Valentines From The Teacher

 I still remember the year I taught fourth grade.

There was a lot to learn, as this was also my first year teaching. I spent most of the year in a daze, constantly thinking about creating lesson plans, homework assignments, grading assessments and of course, managing behavior issues. Every year teaching is challenging, but the first year is definitely a trial by fire! 🔥

By the time February rolled around, I was beginning to feel a little bit better, like I was just starting to figure it all out. I'd formed solid relationships with my students and their families. I knew where I wanted my lessons to go, was staying on top of grading, and I was even starting to hit my stride with managing behaviors (at least somewhat).

Printable, instantly-available valentines would have been a lifesaver
for overwhelmed first-year-teacher me.

But on the evening before Valentine's Day that year, I realized that not only did I not have any Valentines ready for my own two elementary-aged kids, I also had nothing ready for my students. I was in a panic!

So what did I do? I got in the car after making dinner that evening, drove to the nearest drugstore and bought three boxes of the cheapest classroom valentines I could find. After getting them home and pulling them all apart (that's right--even the storebought ones need to be separated!) I put names on them all and collapsed, exhausted, about two hours after my regular bedtime. Whew!

The valentines can be cut apart with a knife and metal ruler for precision,
or with a paper cutter like those often found in the teacher workroom.
Or, write cut lines lightly in pencil and use scissors! ✂

Teachers need the flexibility to be able to print something in either color
OR black and white, depending on their needs and available resources.

I created this set of printable classroom valentines for the teacher (and mom) I was that night.

First and foremost, I wanted cute designs without a lot of hassle. I wish I could have found something like these that evening, because I could have printed them out at home on my color printer, or at school in black and white. I would never have needed to get in the car at all!

These valentines look good printed in black ink on colorful paper.
Stickers could be added to personalize and add a bit of flair.

I could have saved money and time with these. A box (of 16 cards) similar to the ones I bought that night costs about $3.00 at Walmart or Target nowadays. This downloadable file lets each teacher-purchaser print out as many as are needed for a full class set, in color or black and white (or both!), year after year. For only $3.49.

Was your first year teaching as chaotic as mine? Have you ever found yourself scrambling the night before, getting something ready for your classroom? I would be honored to hear your stories also.

💗 Happy Valentine's Day! 💗

Download your own set of Valentine Cards From The Teacher here:

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