Scentsy for Teachers

Scentsy has created a mid-size warmer specifically for teachers, called the ABCs warmer.  It features the alphabet in white on black (like a blackboard), is apple-shaped, and has an inset apple that reads "The Best teachers teach from the Heart".  The alphabet lights up when the warmer is turned on.

Also of interest to teachers will be the Sunshine Kids full-size warmer, which is a fundraiser for the Sunshine Kids Foundation.  All net profits from the sale of this warmer will be donated to the Sunshine Kids Foundation.

Scentsy wickless candles are a safe alternative to traditional scented candles.  The beautiful ceramic warmer houses a low-watt light bulb that slowly melts the fragrant Scentsy bar and fills your space with one of more than 80 great, long-lasting scents.  Because there is no flame, Scentsy is safer than a candle.  It won't burn you, your children or pets, or start fires the way candles can.  And there's no smoke or soot to breathe.

Another essential accessory for occasional teachers

An MP3 player with a collection of appropriate music and podcasts can be a great tool in the classroom, whether it's curriculum-related podcasts used to enrich a lesson, or The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter soundtrack adding a calming ambience to the classroom.

The trick, though, is having a speaker system that allows the class to hear the MP3 player.  Unfortunately, speakers aren't very common equipment in classrooms yet (in fact, most classroom computers are equipped with headphones), so a prepared occasional teacher needs to bring their own speakers.

I've been looking for a suitably loud, yet portable speaker for a couple years now.  Most speakers aren't portable enough, or are too small and produce a tinny sound that can't be heard in a classroom.  I finally found one that works, though, in the Headrush Crimson Red Pocket Speaker.  I even picked it up on sale for $9.99.  It's slim, loud enough to fill a room, plugs into the headphone jack of my iPod, and it's even got a fold-out stand so it can be stood up.