Unique Items for a Teacher Survival Kit

Don't forget if you buy from amazon part of the proceeds can go to St. Jude's if you begin browsing with smile.amazon.com! 

A DampRid product

Being fiscally responsible, our district turns off A/C when the building isn’t in use resulting in a sauna during nights and weekends. Combine that with the Gulf Coast region, and we get major humidity during off hours as well as in the afternoon during out hotter months. DampRid in the classroom might not be required in every classroom, but the new AirScapes™ White Marble Fresh ScentStarter Kit, is perfect for classrooms like mine.

A deck of cards

I use them for quick grouping. Because they are durable, they last way longer than homemade grouping cards. Need more than 4 people per group? Hand out the cards and make the students group where each card has to be different, giving them a little choice.

Non-electronic airfreshners

Kids can be stinky after PE/recess. Our fire safety code prevents us from having heat sources plugged in, so we rely on airfreshners like Renuzit. I put one on the back bookcase and one on the front one. On weekends, I just close it up so it isn’t wasted.   I use the aromatherapy “tranquil” and the kids love the smell. Lysol Neutra Air Freshmatic Automatic Spray Air Freshener is also a great one that keeps the spread of germs away, but make sure you aren’t spraying kids!

Mini-fan AND shawl

Classrooms tend to either run cold or hot, but for most of the country what they run depends on the weather outside. Having a shawl that can stay at school is extremely handy when it starts to heat up outside resulting in an A/C-induced refrigerator in the school. Likewise, while dressed in winter garb, the heat in the building may be cranked up.

Command Strips Refills

The little refill of Command Strips are great for cinder-block walls or finished walls that you don’t want to staple. They last all year, they survive humid weekend conditions, and they can be removed without damaging a surface. They also hold the heavier items (like little whiteboards) really well. Love them!

Emotional Support Emergency Kit

At some point, things will happen that will make teachers doubt their skills – new and veteran teachers alike! – or something will go awry with a lesson or maybe it will just be a stressful time of year. Buy a sweet “just because” card, write a meaningful and encouraging letter on the inside and write “Open in Case of Emergency!” on the outside. Pair it with a wrapped box of something the person likes (chocolate, pretty stationary, cute nail polish, etc.) and it will be the gift they need when they need it the most!

What other must-haves are on your list?