Effective Use of Gift Cards

As a Christmas/Graduation gift I recieved a few gift cards to local teacher-supply stores...so, me being the thrifty new teacher that I am (trying to be), I was wondering if any of you veteran teachers had some recommendations for items that I should buy to begin my first teaching job. What are some things that you could have really used when you first started out? What items are typically not supplied by schools that I should definitely have on hand? What can you not live without that would be able to help me??

Any suggestions or ideas would be very much appreciated!! :)

p.s.- I apologize terribly for my lack of blogging...I have been very busy! But there is still more to come!

No Longer A Student Teacher...

Well, as of yesterday I am no longer a student teacher...but instead, a real teacher :) Now I just have to wait for my license to actually come...which I hear takes forever.

I also need to start applying for jobs...I am really considering relocating, but I'm not sure as to how far I am really willing to go. My family just means way too much to me to be too far away from.

I will be updating at some point this week with a bit more reflection of my final two weeks of student teaching, but for now I just wanted to let everyone know how excited I am to finally be able to call myself a teacher :)

See you soon.