Josh Peete

* Superintendent / Principal since 2010 * Teacher since 2003 * M.Ed. Admin.

A Superintendent’s Easy, Creative, and Fun Teacher Lunch Ideas

Superintendent Provides Easy, Creative, Fun, and Unique Teacher (or School Staff) Lunch Ideas / Solutions / Options

Teacher lunch ideas: Organizing potlucks with staff, Instacart deliveries to the school, meal preparation services that deliver, purchasing school lunches, keeping frozen meals on campus, and stockpiling meals that only need hot water to cook.

Teachers are usually limited to a thirty (30) minute lunch that begins and ends with a bell. This is often the same for other staff on campus as well. Thirty minutes is not long to pull off eating, taking care of last minute tasks, using the restroom, and getting back to your students by the bell. As a superintendent / principal in the same boat, we have pulled off some pretty creative ways to make the lunch time work. These ideas do not include recipes rather it provides systems that can be put into place to improve the lunch experience at schools. Hopefully this teacher lunch (staff lunch) idea list inspires you to try something new.

Easy teacher (staff) lunch idea #1: Potluck

Later in the week, buddy up with some staff members on campus and all plan to bring one item on the next Monday or Tuesday. Decide on a theme – use the closest holiday if the timing is right. We have done so many of these – Italian, Mexican, Thanksgiving, Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, etc… Discuss as a group to share the leftovers prior to doing the potluck. It is always best to do potlucks at the beginning of the week because if there are leftovers, they can be put into the staff refrigerator for the next upcoming days. This should get you through at minimum one to two more school days. By doing a regular potluck, there will likely be food in the refrigerator for days and only one meal had to be prepared.

Easy teacher (staff) lunch idea #2: Instacart

There have been countless times that I have shown up to school with zero food and school lunch does not sound good. So many schools are not located near food – existing in a food desert. I’ve worked almost exclusively at food desert schools. One option in these situations is Instacart.

Before the first recess, add a few items to Instacart and have a shopper deliver your groceries to the school. Just let the school office know and maybe they’ll be super nice and put it in the refrigerator for you. Maybe get the office staff something nice for doing that in the delivery 🙂

Why Instacart and not other services like GrubHub, UberEats, etc…?

Instacart shoppers are willing to drive farther where hot food services require the school to be within a certain radius of the restaurant. Also, Instacart is getting groceries where other services deliver a prepared meal. Getting an Instacart delivered at the beginning of the week to the school could help you eat all week long. Lastly, buddy up with others that also do not have food for the day and split the Instacart cost. One of our favorite picks if doing this option is build-your-own sandwiches. It’s usually cost effective and accommodates everyone. Asking around and partnering up is one way to get the cost down and share the wealth with others. If you haven’t tried this service, get a free $15 to try it out by clicking here.

Easy teacher (staff) lunch idea #3: Meal Prep Service

In our area, we have a service that does meal prep with a delivery option. They are hyper healthy and delicious meals that are prepared on Sundays and delivered on Sundays or Mondays. They have a website showing the seven (7) or eight (8) meal options for the week. Our staff gets together to submit one big order to reduce the delivery fees. This happens the week before and it is in the refrigerator and ready to eat for the school week. Expect to pay about $8-$10 per meal. This option is great for anyone health conscious, attempting to lose weight, and does not want fast food. Meal prep services taste like food made at home instead of food prepared from a grocery deli or restaurant.

Easy teacher (staff) lunch idea #4: School Lunch

Buying a school lunch is probably the easiest idea but has drawbacks. First, it will cost money each day. The federal school lunch program requires a fee for adult school lunches. This cost can be over $4! However, this idea requires no preparation and is ready each day right when needed. There have been many times and years that I ate school lunch almost exclusively. A warning to this plan is that school lunches can be highly caloric and designed for student nutrition – not adult nutritional needs. From my experience, It is pretty easy to gain weight eating school lunches if not careful.

