Teacher Survival Kit: The Best Gifts for Teachers 2020
- Jennie Roe
- Aug 4, 2020
- 12 min read
Updated: Sep 17, 2020
School will resume for millions of children in the coming weeks, and it is no exaggeration that teachers are headed into the trenches. Though not heralded the same way as doctors, police officers, nurses, and firefighters, teachers are essential workers too. They exhibit bravery, compassion, patience, and self-sacrifice in ways that are deeply undervalued. Teachers have the power to inspire and influence students to be true learners and not just achievers. They play a valuable role in the rearing of our children and the people they become.
I spoke to Hiyas Mutia, an academic counselor at Birmingham Community Charter High School in Van Nuys, California, and she said teachers treasure thoughtful gestures like teacher survival kits and homemade mementos. "It makes you feel like you built a connection with that student and that you did your job right," she said. Plus, for the students that teachers and counselors really bonded with and grew to love, a small gift helps commemorate that brief but special time before students move on to bigger and better things like college. Hiyas adds, "It's so nice to have something to remember them by."
Show your favorite teachers and counselors some love with a custom-made teacher survival kit that will get them through the school year with calm, convenience, and ease. I am here to guide you on the must-haves for any teacher survival kit. This small gesture will make your favorite teacher feel loved and appreciated. Let's get to it!
Those who grew up in the 90's remember the Caboodle hype well. Here, the Caboodle Retro Case serves as the base for the best teacher survival kit ever. With its numerous compartments, mirror, and convenient handle, the Caboodle is the perfect vehicle for everything your favorite teacher needs to get through the school year. You can buy and fill the case yourself, or go in with other parents by divvying up the various gifts and filling up the Caboodle with tons of goodies.
2. Gift Cards
I asked Hiyas the number one gift teachers appreciate the most from their students, and she did not hesitate--gift cards. Gift cards are the most versatile way to show appreciation to teachers. They can handpick supplies, gadgets, and tools that have proven to be the most helpful in surviving the academic school year. Since 2020 is an unusual year because of the pandemic and much of how learning will be conducted is unchartered territory--whether it's distance learning, in-person with safety protocols, or a hybrid--a gift card gives teachers the freedom and flexibility to get exactly what they want and need.
Don't you hate stiff staplers that hurt your hands when you staple something? When I use a stapler, I am usually in the middle of a busy workday. A stapler needs to work when I need it to work, and effortlessly, too. The worst is when I have to put an inordinate amount of effort squeezing a low-quality paper and hurting my hand, only to end up with a subpar staple job that I have to redo. If you have never experienced the satisfaction of an electric stapler, I suggest you try it--it is a revelation. Enter the Swingline Compact Electric Stapler. It has the ease of an electric stapler in a compact and portable size. Once you try this electric stapler, will never use a conventional stapler again. Put this in your teacher survival kit, and your favorite teacher will be talking about this gift for years to come.
The highlighter is a quintessential office supply that your favorite teacher will no doubt use daily. From preparing lesson plans, grading papers, and (quite literally) highlighting passages in books that will be the focus of impending lectures, the Sharpie Multicolor Highlighters are must-haves in your teacher survival kit.
It is a well-known fact that teachers love sentimental gifts from their students. Connecting with kids, especially teenagers, is one of the most challenging tasks for any person, even parents. Somehow teachers find a way to get through and gain trust with young people, which is no easy feat. So when teachers and counselors receive tokens of appreciation from their students, no matter how sappy, they love it. This assortment of inspirational tumblers is a perfect addition to your teacher survival kit. Teachers can fill it up with coffee during the school day and then wine for after school hours. What teacher wouldn't love that?
A 3-hole punch is one of those coveted office items that always goes missing and ends up, innocently enough, on someone else's desk. Get your favorite teacher one of her own and slap a conspicuously-placed name label on this bad boy. The Swingline Electric 3-Hole Punch is automatic so no more breaking a sweat trying to punch holes into a pile of paper only to come out unevenly. It is also small and compact so it can be taken anywhere there is a 3-hole punch emergency.
Cool Head Parenting researched teachers' favorite pens for grading, scribbling, and late-night syllabus creating, and the Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pens consistently came up as a solid teacher pick. It is a well-known fact that grading countless homework assignments, essays, and projects is made infinitely more fun using a wide variety of bright, vibrant, fun colors. The fine tip and smooth ink make for an enjoyable and satisfying writing experience. Your favorite teacher will treasure these all year long.
