A Teacher's Shopping List
Learning Objective: Teachers will be able to (TWBAT) equip their handbags, desks, and closets, with tried and true teacher essentials.
After teaching for a few years, you start to come up with a list of things you cannot live without. Here are a few #teacherssentials I live by. Check it out to see if there is anything you may want to add to your teacher shopping list.
1. Healthy snacks
When you crave a snack or a simple pick-me-up, having healthy snacks in your desk will keep you going, rather than sugar that will make you crash. Keep granola bars, mason jars filled with nuts, and dried fruit.
2. Plastic utensils
Every teacher desk needs these because sometimes you forget to pack a spoon for your oatmeal and the cafeteria/staff room is just too far.
3. Hydration helpers
You need to find a chapstick that works, a water bottle you love, and a hand cream that makes you happy. Hydration is so important, yet so easy to forget. Keep your lips and body hydrated, and for the thousands of times you wash your hands, a good smelling hand cream will continuously brighten your day. Tip: My water bottle has marks down the side of it to help me stay "on track" with my water-drinking. Check it out here!)
4. Recovery tools
In order to survive, you need to take care of yourself. Emergen-C & Advil are obvious, but did you consider buying honey sticks and/or honey herb cough drops? We talk ALL DAY. Save your throats!
5. Fool-proof gum
No one wants to be known as the teacher whom students don't want to ask for help from because his/her breath stinks. Airwaves is, hands down, the strongest gum. I can honestly say that one piece is more effective at getting rid your garlic-left-over breath than using half a bottle of mouthwash.
6. A teacher bag
Teachers carry a lot of stuff. Blogger, Sheila Jane, did an great review for a Stella & Dot bag that is perfect for teachers. Check it out here!
7. A lunchbox
There are thousands of cute lunch boxes, but I'm telling you, a square, flat-bottom, lunchbox is the key. With this style, tupperware containers can lay flat and will not leak. Marshalls & TJ Maxx has great ones all year round.
8. Light jackets & cardigans
You will need an endless supply of these for two reasons: 1) Dress-code and 2) Air-conditioned classrooms.
9. Colored pants
Listen up student teachers/newbies! If you want to be professional, consider not wearing jeans to school. Colored pants can be comfortable as jeans, but paired with a nice top and a cute necklace, you look ten times more put together. Check out Uniqlo for some comfy colored pants.
10. Comfortable shoes
You need to find something you can spend all day in; even run in. Personally, my husband and I, both, live by Cole Haan shoes. In the past they have partnered with Nike Air and designed some pretty cute heels that literally feel like running shoes. I have them in nude and black, and seriously prefer them over flats for style and comfort. If you ever find Cole Haan Nike Air Tali Wedges at Nordstrom Rack, get them; no questions asked. If you can't find those specific ones, still peruse Cole Haan's website. Gold Star Tip: They have a 20% teacher discount.
I hope you liked my list of personal #teacherssentials. Yes, some of them can seem excessive or unnecessary, but they have, in one way or another, made my life so much easier and enjoyable. Sometimes you just have to think of certain purchases as investments. Nice shoes to save your tired feet and fitted pants to make you look more professional seem reasonable, but sometimes buying a good smelling hand cream or a fun water bottle that makes you smile, is just as important. Don't forget to do nice things for yourself. Every so often, treat yourself. You deserve it.
If you have any #teacherssentials you would like to share, feel free to comment below. And now, your inspirational quote for the week:
"One of the secrets of a happy life is small treats"
