Students have received their supply list via our school website, mail, and handouts. It covers essentials like pencils, markers, and colored pencils necessary for the year ahead. Now that their needs are sorted, it’s my turn to prepare.
I’m compiling what I remember as “my survival kit” — a curated collection of items crucial for navigating the school year.
This isn’t your typical list of pens and paperclips; I’m talking about a specialized teacher’s survival kit essential for enduring the school year’s demands. My classroom feels like a second home; I might even consider sleeping there if I could! Certain items from my kit have proven indispensable through countless after-school meetings, conferences, and open houses.
My survival kit is organized into sections: tools, toiletries, medicines, snacks, entertainment, cleaners, and miscellaneous items. I’ll gather these essentials from dollar stores, pharmacies, or Walmart throughout the summer until my kit is fully stocked and ready.
My Tool Box
Inside this plastic container, I store:
- A small hammer
- Two types of screwdrivers
- An adjustable wrench
- Masking tape
- Fishing wire
- Duct tape
- Our maintenance team does a fantastic job, but having these tools for quick and straightforward tasks allows me to handle them myself. It’s also practical to keep an Allen wrench for adjusting student desks; I requested an extra from maintenance and have kept it ever since.
Toiletries & Other Necessities
In another plastic container or zipper bag, I store:
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash
- Hairbrush and extra hair bands
- Makeup
- Lint brush
- Commute-wise, I live forty-five minutes away from work, making it impractical to return home and back for a 6:00 p.m. conference or PTO meeting. These essentials allow me to quickly freshen up before meeting with parents, administration, or visitors.
Medical Must-Haves
In a locked container in my desk or file cabinet, I store:
- Aspirin
- Cough drops
- Non-drowsy cold and allergy medicines
- Antacids
- First aid kit
- Extra tissues
- Like many teachers, I often push through teaching despite having a cold, cough, or upset stomach, knowing it’s more accessible to soldier on than to arrange for a substitute. Unexpected headaches, allergies, or an uncooperative school lunch can sometimes strike. Having these essentials on hand ensures I can manage discomfort and stay effective until the school day ends at three o’clock.
Teacher Snacks & Goodies
I keep my favorite “comfort” foods stocked in my closet, including:
- Instant coffee or K-cups
- Travel mug with lid
- Plastic spoons/forks and paper plates
- Napkins
- Water bottles
- Quick lunches like soup
- Non-perishable snacks such as crackers and popcorn
- Gum or other favorite candies
- In addition to satisfying my cravings for coffee, chocolate, and gummy treats, these items are handy for unexpected needs. For instance, during morning snack time for my fourth graders, if a student forgets their snack, I can offer something suitable, although I strive to minimize this due to allergies.
- These supplies also ensure I have options if I forget my lunch or need a meal during late nights at school; sometimes, I even store labeled frozen lunches in the teacher’s workroom for such occasions.
After-School Music
In a desk drawer or tucked away in my classroom, I keep:
- Bluetooth speaker
- DVDs
- iPod
- During late nights when report cards are due, I find comfort in background noise from my iPod, YouTube, or a Spotify playlist. Our aging building tends to creak, so music helps ease any startles from unexpected sounds, especially when I’m often the last person in the building.
Classroom Disinfectants & Cleaners
Although our maintenance crew is excellent, they can only sometimes manage a thorough nightly classroom cleaning. Often, a quick vacuum or sweep is all that’s feasible. Therefore, I keep a small bucket in a locked closet stocked with:
- Clorox wipes
- Paper towels
- Sponges for the chalk and whiteboards
- Lysol spray
- These cleaning essentials ensure I can maintain a tidy and sanitary classroom environment between deeper cleanings.
Miscellaneous & You-Never-Know Items
These items may only sometimes be essential, but you never know when they’ll be crucial. This list has evolved from past experiences where I found myself without a safety pin for a broken zipper, a sweater when the AC unexpectedly came on, or batteries for a flashlight needed during a science experiment. The essentials on this list include:
- Note cards
- Batteries
- Safety pins
- A small sewing kit
- Sweater or jacket
- As new needs arise, I’ll continue expanding my survival kit. These essential items have proven indispensable in handling situations that could otherwise have been embarrassing, challenging, or simply inconvenient.
Frequently Asked Question
What is a teacher survival kit?
A teacher survival kit is a collection of essential tools and supplies that educators keep on hand to navigate the demands of the school day. It includes stationery, personal care products, snacks, and emergency supplies.
What should be included in a teacher survival kit?
Essential items include pens, pencils, markers, paper clips, sticky notes, personal hygiene items, snacks, basic medicines, and classroom cleaning supplies.
Why is a teacher survival kit crucial?
A teacher survival kit ensures that educators are prepared for unexpected situations in the classroom, such as equipment failures, personal needs, and emergencies, allowing them to focus on teaching.
Where should a teacher keep their survival kit?
Teachers typically store their survival kits in accessible, secure classroom locations, such as desk drawers, cabinets, or designated storage areas.
How can a teacher customize their survival kit?
Teachers can personalize their survival kits based on their needs and teaching environment. This might include adding favorite snacks, specific classroom supplies, or items tailored to address common challenges they face.
Conclusion
A teacher survival kit is not just a collection of tools and supplies but a lifeline that supports educators through the daily challenges of teaching. By ensuring they have essential items at their fingertips—from stationery and personal care products to snacks and emergency supplies—teachers can focus on what truly matters:
Providing a nurturing and effective learning environment for their students. This preparedness enhances classroom management and empowers teachers to handle unexpected situations with confidence and professionalism.
