I’m getting so excited to head back to school, particularly since this year is shaping up to be a bit more “normal” after the last year and a half of COVID craziness. In July, I started working at a new school as the Director of Performing Arts. The last month has been a bit of a whirlwind as I learn the ins and outs of my new role, but I’m loving it and the administration I am blessed to work with on a day-to-day basis. Teachers will be reporting back to campus in the coming days, and I finally get to meet the rest of my performing arts team. These teachers will be engaging our students for the whole year, inspiring them to create and grow into lifelong learners.
This upcoming school year, more than any other year, I wanted to recognize my teachers and help them feel encouraged after a trying and challenging year and a half. I thought a great way to do that would be to make each of them a back-to-school survival kit, including the essentials I thought my high school teachers might need, like hand sanitizer, post-its, and pens.
I will be passing out these kits at our first department meeting next week and hope this will brighten their day and help them feel appreciated and supported. Below is the list of items I put in each back-to-school survival kit I made for my high school teachers. Be creative and feel free to include things you think your teachers will like and need and reflect the grade level they teach.
Supplies:
- Binder Clips
- Dry Erase Marker
- Emergen-C
- Encouraging Note
- Gum
- Hand Sanitizer
- Highlighter
- Masks
- Mints
- Pen
- Pencil
- Pencil Box
- Post-Its
- Sharpie
- Tissues
- Wet Wipes
Steps:
- Purchase supplies at your local Target, Dollar Tree, or Amazon. I had great success shopping at Dollar Tree, especially since they had all their back-to-school supplies out.
- Once you have collected all your supplies, make an assembly line of all your supplies. Trust me, this made packing the pencil boxes much easier and ensure each kit included all the supplies.
- The last item I included in each kit was a note of encouragement for each of my teachers. I want them to know I am here to support them throughout the year and feel encouraged when they feel discouraged. You can create a colorful note on Canva for free.
- Lastly, pass out your Back-To-School Survival Kits and cheer on your teachers for the year ahead.
I hope you enjoy making these little teacher teats for the start of the school year. I truly believe that when teachers feel recognized and validated by their department head, a community of trust is created, and great things will happen. Here’s to a great school year ahead; stay safe, and remember we can do it!
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