5 Steps to Creating a Teacher Amazon Wishlist

Finding community support for your classroom needs

Teachers’ Reality

It’s not just because I’m a former teacher that I find it so heartwarming to see teachers’ wishlists fulfilled via Amazon during the holiday season. It is because we all should support our local classrooms, whether or not we have kids in those schools.

Did you know that 90% of teachers spent an average of $500 out-of-pocket on classroom needs in 2019*? That amount is climbing steadily and new estimates put the amount at more than $800 in the past couple of years. It is a lesson in elementary math to understand the ludicrous amounts some teachers are spending for that average to be more than $800. You also can have a quick lesson on percentages if you want to figure out what percentage of an average teacher’s salary they are willing to spend back at their place of employment.

*Image and statistics from NEA.com (2022)

While many of the dollars may go to instructional materials like manipulatives or books, many more go to basic essentials like paper, tissues, cleaning wipes, and even personal hygiene or food items. The good news? As proven by social media, there are MANY supporters of our teachers and classrooms who routinely clear entire lists several times a year!

Time to Make a List

And the time of giving is upon us … so teachers, make sure to share your Amazon Wishlists. Here are five simple steps to creating one.

1. Go to Amazon.com and click on ACCOUNTS and YOUR LIST to create and name a classroom wishlist.
2. Click on the upper right-hand three dots (… MORE) and then MANAGE LIST.

• You will want to make your list PUBLIC.
• Update your preferences:
  - Opt-in or out of MANAGING LIST WITH ALEXA.
  - Mark “you” as LIST FOR.
  - Enter your name or classroom name as RECIPIENT.
  - Add work email as EMAIL.
  - Add BIRTHDAY.
  - Make sure to add a DESCRIPTION that may appeal to those outside of your community.
  - Check your display preference.
  - Choose your SHIPPING ADDRESS.
• Make sure to SAVE CHANGES!

3. Search in Amazon for the items you would like for your classroom and ADD TO LIST to earmark items for your wishlist.

4. Simply click SEND LIST TO OTHERS and choose preferences to then COPY LINK for sharing!

5. Questions? Check out LISTS within Amazon’s Customer Service section.

Clear That List!

Now, make sure to share your Amazon Wishlist so that people can help fulfill it. Here are three easy ways to share the lists:

1. Create a QR code (copy-paste instructions here) and hang it outside of your classroom for family members to scan. Also, consider including the QR code in your classroom newsletter to make it easy for them to earmark or pass to others.
2. Ask your classroom community to share your Amazon wishlist on your behalf. It can’t hurt to ask! Families may have generous neighbors, friends, and extended family who would love to donate to your students’ success.
3. Post the link on social! Also, seek out your favorite educelebs and other celebrity influencers (@ErinFoster and @things.I.bought.and.liked) who make it their mission to laundry list and share teachers’ wishlists. Consider adding the hashtags #clearthelist, #amazonclassroomlist, or #amazonwishlist too to raise your list’s visibility.

Follow this account to submit your wishlist and/or help clear others’ lists.

Here’s hoping that little generous elves everywhere can help chip away at your Amazon wishlists this holiday season, so that you and your students can start the New Year off right! And, thank you in advance to those of you who plan to donate to our classrooms. Season’s Greetings to All!

Do check with your administrators to make sure that sharing an Amazon wishlist falls within the donation policies for your school and district.