15 Essentials for Your Teacher Survival Kit

If you’re looking for a teacher survival kit, then you’re in the right place.

Teaching is a job where you need to be ‘on’ for most of the day; supporting students, using good judgement and problem solving skills, plus quite a bit of interaction and communication with others – kids, colleagues, your admin and families. The job can take quite a bit of your mental and physical energy.

This is why a little self-care can go a long way. I worked as an elementary school teacher for 10 years, before I went on a sick leave after a burn out. I decided to quit after that, and became a writer.

Because of this experience, I know how important teacher morale is, and how necessary it is to look after yourself when you’re working as a teacher. As much as I love my job now, I want to offer tips for current teachers to make their lives easier, and destress at work.

Each year that I worked as a teacher, I got better at including essentials in my teacher survival kit that I needed at school in order to help keep me healthy, and sane throughout the day. I know now what I should have included from day 1 to make my days easier as a teacher.

Here’s what you need for your teacher survival kit.

9 Must-Haves for Your Teacher Survival Kit

Here are the non-negotiables for your teacher survival kit; I would make sure to include these things

1. Non-perishable (but nourishing) snacks

I’m not talking about canned food here, although that can work too. I recommend keeping some healthy, non-perishable food at school that you have access to during lunch and breaks.

This is useful for days when you forget to bring a lunch, don’t have a very substantial lunch, or just an extra boost of nutrients and energy.

Some suggestions are:

• Protein powder (with a shaker bottle)
• Protein bars
• Oatmeal packets – simply add hot water in the staff room

2. Painkillers

Be sure to have your preferred painkiller on hand, such as Tylenol or ibuprofen. Something that targets headaches, as well as aches and pains is really useful at work.

There’s nothing worse than being in pain without a way to relieve it.

3. Lozenges

Whether you have a cold, or your throat gets dry from all the talking – some soothing lozenges for your throat are an asset for your teacher survival kit.

I enjoyed using lozenges for dry mouth, and had others for days when I had a sore throat or coughing.

4. Post-It Notes

Post-it notes are good for jotting down things that you don’t want to forget, labelling things, and overall keeping organized.

I can’t tell you how many post-it notes I went through as a teacher. I’m not the most organized person by nature, and the post-it notes helped me keep things in order.

Pro Tip: It’s possible that your school will provide post-it notes; the standard yellow kind (which are fine.) I additionally went out and bought some different colours, like florescent pink, to make them more fun to write on.

5. An extra pair of socks (and maybe shoes)

Where I live, a pair of ‘outdoor’ shoes as well is indoors are common. It may not be realistic for you, depending on region.

However – I would keep an extra pair of socks on hand at work, just in case something happens. If there’s a spill or an accident – then you aren’t stuck in damp socks for the rest of the day.

6. An extra layer of clothing

Having a hoodie, shall or a sweater handy at work is a god-send for when you’re chilly or the room temperature at work isn’t quite right.

It’s also something to change into if you were to have a spill or get wet somehow. Always keep an extra layer to hug around the back of your chair, or hang on a hook in your classroom.

7. Hand lotion

You use your hands at work more than you might think, as a teacher. The passing out and handling of papers, chalk, and other items. Plus, the typing.

I highly recommend keeping a bottle of your favourite lotion handy – it’s a good addition to a teacher self care kit.

Pro Tip: Some schools have rules against scent, due to some being sensitive to it. So, I highly recommend a non-scented lotion.

8. Hand sanitizer

It’s no secret that schools are germ cesspools, and you never know what students have touched.

After the pandemic, it became very common for us teachers to use hand sanitizer regularly. Keep a small bottle of it in your desk, or have a larger on at the corner of your desk.

9. Caffeine

Whether you’re a coffee drinker or not, caffeine can be a good energy boost on days where you need it.

You could bring instant packets of coffee, or even tea bags for your teacher survival kit.

It’s worth mentioning that unfortunately, I became a bit too dependent on caffeine as a teacher, and had to quit it as a result. At the advice of a naturopath, I avoided caffeine for the rest of my teaching career.

If you think you’ll be drinking a lot of caffeine and are concerned, I recommend having a chat with your doctor or naturopath.

Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to caffeine, consider matcha. The energy boost isn’t as fast as coffee, but it’s a good alternative to coffee in several ways. Read about the pros and cons of matcha vs coffee here.

7 ‘Good to Haves’ for Your Teacher Survival Kit

You may or may not need these items below, but they are useful to have as a backup.

1. A meditation app on your phone

You won’t have a ton of time to meditate at work. But for days when you need to quiet your mind and calm your nerves, some guided meditations or music is really useful.

There aren’t a lot of private areas in a school where you could meditate. I sometimes used an empty room, or went out to my car.

