What’s In My Bag? Teacher Edition

What’s in my bag? My teacher bag that is. I love peeking into other teacher’s bags each year. It’s how I decide which bag is right for me. Plus I like to know I’m not alone in my hoarder status.

I have a multitude of things that will resonate with you. I also have some random items you probably haven’t thought of. And most importantly I have the bag of all bags to keep it all together. Let’s take a look!

In My Bag- Daily

• Laptop -this is my personal laptop, the one the school provides stays at school. I have a 15-inch Macbook Pro and it fits perfectly in my bag
• Planner -I use the Teaching Texan or 4theLoveofPi. I love them both. It really depends on which one has the cover I want each year.
• Extra Plastic Sleeve file holder -all of my random PD papers go in here, then get sorted when I get home
• Flair Pens
• Inkgel Joys
• PD book (or 2) -I also listen to podcasts or on audible, but I’m such a book lover that I always have a physical one to read. You can check out more of my favorites here
• Lip balm
• Scissors
• Sticky notes
• Hand wipes
• Sanitizer
• Glasses cleaners
• Rubberbands
• Bandaids
• Water bottle -I don’t actually keep my water bottle in the bag. I use a giant 32oz Yeti cup with ice. But a regular water bottle would fit in the side pocket perfectly

In My Bag- Seasonally

• Umbrella
• Face Mask – you just never know
• Thank you notes -I like to keep a pack with me. Then when I need to send a note of gratitude to someone, I have everything I need
• Stamps
• Gift Cards, small tokens of appreciation -I like to have a little something on hand. This way I’m never caught without a little something during teacher appreciation week, or a holiday. I have a room parent and an assistant that I like to think about.

Random Items in My Teacher Bag

• Hotspot and battery pack- I use the one from Verizon because that is our local service provider
• Feminine hygiene products
• Coffee pods -the school has a Kuerig, but I bring my own coffee for an afternoon pick me up
• AIP snack items for after school meetings -My favorite AIP cookies are the Enjoy Life crunchy chocolate chip. MMMMMMM
• Cords, plugs, adapters
• $5 -I have a Super T next door to my school and they have AIP foods. This is saved for a treat, or workdays when the school provides lunch. With all of my food allergies, it is just easier to grab something I know I can eat
• Deodorant
• Dry shampoo
• Baby wipes
• Batteries -I still use a CD player (I know, old school 😊) and we never have the correct size batteries in the resource room
• Notebook for business ideas -If you have been around a while you know that I am a teacherpreneur, and share all about natural classroom ideas. If you are new here…WELCOME…you can read more about my journey here

Keeping it All Together

A large lightweight backpack to carry it all. Not an over the shoulder bag because my Neurosurgeon said that was adding to the strain on my spine. I recently had my 3rd disc removal and spinal fusion (more on that at another time). But both my neurosurgeon and my acupuncturist told me no more single shoulder bags. So…

I looked for backpacks all over: cute ones, functional ones, and ones designed specifically for students, ones that would roll. What did I choose?

Drum roll, please… A diaper bag, because the interior area is large enough for my laptop and a giant teacher planner. It is also waterproof and has a concealed cell phone area near my body. The one thing this one does not have is the spot to connect my battery pack to my phone through the cute little hole on the side. I’m OK with that because the bag was less than $35.

Natural Classroom Bonus Items

• Leopard Gecko food -if you have been around a while you know I’m all about the class pets
• Calcium and vitamins for the reptiles
• A bag of plant bulbs -you never know when you might need to plant something (LOL)
• Fish food
• A small mister for the classroom plants -because some of my plants are extra and like to be misted daily
• Small rocks, sticks and a roll of waxing muslin -this is to make 10 frame kits when I have extra time

I know, some of these items are random. Others are specific to me. But most importantly they help me stay organized, intentional with my students, and feeling like I’ve got my life together! What else would you add to this list? Tell me in the comments.

Until Next Time, Keep learning to play the nature way, Tina 🌿

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