“Open your notebook to page 116. It’s time to take notes.” One of my students took out her pencil bag; in it was a veritable treasure trove of colored pens. As I lectured, she switched colors for each sub-topic. Her notebook was beautiful, but it …
One year, my mom was late to school supply shopping and all the “cool” lunch bags were gone. My school year was ruined and I would clearly not make any new friends with a lame lunch bag. (You can read my tween drama in that, …
I’m a planner, especially when it comes to Back-to-School season. This lady prepares early. So, I planned my first day of school outfit several weeks in advance. As one does. However, one year I did not account for Restaurant Week. If your city doesn’t have …
I’ve taught a lot of organizationally-challenged kids, but Tommy* takes the cake. He had no form of organization that I could see. He asked for a pencil each and every class period. Oh, and he also needed a piece of paper to take notes. He …
When I was in school, it never occurred to me to personalize my supplies. The only personalized thing I ever had was my paper bag book covers. Yes, that was a thing. Other than that, I had the same yellow pencils, green scissors, and binders …
I was ready to head back for my senior year of college, when it finally happened. My backpack broke. This had been my backpack for all of high school and the first 3 years of college. It had held textbooks, notebooks, gym uniforms, and so …
For two years, I taught in four (yes, four) different classrooms. The school was overcapacity. As a new teacher at the school (and lowest on the totem pole) I had to move from room to room. After 12 years of always teaching in my own …
This lady loves a good bargain. A few years ago, I was inspired by the show Extreme Couponing and went all in. My crazy couponing days are past me, but I still break out the coupons every fall for some thrifty Back to School shopping. …
In my husband’s favorite Christmas movie, “A Christmas Story”, every student gives their teacher the same gift – an apple – for Christmas. Except for Ralphie, of course, who brings an entire fruit basket Teachers, especially elementary school teachers, get inundated with similar gifts during …
It’s the most magical time of the year – no, not the end of the school year. It’s the holiday season, when I slowly gain weight from all the chocolates and cookies my students bring me. And I eat.them.all. #norestraint You probably already know that …