Pro Tip: There are several meditation apps to choose from. I used Insight Timer, but there’s also Calm, and Headspace. Most apps can be used for free, with optional paid upgrades.

2. Noise-cancelling earplugs

Regardless of where you are in the school, it is not the quietest place – even if you’re lucky enough to have an office to do your spare work in.

Sometimes I found myself overstimulated at work, having a hard time focusing without being able to shut out the noise. A pair of earbuds or earplugs is really useful.

They don’t block out 100% of the noise of course (you’ll still be able to hear someone talking to you) but they quiet the outside world a bit, making it easier for you to focus.

3. A voice amplifier

Part of teacher survival will be protecting your voice. Teachers (even at talking at a normal tone) face more risk to their voice than other professions, and its considered to be a workplace hazard.

During the pandemic when we had to wear masks to work, I bought a voice amplifier so that my voice could project more easily through the mask.

It really helped with the mask, but also in classrooms that were particularly loud. I continued using it after the pandemic, in classes where I felt I needed it. It works as a classroom management tool, especially if you’re a new teacher.

A voice amplifier like this one is geared to teachers, is easy to use and can protect your voice from getting strained.

4. Multivitamins

Never forget to look after yourself as a teacher. You will need your full energy and mental clarity to do the job well.

Many multivitamins are best taken with food, and sometimes it can be hard to remember to take them at breakfast or dinner. I recommend keeping a bottle handy at work to have with lunch.

While this is not something that will have an instant effect on your health or energy, the continued consumption of them will benefit your long-term health, which will help you do your job better.

Pro Tip: Many people choose to grab a bottle off the shelf, but you can also talk to your doctor about doing a blood test and finding out if there are any nutrients you’re deficient in (such as iron, B12 or Vitamin D.) This can help you choose the best vitamins for your needs.

5. Something to cheer you up

You’re bound to have ups and downs as a teacher. It can be fairly emotional work with everything you’re up against.

I recommend having something nearby at work to help give you cheerful reminders on days that you’re struggling. Some suggestions are:

• a photo of your family
• a heartfelt note or card written by a past student or their parents
• inspiring quotes or reminders (these could be kept on your phone)
• candy or chocolate
• your favourite remix of songs on Spotify, and headphones or earpugs to listen to them with

6. Microwavable heat pad

One of the best teacher gifts I ever received was a heating pad that I could microwave. Putting it on my strained shoulders is so soothing to my neck and shoulders when they’re in pain.

Most staffrooms have a microwave that you can use. Having one of these microwavable pads at work can ease pain on a day when you’re tense. It’s a great way to recoup during your lunch break.

Teacher Survival Kit for the Classroom

The above suggestions have all been things that benefit you as the teacher. However, a teacher survival kit can include more than just things for the teacher. There are items that may help things in your classroom run more smoothly. Here are my suggestions.

• A clipboard, so you can walk around the room taking assessments. (The school may provide this – but if not, grab your own.)
• A meditation app for the classroom, or you can use music on Youtube. Calm offers discounts for teachers for their classroom. Meditation is a good way to calm the class
• A three-hole puncher or stapler. Schools should provide these, but if they don’t, then these items are a lifesaver in the classroom
• Early finisher activities. Keep the kids busy and focused with a collection of crossword puzzles, word-searches, sudoku and other games.
• Candy or stickers. In case you need to bribe the class with a reward, of you feel like using it as a prize for a game. Candy is like gold when you’re a teacher.

Pro Tip: If you’re bringing candy, be sure that it is nut-free. I also recommend having dairy and gelatien free candy options for students who cannot eat those.

Teacher Survival Kit FAQ

Here are some commonly asked questions about putting together a survival kit for teachers

What should be included in a teacher survival kit?

A teacher survival kit should include healthy perishable food and snacks, pain relievers, an extra layer of clothing, and several other tidbits. For a job that requires you to be ‘on’ for most of the day, be sure to include items that will help you care for your physical and mental health.

How to make a teacher’s kit?

A teacher’s survival kit doesn’t need to be a physical ‘kit’ where everything is kept in one place. Some items of my teacher survival kit were kept elsewhere in my classroom or in my desk; wherever it made sense to put them. Make a list of what you need, and then decide where to put them. Spare items can be kept in a tote bag in your room, or in a desk drawer.

Final Thoughts on Teachers Survival Kits

Teaching is both a rewarding, and challenging job. It’s no secret that teachers are struggling in the profession more than ever, and wondering if its worth it, or if they’re even cut out for the job.

While a teacher survival kit isn’t going to make or break the job for you, it is certainly a much-needed necessity at work. Looking after your mental and physical health will make you more effective as a teacher, avoid burnout, and be happier to do your job long-term and avoid burnout.