I thought it would be fun to include a few stories behind the items on my teacher wish list. Each request on that list comes from a real classroom moment or need, and my hope is that it shows how deeply appreciated and genuinely useful your support will be.
You can find my Amazon wishlist at this link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2TMFEZPRUJH8U?ref_=wl_share
*Certain details in this post have been changed to respect student privacy*
1.) Pocket Memo Protector
One of my seniors last year, let’s call this one “The Thrower“, obtained a permanent sharpie from my supply box. As students packed up getting ready to move on to next period, the Thrower uncapped it and threw it directly into the arm of another student, making a small black mark. Unfortunately for them, I happened to glance over at that exact moment. RING! I raise my voice over the bell: “Thrower, please stay after class” … “Sorry, I have a test/meeting/important event and can’t stay” while rushing out the door… Another report and email to add to the ever-growing list of things to do. I quickly scramble to get my memo book out of my pocket. It is my temporary holding spot for to-do items and ideas throughout the day. Must have sat on it over lunch, because it might as well be a Roly-Poly the way it’s crunched up. I work on unrolling the pages, trying to find the most recent – Knock Knock! Looking up, I see my next class is already lined up in the hallway waiting to begin our entry procedure. Oh well, hopefully I will remember to take care of this at the end of the day.
50/50 shot that I do end up remembering the event before seeing the student the next class. As teachers, we need to be 100% consistent in taking care of behaviors and doing what we say we will do. Maybe this will make it a little bit easier.
2.) Chained Pens
Let’s call this student “The Missing One”.
“Hi A.P.(assistant principal) office, I need to report a missing student” … “Again?” the office replied. “Yes, they have been gone for twenty minutes and I have no idea where they are”
Mr. Rodi! I glance over at the student urgently calling me. “The student is just in the bathroom, they’re okay!”
“I have the bathroom list right here and their name is not on it,” waving the blue clipboard above my head, “We will have the principal find them.”
The helpful student walks over to the phone pockets on the back wall and seemingly makes a quick text. Within 30 seconds, the missing student returns to the room and sits down like nothing happened.
“Hey Missing, where were you? Everything okay?”
“Oh, yeah, I was in the bathroom.”
“Okay. Why didn’t you write your name down on the bathroom list?”
“The pen was missing.”
I glance over at the metal stand that holds the bathroom clipboard. Sure enough, the pen has vanished for the second time this week.
3.) Pencils
I have a poem sitting next to my desk, in a prominent spot where I always see it when I sit down. It’s a potent reminder to me when I get frustrated over various students lack of preparation and basic supplies. I have been granted permission by the author Joshua Dickerson to share it here.
‘Cause I Ain’t Got a Pencil by Joshua Dickerson
I woke myself up
Because we ain’t got an alarm clock.
Dug in the dirty clothes basket,
‘Cause ain’t nobody washed my uniform.
Brushed my hair and teeth in the dark,
‘Cause the lights ain’t on.
Even got my baby sister ready,
‘Cause my mama wasn’t home.
Got us both to school on time
To eat us a good breakfast.
Then when I got to class the teacher fussed
‘Cause I ain’t got no pencil.
I do remind students to bring their materials, yet every day another student forgets. When it happens over and over and over, it is really frustrating. You feel like saying “too bad” and ignoring the issue. But this poem has inspired me to make sure all of my students have their basic supplies no matter how many times they lose them, and that they do not feel bad about needing them. One of the ways I do that is with a pencil dispenser. Last year, we went through all 150 pencils by Christmas break. After placing a “Please Return” sign next to the pencil dispenser, we improved to about 100 pencils used in the second semester.
4.) Tape Dispenser
The little plastic scotch tape that currently roams my room tends to get lost fairly often. Maybe a dispenser will slow it down? Maybe?
5.) Fidget Store Items
Believe it or not, many seniors really enjoyed buying sticky hands from “The Fidget Store” last year. The ring pops are the most stolen item in the store, so I have to keep it locked in my desk. (Once had eight ring pops stolen in one day.) I plan to post in depth about our classroom currency and store in the future, but for the time being, you can see the excerpt here from our course syllabus that succinctly describes it.
And more…
I have a few other items listed. They all have a story and purpose to benefit the classroom. Anything you can help with will be put to great use for the betterment of our next generation. Prayers for the school year will also be wonderful. My teaching career is driven by God and is dependent on God. To Him be all the glory!
Leave a Reply