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In this blog post, I’ll share with you the six items essential to my success and sanity this past year. Without these items, I can’t even imagine what I would be like as a teacher. Seriously, check out the list of these magical items!
Well, as the news keeps telling us all, it’s been a year. A strange year for everyone, and a strange year of constant adaptation and flexibility and demand on teachers. By nature or necessity, teachers are team players. Yes, we work in our own classroom sphere, but we collaborate with our colleagues, we engage with different aged humans regularly. This year… quarantine became isolating in more than one way. Mentally, emotionally, the disconnect was and is a struggle.
While there is hope of lockdown ending, and things are in flux again for teachers, I’ve reflected on what has helped me survive and maintain some semblance of sanity. When I really dug into it, there are six vital items, distance learning tools for teachers really, that helped me survive the past year, especially this school year when “rigor” and teaching “normally” was expected.
Keep reading to see my six essential teaching items!
Number 1. Music to My Ears – Noise Cancelling Headphones
There are lots of different tech tools that make distance teaching easier. A better computer camera, lighting, a condenser mic. And if you’re lucky, your school got you these! But, the number one tech tool that has saved my sanity this school year: noise-canceling headphones. I didn’t think my school would go for them, and I wanted them for personal use too… like when we can finally travel again!
Maybe these aren’t for everyone, but noise cancelling headphones have been… a miracle this year. This year, in addition to teaching remotely, distance learning, I also moved to a new classroom, a much smaller classroom with the fourth wall being a partition wall. Now, I appreciate and respect my wall-sharing coworker, but noise travels… and it was so draining, for both us, to hear each other all the time when we were talking with students on Zoom.
Also, in the past six years, I’ve never had my own classroom, there’s always been a need for me to share a room. This means, I don’t have a quiet place for my prep period. For some, this is not an issue. For me, an introvert, it is. These headphones will solve that, and I am a bit annoyed at myself for not figuring that out earlier.
These were always a “gift” I wanted but never asked for–I never found a reason to justify the price tag. But, this year they became a necessity. I have energy back, I have less stress, and I use them all the time. Not just for teaching.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
My husband is also a teacher, and when we both had to work from home… these were a saving grace. We taught on different schedules, and so when I would need quiet to work, he’d be teaching, and the same for him. Enter these babies. Necessary quiet returned! Sanity intact.
I’m not sure how highly I can recommend these, but more than 5 stars. They are, in my book, worth it. If you need to take a mental step away from the noise of life, these are for you. The previous version of these work effectively, but when I tried them, my ears felt a bit of uncomfortable pressure. With the newer version, I did not experience that. If you’re not as sensitive as I am, try the previous edition!
My husband has a different brand, Sony, and he likes them! Do they work as well? Hm… no. But, again, I am noise-sensitive. 🙂
Number 2. House Shoes (aka the fancy word for slippers)
Nope. This is not a joke. Because like many other teachers I am standing or sitting in front of a computer all day, and not hustling and bustling around my classroom, it’s cold. And there is only so much running of the heater my husband can take! I run cold, he runs hot. Slippers, funnily enough, were the solution to my ice cube toe problems.
Now, you may ask, do slippers count as essential distance learning tools for teachers? Heck yes, they do!
As a teacher, you need comfortable shoes! Whether you are trapped to a desk this year or moving around your classroom, what we wear on our feet either makes or breaks our day. Have you every worn new flats and an hour into the day you have blisters? Yeah… Nobody has time for that (as the meme says) this year!
Like you, I needed shoes that were comfortable, that I could wear and stand in for several hours, and that were warm. After research online, I found the perfect pair! From one my favorite brands no less: Allbirds.
What can I say about Allbirds… they are amazing. I love them, and I love their story. Plus, they share their sourcing and carbon footprint. What’s not to love!?
I have three pairs of shoes from them, their tree dashers, their everyday wool runners, and their wool loungers. My husband has their everyday wool runners and their tree dashers. Honestly, we love them. They’re comfortable as heck, they’re durable, washable, and neat. In fact, anytime someone in my vicinity says they need new shoes, stranger or friend, I recommend Allbirds. Because that’s how much I love them.
It may sound silly, but their wool loungers made me so much happier. Comfort is king in my world. Before them, I was uncomfortable. I’ve always had cold toes, but the lack of movement from distance learning amp the freeze up a notch. The coziest socks could not keep my toes warm! After, the wool loungers sincerely changed my feet’s lives. Because I knew I wanted to also wear thick socks, I purchased a size larger than I needed. I’m currently contemplating buying another pair that fits more precisely for summer when I still want some comfort, but less sockage.
Allbirds Women’s Wool Loungers
Do your feet a favor and try them out! Their values align with their product and production, which is a rare find.
Number 3. Your Desk, Elevated.
Normally, I walk around my classroom a lot. This year… teachers were chained to their computers.
I don’t think I’ve sat as much as I have this past year since I was a high school student. And, it hurts. By the end of the first week in August of full days online teaching, my legs were numb and nerve fired up! Sitting all the time was not sustainable. Plus, like science tells us, sitting too much is not so great for us. As a solution, I was lucky enough to get this desk elevator, or in the real term, a sit-to-stand desk converter! I love it.
