5 Weird Things YOU Need as a First-Year Teacher

So maybe you’ve seen them online- the 100 item list of things you NEED as a first-year teacher. If you have a calculator handy, the sum of those items may be almost as much as your first paycheck as a 1st year teacher!

We’ve been there. As two young teachers with relatively no income when we started, we know the stress of making a bare classroom functional (and cute!). Additionally, your entire career will be spent focused on your students and the things they need.

This year, it’s time to think of the little things that will make your days so much more enjoyable. So, we’ve put together a list of things to purchase for YOURSELF in your first year teaching! #TreatYourself

Before You Shop

Sometimes veteran teachers have some of these supplies in their classes already! Bonus points if you know a retiring teacher who no longer needs the items on the list. A great way to begin investing in long-term essentials for your classroom is purchasing one item every month or two. There’s no need to rush!

Always resist the “keeping up with the teacher next door” mentality. Those teachers have been teaching WAY longer and have had time to collect these items. Stay true to yourself!

Rolling Chair

If one of these bad boys are already provided for you, take a moment to thank your lucky stars & your school district. If you have a rickety chair or a nonexistent one, you already know a good teacher chair is so important. Andrew & I both waited until year 3 to buy a good chair, and we wondered why we didn’t get one sooner! Here is a great one!

Pencil Sharpener

Real Talk. It is perfectly, 100% okay to NEVER allow students to touch your pencil sharpener. If you don’t want to have another thing on your to-do list, train up a responsible kiddo to be your official pencil sharpener. When you invest in an amazing pencil sharpener like this one, protect it 😉 Here is a link to a more inexpensive option that still has awesome reviews.

Water Bottle

While you might only get to use the bathroom 1.5 times a day (just kidding! Kind of . . . ), hydration is vital. It’s simply more fun to drink out of a water bottle that is completely tailored to your style. Some options:

Stanley: If you like HUGE cups w/ handles that fit into most any cupholder

Hydroflask: If you want middle schoolers to think you’re relevant

Nalgene: If you like to hike on the weekends

This one: If you like to avoid trendy water bottles (plus, it has times to remind you to drink!)

Quality Tape Dispenser

At first, I felt it was a tie between a tape dispenser & stapler . . . however, by the end of my first year teaching, I ended up with five (FIVE!) staplers due to the kindness of other teachers and our school’s supply closet. While they are classroom essentials, staplers seem to appear out of nowhere (at least in my experience).

I would recommend spending your money on a nice tape dispenser and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, guarding it like the crown jewels! Personal story: The ONE time I let a student use my nice tape dispenser, all of the sand weighing down the bottom managed to explode in the floor . . . who knew there was sand in the bottom of tape dispensers?!?

Here are a few links to good ones!

THE Classic Dispenser

Cute Glass/Gold Option

Amazon Basics 3-Pack

Signature Decor Piece

This one can be free! I saved my signature home-painted koala cut out from a dumpster after my church’s vacation Bible school. Make sure to find at least one item that makes you smile. This can be a photo of your family, or something loud and flashy! The possibilities are endless. I’ll link a few options below, but it ALL depends on your personal style and what makes you happy.

 

The first year . . .

The first year teaching can be a money pit, if we’re honest. There are a gazillion cute things to buy, and you’ll have time eventually! Stay focused on the essentials, and the rest will fall into place! Happy teaching, and best of luck on your amazing first year!