***Calling all Teachers***

[DisneyFan06]

Hey! I know there are many of you on these boards, I been looking around! Okay, I am an Elementary Education Major at the University of Central Florida and I will be starting my internship this going Fall. Anyway, I am intrested in getting a briefcase, just to hold the amount of stuff required from day to day. I was wondering what type of bag or case you own, if any? I really want to get one that will last me a pretty long time and noticed that many have lifetime guarantees. I was looking specifically on ebags because they have an amazing sale going on.

Some teachers dont even find it necessary to have a bag, what are your opinions on this? Should I get one? What type?

ETA: Thanks for all the help and support.

 

[isyne4u]

don't get a bag....just get out of education while you still have your sanity!!!

 

[JoyG]

A briefcase is not going to cut it for an elementary teacher. It's not big enough. I can't tell if you're a woman or man from your user name. But, I carry an extra large tote from L.L. Bean, the white canvas one with different colored trim. I've seen lots of teachers with the same bag...you can get your name or initials on it.

I haven't seen any men with it though, so if you're a man maybe someone else can suggest something.

 

[DisneyFan06]

I am a male. I have alot of classroom experience so I know it has to be big, which is why I was asking for suggestions in the first place.

Here is one of the cases I was considering:
http://www.ebags.com/mobile_edge/ultra_v_load/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=18163

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[sajetto]

My intership was last year and TRUST ME you'll need something much larger than that. Look on ebay for one of those collapsing, rolling crates.

 

[jjskribs]

I teach first grade and for the past several years I have used a large black Mickey Mouse tote that I bought at WDW. My first graders loved it! This year I used a large Vera Bradley tote. I bring tons of "stuff" back and forth from school everyday.

If you are male teacher, my son recently purchased a very nice case from LLBean to use in his new job. It's black canvas and has lots of pockets. It can be carried by the handles and it also has a shoulder strap.

 

[DisneyFan06]

I went to LL Bean but the bags there seem small. Is there another website you would suggest?

 

[Blondy876]

I have several totes that I use. I have one for children's samples and notes, I use a rolling crate for the children's files and assessments, I have another that holds lesson plans and idea books etc, another that holds supplies that I might need for a lesson and another for my paperwork (staff and district meeting etc). I use bags that I have received for free at different teacher appreciation days. I have a couple from Staples and Office Max. They have held up well too. Keeping everything separated has helped me stay better organized too.

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi!

1st grade teacher here...

A few years ago my principal gave each teacher on our staff a beautiful canvas bag in our school colors, embroidered with our school name on it. That is what many teachers at my school use. It's very similar to the LL Bean bag that another poster here mentioned. I saw that you've already looked at the LL Bean website...how about Lands End? Those bags are very similar.

I make it a habit of rarely bringing any work home with me...so my bag just hangs on a hook in my classroom closet. I usually only need it at report card time.

 

[Ub_Iwerks]

I've always used some sort of tote bag. Another possibility is those large messenger bags with different compartments, but I'm not sure if they are large enough. As a new teacher, you will definitely be bringing LOTS of stuff home. Good luck!

 

[thinkerbell]

The men that work at my school all have a regular backpack like what you would carry in college. They have plenty of room and still look manly.

 

[MushyMushy]

Good question! I'm student teaching this fall and won't have a desk or space of my own in the room, so I've been trying to figure out what to use.

I looked up the rolling crates people are mentioning and found these:

Rolling crates

I have to tote around several binders, and this looks perfect.

 

[Byrd]

I use the rolling cart that I got at Staples. They are great and hold a ton of stuff. Heavy duty and a bit larger than some of the others you see.

The Go Carts are not as large or hold up as well as the Staples cart. Our school gave each teacher a Go Cart at the end of last year! They are just not as heavy duty and cost more.

 

[MushyMushy]

I use the rolling cart that I got at Staples. They are great and hold a ton of stuff. Heavy duty and a bit larger than some of the others you see.

The Go Carts are not as large or hold up as well as the Staples cart. Our school gave each teacher a Go Cart at the end of last year! They are just not as heavy duty and cost more.

Thanks for the info. I'll look at Staples!

 

[littleEinsteins4]

High School Teacher here......

I taught Elem. school a few years ago and thought I took a lot of stuff home, HS has it beat. I carry a similar bag to the LL Bean bag but during report card time or end of the MP I carry that and antoher tote. along with a laptop bah I feel like a bag lady
ana

 

[macrosswife]

Kindergarten teacher here!
Our school rents space from a church, so I had zero storage space, and had to tote everything (often including the kitchen sink ) to and from school. I started with a messenger-type bag, then moved to a rolling cart. One day when I needed to take more than the cart would handle, I actually emptied my rolling scrapbook supply case and took that, and ended up using it for the remainder of the school year. Mine has Mickey on it, but most you can get at Michaels or Hobby Lobby are a nice, conservative black. My only other suggestion would be a rolling laptop case, but those won't hold as much as the scrapbook supply cases.

Good luck!!!
~Kimber

 

[DisneyFan06]

I would like to thank everyone! Right now, I am required to bring my classwork to the school at which I am interning each and every day - that is a total of 5 3" binders with tons of materials. I think the best bet is getting a rolling crate for now and go from there.

Here is one I am thinking about:

http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/s...10051&langId=-1&productId=98062&cmArea=SEARCH

 

[macrosswife]

I would like to thank everyone! Right now, I am required to bring my classwork to the school at which I am interning each and every day - that is a total of 5 3" binders with tons of materials. I think the best bet is getting a rolling crate for now and go from there.

Here is one I am thinking about:

http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/s...10051&langId=-1&productId=98062&cmArea=SEARCH

That's the one I've got!!! I've used it for 2 years now with no complaints!

~Kimber

 

[DisneyFan06]

That's the one I've got!!! I've used it for 2 years now with no complaints!

~Kimber

Awesome. That is just what I needed to hear. I am going to go order it right now. Thanks for all the help.

 

[Byrd]

Yes! That's the one. If you have a Staples close to you check there. I get mine on sale at Staples for under $18. They come in different color combinations now. They are excellent quality.