Easy teacher (staff) lunch idea #5: Frozen Meals

Take a trip to Costco (or other wholesale warehouse store) and check out meals in their frozen or refrigerated sections. Costco really attempts to provide healthy and organic options even in their prepared or frozen foods section. Whether it be a box of organic bean and cheese burritos or a box of frozen vegetables with noodles, just bring the whole box and place it in the freezer at school. The drawback to this solution is eating the same food over and over. The best part? This is the ultimate food backup plan for a teacher lunch. Also, this food can stay in the freezer for a while so marathoning this frozen food every day is not required.

Easy teacher (staff) lunch idea #6: Hot Water

There are a lot of lunch ideas that only require adding hot water. Simple ideas include any type of Cup-of-Noodles or asian bowls are popular among educators. Another idea is to have oatmeal or other hot cereals ready to make. Note that many schools have mice. It’s better to store these types of dry items in a plastic container.

There are usually multiple ways to get hot water on campus. If the school provides bottled water in a cooler, there is usually a hot water option available. Other options include purchasing a kettle or using a microwave. We have purchased a BPA free electric kettle and it works really well. Also, having the LED lights tell the temperature from afar is super helpful. A quick glance and you’ll know it is time to grub.

Please note that the links above are affiliate links that help to support this resource for educators.

Making lunch-time fun and memorable for staff in schools.

As a superintendent / principal / teacher for 20+ years, we mix up all of the above. Some of the best lunch ideas for teachers (and staff) include: organizing potlucks, having Instacart delivered to campus, using meal prep services, paying for school lunch, keeping some frozen food in the staff freezer, and maintaining a stash of dry foods that only need hot water. Hopefully, this list inspires you to try a new idea to “spice up” your 30-minute duty-free lunch 🙂

Josh Peete M. Ed. Admin

Superintendent Advocates for Adding a Student Information Systems (SIS) Course to Teacher Preparation Programs

I have worked with many new teachers over the past 20+ years in education serving as a superintendent / principal and teacher. It’s frustrating for new teachers who spent time and money on an education that did not fully prepare them to step into the job on day 1. One skill teachers do not have exiting the teacher credentialing program is an understanding of Student Information Systems. Academia loves to teach theory (took a lot of philosophy classes in my day) but seems to hesitate teaching raw procedures – even when it is very necessary. Here are two ways teacher preparation programs are failing our new teachers by not requiring a course on student information systems (SIS).

Teacher preparation programs do not teach teachers how to use Student Information Systems (SIS)!

Student Information Systems, or SIS for short, are used every day to track attendance, provide contact information, track discipline, and so much more. There are multiple Student Information System vendors on the market. I am most familiar with two of them – Aeries and Schoolwise. No matter the SIS vendor, it is important for all teachers to understand the basics of common systems before accepting a position. Mistakes in taking attendance not caught by a school secretary can cost the district state and federal dollars. Also, all contact information is stored in a tab in the SIS. There have been so many times someone did not know how to view all the “all contacts” link when the first number displayed does not work. There are many nuances to these systems that teachers end up learning over time but it is just a headache for new teachers to learn this while trying to land on their feet.

Teacher credentialing programs do not teach teachers how to use a gradebook!

In the past, gradebooks were standalone software or online services where now it is typically part of the Student Information System. Gradebooks are not as straightforward someone might expect. The SIS will have a gradebook section that will link to the student profile. There are important decisions surrounding the gradebook that need to be made from the start of the class. Some of these decisions should not be flippant. They should be based on research and thoughtful consideration.

Important aspects of setting up a gradebook prior to school starting:

Is the report card going to give a grade for the subject or is there a blended report card with standards. Is the report card all standards based? If so, the gradebook will need to be set up to track standards. What grade cutoffs will you use? Is 90%-100% an A? Do you give F’s? Does the district have a grading policy that must be followed? Do you not use letter grades because the children are too young? All of these settings need to be set up on the back end. Teachers should be prepared to do all of the above so they can set into any assignment for which they are qualified.

Will assignments be weighted or will assignments be worth straight points? If weighted, what is a proper weighting for class assignments, assessments, homework, etc? Will a teacher do 50% assignments, 40% assessments, 10% homework? Will it be 30% assignments, 60% assessments, and 10% homework? What does research say? A percentage for each needs to be determined to communicate that to parents and students. Teachers should prepare how assignments will be set up in their classroom with this already considered in college.

