About Us

Rachelle Cracchiolo

Founder and CEO

Rachelle Cracchiolo is the Founder and CEO of Teacher Created Materials (TCM), a pioneering force in the educational publishing industry. Since 1977, Rachelle has been at the forefront of providing high-quality, teacher-created resources that empower educators and inspire students around the world to become lifelong learners.

With over 45 years of experience, Rachelle’s vision has revolutionized the way teachers and families access and use educational resources. Under her leadership, Teacher Created Materials has grown from a small garage-based operation into a global leader, offering a diverse range of products that include print, digital, and interactive resources across all subject areas and grade levels.

Rachelle has also been instrumental in forming strategic partnerships with leading educational organizations such as Time for Kids magazine, The Smithsonian Institution, and iCivics and received numerous accolades, including being inducted into the Educational Publishing Hall of Fame and being honored at the White House by Michelle Obama for developing teaching resources that inspire healthy choices in food and activity. In addition Rachelle was recognized by California State University, Fullerton with their Vision & Visionaries distinguished alumni awards.

And as part of her ongoing relationship with CSUF, Rachelle endowed the Rachelle Cracchiolo Award for Exceptional Curriculum Development scholarship. Two students are awarded the scholarship each year.

Rachelle’s commitment to creating teacher-friendly, practical resources has resulted in the publication of thousands of titles that have become essential tools for educators. TCM’s resources are used in classrooms in all 50 states, in over 89 countries and are recognized for their alignment with educational standards, focus on diversity and inclusion, and promotion of hands-on, interactive learning.

Driven by a passion for empowering teachers and improving student outcomes, Rachelle believes that teachers are the most important resource in any classroom. Her philosophy that educational materials should be created by teachers for teachers and students has guided TCM’s development and success. Rachelle's dedication to providing affordable and accessible resources has ensured that TCM remains a trusted partner for educators and the school systems they work within, even as the educational landscape has evolved.

Before founding TCM, Rachelle was an elementary school teacher who saw a gap in the resources available to her and fellow teachers and decided that she could create materials to fill the need. This experience has been the foundation of her lifelong commitment to supporting educators.

Rachelle Cracchiolo earned both her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and her Master’s of Science in Education-Elementary Curriculum and Instruction from California State University, Fullerton. Rachelle currently serves on Cal State Fullerton’s Philanthropic Foundation Board of Governors and is past President of the Board of Directors of the Association of Education Publishers.

Today, Rachelle continues to serve as an “Idea Factory” at TCM where she is continually looking for new, innovative ways to expand learning opportunities for kids while ensuring that quality education is accessible to all.

Corinne Burton

President

Corinne Burton is a recognized thought leader and strategic visionary in the educational publishing industry. As the President and Co-Owner of Teacher Created Materials (TCM), Corinne has been instrumental in guiding the company through significant growth and industry transformation. Having grown up in and around the family business, Corinne’s deep-rooted connection to TCM has shaped her passion for education and commitment to creating high-quality resources that empower educators and inspire students worldwide. 

Corinne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego, a Multi-Subject Teaching Credential from the University of California, Irvine, and a Master of Science in Computing and Technology from Teacher’s College, Columbia University.  

Under Corinne’s leadership as President, TCM has continued its legacy of producing resources that create a world in which children love to learn and remains at the forefront of innovative educational practices, impacting millions of educators and students across the United States and around the world.  

Corinne’s dedication to education extends beyond TCM’s products., She serves on the Board of the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and was past-chair of the Association of American Publishers PreK-12 Learning Group where she won the Lamplighter Honor. Corinne began her career as an elementary school teacher where her passion for children and their education was born. Corinne’s dedication to children and their learning continues inside TCM, the educational publishing industry, and in her work with Girl Scouts or Orange County and Model United Nations ensuring that every child has a chance to grow and learn. 

