Top 4 Pack Mule Options for the Special Education Inclusion Teacher
Being an inclusion teacher is an exceptional job, pun intended. Not only do I get to help the students in general education classes, but I get to help out the teacher too. My day is full of twists and turns and spins which keeps me invigorated and ready to see what each day will bring. Like most good things there are a few drawbacks to being an inclusion teacher. The worst one is that I’m always on the go so I never have immediate access to my classroom and the supplies in it. Because of this get creative on how I lug my supplies around the building. Let’s check out the different methods I’ve used in the pros and cons for each of them.
An Apron Pouch
Being a female, my dress pants don’t always have pockets and if they do they’re often kinda a joke. I don’t get to just throw my keys my phone and anything else I want throughout the day in my pockets comfortably. A pouch opens up a whole new world for the extras I need to carry with me.
- Pros: So much extra pocket space! Stash keys, phone, cue cards, fidgets, and so much more.
- Cons: Sooo…I look dorky. Kinda look like I should be working at a hardware store, which I would rock by the way. Also it doesn’t always go with my outfit and pulls on my hips in an annoying way.
A Cute Clipboard
An obvious and easy choice for traveling in special education teacher is a clipboard. This is great because I can clip my class lists, accommodation sheets, IEPs, signature pages, and any other paperwork that I need on hand.
- Pros: Clipboards are cheap, quick to grab, come in a wide variety of cuteness, and can even hide a notepad like the one below.
- Cons: There’s no place for all of my stuff! My cell phone falls out of my pocket, my keys are tucked into my waistband (remember that no pocket problem?), and I don’t have anywhere to stash fidgets for students.
Tricked Out Clipboard
I really wanted an in-between the regular clipboard and my trusty pouch, so I started searching for a binder-like (I don’t use binders because the rings pop apart too much on me) clipboard and stumbled upon my clipboard on steroids.
- Pros: It has compartments! I get to be so organized. The combination clipboard and skinny purse let me have all the papers I need with me along with a spot for my keys, cell phone, and other goodies.
- Cons: It’s a bit bulky and super boring looking. This tricked out clipboard is marketed to construction workers and apparently, grey and black are the going colors for that line of work. I’d love it in fun primary colors or cute prints, but alas, I have a grey and black one. Also, it’s suppose to be heavy duty because of the construction thing, but after a year hanging with me and my friends with special needs, it has a crack in it and one of the compartment doors doesn’t close so nicely.
The Cart of Many Colors
Looking for the Cadillac of all organizational methods? Here it is: the Cart of Many Colors!
- Pros: This holds EVERYTHING! I can stock my cart and be ready to go for a month or more! What do I need? Bandaids? Yep! Scissors? Check! Hand sanitizer? You know it!
- Cons: Because this is like a desk on wheels, it can be challenging to find exactly what I’m looking for if it didn’t get put back in the right spot. The cart is big and in some classroom there isn’t much space to bring it in and park it. It can stay in the hallway but with valuable supplies and confidential paperwork, the cart and I really are a packaged deal. Also for some reason, probably the snacks, kids seem to see it more as an “our” area instead of a teacher only space. Clear rules must be put in place.
Creativity and teacher wonderfulness credit goes to Mrs. R-G at EJHS for the tricked out cart featured above!
