If you were a teacher in 2020, I’m saluting you right now.

Back in March when we all thought this was going to be temporary, we set off to teach virtually from our homes. There was no virtual teacher kit sent home with us. Our tools for online teaching consisted of things we could grab from our classrooms and spending our teaching salaries buying what we lacked at home.

I even professed my love for my document camera on The Innovative Teacher Podcast. If you missed that episode, you can check it out here.

Reflecting on 2020, I can’t help but feel grateful for all the things it did bring us. More time with family, a sense of renewed purpose, shifting our priorities and time to slow down.

I want to put out all the positive vibes for the year ahead. Are you with me?

I also want to help you be successful in your teacher business. My tutoring business went from making $0 to a steady 4-figure income all on the side without having to quit my day job.

The best part? My tutoring business helped cure my teacher burnout.

I want that for you!

To get started, I want to share the 13 favorites that got me through teaching and tutoring virtually this year.

TEACHER STAPLES

I’ve talked about the Erin Condren planner a lot, but for real, it’s the best. I mentioned some of my EC favorites in this blog post. My favorite part of the Life Planner is penciling in appointments in the hourly slots. This keeps me on track for the week for my tutoring business.

Planning my entire year out on the wall has been life changing. I use these calendars to plan out time off, content creation, posting on Instagram, and holidays related to my TPT store.

The Power of Habit has transformed my life in so many ways! If you’re looking to create new habits and want the science behind how our brains can make lasting changes, you have to read this book!

Daily affirmations can change the way you think about yourself and your business. I’m a big believer in manifesting what you want to happen. Throw it out there in the universe and watch your life change. This affirmation journal makes it easy for you and takes out the guesswork.

TECH MUST-HAVES

This year I relied on technology like nobody’s business. I wasn’t always a techy person, but now I love the challenge of learning something new.

My favorite tech tool for teaching online is hands down a document camera. It’s so versatile and makes teaching from home easier! I have an IPEVO which can get kind of pricey, but there’s lots of inexpensive options like this one.

An extra monitor is a must for teaching and tutoring online. It might be one of the best purchases you make. When I’m sharing my screen, I love to be able to see my student’s faces with the content I’m projecting.

This laptop stand helps prevent nerd neck and if you’re spending more time in front of the screen, you need it!

A wireless keyboard and mouse set is just the item for anyone doing a lot of typing. I love my laptop, but it didn’t have the 10-key number pad and this keyboard leveled up my typing game.

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I love printable books. My HP printer is amazing because it is reliable and wireless! I also love getting instant ink in the mail. If you have an HP printer, you need to get instant ink.

Most laptops come with a built in camera. The crummy thing is the camera isn’t the best. If you record anything or want to level up your image when teaching, this webcam gives you a lot of bang for your buck.

I have the Rode wireless microphone which I love for recording YouTube videos. I wanted something that could easily plug into the computer and didn’t require a mixer. The Yeti microphone is user friendly and gives a lot of value to your teacher business and online teaching.

If you love creating resources for tutoring clients or your own classroom, the Scotch Laminator will change your life. I swear I’ll never use the school laminator again. This handy dandy laminator will make your teaching resources last 10x longer and makes them incredibly durable for traveling to tutoring client’s homes.

The last item I’m including in my favorites list for this year might surprise you. If you’re anything like me, you have to work out for mental health. If you’re working out from home right now, one of my favorite workout accessories are exercise bands. They don’t take up a lot of space, you can travel with them, and they give amazing results. I love to use these after I run on my Peloton.

Any of these items will level up your tutoring side hustle this coming year. Sometimes investing in yourself is just what you need to get a jumpstart on making your dreams come true.

What was your favorite teaching tool this year? Tell me in the comments!

13 Favorites That Got Me Through Virtual Teaching in 2020