A lifelong learner, Corinne is committed to continual growth and evolution. She reads extensively, drawing inspiration from history, biographies, and multifaceted lives to round out her strategic decisions. Her pragmatic, common-sense approach, and ability to stay calm under pressure make her a sought-after leader in any situation. 

Corinne’s ability to blend a variety of needs to identify emerging trends has kept TCM at the leading edge of the industry, ensuring the company remains a trusted resource for educators navigating modern challenges. 

Corinne’s vision for celebrating educators, giving learners a voice, and fostering a love of learning is at the heart of everything she does, making her a true leader in the field. 

Deanne Mendoza

EVP of Strategic Development

Deanne Mendoza is a respected executive and the visionary Executive Vice President of Strategic Development and Co-Owner at Teacher Created Materials (TCM), a second-generation global educational publishing company. With over two decades of experience in sales and leadership, Deanne is renowned for her ability to foster win-win relationships and create strategic alliances that drive mutual success. Her deep commitment to family, authenticity, and curiosity guides her leadership, as she connects people and organizations in ways that inspire collaboration, innovation, and positivity. 

Deanne earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Master’s in Business from the University of Southern California. Deanne’s career journey began in the corporate world in sales at Coca-Cola North America, where she consistently exceeded sales goals and received numerous awards and recognitions. Her professional background laid the foundation for her exceptional skills in building strong relationships and developing high-performing teams.  Prior to joining Coca-Cola Deanne had the opportunity to work with the mayor of Los Angeles as part of the host committee for the Democratic National Committee’s Los Angeles convention in 2000. 

In addition to that work, Deanne taught Business Communication in USC’s Marshall School of Business.  And she has been a welcome guest speaker in a variety of college classes. 

Having grown up in and around the family business, Deanne has been a vital team member across a variety of departments. Today, Deanne leads Strategic Partnership and Community Engagement, which encompasses not only the local community, but the educational community in general, including connecting with authors and other experts that help TCM develop their resources.  In her role, Deanne has been instrumental in forming strategic partnerships with organizations including the Los Angeles Rams, local Boys and Girls Clubs, and Girls Inc., all of which align TCM’s mission with the evolving needs of learners. 

While leading and championing philanthropy and community engagement at TCM, Deanne introduced the TCM Cares Initiative and continually drives significant fundraising and volunteer activities, reflecting TCM’s compassionate spirit and dedication to social responsibility. Based on the powerful work she is leading in the community, TCM has been recognized as one of the top 50 most community-minded companies in Orange County, CA (where TCM is headquartered).  

Deanne’s role as a community leader is integral to TCM’s success. She is the voice of TCM in the community and to various stakeholders including employees and governmental agencies, bringing insights and opportunities that ensure the company is always meeting the needs of educators, students, and families. Her ability to connect with people at all levels, combined with her strategic thinking and emotional intelligence, enables her to create partnerships that benefit businesses, the public sector, and nonprofits alike.  

That leadership is especially important to two very special community partnerships, Caterina’s Club and Read Across America.  The former is a local nonprofit whose mission is to feed hungry kids in the community.  Under Deanne’s stewardship, TCM has donated tens of thousands of pounds of pasta and sauce to the organization and encouraged others in the local area to donate as well.  Read Across America, celebrated on the birthday of Theodor Geisel or “Dr. Seuss” involves adopting a local school and bringing TCM employees to the school site for a day of service that includes school beautification projects as well as in-class reading and activities.  Deanne has managed to expand this beyond Southern California into multiple states nationwide thereby serving thousands of teachers and students every year. 

Deanne’s leadership extends beyond the company; she is actively involved in community initiatives serving on Cal State Fullerton’s Center for Leadership’s Board of Directors and Loyola Marymount University’s Family Business Entrepreneurship Advisory Board. Deanne has also been recognized for her contributions with awards and accolades such as being named “Women of the Year” for the 72nd Assembly District in California.  

And Deanne finds time to volunteer with her own three children, acting as a Girl Scout Troop Leaders, and Sunday school teacher, not to mention PTSA.