There are other technical aspects teachers will need to know. Teachers need to know all of the codes for missing assignments, teacher excused, excused, etc… How to enter and delete assignments. The list here goes on…

Adding a Student Information System (SIS) class to teacher preparation programs will reduce the learning curve for new teachers stepping in the door.

Student Information Systems are complex. Adding this amount of a learning curse to new teachers entering the profession is just not right. New teachers have enough stress without attempting to deal with how to use a SIS, how to set up a gradebook, how to find student contact information, etc… Also, by adding this course, it would set the expectation that teachers need to keep a gradebook. The gradebook should be designed thoughtfully with research and best practices in mind. Anecdotally, people outside education react with a sense of shock when they find out new teachers do not understand how to set up a gradebook, take attendance, and use basic functions of an SIS. I don’t know how many times over the course of my career I have heard: “Don’t they teach that in school?”

Would you like to discuss this topic with a school district superintendent? Feel free to schedule a call.

Josh Peete, M.Ed. Admin.

Superintendent Outlines Strategies for Prospective Teachers to Land Their First Teaching Job

Most advice on this topic seems very basic – mostly telling prospective teachers to practice interview questions and focus on soft skills to land the first teaching job. While the first page Google results do not give bad advice, it just screams “blogger on assignment.” Close those tabs and let’s hear from a superintendent / principal with over twenty years of experience in the field.

How to get your first teaching job…

Let’s start tough…

Are you willing to move out of the area?

People who build bridges have to move to locations where bridges are being built.

School districts near colleges pump out teacher candidates that want to remain in the area. Districts close to these colleges are typically in high demand. If you are willing to move, then find either the most urban district or the most rural district that is far away from teacher preparation programs. Apply to these schools… Oftentimes, you will have the added bonus of being treated really well and making a true impact in these positions.

Additionally, being open to relocating can broaden your career opportunities in education, allowing you to explore regions where your skills and expertise are highly valued, while potentially experiencing diverse teaching environments and making a meaningful impact in communities that may have a greater need for dedicated educators.

I’m staying put.

If you are attempting to stay in a specific geographic location then look for the least competitive school districts in the region. Typically, but not always, the least competitive districts either pay less or they encompass areas of higher crime or lower socio-economic demographics. An interesting caveat about schools that pay less, sometimes these schools are in more affluent areas. Schools in less affluent areas are helped more by state and federal dollars. Check the county office of education website for a list of districts in your area that you can research for best fit.

By considering the least competitive school districts in your desired location, you can still find fulfilling teaching opportunities that align with your geographic preferences. It’s important to recognize that lower competition can sometimes be attributed to factors like salary or demographics, but this should not deter you from exploring these districts, as they often present unique challenges and opportunities for growth, and making a positive impact in such communities can be exceptionally rewarding. Conducting thorough research through your county’s office of education website can help you identify the best fit and find a school district where you can thrive while staying in your preferred area.

Apply and be available when districts are desperate.

Let’s start with understanding the hiring season for teachers.

In California, March is the beginning of hiring season because if districts choose to not renew the contract of a first or second year teacher, they must give notice by March 15th. Sometimes districts also give an incentive to teachers considering retirement to let the district know before hiring season. Therefore, in spring districts attempt to hire for known unfilled fall positions. As much as a district attempts to fill positions needed for fall early, new variables are added to the mix late. There are retirements, teachers moving schools or districts, teachers leaving the profession, maternity leaves, medical leaves, summer moving, higher enrollment than expected and so many other reasons to districts need to hire teachers after the Spring hiring season. Use this to your advantage…

If you apply to positions near the school’s start date, be ready to interview and be onboarded quickly. You will be seen as a savior and administrators will sigh with relief that someone was available and interested in a last minute position.

Timing is crucial when it comes to teacher hiring, and being flexible with your availability can be a game-changer. While the traditional hiring season begins in March in California, it’s important to remain vigilant throughout the year because unexpected vacancies can arise due to various reasons. Being prepared to interview and onboard quickly when positions become available, especially near the start of the school year, can make you a valuable asset to districts in need. Your willingness to step in during last-minute situations can not only help you secure a position but also earn the gratitude of administrators who are relieved to find a dedicated and responsive teacher to fill the gap.

