- Classroom organization and set-up can be incredibly stressful for teachers.
- Enter: The Teacher Wish List
- What does "Clear the List" mean?
- Who started the "Clear the List" movement?
- What celebrities have supported #ClearTheList ?
- How to sponsor or help a teacher "Clear the List
- Quick & easy steps for teachers to create a Classroom Wish List
- Teachers: what to do after you create your list
- Help share this post to get more lists cleared!
- Why #CleartheList rocks
- Thank you & stay in touch
With Back-to-School season nearly in full swing, every teacher I know has school on his or her mind.
Teachers are already thinking about curriculum, lessons, students, school supplies, and classrooms for school this new year.
Classroom organization and set-up can be incredibly stressful for teachers.
If they already know what they will be teaching, educators are thinking about where they will be teaching. They’re thinking about the classroom supplies they’ll need for the new school year, and they’re thinking about what kinds of students they will be serving.
First year teachers, especially, will be feeling incredibly anxious, wondering how on earth they will be able to gather all of the supplies they will need to establish a warm and welcoming classroom for their students.
Setting up a classroom is no easy task; it’s even more difficult to do so from scratch.
Enter: The Teacher Wish List
Hello, Teacher Wish List.
You are welcome here. In fact, we are incredibly glad that you’ve made your way into our culture.
You’re like the Wedding Registry or Baby Registry–but better. You are a dream because you are the list that gives and gives and gives. You’re not full of weird kitchen appliances or ugly China patterns or tiny baby Air Jordans. You are made of books, pens, pencils, journals, math manipulatives, bulletin board letters, lab goggles, staplers, and hole punchers.
You are helping to educate the youth of the world and are taking a tiny bit of stress off of the shoulders of our educators. And we all know that our educators–especially in the last few years–have been stretched to the absolute max. They are tired, worn down, and stepped on. They’re pushed and pulled every which way and are expected to do the job of 27 different people.
What an amazing thing you are, you little Classroom Wish List! Just a simple Amazon Wish List, you let us all feel like we are helping in a teeny way, and we thank you.
We hope you never, ever leave and that you’re here to stay.
Sincerely,
Everyone
What does “Clear the List” mean?
“Clear the List” means that we, as a community, do what we can to support education by purchasing some of the items on teacher wishlists. That’s it.
We work together to “clear the list” of items so that the teacher is ready to rock and roll for the school year with all of the classroom supplies and student school supplies he or she needs for a successful year.
It doesn’t matter if the teacher is a 1st year teacher, 2nd year teacher, or veteran.
It doesn’t matter if the teacher is in a new classroom or old.
It doesn’t matter if the list is for a first grade teacher, a specialist, a middle school librarian, an AP social studies teacher, a kindergarten teacher, or a special education teacher.
Any teacher can create a list, and any list can be cleared!
Who started the “Clear the List” movement?
Courtney Jones, an elementary school teacher in Texas, started the #ClearTheList movement in 2019, and since then, tons of celebrities and brands have jumped on board.
Courtney says: I started the movement to boost teacher morale through a pay-it-forward campaign to get supplies for classrooms, make connections, and build community amongst teachers, all while joining in unity to raise awareness about the funding issues in education across the country.(from adoptaclassroom.org)
If that doesn’t say “We rise by lifting others”, I don’t know what does. Courtney, you freaking rock.
What celebrities have supported #ClearTheList ?
SO MANY CELEBS are supporting this movement, it makes me want to dance.
These are a few celebs who are helping teachers to prepare for the school year: Chrissy Teigen, Casey Donahew, Lance Bass, Luke Combs, Angela Kinsey, Khloรฉ Kardashian, U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, Jessica Alba, Ashley Hesseltine, and Ellen to name a few.
How to sponsor or help a teacher “Clear the List
Here are 3 ways to find lists to clear:
Clear one of the ‘take 5’ Teacher Wish Lists
We have thousands of educators who receive our weekly Take 5 News, and they’ve shared their lists.
Click on an Amazon Wish list link and help where you are able! bit.ly/HELPclearthelist
Ask your personal networks
I’m sure that you have friends, family, or neighbors who are teachers. Ask around if anyone has a Teacher Wish List that they would like to share.
A simple query on Facebook will–I’m sure–garner a ton of responses, especially if you have any first year teacher pals.
Search #ClearTheList to find other Teacher Lists
Follow on Twitter: #ClearTheList
Take a look at Instagram: search #ClearTheList
Check out Facebook: #ClearTheList
Quick & easy steps for teachers to create a Classroom Wish List
Here’s how:
- Go to Amazon.com. Create a List. (This is your Amazon Wishlist.)
- Name the List.
