The ONE Thing you NEED as a New Teacher

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When it comes to the thing you NEED as a new teacher, this one essential tops my list and makes all the difference in your first year. Back to School season is just around the corner. You put together your resume, rocked your interview, and got your teaching position! Woohoo! You’re AWESOME! In the wake of all the excitement, the questions and nerves begin to set in. What do I need for my classroom? What’s my curriculum like? You peruse Pinterest and start gathering ideas, but I’m here to tell you there’s just ONE school supply you need to make sure you buy as a new teacher – and it’s going to surprise you.

Shoes. That’s right. Shoes. You will be on your feet all.day. If you’re lucky, your classroom might be carpeted, or have some sort of rug in it that offers a bit more padding. If not, those tile and concrete floors are absolute killers on your feet, knees, and back. I’m sticking to warmer weather shoes for now, as most of us start back to school season in warmer temps! I’ll come back with some cooler weather options another day.

One more note – all of these have been recommended to me by teacher friends, or I’m familiar with through personal experience!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

  1. Blowfish Sandals – my personal fave for spring and summer! They come in several different color combos (and I have quite a few of them). They are cute, comfy, and go with everything from teacher jeans to flowy skirts!

Buy them here.

2. Sanuk Sandals – a little more casual, but lots of cushion! They feel like you’re walking on yoga mats and are perfect for long teaching days when you still want to keep it laid-back.

Buy them here.

3. Clarks – sensible & supportive!

Buy them here.

4. Tevas – a slight heel helps dress up these comfy faves!

Buy them here.

5. Vionics – this brand isn’t super well-known, but it is SUPER supportive!

Buy them here.

6. Birkenstocks – you’ve seen these all over lately, and it’s for good reason! They’re comfy for your feet all day!

Buy them here.

7. Chacos – you may know these as a hiking sandal, but they have some dressier options too!

Buy it here.

8. Crocs – what? I know, I know. They do make something other than their signature sandal, and people love them! It’s wild. Check it out!

Buy them here.

9. The ultimate teacher flats – PENCILS

Check out some similar options here.

10. Toms – you’ve definitely heard of this brand before!

Buy them here.

There are ten teacher faves for their back to school supplies – shoes! I hope you found the ONE Thing you NEED as a New Teacher!

Let’s be real for a second. The ONE Thing you NEED as a New Teacher is not a cute pen set or a perfectly color-coded lesson planner. It is the thing that keeps you comfortable and standing all day long. Good shoes matter more than you can imagine. The right pair can be the difference between ending your day with a smile or hobbling to your car with sore feet and a tired back. No one tells you how much time you will spend on your feet during the school day. From walking laps around your classroom to standing during instruction, your shoes will carry you through it all. Invest wisely, and your future teacher self will thank you.

Ashley Mikkelsen

Hi, I'm Ashley. I'm so glad you're here! I love helping secondary Spanish teachers with engaging activities and ideas for their lesson plans. I can't wait to support you with no and low prep activities to help reduce your workload!

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