What Arizona Teachers Really Want This Year

What’s topping your 2016 holiday wish list?

Snow on the ground. Political posts banned from Facebook. A one-way ticket to the Super Bowl for Larry Fitzgerald. These may be what we’d really like wrapped up in a sparkly bow this season, but there’s only so much our friends, students, and parents can do. No worries; we’ve put together a list of teacher holiday wishes that might just have a snowball’s chance in Arizona of coming true. You know, just in case someone asks — or the opportunity arises to anonymously post in a break room near you.

1. If someone chooses to teach for a career, chances are good that they have a school supplies problem. Fancy whiteboard markers, a mega-pack of Sharpies — heck, even a pack of sparkly stickers gets our hearts thumping.

2. Give us the opportunity to get off our feet and sit in the dark. A movie theater gift card taped to the inside of next year’s refillable theater cup hums of dreams coming true.

3. If you know a teacher with a long commute, a certificate to a gas station can be a lifesaver. Even if their commute is walkable, don’t discard the power of taquitos and fountain sodas.

4. Speaking of indulgences, a little recon work (done by a student) will uncover just what kind of candy or treat works best. Many, many educators are fueled by chocolate and coffee (can I get an amen?). But there are those who hate both. Personalized choices give us the warmest fuzzies.

5. Maybe you’ve been Pinterest-hunting for crafty gifts since June. If that’s your bag, you’ve got to check out these adorable finds: one, two, three, four. However, if the mere mention of holiday crafting gives you hives (or nightmares of staying up until 2 a.m. with hot glue burns and glitter in your hair), we understand. It’s the thought — cute, practical, or somewhere in between — that counts.

6. If you feel that gift cards are impersonal, reconsider. It’s common knowledge that most teachers aren’t millionaires. Plus, gift cards can speak a lot of languages. Techy teacher with iPads? Think iTunes. New teacher who’s been stuck recreating the wheel? com. Animal-lover with pictures of his cat all over his room? PetSmart. Don’t underestimate art supplies stores and book shops. Still stuck? Amazon and Target are winners every time. Dress up gift cards with free crafty holders.

7. …While we’re on the topic of gift cards, choose local — literally. Go with locations not far from the school. The perfect treat for those staff development days? A card to a delicious and nearby lunch hotspot.

8. A year’s supply of lip balm. Truth: Teachers talk a lot. (If you’re feeling extra cutesy, check out all of these EOS printables).

9. No more mugs, we beg you. Unless of course it’s a knee-slapping pun-ny one, like this one. We generally have too many coffee cups, so better yet, look for the joke in its equally hilarious T-shirt version.

10. If you know the teacher well, consider tickets for a sporting event, museum, or concert. No grading that night!

11. Give something fun for the classroom. Visit your local educator’s supply store for a smorgasbord of classroom-friendly STEM toys and games, and consider age-appropriate, durable books to add to a class library.

12. There are a few items our classrooms always seem to be running out of. Hand sanitizer, paper towels, tissues, copy paper, and antibacterial wipes get pricey — and are often bought out of pocket.

13. A from-the-heart letter written by a parent or student, or anything kid-made straight from a learner. Our kiddos are our pride and joy, and when they show appreciation it goes straight to our feels.

14. Your time. We know it’s valuable. Volunteering in our rooms or offering to take home prep/organization work for us will have us singing in the car, in the shower — and probably up in front of the kids, too.

15. Practical gift baskets we will actually use. Themed gift baskets and color-coded survival kits are adorable, but what’ll we really do with six mini-lotions and that plastic beach shovel designed to “dig us out” of grading? Pretty please, stick to items that’ll be put to good use.

This is what we’d say, if we could do so politely. But don’t get us wrong. We love every. Single. Gift. We proudly display them on our desks because each one represents heart-melting thoughtfulness.

Anything we’re missing? What tops your teacher gift guide?