- Click MORE -> MANAGE LIST. Change privacy to PUBLIC. Add your NAME, EMAIL, & BIRTHDAY. Add a DESCRIPTION. Choose SHIPPING ADDRESS. SAVE CHANGES.
- SEARCH for items you need. Add ITEMS to the list you created.
- Click SEND LIST TO OTHERS. Click INVITE SOMEONE to VIEW ONLY. COPY LINK. SHARE that link with everyone!
Teachers: what to do after you create your list
YAYYY! Now that you created your Classroom Wish List, what’s next?
TIME TO SHARE YOUR LIST!
Add your list here, and please encourage any and all teachers you know to do the same:
If you need the link, this is it: bit.ly/tmmclearthelist
Help share this post to get more lists cleared!
Grab an image.
Share and reshare this instagram post:
The more people who share, the more teachers’ lists will be cleared!
Why #CleartheList rocks
Clear the List rocks because it is making a difference.
Teachers of every grade–from California to Iowa, Texas to Maryland, and South Carolina to Connecticut–are jumping on this nationwide movement because for years and years and years educators have been paying out of pocket for both classroom decorations and supplies for their kids.
Sometimes parent groups can offset costs by providing a small amount of money to reimburse teachers, but often that’s not the case.
Educators in low-income or especially needy communities tend to spend even more than their counterparts in more affluent areas since PTA / PTSA groups rarely have extra funds. Maybe only those in their first year teaching are supported.
Thank you & stay in touch
THANK YOU, thank you, thank you to every person who shares their list and who supports teachers by helping to Clear the List!
If I missed something here, please tell me.
Subscribe to teach mama’s Take 5
Subscribe to teach mama’s Deals & Steals
Here’s to a successful new school year!
Amy clark
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/36PQNJJ5W69OA?ref_=wl_share
Vanessa Moyers
Hi! Iโm a elementary special education teacher & would love the help of gaining more resources for my kiddos! Any help is appreciated!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1ELLKQASTD96G?ref_=wl_share
Shira
First grade teacher in a NYC public school. 30 kiddos. Any help is appreciated!!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/14PW6RP7FTTCE?ref_=wl_share
Morgan R
Hello! My name is Morgan and I am a school nurse for a Head Start program in Green Bay, WI serving underprivileged 3-4 year olds! Below is my Amazon wish list. If you would post this that would be awesome! Anything helps as our funding does not go far enough each year
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2MRMMV6T3K671?ref_=wl_share
Jenny B
Can you help me clear my list? Thank you!!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1KH2Q2SVOWQPD?ref_=wl_share
Amy Cannon
Thank you for supporting my classroom!
Lauren Riedinger
Please help me clear my list! I teach 4th grade in a Title 1 school in a low socioeconomic area. Anything helps. Thank you. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/DGHG10VLGP67?ref_=wl_share
Janai
Hi! I am a 2nd year pre-k teacher in the state of Maryland. And would love to replenish a few items this year for my babies. Iโm really struggling with purchasing shelving for my classroom. Any contribution to the storage bench or a simple purchase of anything from my Amazon wishlist is greatly appreciated
Wishing an amazing school year for all teachers
โ๏ธ Here is My List
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3V07OR53FXPOR?ref_=wl_share
Kristen
Starting my 13th year of teaching but opening up a new chapter of teaching first grade after eight years of Kindergarten. Please help me help build my classroom to help my new chapter be a successful one. I work in low income Toledo.
Sarah Frost
Wishing, hoping, praying!
I teach at a small alternative high school, therefore our budget is also very small. Anything helps!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/32Q5P3ZWGGHQ8?ref_=wl_share
Casey
Hey! My name is Casey and I am about to begin my first year of teaching at a title 1 school in Texas come fall- teaching 2nd grade!!!โค๏ธ If you canโt donate, prayers are definitely appreciated!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/NIY7OOBH170M?ref_=wl_share
Brittany
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2CUY953QH8WTB?ref_=wl_share
I am a second year teacher at a Title 1 school. The majority of our student population come from low-income households. Our classroom budget goes towards providing students with their bare necessities, like their pencils, crayons, markers, notebooks, etc. which leaves little for our classroom needs.
Any help is so appreciated!
