I am a big fan of functional presents. Sometimes a very observant student gifts something you’ve mentioned over the year. One student actually did give me a box of Ticonderoga pencils that she had taken out and sharpened. It was probably my favorite present that semester!
My Wishlist
Highlighter Tape
I’m serious about the highlighter tape. It is one of the most useful office supplies for teaching and I absolutely will not go without it. My students’ pages look like a complete rainbow!
Post-its
I’ve been known to use all sizes, but it’s mostly 3×3, 1.5×2, flags, and plastic flags. Which are really most sizes.
Pens & Pencils
I only use pencil in students’ music, but I do like to use colored pens and pencils in their assignment books. I’ve been trying out these Staedtler pens and I love them! They’re also excellent for writing in a planner.
Desk accessories
I love the look of pretty much everything that Poppin makes. I have yet to try their pens, but their desk accessories are clean and chic! This pen holder would be great by the piano. And this eraser!
Stickers
For a long time I wouldn’t use stickers (not my style), and then when I started using them I was really selective about how they looked. There’s no way around it: kids love stickers! Girls who are obsessed with Frozen, boys who are too cool-they all want a sticker on the top of that pag. And really, no one is policing to make sure they match my design aesthetic! Sticker books are always in the $1 aisle at Target or some cute ones are here, here (always a classic), and here (big hit!).
Notepads & Planners
I received a set of personalized notepads once and absolutely loved them! Paper Source has a great selection. My favorite is this one. I use an Erin Condren planner and notebook to organize my studio. They are pricey, but definitely worth it!
My favorite gifts also include a hand-written card.
A note about the teacher:
Caroline Hixson is an adjunct faculty member at Webster University, where she teaches applied piano and serves as a collaborative pianist. She maintains a private piano studio, Hixson Piano LLC, and is an active collaborative pianist in the Saint Louis, Missouri area.
Lauren teaches piano to students of all ages. She enjoys creating resources for her students and teachers. She is the author of Ready for Theory®. For personalized help, check out the consultations page for teachers.
