used
✅ Set up your store using this link for 14 days free

✅ Add a freebie and one paid product
✅ Share it with your community, or start quietly

And if you want accountability, feedback, and a group of educators who are doing the same, you’re warmly invited to join my community:

👉 Join The Confident Teachers Collective here.

It’s where we talk about time-saving systems, mindset shifts, confidence-building, and, yes, sometimes, digital tools that help us do the job without burning out.

Stan Store is just a tool. But in the hands of an educator trying to make this career work long-term, it’s powerful.

It’s not about becoming a CEO. It’s about becoming a more confident, calm, and supported version of the teacher you already are.

You don’t need to do more to be more.

But if sharing your ideas helps you breathe easier, why not start now?

👉 Set up your free Stan Store here.

You’ve already built more than you think. Now’s the time to let it support you back.