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

[Plantlady]

We get a lot of student teachers at our district, because we are very close to a university.

Anyway, most teachers, on their student teachers' last day, have a party.. and encourage the kids to bring teaching supplies for their student teacher. I think it's a great idea.. in that setting.

 

[Louise-Montreal]

Isn't it a sad statement of our society that teachers need to have "teacher showers" in order to furnish his/her classroom? What other profession asks its professionals to supply their own materials?

And do not tell me doctors, dentists and lawyers- they are setting up their own businesses and can charge what they want to cover their own expenses. The point is not to pick on other professions, but when are we, as a society, going to start looking at our children and their educations as a wise investment for the future and to start providing our teachers and students with what they need to be successful in the real world.

Rant over!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MM27]

I think the shower idea is tacky.

I know you want to be set when you get a job, but do yourself a favor and don't buy grade specific supplies just yet. You will end up spending a fortune on things you'll never use. How do I know? I did the same thing. I was convinced that my early childhood degree would get me a 1st or 2nd grade job. So, in my 9th year of teaching 4th grade I can tell you that I have not once touched the things that I thought would be perfect for my classroom. I wish I had waited.

 

[Cindy B]

I think the shower idea is tacky.

I know you want to be set when you get a job, but do yourself a favor and don't buy grade specific supplies just yet. You will end up spending a fortune on things you'll never use. How do I know? I did the same thing. I was convinced that my early childhood degree would get me a 1st or 2nd grade job. So, in my 9th year of teaching 4th grade I can tell you that I have not once touched the things that I thought would be perfect for my classroom. I wish I had waited.

That is great advice. I'm sitting and waiting on purchasing things as well.--since I am certified in middle and elementary school -- I can get a classroom from K to 8th grade.

I don't want to spend too much until I get a job. I have enough supplies to do lessons and centers if need be but I can adjust those if necessary for a job interview.

 

[Bluestars]

When my son was in elementary school, the teachers would put sticky notes or construction paper cut in different shapes on the chalkboard. Each one would have a school supply item on it. During the parent/teacher meeting at the beginning of the year, the teacher would mention the notes and let the parents know they were there if anyone would like to buy something for the classroom.

I don't know if public schools do this, but it went on in my son's private school. I thought it was a great idea.

 

[mominwestlake]

I also think you should wait until you actually get a job. This summer I had a few new teachers come to my garage sale and buy a bunch of the books I had for sale so they could stock their classroom. They also bought some of our games we had for sale and blocks. You could also look on Craigslist for lots of books after you know what great you will be teaching.

The teachers at our school put up sticky notes with wishlist items at openhouse so that parents are free to take on if they want.

I wish you all the best finding a job.

 

[SDFgirl]

I'm a teacher and I agree with everyone else that it's tacky.

HOWEVER, I wanted to suggest you hit garage sales this summer - you will find a TON of things that will come in handy for your classroom...super cheap!

I garage sale it all summer long and some of my best classroom "things" have come from my efforts...tons of books (get everything from Kindergarten level to chapter books because you'll have kids on every level no matter what grade you teach). DVDs, beanbag chairs for your classroom library, a cute rug, and lots of storage bins. You can never have too many storage bins for centers, supplies, etc.

Good luck! Teaching is an awesome job for the right person! I personally love it.

(As an aside - you will hear lots of negativity from teachers, both on the Disboards and in the teacher's lounge, about how crappy teachers have it. I recommend for your sanity that you don't listen. Like every job, it has its ups and downs. But I've never for the life of me understood why teachers act like such martyrs sometimes. Okay, flame suit on!! )

 

[Maggi May]

http://www.adoptaclassroom.com/

Check out Adopt a Classroom. It matches up donors and volunteers with teachers who need supplies and assistance. It's a pretty cool concept!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

I will definitely be hitting a ton of garage sales over the summer--last summer, i did not have a job and I am now building my classroom library and such as the year goes--i want to get some more stuff over the summer!

I agree with not buying too much til you know what grade you will be teaching

 

[koolaidmoms]

I would not call it a "shower" but rather your graduation party. Maybe say on the invitation no gifts needed but if you would like to contribute to helping set up xxxx's first classroom please feel free to bring a box of pencils, crayons, children's scissors, etc.... This is usually hosted by someone other than yourself (family or friends).

I think there is nothing wrong with that. We go to tons of graduation parties and I would have no problem bringing a few boxes of pencils or crayons rather than a check!

 

[wdwgirl03]

I finished student teaching a year ago and a "teacher shower" sounds really lame. Sorry.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I'm interning right now and it sounds like a cut idea if somebody else throws it for you. It is never appropriate to have one for yourself. I also completely agree that you need to hold off on buying things. I know you're excited for the classroom, but really, how much sense does it make to buy a ton of items half of which you may never use? If you're trying to spread it out so when it comes time you won't be financially hurting, why not start a teaching jar? You can just put a little bit of money in it every so often, then when it comes time you have that money saved up that you would have spent on unneeded items. Then you can spend it on stuff you really do need.

 

[perla75]

A lot of teachers at the school I work in will create a "Classroom Wish List" every year for their classroom. They will send the wish list out during the holidays and ask parents that if they are thinking of getting the teacher a holiday gift, the teacher would prefer something for the classroom so their child could benefit from it as well. This is a very good idea & the parents all seem to love it!

 

[Mikelly1221]

I don't like the idea of someone throwing a shower for themselves, but if your family was going to have a graduation party for you, it could be teacher themed and they could request presents for your classroom or something-I'm sure it would be worded better than I just said it!

In that context, I don't think it would be tacky, but I definitely wouldn't throw it for yourself-that IS tacky, IMO.

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation!

 

[RangerPooh]

How about holding an end of the year party with a few of your classmates each providing something for the other to start off their classroom.

Ie: crayons, folders, books, bulletin board supplies, pencils, paper, math/reading CDs,

 

[NotAmused]

Thanks for all the suggestions!
Trust me, I know throwing a shower for yourself is tacky. I would never do that. I wouldn't even have time to plan one.

My mom had actually suggested having a teacher themed graduation party before I even heard about this shower idea but I'm not even sure I want her to throw me a grad party.

I am just surprised that when the "Teacher Shower" idea was brought up at the presentation, everyone was "ohhing and ahhing" at the idea. I guess if you tweak the idea, it could work for some people.