Mine has a specific, slightly lower place for the keyboard and mouse, which is great ergonomically. With the option to stand and sit at any time, my bum and spine are in a much better place. Obviously, the purpose of this tool is the adjustable height. I can sit comfortable at my desk, and when I need to stand, it works for me (average height), plus it works for my tall husband (over 6 feet).
I’m sure there are lots of places you can buy them, I imagine TJ Maxx or Home Goods would have them, as they stock office goods and tend to follow trends, and these are trending! Mine is from Office Depot. Even after returning to a more regular work situation, this will be lovely! Sometimes you just need to stand when you’re working away on your computer, or even when teaching while using your device.
The key for my distance learning tools for teachers: flexibility! This fits the bill.
Number Four. Organization Wizardry!
Has this past year zapped anyone else’s brain? My planner and notebook have been integral to me accomplishing anything. The power of the organized To Do list for the week, right? Online teaching and learning is no joke, and it requires so much work. This shifting of gears, especially at the start, was stressful.
Typically, I use a plan notebook and write out a daily to do list. This was not enough. With all the meetings, trainings, and other tasks during non instructional hours, I needed a calendar and To Do list system in one for work.
I found these beautiful and usable weekly planner printables on Etsy — and I actually use them. Of course, I couldn’t’ stop there, I also found adorable monthly cover sheets… check them out!
#1 Dashboard Dividers (here)
#2 Weekly Overview (here)
#3 Weekly Spread (here)
Plus, a planner and To Do list is not possible with the pen. Teachers tend to love the Paper Mate Flair pens, and I count myself one of the fan base. They are awesome. However, I also found these pens at Target, and… they may be my new black pen favorite. I know, I know! How could I? Trust me… they have a stiffer and finer, but still felt tip and they write so smooth. Plus, look at them! So pretty!
Find your own planners and printables, test out different methods and find what works for you! After years of buying planners and abandoning them mid way through the year, I finally have a system I love. Planners and organizations are definitely part of the essential distance learning tools for teachers!
Number Five. Little Items of Powerful Self Care
Now, I know I said six things… but we can’t limit self-care to one item!
If I was hard pressed to do so, I would say lip chap, or as every other human calls it, lip balm or chapstick. I have two favorites. The first is from No Tox Life and… it says Lavender Earl Gray but I swear it smells like Fruit Loops. It feels like heaven. And it lasts. Last Christmas, 2019, I received my first one, and it lasted me a year. No joke. It’s packed full of goodness! This Christmas, I got another one 😉
I also found this one, Poppy & Pout, which I found in a little shop on the Central Coast, Slabtown Mercantile. That shop was magic, and so is this lip chap. The smell, the feel! Lovely lemon smell and beautiful buttery texture. It makes a great gift, even if you gift it to yourself!
A close runner up for essential self care and distance learning tools for teachers this year: candles. And, like I mentioned in this blog post about teacher appreciation gifts, I am obsessed, full stop. The source of this obsession? Anchored Northwest. I have now purchased 8 different scents from them, each and every one is magnificent. MAGNIFICENT, I say! Do yourself and everyone you love a favor and buy some of their candles… You open them, and you just feel better. You don’t even have to light them, but of course you will and should.
So far, my favorite is the “Chai a Lil Harder,” and even though it’s spring here, I will burn this fall scented candle with no shame.
Number Six. Wall art & visual aesthetics
Like I’ve said in another post, classrooms are not the most aesthetically pleasing places. Sure, lot of teachers go above and beyond, but are we doing those with students not in the classroom? Who has the energy!? Not me, I’ll say that. (And, see previous note about moving rooms.) Honestly, it’s just human nature to want a nice place to work or to look at while you work. Looking at a computer of black squares and a few brave students’ faces… even sadder.
This year, I worked from home for part of the time on lockdown, and I finally finished the gallery wall above my desk! Just having things all done, finished, beautiful, brings a sense of “I’ve got this” to the table.
These are the items on my gallery wall. They were all digital downloads from Etsy, and when Costco Photo was still around, that’s where I printed them. Send them wherever you can! You can also do an online printing service like Vistaprint or Snapfish.
#1 Abstract Hand Print (here)
#2 Agave, Succulent Photo (similar)
#3 Single Line Face Art Print (here)
#4 Donkey Photo Print (here)
#5 Moon Phases Wall Art (here)
In my classroom, the same principle of a well decorated environment applies. Perhaps the only fun thing about moving classrooms is being able to rearrange the wall art! I have some posters I love, plus I’ve found a use for my various clipboards! These posters are actually from a calendar my mom got me for my classroom a few years ago, and I could bear to part with them when the year ended. Thus, I dissected the calendar and kept the artwork!
Hopefully you can find some beauty to add to your line of vision as well, at least until students come back and we have the energy and motivation for those custom bulletin boards and art walls.
This year of life has been hard, so has this year of teaching. These six distance learning tools for teachers have made my life and teaching world better. I hope they make your world better too. 🙂
Lastly, I must add another key to my sanity this year has been my companion, Sumi, who wanted to say hi to you all! She is not a distance learning tool, which is why she didn’t rank on this list. But, she is essential!
What has made your life and teaching easier this year? Let me know in the comments below!
Happy teaching!
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