As a new teacher, or someone who wants to teach, getting for his or her first day, you’re probably filled with both excitement and possibly a little bit of fear. After all, you’ve worked hard to get to this point and it’s almost showtime. The thing is, teaching is more than just standing in front of a class talking. You also need a way to keep your students interested in what you are saying. So, in addition to an interesting lesson plan, you also need a few other items in your teaching arsenal.
Get Your Finances in Order
If you’re just thinking about becoming a teacher, or decided to pursue higher education, you need a way to cover the cost. You could pay out of pocket, or you can apply for a loan. Student loans can help offset the cost of tuition and make earning your degree a lot more enjoyable, especially when you’re not constantly worried about your finances. You can also use a student loan calculator prior to applying and determine how much your payments will be after graduation. Paying off your student loan debt as soon as possible can result in many benefits. You can save thousands of dollars in interest and free up funds to put toward your savings. Student Loan Planner will help you stay debt-free.
Age-Appropriate Supplies
There’s probably nothing worse than trying to entertain a classroom of students without the right supplies. Depending on the grade level, you need to invest in supplies that are age appropriate. If you are teaching kindergarten students, you need to have supplies that help them learn but are interesting as well. Since they’re so young, it’s a good idea to have items that encourage imaginative play and are educational as well. The same holds true for middle-school students or above. While their interests and needs are different, the teaching supplies you have still need to provide value.
First-Aid Kits
No classroom is ever complete without a first-aid kit. While a fully stocked kit is recommended for all age groups, you should have plenty of gauze, antiseptic spray, and plenty of band-aids at the very least. If legally allowed, you should also have an EpiPen in case one of student suffers from severe allergies. You should be well versed the first aid procedures to deal with emergencies. You just need to make sure that’s permissible in your state.
Appropriate Storage
If your students are on the younger side, you definitely need appropriate storage. Since younger children respond better to interactive education, you’ll probably have items that make learning fun. Invest in a variety of colorful bins that keep your classroom clean. You should also make sure the bins are easily accessible by installing shelving at the right height. You can color code, so even very young children know where everything goes.
Sound and Video Systems
Remember when you were in school and struggled to hear a movie the teacher was showing? You don’t want to be that teacher who doesn’t invest in their students, so make sure to have a high-quality sound system. Students can’t learn if they’re struggling to hear the lesson. The same holds true for overhead projectors and video screens. Since most state-run schools don’t have the money to invest, you to take matters into your own hands. Invest in technology that makes your job easier and your students’ learning experience more enjoyable.