What sort of stationery needs do educational professionals have? We met up with five newly qualified teachers to find out.

Isabelle Adams

What’s been the best part of becoming a teacher? And what has been the biggest challenge?

The best part is seeing that you are making a difference to children with education, and making learning fun and engaging for everyone.

Do teachers still need stationery like they used to, with the advent of computers being used a lot more for work, both with pupil and teacher?

Yes, I think they do, although for example teachers use computerised calendars for others to access. But most teachers use a physical diary for ease of transport as well.

What do you think is essential teaching stationery?

Essential teaching stationery includes good pens and post-it notes as I have a terrible memory and teachers need to keep organised.

Janie Livermore

What’s been the best part of becoming a teacher? And what has been the biggest challenge?

The best part is definitely knowing and seeing that I am making a difference. Not just by seeing the children progress in their learning, but for some school is their only consistency in their life. I do love seeing a child exceed my expectations though.

Do teachers still need stationery like they used to, with the advent of computers being used a lot more for work, both with pupil and teacher?

We use interactive whiteboards for lessons, but they aren’t relied on. My class are very active so if I didn’t set out activities, they would be bored and then they wouldn’t learn. Each table in my class have a pot that have felt tips, highlighters, a blue pen for writing on peer work, a purple pen for editing, colouring pencils, pencils, rubbers etc. Handwriting is still huge in curriculum so they need to be writing, as well as the teachers too.

What do you think is essential teaching stationery?

Post-it notes because they are my ‘to-do’ list, which never ends. Usually it’s because I am in the middle of something, and I remember something else and need to jot it down quickly. Highlighters for marking are essential, as are whiteboard pens.

Emma Kirsch

What’s been the best part of becoming a teacher? And what has been the biggest challenge?

The best part of becoming a teacher is the feeling that you are helping children to learn skills and knowledge that are going to help them throughout life. The biggest challenge so far has been receiving and responding to criticism after lesson observations, as this really knock your confidence.

Do teachers still need stationery like they used to, with the advent of computers being used a lot more for work, both with pupil and teacher?

I feel that stationery is an important part of the classroom for both pupils and teachers. Even though we have electronic diaries on our phone/ computer now, it’s not the same as being able to open a book and seeing your whole week mapped out, which is far more useful. As for the children, we get through so much stationery! Especially with whiteboard pens and glue sticks; with the younger children these do not last very long once lids get lost!

What do you think is essential teaching stationery?

Essential teaching stationery to me is a diary, good white board pens and lots and lots of post-it notes. Although I have struggled in my training year to use a diary (I’m very hit and miss with using it), I am going to ensure that throughout this year, my NVQ year I will keep on top of being organised by using it and referring to it every day.

Carys Golding

What’s been the best part of becoming a teacher? And what has been the biggest challenge?

The best part has been realising that I can make a difference and support children through the challenges they face at such a young age. The biggest challenge has been juggling the course with the responsibility of having my own class.

Do teachers still need stationery like they used to, with the advent of computers being used a lot more for work, both with pupil and teacher?

I think teachers do need stationery because it is important for children to see teachers write, so a variety of papers and pens/pencils are still used throughout the school day.

What do you think is essential teaching stationery?

Post-it notes are essential because they are so useful to know what needs to be done.

Fran Clarke

What’s been the best part of becoming a teacher? And what has been the biggest challenge?

The best part has been seeing the impact you have on children. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing a struggling child finally get it. The biggest challenge has been time management for me. There has been so much to do in such little time.

Do teachers still need stationery like they used to, with the advent of computers being used a lot more for work, both with pupil and teacher?

I think teachers do need stationery because it is a quick way to write notes both to yourself and to the children. Marking work in books is also something every teacher has to do, and with handwriting still being something focused on in the curriculum, we need to be leading by example.

What do you think is essential teaching stationery?

Everything is essential! Pens in various colours, white board pens, highlighters, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, rulers, paper, notebooks, and post-its. Lots of post-its!

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