A "Teacher Shower"--Good idea or tacky?

[NotAmused]

I am just a few short months away from graduating with a degree in Elementary Education and yesterday my university had an education conference. One of the presentations was about creating your classroom on a budget and offered a lot of simple and cheap ways to do that. One of the suggestions the presenters offered was to have a "Teaching Shower" (similar to a baby shower or bridal shower). Guests would bring essential teaching supplies (crayons, paper, pencils, folders, etc) as well as children's books, classroom furnishings, games, and anything else they feel will be useful in the classroom.

I knew I could count on DISers to be honest, so what do you think of the idea of having a Teacher Shower? Genius? Tacky? Have you ever heard of it before? What would you think if you received an invite to a Teacher Shower? I've never heard of one and I was just wondering if it's the new thing to do?

Personally, I love the idea as I have already started stocking up on things and it is expensive since I am buying things for 6 different grade levels since I never know what grade I will be teaching (And I will take whatever grade is offered. Beggars can't be choosers ). At the same time, though, I'm really not sure it's appropriate to ask people to help me out and I don't think I would feel comfortable....

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I don't know....teachers for years have been on their own in this regard. I add to my collection (grades 9-12, but lately just 12) every year. The best gift I could give a new teacher is a giant bottle of tylenol! I think the shower idea is a little much. But if your family is all for it, go for it.
Robin M.

 

[Ember]

Personally, I'm not a fan. Asking friends and loved ones to pay for your classroom just seems tacky to me. Besides, as a first year teacher myself, you can get by on very little. You just need to be creative and make friends with the dollar stores in your area.

 

[marlynnp]

I think it leans more to tacky.

Were you going to have a graduation party? I think it would be okay if the word was passed that you wanted items for your classroom rather than any personal gifts.

 

[Scornelius]

Tacky

 

[disykat]

It is NEVER appropriate to ask for a shower or throw yourself one.

As a teacher, my advice would be to wait for a job and then deal with it as it comes. Your classroom may not be perfect immediately, but you will accumulate more than you can store pretty quickly.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Personally, I'm not a fan. Asking friends and loved ones to pay for your classroom just seems tacky to me. Besides, as a first year teacher myself, you can get by on very little. You just need to be creative and make friends with the dollar stores in your area.

ITA I have been teaching for 15 years and when I went into it I knew that I would be purchasing the niceities for my classroom and I am sure you did too. I am being frank if I got an invitation to a Teacher Shower I would be annoyed. I would think why would someone feel that I need to subsidise their job especially if it was something they chose to enter into with open eyes.

Not to throw water on your parade but keep your fingers crossed that you get a job. In most states education funds are being cut and people with even 10 years are sweating it. Worry about the pencils and stickers when you do.
All the office stores run Teacher Appreciation Days before school starts and they will give you some materials to get started.

I am not trying to be Debbie Downer I am just telling you like it is.

 

[anniemae]

I think it's a cute idea, but I can see some people being "put off" by it.

Everyone is strapped for cash these days it seems and if you are going to give $$$ to a teacher, it would probably be your child's teacher (if they have kids).

It seems you could get carried away and do a shower for anything. I feel like I dropped a bundle on bridal and baby showers throughout the years and I really don't know how I would feel getting an invite to a teachers shower.

I think it is a fun idea and definately needed and deserved, I just don't know how folks would react to the invitation. I guess a person could go to a dollar store and spend $10 on paper, pencils, stickers etc. if they didn't want to spend a lot. Go with your gut and make it clear that folks don't need to spend a lot and I think you will be fine, and maybe combine it with a graduation type party and make the teachers gifts optional/extra.

Best of luck to you and congratulations on your pending graduation!

 

[NotAmused]

Thanks for the replies. Yeah, I was thinking it was pretty tacky but since I heard it in the presentation I was wondering if it was the new thing to do.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Thanks for the replies. Yeah, I was thinking it was pretty tacky but since I heard it in the presentation I was wondering if it was the new thing to do.

It is easy to see that you are new to the profession..because pretty much none of the presenters we ever listen to live in the real world. At least not any of the hundreds I have had to endure.

You were smart to ask good luck.

 

[Tink888]

Yep, tacky. Kind of like an "I just graduated from culinary school - buy me knives shower" or an "I'm an IT student and registered at Dell".

I'm sorry.

For what it's worth though - Congratulations on getting your degree and if I were a close friend or family member, I probably would go out and get you a gift of teaching supplies, no shower necessary.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I do think it would be tacky to throw one for yourself, but not if your mom or a friend threw it for you. I'd go to one!

 

[MushyMushy]

Tacky.

You already get a tax break for some supplies. It's not much, maybe $250? But tacky.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

I think its tacky..I am a new kindergarten teacher and just found out about my job a couple of days before the school year started. Yes, im spending a ton of money on supplies and books. Yes, i wish i had more in y classroom...but i would never have thought of a shower. i knew going into this job that I would be putting out my own money, especially in the beginning

 

[thinkerbell]

I have never heard of giving yourself a teacher shower but I always give one for all of my student teachers. I send home a note to the parents and they send things in that would help her out in her classroom next year. Maybe you will get lucky and your supervising teacher will give you a shower. Last year I ordered her a book bag from Walgreen's with a picture of my class on it so she could put all of her supplies in it to take with her.

Educational presenters don't always live in the "real world" as far as the classroom goes but I have gotten many good ideas from them. Sometimes when we have been teaching too long we are kind of reluctant to accept new ideas. Always be open to what other educators and presenters tell you and use the ideas that you think will work for you.

I have been teaching 21 years and I still love it. I hope you will enjoy your teaching experiences too and always keep your mind open and receptive to new ideas.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I agree, the shower idea is pretty tacky. But, all of my kids teachers make "wish lists" and keep them updated throughout the year. And they choose books they'd like for the classroom whenever there's a book fair. I've also had teachers ask for any books that parents were giving away or getting rid of. So there's lot's of things you can do. Also, I always get teachers a gift card at the beginning of the school year to the local teaching supply store- and I'm not the only one!

 

[RitaE]

I'm sure it probably is a "new thing." But still

It is NEVER appropriate to ask for a shower or throw yourself one.

That.

 

[castleview]

If you have a graduation party, you could always suggest teaching supplies instead of gifts. I get turned off by most showers unless it's a first marriage or first baby.

 

[Cindy B]

I just finished my degree and I think while the idea is cute, that is tacky.

When I graduated, I got two certificates to a teaching supply store. Back in December when I finished student teaching, my cooperating teacher gave me a huge basket of teaching supplies. (The students pitched in as well)

 

[MariDisney]

Very tacky. It is never appropriate to throw a party for yourself and expect folks to bring gifts.