Aliveah Meadows
Hello! I will be a first year teacher in Virginia, and I was so blessed with the opportunity to teach 4th grade. I am so excited to begin this journey with my first group of students. I created an amazon wish list with my students in mind. I wanted to create a list of items that would encourage my students to love learning and become life long learners. I would appreciate any and all help I can receive. Please help us clear our list! ๐
Tania Languren
Hello! My name is Ms. Languren and I am so excited to be teaching Kinder for the first time! My School is a Title1 school, and your generous support will help me give my students an amazing kinder experience. WE THANK you!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3STF0A79OULN1?ref_=wl_share
Raquel Flores
Hello beautiful people! I am will be a first year teacher in August, teaching bilingual 2nd grade self-contained. If you could please share or donate to my first classroom wish list, I would be very blessed and hope you receive blessings as well. Thank you for the love!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3C0BJ4H22WSJH?ref_=wl_share
Taylor Welch
Hey everyone! I am a 4th grade teacher in a low income school! I would love if anyone could help me out with my wishlist. This will ensure my kids and I have a great year of successful learning! Anything helps and God Bless everyone!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/13UOQF2MWEDZE?ref_=wl_share
Tiffany Singley
I am about to start my second year in kindergarten! I am going into my sixth year teaching. I love my kinder babies and would love to be able to provide them with all the resources possible! Youโre help will help give my students an awesome kinder experience!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/30Y9QAS6B8VA7?ref_=wl_share
Sara Parr
My classroom reallly needs a 10 year facelift! Iโm at a rural Title 1 school so the funding is just not there. Any little bit would be such a blessing to me and my students!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2QT73M2Y85PJT?ref_=wl_share
Kerigan Swain
Any help is so appreciated!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/DL6PP250X4FP?ref_=wl_share
Brea
I will be a first year teacher teaching 3rd grade math and science. Any help will be appreciated!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/AQF5IK9NPNVJ?ref_=wl_share
Edieson Aguirre
First year special education teacher, teaching students with mild-to-severe disabilities. We live in a small island called Saipan, and there are hardly any supplies that we can purchase here. Please help our students. Thank you so much!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/330136KP3RH2A?ref_=wl_share
Melissa Hibbitts
I’m in a rural Title 1 school and this next year we will be extending our school day until 4:20 so I know my kids will get hungry in the afternoon. Most of the things on my list are snacks for the kids. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Natalee Malpass
My name is Natalee and I am a 6th grade special education teacher at a Title l school. I have a HUGE DILEMMA.
Picture itโฆAmsterdam, NY, 2023โฆa veteran teacher moved to a new classroomโฆwith no bookshelves!
(I hope you read that in Sophia Petrilloโs voice from The Golden Girls ).
This I am in need of bookshelves, bins, and other supplies. In our community, approximately 70% of families live at or below the poverty line.
Any support or donations are greatly appreciated!
Pryor
First year teacher here, I will be teaching 4th grade math and science.
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1COQ9A61KHRKV?ref_=wl_share
Ilaria
Hi! I am so excited to begin my teaching journey as a kindergarten teacher at Bright Star Schools – Rise Kohyang! This year is a first, not only for me, but also for many of my students who are starting school for the first time. My goal is to create a comfortable and inviting classroom where students are excited to come each day. Families already do so much to support their children and I want to make sure that they know their child will be well taken care of when they’re at school. Your support is HUGELY appreciated!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1X4P29V3EXNEV?ref_=wl_share
Allie
Hi!
My name is Mme Bavis and Iโm a Kindergarten French teacher in Canada! Id love help clearing my list to get resources to help my students learn and explore. Thank you! ๐
https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/1MELQFX2HK2J9?ref_=wl_share
Matthew Diaz
Greetings everyone!
I would love help this year as it will be my first year teaching English as a second language to kindergarteners through sixth graders. These resources are to help them develop their English.
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/18ORJG6V93VZA?ref_=wl_share
Thank you and blessings,
Matthew
Marsha Mosca
My name is Marsha. I am a 6th grade math teacher in an inner city Title 1 school. I am in desperate need of some updated math supplies. The online platform from the pandemic took a toll on math skills. The division white boards on my list are a priority. Please check out my Amazon bio for more details. Thanks for reading
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2V4CRFB4E1H8F?ref_=wl_share
Angee Donelan
I am a Para Educator in the Olathe School District. When I took this job 6 years ago it was because I wanted to be home more with my son and have the freedom of the summers off. However, what I didnโt know was that COVID would hit, we would be shut down early and then be forced to work from home part of the school year. This was fine for me because it meant more time with my son. But what it didnโt mean was that other children (special needs children) who maybe didnโt have access to everything they needed would get. Fast forward a few years we are back in school breakfast and lunches are free up until last year. Then things changed parents had to figure out how to pay for something they maybe had not paid for on fixed budget for years. Kids need snacks to last through the day, we has a chruch that sponsored us some of the time. When there wasnโt enough teachers would buy some out of there pockets. As if they make enough.
This is were we are at today. I am at Ravenwood Elementary still. Love my job and all the kids I support. But these kids donโt have food to last them through the day. I am reaching out to all of you to see if anyone wants to buy something off my Amazon list to support these kids. It will be delivered to my school.
Below is the link if you are interested in sending anything.
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2RR2ZGYGYGZT?ref_=wl_share
Thanks so much for your help.