Okay, my teacher pals. This is just for fun, and I’m not pointing fingers at anyone. In fact, if my fingers were going to point anywhere, they’d be pointing directly at me! The reason I’m posing a pack rat question is because I spent a few hours in my attic over the weekend. I decided it was time to unload some personal treasures I’d carefully stuffed overhead—many of which are from my teaching days. To substantially shorten this long-winded story, today my attic looks much the same as it did last week. I just couldn’t do it! I have a theory that teachers tend to have pack rat tendencies because we are used to squeezing our nickels and pinching our pennies. What do you think? Do you have a tendency to keep a tight grip on your favorite teacher materials and mementos? Or am I a lone pack rat in the teacher universe?
Smiles,
Diane
I have always been a pack rat! Now even more so. I’m always coming up with projects to do with things but with long hours never finding the time to ackually make the projects! My husband hates it! I own way to many rubber maids and they are all filled with stuff! I keep saying I’m going to go through them one by one and get give things to Good Will but everytime I start I remember the projects! It’s a bad cycle! I’m hoping that my kids find uses for the objects someday! Or someday maybe I’ll have the time for my projects!
Oh WOW am I a pack rat. Here in Michigan retiring teachers even have garage sales and they are listed as teachers garage sales. You should see the crowds. So I like my fellow teachers are hoarders. I just tell my hubbie that someday I am going to have a garage sale too.
I pay $77/month for a storage unit. I’ve got so much stuff for school, I can’t possibly keep it all in my house!
I too have a large amount of books, teaching books and a lot of stuff. I teach kindergarten. I am always looking for pictures to make flashcards and worksheets and games. Does anyone have any great ideas on organization? I am also looking for kindergarten teachers who have great cut and paste activities, cvc worksheets etc. I now have 30 kinders and I am trying to do reading groups, bookmaking and process writing with conferencing. I am the only teacher without aides or volunteers. Also, I am looking for kindergarten patterns for monthly arts n crafts to hang up like apples, bats, pumpkins, turkeys etc.
Any suggestions?
Okay, ladies. I’m feeling much better. Ruth, you crack me up! You are certainly well supplied!
Kelley, be sure to check out all the free stuff for K teachers at the TheMailbox.com. I feel certain you’ll find some goodies there. And remember, you can spend The Mailbox gift certificates on The Mailbox books and magazines!
Have a great day, everyone!
My husband has no clue that I’m spending $77/month on a storage unit. The house is already overflowing with school stuff. He’d die if he found out there was even more! 😉
My name is Evone and I am a PACK MOUSE! (not a RAT) I teach Preschool (3 Year olds). I recently was reprimended at my school for having so many wonderful teaching tools stored at the facility and asked to remove it because they needed the space so they could store school stuff. No one understands a true teacher….Guess who they come to when they NEED something? Yes, ME! NOW they will have to wait until the next day to get what they need. You don’t mess with a PACK MOUSE! Just joking!!!!! HAHAHA
Ha! It is so nice to hear I am not the only one with soooooo much stuff!! I have a tub for every reading unit. A tub for Seuss…for Christmas..for Science…for 100th Day…for……! Love it!
I used to have a storage unit, too. I lost almost all of my old teaching ‘stuff'(my husband calls it ‘school c%#p!) when the place flooded. I’ve changed schools and grade levels (from K to 1st) and have been able to make use of a lot of my at-home hoarded things! My husband says they should have a special A&E Hoarders show just for teachers. But as soon as we throw something out, we need it for ‘that project we’ve always wanted to try…’ That’s just how it is!
Lol, I always say that I honestly should buy stock in Rubbermaid!;) I have a bin for every season, holiday, art supplies, ect. I must say, though, that my hubby is so good and never complains about my numerous mountain of bins in the garage and hall closet…he always tells me that he is just happy that I am happy in my job and love what I do. Gotta love that man!:)
Hi Ladies,
I have always told myself that i will not become my parents, who would keep things no matter how old and useless they have become. And I am happy to report that I am keeping up with that thought. I don’t know how to get my husband from been a pack rat. I have to throw away some of his old things when he is not home. Don’t get me wrong I love to buy school supplies when they are on sale but I tend to use them right way so my school closet don’t get out of hand. For me becoming a pack rat is something that I am constently fighting!
Thank you