Every teacher needs a glue gun. From art projects, crafts, classroom decorating, and more, glue guns are a must-have for any teacher. The Surebonder featured above is the one you want for three important reasons: 1) it is full size, so no hand or finger cramping trying to squeeze the trigger of a mini-sized glue gun; 2) it is cordless, which means your teacher can move freely around the classroom and even do projects outdoors without being tethered to a plug; and 3) it has a stand, and we all know how important it is to keep your glue gun upright when not in use to as to avoid getting hot glue all over your table. As a bonus, the stand also acts as a charger, so your teacher will always be glue-gun-ready!
Ice breakers are a teacher and counselor's best friend. Because anything that can get a kid or teenager to start talking is a great thing. Your favorite teacher will love to display this Motto of the Day Card Set by Compendium on her desk. When students come in for a meeting or wander in to chat, it can serve as a subtle positive affirmation for the day or strike up a conversation about goals, hopes, and dreams. Compendium is a small journal and greeting card company that seeks "tangible ways to add hope and unexpected delight to each day." Their designs and inspirational messaging are worth checking out and adding to your teacher survival kit.
Whether you are teaching Kindergarten or physics, stains happen. Teachers hardly have the time to run to the bathroom and mitigate a stain; they need something quick, easy, and within arm's reach. The Tide To Go Instant Stain Remover Pens should be included in every teacher's survival kit. They are compact and effective. Your teacher will thank you for saving his favorite pair of slacks.
Whether you have a pet that sheds or sweater that piles, a compact lint roller is a necessity for teachers that are expected to model proper and professional attire for students. Your teacher might have an unexpected meeting with a parent or fill in last minute for a colleague at an all-school assembly, and the last thing your teacher wants is to have lint everywhere. The Scotch-Brite Travel Size Lint Roller fits perfectly in your teacher's survival kit. And don't forget the refills.
When an itchy, scratchy throat hits right in the middle of a lesson, sometimes a sip of water just doesn't cut it. That is when these Hall's Individually-Wrapped Cough Drops come in delightfully handy. A cough drop provides a little soothing action to one's dry mouth and throat after a full day of lecture, giving instructions, reading books, and corraling children to and from the playground and classroom. These cough drops are individually-wrapped so they are easy to share because we all know how often kids ask adults for cough drops when all they really want is candy!
Fever, runny nose, muscle aches. Though highly unlikely any teacher will come to school with those symptoms in 2020, DayQuil Cold & Flu LiquiCaps are always good to have on hand. An effective survival kit is one that a teacher can rely on in emergencies, and having DayQuil
Handling and shuffling papers all day dry out your hands big time. Not to mention all the handwashing teachers will have to do at school, it is no surprise that hand cream is a necessity in any teacher survival kit. Teachers need a hand cream that is fragrance-free so as to not offend the noses of students in the classroom. The Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream is the best hand cream I have ever used and its price point is beyond reasonable for the quality. This hand cream is fragrance-free, non-greasy, and it works. You need smaller than a pea-sized dab to effectively moisturize dry, cracked hands. At first, it might seem like this hand cream is greasy as it has the consistency of Vaseline, but it is not. The cream absorbs nicely into your skin, and unlike other low-quality lotions that you have to reapply every thirty minutes, the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream will keep your hands soft for hours until the next time you wash them. I highly recommend this product, and if your favorite teacher has not tried this hand cream yet, she will thank her lucky stars for having been introduced to it.
You don't think you'll need an antacid until you need an antacid. Teachers have little time during the school day to eat lunch, fitting it in only once the children have eaten and are occupied. Rushed eating can lead to indigestion, which is why you cannot forget to include TUMS antacids in your teacher survival kit. These ones are chewy, which in our opinion are way better than the chalky ones. Plus it is travel-sized so it will fit nicely in the Caboodle.
Coffee breath is something people generally want to avoid at all times, but most especially in the classroom. Teachers have to get up close to students when they offer feedback on a project or give a lecture. No teacher wants to be regarded as "the one with the bad breath". These travel-sized Listerine Cool Mint Zero Alcohol Mouthwash bottles are the perfect addition to any teacher survival kit.
Using mouthwash to eliminate bad breath is one thing, but take it to the next level by including these Crest Scope Disposable Mini Toothbrushes in your teacher survival kit. They are great to use after lunch to brush away leftover food so that your teeth are always sparkly clean and healthy. While mouthwash is great, I like the scrubbing action of these mini toothbrushes as it cleans away food and plaque, which are the real culprits of bad breath. They are compact so they fit in your pocket and no one will know when you sneak away to brush your teeth in the bathroom. These toothbrushes come pre-pasted with toothpaste so you never have to worry about packing and taking toothpaste with you.
Mini deodorant is a self-care essential that teachers might need in a pinch. Maybe your favorite teacher was called in to cover P.E. for the day, or maybe he got roped into a game of tag on the playground. Whatever the reason, deodorant is one thing you never want to be without when you need it. When body odor hits and you can't run home to shower, deodorant is your best friend. This Eucalyptus Lemon Mini Deodorant by Hint has a cool, fresh scent that will keep your teacher smelling clean all day long.
