A teacher makes a viral TikTok video revealing her biggest pet peeves when it comes to school supply shopping, and now parents know what not to get
School supply shopping time is somehow already upon us. But parents, before you grab that back-to-school shopping list and hit your local Target, watch this video, because this teacher has some advice you’re going to want to know.
Katie Alburger, a first-grade teacher and content creator, has gifted us a viral TikTok video of her biggest school supply pet peeves, breaking down the supplies parents buy with the most innocent intentions that actually make life way harder for their kids’ teachers. And we already know teachers have it bad enough, so let’s all agree to watch this video and follow Albuger’s advice.
“As a teacher, I’m here to tell you that the more basic you go, the more your teacher will appreciate it,” she explains.
@_adaywithmissa PSA: when school supply shopping, pls pls pls get standard items! Save the fancy for home and they can use that for homework and free time🤪 (dont mind me walking all around target to record this.. it was so crowded and I get camera shy, thx) #teachersoftiktok #momsoftiktok #teacherlife #schoolshopping #schoolsupplies #teacherlife #targettok #targetmom
♬ original sound – katiealburger
She continues, “For example, if your child’s school’s file list has a ruler, this is what they’re talking about,” holding up an example of a plain, wooden, 12-inch ruler. “Not a snap bracelet ruler that is going to end up hurting someone.”
She also calls out glue sticks as an example of a school supply that many companies have tried to “upgrade”—making life harder for teachers who wish all their kids were working with the same materials. Plus, Alburger points out, when you choose the simplest option, you save money, too!
Finally, Alburger gets to one of the most contentious supplies on many lists: the pencil box.
“OK, they need a basic pencil box,” she says. “It can have a character on it if they want to get a little bit more personalized, but a fidget pencil box is going to become a toy and your teacher’s worst enemy. So, please don’t do that to them. I completely understand that poppets are a fidget that some children need. They just don’t need it on their pencil box.”
We get it. When you take your kids school supply shopping, they want the fanciest version of everything—the sparkly, transparent ruler, the scented markers, the glitter glue sticks. But Alburger points out there are other ways kids can express themselves at school—like their backpack and lunchbox.
“Basic school supplies that we need in a classroom should not be a toy,” she says.
So there you have it, parents. When you head to school supply shopping this year, remember that simple is best.
