So, if you have found this blog by accident, then you should read the first post about the #clearthelist movement. I have had more thoughts on this topic that just haven't gone away, so I am writing about it again.
As I thought about posting my list, I thought, "I really can afford all to buy most of this. Maybe not right at this minute but overtime, I can get it all." But, I posted my list any way as so many others had. My son, peering over my shoulder, wondered aloud the same thought I had. Would anyone actually buy me a package of dry erase markers? And, if they did, would I feel guilty about asking my social media (and real) friends for help? The answer to both is yes!
My circle came through in a big way. Over the last week, it has felt a little like Christmas around here. My daughter sent me a text each day, begging to open the four or five boxes the amazing UPS man dropped off at our house. I honestly couldn't believe it. People I have known most of my life, former students, other teachers all took the time and money to help clear my list. I realized in that moment there is still good in this world, and people still believe in the work we do for children. That's all it took to renew me, a new set of Sharpie pens, some amazing books for my library, and a few office supplies. I am beyond blessed. I have taken the opportunity I was given and chose to bless others. The amount I was planning on spending on my back to school supplies, I am using to buy for other teachers. I know how important it is to support those who are in the trenches along with me.
If you have a teacher friend who doesn't have a list, trust me on this, send him or her some new pens, cool paper clips, or even a favorite book with a note telling how much you appreciate what's being done for students. I promise you will impact not only a teacher but a classroom as well.
Sunday, August 11, 2019
Saturday, August 3, 2019
#clearthelist
There is a movement sweeping the social media world as we prepare to head back into our classrooms. No, it's not all of us posting our pinterest (or not, but that's another post entirely) ready classrooms or first day of school outfits. It seems to have started with a teacher in Arizona who reached out across social media for help with school supplies, not supplies for students but for teachers. #Clearthelist is being used by teachers coast to coast. Celebrities and musicians have gotten behind it. Communities are coming together to show support for their teachers. Teachers are posting a wishlist on Amazon and sharing it with the world (or at least their own little corner of the world).
While parents are struggling with kids' back to school lists, teachers are shucking out money for their own paper clips and dry erase markers. I have to ask, "What other profession on the planet requires its employees to buy their own paperclips?" And, I am not talking about the cute colored ones. I am talking about the boring silver ones.
Now don't get me wrong. Most teachers have their basic supplies covered. Most don't have to buy their own copy paper or pens, but what isn't provided, teachers are buying themselves.
So, here is my million dollar question. Why does a person who spent four years getting a degree to be in a professional career find herself in the school supply aisle at Wal Mart? I'll give you a hint. It isn't entirely because I have a weird obsession with school supplies. It's because I know the best prices on school supplies happen before school starts. I also know that when the supply of staples runs out in the workroom around February, there won't be any more until the next school year. I know the dry erase markers I will be given to start the year will last only until Christmas. I know that at some point students are going to need pencils. I know that some can't afford to buy any more, and it was really hard to get the money together to buy some to start school. So, I plan for that. I buy pencils for my students, crayons when they are a quarter, and glue and composition notebooks when they are 50 cents. I don't "sell" these things to my students. I give them away. Research has shown us that when students have what they need, they are more successful. Common sense tells us that when teachers have what they need, they, too, will be successful.
For all of you helping #clearthelist, I thank you. I thank you from the very depth of my heart. We love kids; we love our jobs, but what we really love is when people notice how hard we are trying to make our world a better place not just by teaching reading and math and science and social studies and vocational skills and a love for the arts, but by simply loving kids, seeing their potential and doing what we can to help them realize their dreams.
If you have no idea, what I am talking about, just search #clearthelist on any social media platform. If you don't have social media but want to help a teacher out, cute colored paperclips will always make us smile!
Here's to a great 2019-2020 school year!
While parents are struggling with kids' back to school lists, teachers are shucking out money for their own paper clips and dry erase markers. I have to ask, "What other profession on the planet requires its employees to buy their own paperclips?" And, I am not talking about the cute colored ones. I am talking about the boring silver ones.
Now don't get me wrong. Most teachers have their basic supplies covered. Most don't have to buy their own copy paper or pens, but what isn't provided, teachers are buying themselves.
So, here is my million dollar question. Why does a person who spent four years getting a degree to be in a professional career find herself in the school supply aisle at Wal Mart? I'll give you a hint. It isn't entirely because I have a weird obsession with school supplies. It's because I know the best prices on school supplies happen before school starts. I also know that when the supply of staples runs out in the workroom around February, there won't be any more until the next school year. I know the dry erase markers I will be given to start the year will last only until Christmas. I know that at some point students are going to need pencils. I know that some can't afford to buy any more, and it was really hard to get the money together to buy some to start school. So, I plan for that. I buy pencils for my students, crayons when they are a quarter, and glue and composition notebooks when they are 50 cents. I don't "sell" these things to my students. I give them away. Research has shown us that when students have what they need, they are more successful. Common sense tells us that when teachers have what they need, they, too, will be successful.
For all of you helping #clearthelist, I thank you. I thank you from the very depth of my heart. We love kids; we love our jobs, but what we really love is when people notice how hard we are trying to make our world a better place not just by teaching reading and math and science and social studies and vocational skills and a love for the arts, but by simply loving kids, seeing their potential and doing what we can to help them realize their dreams.
If you have no idea, what I am talking about, just search #clearthelist on any social media platform. If you don't have social media but want to help a teacher out, cute colored paperclips will always make us smile!
Here's to a great 2019-2020 school year!
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