Teachers are outside constantly. Whether it is working on art projects, science projects, or supervising the play yard, teachers are outdoors enough to need skin protection from the sun. Your favorite teacher will love this Supergoop! Everyday Play Mini Sunscreen. Founded by a third-grade teacher in Texas, Supergoop! products are clean, reef-friendly, and their sunscreen doesn't feel like sunscreen. It goes on smooth, light, and won't turn your face a pale white. Supergoop! sunscreen is the favorite of many beauty bloggers and is highly rated on Sephora. Your favorite teacher will be delighted at this thoughtful addition to her survival kit.
Sometimes all we have time for in the morning is a coffee and our toothbrush. Washing your hair every day is kind of hassle and not great for hair and scalp health. Experts recommend washing hair every other day to avoid stripping hair of its natural oils and nutrients. If your hair is anything like mine, it gets oily and flat after a day of not washing. That is why dry shampoo is one of my all-time favorite beauty products and Batiste Dry Shampoo is one of the best brands on the market for the price. These Batiste Mini Dry Shampoo bottles are adorable. They leave hair smelling great, feeling refreshed, and they don't leave behind a snowy white residue on your scalp. Whenever your favorite teacher needs a hair pick-me-up, Batiste Dry Shampoo will definitely answer the call.
Listerine Cool Mint Pocketpaks Breath Strips are the perfect little on-the-go breath fresheners. When you don't have time to rinse with mouthwash or brush your teeth, these Listerine Cool Mint Breath Strips pack a powerful minty punch anytime and anywhere. They are the perfect amount of spicy cool mint and sweetness to get you through the midday slump. Teachers can't always be at their desks or have a free minute to run to the bathroom, so your favorite teacher will be grateful to have these breath fresheners handy.
Being around kids all day is messy. Sometimes teachers find themselves daydreaming about a relaxing spa day right in the middle of a lesson. I don't blame them! These Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes are the perfect mix of calm and convenience that every teacher needs to manage a hectic school day. Sometimes all that is needed is a gently-perfumed towelette to feel rejuvenated and refreshed.
Teachers know how to make ouchies feel better. It is some magical quality they have that every kid senses and appreciates. Bandages, therefore, must be part of a teacher's arsenal of tools so that they are fully prepared to tend to any ouchie emergency. These Welly Bravey Bandages are flexible, well-designed, and come in the most adorable patterns. They will make your favorite teacher very popular with the kids as they will certainly get a kick out of them and take their minds off that ouchie fast. Plus, the name--bravery badges--is just too cute and clever to pass up. The kids will be excited to earn their bravery badges anytime they get a scrape.
Coffee. When you need it, you need it. While single-serve instant coffee packets may not be your first choice, any coffee is better than no coffee. Thank goodness Starbucks answered the call for decent instant coffee and brought us VIA Instant Coffee Packets. Stash a few of these in your teacher survival kit. Your favorite teacher thank you for recognizing that sometimes all you need to survive a day with rowdy children is some old-fashioned, hardcore caffeine.
Headaches are commonplace, even expected, when teaching a classroom full of kids. When a headache strikes, concentration and focus go out the window. Teachers need relief fast, which is why you have to throw in a travel-sized pack of Advil in your teacher survival kit.
Teachers have to be more careful than ever with cleanliness and safety as they start the fall 2020 school year. These Care Touch Alcohol Wipes may be made for lenses and screens, but they are so much more versatile. The wipes are moistened with isopropyl alcohol, so you can rest assured they will effectively sanitize objects and surfaces of germs. The best part is they are individually-packaged, so your favorite teacher can carry a handful in his pocket for use anytime. Perhaps he wants to turn a door handle without touching it or sanitize a small piece of equipment on the playground. Whatever the use, these wipes are effective, convenient, and easily shareable so that we all can take part in keeping ugly viruses in check.
One of my all-time pet peeves is when something is irritating my eye and it won't go away no matter how many times I blink or rub it. These days, rubbing your eyes is a big no-no anyway. When my eyes feel irritated and dry, I find myself asking every coworker within a ten-foot radius of my office whether they have eye drops. Rarely do any of them answer in the affirmative. But you will have read this post, thought ahead, and will not leave your favorite teacher hanging with irritated eyes. Do her a favor and include a travel-sized bottle of Visine Eye Drops in your teacher survival kit. Yet again, eye drops are one of those items that you don't know you need until you actually need it. And don't even think about throwing faucet water into your eyes thinking that will help. Trust me--get the eye drops.
Chocolate. Need I say more?
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