Who Are We?
Creative Teaching Press (CTP) is a family-owned and teacher-managed supplemental educational publisher for children ages 3–14, grades PreK–8. CTP is a recognized leader in the educational industry and offers a wide variety of classroom learning décor and research-based, teacher-tested products. CTP offers an assortment of learning resources for parents and teachers in a variety of subject areas including phonics, reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. CTP celebrates more than four decades of providing parents and teachers from around the world with high-quality, easy-to-use learning materials.
How Did We Begin?
In 1965, Luella Connelly was a classroom teacher looking for products that would pick up where textbooks left off. After 17 years in the classroom, she knew that students often needed something beyond textbooks to reinforce skills in a creative, non-threatening format. With this in mind, Luella created “Recipes for Creative Writing,” a box of 4” x 6” cards full of writing ideas. What started as a simple idea to help children learn, turned into a company that Luella and her husband, Pat, ran until their retirement in 1998.
The company’s big break came in 1977 with the introduction of its innovative Scratch ‘n Sniff reward stickers. Market response to the stickers was phenomenal, with parents and teachers all over the world buying and collecting them!
Check out our Vintage Scratch 'n Sniff Sticker Gallery!
Where Are We Now?
Since the Scratch ‘n Sniff phenomenon, CTP has expanded offerings to cover educational needs for ages 3–14, grades PreK–8. CTP continues to be at the forefront of the educational market because the company’s products are developed by teachers and educators who understand firsthand what resources parents and teachers need to help children learn. CTP editors, product developers, designers and authors regularly visit classrooms and attend workshops and conventions to ensure that CTP’s products are what parents and teachers want and need to educate children!
Jim Connelly, Luella and Pat’s son, has held multiple titles and responsibilities since joining the company in 1982. He was named president in 1994. In his tenure with CTP, the company has expanded its sales and international market presence.
In the 40 years since the establishment of the company, Creative Teaching Press has developed a long tradition of producing high-quality, successful, innovative, and educationally sound products that have a proven track record in the classroom and at home.
Affiliated brands include:
The Learning Works®
CTP purchased this publishing company in 2000. The Learning Works was founded by Linda Schwartz, a teacher and mother, who was looking for new ways to inspire creativity in children while reinforcing basic skills. This product line specializes in educational materials for critical thinking, test preparation, gifted and talented students, character education, self-esteem, health and safety, and life skills, as well as offerings for the more traditional subjects, language arts, math, science, and social studies.
Rejoice!®
CTP introduced Rejoice!, a line of Scripture-based decoratives, in 2002. These bright and beautiful decoratives are perfect for private school, Sunday school, vacation Bible school, home school, church camp, or anywhere you need an inspirational message.
Youngheart Music®
In 1990, CTP acquired a majority ownership of Youngheart Music, a children's music company featuring the wildly popular Greg & Steve. Youngheart has continued to expand, adding more audio and video artists, garnering more and more awards, and gaining in sales and popularity with children, teachers, and parents.
Interested in a career at CTP? Click here to visit our Careers page.