There is a substitute shortage even in districts that pay $200+ per day.

On the off chance you were unable to land a position for the fall then become a substitute. Substitute teach while applying for the one-off positions popping up during the fall. In my district and region, subs get paid approximately $200 per day! Not a bad way to bide your time. There are no medical benefits but might as well enjoy the $33 per hour and the ability to clock out at 3pm while you can.

Becoming a substitute teacher can be a strategic move, especially in districts facing a substitute shortage, where the daily pay rate can be attractive. While you’re actively applying for full-time positions, substitute teaching allows you to gain valuable classroom experience, build relationships with school staff, and showcase your teaching skills. It’s an excellent way to stay connected with the education community and potentially increase your chances of securing a long-term position when it becomes available. Additionally, the flexibility of substitute teaching can provide you with the freedom to continue your job search while enjoying a decent income and the perk of clocking out at 3 pm, allowing you to make the most of your time while pursuing your dream teaching job.

The next desperate time of year for districts is winter.

Just know that the next natural part of the year to ask a teacher to not come back is the winter break. Notice during the winter break, there will be positions open up. Administrators are hoping and praying for mid-year candidates to typically fill positions of teachers that left during the winter break. Sometimes teachers or districts will stick out a bad situation until about winter break if they will not complete the entire school year. Usually, a departure will coincide with the end of a semester or trimester. Just know that you will be thought of as a savior but you will also likely be walking into a difficult situation because of drama surrounding the mid-year departure of a teacher.

Indeed, the winter break can present a unique opportunity for teachers seeking mid-year positions. While it’s true that these vacancies may come with some challenges, your willingness to step in during such critical times can be greatly appreciated by school administrators. It’s essential to approach mid-year positions with flexibility, adaptability, and a positive attitude. By embracing the role of a problem solver and a quick learner, you can navigate the potential classroom dynamics effectively and make a significant impact on your students’ learning experiences. Remember that you have the chance to be a stabilizing force in the midst of change, and your commitment to education can help both you and your students thrive in the face of adversity.

Your interview may include a lesson.

All of our teachers had to present a lesson during the interview process. Some schools do a first interview of questions and second round of teaching. We just do in one 45 minute session. In the question portion of the interview you have a 50/50 chance of either being rated on a score system or people may just take notes because they are going off their gut. In my experience, it just depends on the competitiveness of the district. The answers to these questions need to hit popular educational keywords. Research the buzzwords – Do you know education and teaching concepts? “Can you tell us about a time when…” There is often a lesson required to get a teaching job. Schools make much better choices in teacher selection when seeing the teacher in action. Our hiring process has minimized the question portion to just 15 minutes because the answers matter so little in comparison to the lesson. Even if you are an inexperienced new teacher, plan to show an interview panel that you are a teacher that can teach. Even when there is only one candidate for the position, the candidate is still required to show us they can teach. It has become a right of passage and best practice in the profession.

Still taking classes for your credential? Become a paid intern.

Many times these days, an internship is paid at step 1 column 1 with full benefits even without a full credential. This is a good option for those in teacher preparation programs that work with partner districts to place interns. The placement is usually, but not always, done in hard-to-staff districts that need teachers but are not able to fill positions. A paid internship can turn into a long-term position because the intern becomes part of the teaching staff. To get this position, the intern does need to apply and interview like any other teacher candidate. Look for job postings that will accept intern candidates – sometimes it will say somewhere in the posting.

Jump in and volunteer

I can remember one candidate that jumped in and volunteered at one of the school’s events. The school needed supervision at one of the stations during a carnival. We were watching and she was amazing. Showed herself to be great with students and just helped us see that she would be an asset to the team. Consider ways to be seen as an amazing fit for the team.

Final thoughts

The first bonafide teaching job with salary, benefits, classroom assignment, and contract is the hardest one to land. It’s the whole chicken and the egg issue. You need experience to land a teaching job but to get a teaching job you need experience. Attempt these strategies to sidestep landing the first teaching job.

Hopefully this helps with:

How to get your first teaching job
How to find your first teaching job
How to start your teaching career
How to get hired as a teacher