As we close out 2012, we’re looking back on the great things in social media and tech that caught our eye this year. We’re calling it The 5s! Today, it’s the 5 teachers to follow on Pinterest.

I’m no closet pinner. I think Pinterest is one of the best social-sharing platforms out there. At Scholastic, we have followed the platform through its enormous growth spurt this past year, and we’re astounded at how many parents, book lovers, and teachers utilize it everyday. Teachers especially have blown us away with their boards, pinning everything from classroom decor to library organization to student gifts, printables, and even the Common Core materials. Here are some of our favorites:

1. Debbie Clement 
Debbie is an Author/Illustrator, children’s music teacher, and avid pinner. She has over 20, 000 pins, and most of her boards are full of ideas she has found to support  the use of her picture books and songs in the classroom. Her board dedicated to teaching the song “Alligator, Alligator” is just gorgeous! She also has a board called “For the Love of Teaching” that features hundreds of moving quotes and funny sayings.

2. Melissa Alonzo-Dillard
This first grade teacher is an organization queen. Check out her board on Classroom Organization for color-coding, bin-sorting goodness. Among her other outstanding boards: Center Ideas, adorable DIY Student Gift ideas, and my favorite, 86 ways to make art out of kids’ handprints.

3. Jennifer Jones
Jennifer is a part-time teaching instructor and literacy staff developer, and full-time pinner, so it seems. Her boards offer rich, colorful, and well-rounded content. Her “Classroom Culture” board is a lovely reminder of how a positive, comfortable classroom environment is crucial to students’  learning, and her “Kids Make & Create” board has tons of seasonal craft ideas.

4. Jonelle Bell
This Kindergarten teacher has over 50 boards of stunning content. Her boards are organized mainly by month, offering teachers seasonal content in the form of book suggestions, craft ideas, lessons, and decor. February is especially lovely, and if you’re planning ahead for January, check out these adorable snowman and polar bear activities.

5. Rachel Friedrich
With over 15,000 followers, it’s no secret Rachel is an reputable source for classroom content. She’s a maven at finding and curating free materials for teachers: go no further than her “Fabulous and Free” board for a daily fix. We also love her Back to School teaching ideas.