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Thursday, March 14, 2013

Teacher Emergency Kit

One of the things I always recommend to new teachers is to have that special drawer for “just in case.”

Because you’re going to have those days.

I have a desk drawer that, covered, looks like this.

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The black part comes off, though, and here’s what’s hiding underneath. I know- not the cutest thing, but I like to be a bit discreet.

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Medical

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  • Extra glasses. My eyes are pretty bad, so if I had contact trouble or break my glasses, I would be completely incapacitated without backups.
  • Tylenol and Advil (including some extra-strength)- for those days when your headache just will not quit.
  • Extra tissues. Since this photo, I’ve found a pack of the lotion ones and I’ve stashed those instead for when I’m really sick.
  • *ahem* Feminine needs. Don’t forget this one.
Makeup

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  • Last time I needed new foundation, I put the almost-gone bottle in here for when I forget staff picture day or have a breakout out of nowhere. This is pretty necessary for a girl like me who goes sans makeup most days.
  • A basic eyeshadow. It’s not my favorite, but it’ll do in a pinch to make me look a bit more pulled together (or awake).
  • Face moisturizer and body lotion. (I usually go for a scented lotion so that if I feel a little gross I can smell a bit better. Nothing too overpowering, though.)
  • Chapstick.
Hair (plus a few other things)

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  • Spare hairbrush.
  • Bed Head “Control Freak”- so great for controlling frizz.
  • Extra hair ties. Usually for me, but occasionally I’ll give one to a kid if they really need it (either for hair, or for something like a makeshift belt).
Others to Consider
  • Shout Wipe (or Tide pen)- you’re gonna need this at some point… probably on a day when you have a meeting/ conference/ observation.
  • Lock De-Icer. Or maybe it’s only my old car that doesn’t love Indiana winters. After one time of having to crawl in from a back door and climb over the seat, I decided to leave one of these bad boys at school juuust in case I can’t tug even the back door open next time.
  • Emergency chocolate. I, however, have zero willpower, so you’ll notice it’s not here.
  • Vitamin C drops. I love the ones that taste like candy for when I feel a cold coming on. I know a lot of other teachers who depend on Airborne or Emergen-C.
  • Cough drops or sore throat drops.
  • Some kind of granola bar or meal bar, and maybe a bag or two of microwave popcorn- something that will tide me over when I forget my lunch!
  • A sweater for when your room is cold. (A simple black or white cardigan will go with almost anything!)
  • Comfy flats (if you wear heels often).
  • Spare cell phone charger.
This stuff has come in handy over and over. Definitely something new teachers should put together! (And so I’ve linked up to my new teacher series :)

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So, tell me, teachers… what are YOUR must-haves for a teacher emergency?

9 comments:

  1. Emergency chocolate is always in my classroom :) and I have zero wil power, ha.

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  2. I have a black sweater/wrap I keep in my class, since the temperature fluctuates between ice cold and unbearably hot.

    Looking From Third to Fourth

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  3. Great emergency items to have on hand! :) I love the idea of a spare cell phone charger.

    Sugar and Spice

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  4. Such a great list of emergency items to keep in your drawers. I feel like I have all of that (kind of) but I just bring it from home every Monday and back home every Friday...kind of like a glorified bag lady. I would also add Dr. Scholl's Rub Relief Strips these are amazing when shoes start rubbing the wrong way and you can choose the size you want to cut off which means the pack goes a long way.

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  5. Stomach Medications, Band-Aids, Bobby Pins, Anti-Diarehal (it has saved me once this year!) and a few safety pins. It took me about a month to get a plastic container for my cabinet with basically a pharmacy in it! I also have migraines so I keep one or two migraine pills in there at all times. I also always have a bottle of rubbing alcohol on hand (it gets sharpie out of anything, cleans the dry erase board, can be dumped into a spray bottle in a pinch to disinfect etc). I teach computers and science so one day we extracted DNA using it and salt I talked off of the cafeteria ladies. Something to think about for the faculty restroom is a bottle of nice soap. We all take turns buying them!

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  6. Extra clothes as well! Just in case someone pukes all over you. Or in preschool, pees all over you!

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  7. Hey I just finished reading your blog and I think it's great. I'm a teacher myself and I know how frustrating it is to speak all the time and have a sore throat. I usually keep honey and lemon Strepsils along with some Tic Tacs to keep a fresh breath. I have been trying to update my teacher's emergency kit for a couple of weeks and I checked out some sites to have some nice ideas. I'm really impressed by your blog. Thanks a lot.

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