It is only mid-July but I am already looking forward to heading back to work in September. I had a fabulous year with my Core French students that I simpy cannot wait to begin my third year as an AIM teacher, especially after attending the AIM Language Summer Institute earlier this month. We got to hear some amazing tips for the FSL classroom from Jennifer Moodie, learn about sketchnoting en classe from Sylvia Duckworth, and walked away with fantastic ideas from Richard Smith. Honestly, I am the happiest I've ever been since I've first started teaching back in 2002. Of course, there's always room for more joy, which is why I'm sharing my yearly TSA (Teacher Service Announcement). 

The Staples Teacher Appreciation Event is back! Save 15% on most in-store purchases for an entire week from August 10-16! You can also save 10% on technology purchases as well. For as long as I can remember, teachers have received a free gift with purchase but I haven't read anything to confirm if that will be the case again this year. Stay tuned to this space as I will be sure to post an update as soon as I find out. And don't forget to sign up for the Teacher Appreciation Email Program for exclusive offers, promotions and updates on teacher-related products and events.

And while we're at it, check out the Staples Blog and read up on some of my previously published articles. There's one with photo evidence of when I had really short hair. I know! What was I thinking?

The holiday break is officially over which means we're back and so are Staples Teacher Appreciation Days! Unlike the back-to-school savings teachers enjoy in the summer, we can save 20% on most in-store purchases, which is an additional 5% in savings, from January 9-15, 2019. There are exclusions, such as technology (including but not limited to computer hardware, software and ink, for example). Be sure to read the fine print for full details and don't forget to bring your teacher ID.

I have just a few items I plan to buy this week, including additional printable magnetic sheets to create more magnet words, a pack of printer paper and some stickers. Because teachers can never have enough stickers, am I right?

Wishing you all a wonderful week back at school and cheers to a productive year ahead!

As much as I love back-to-school season and heading back to work every September, making the shift from our laidback summer routines to a busier, sometimes hectic, schedule is one thing I often dread. My goal as of late is to simplify my life in whatever way I can and make this yearly transition as smooth as possible. This has included:

Sometimes I feel like I could really use my own personal assistant. And then I met Alexa.

For the past few weeks, the family and I have been testing out Amazon Echo and Echo Dot. These hands-free voice-activated devices allow you to connect to Alexa, a cloud-based voice service, from anywhere in the room. While the Echo boasts incredible 360° omnidirectional audio, it is so much more than a powerful speaker.

Setting up Echo and Echo Dot was rather straightforward. I just had to plug them in, download the Alexa App and follow the prompts. Now I can tell Alexa to stream a song via Prime Music or continue a book that I'm listening to on Audible. And that's just the beginning.

Since Echo is always connected, it automatically receives updates and new features, making it one pretty smart device. This means that I can not only ask Alexa to provide traffic conditions on my morning commute, but I can also ask her to reorder items from Amazon.ca, check my calendar to share what's on my agenda for the day, or ask her for the square root of pi. My daughter took advantage of Alexa's ability to quickly solve math equations while she worked in her grade 9 math workbook over the summer. She needed a new scientific calculator for back-to-school so, of course, I told Alexa to add it to my shopping list. It was easy as the other pie!

My daughter also relied on Alexa to count down the days until the first day of school. My son, however, called on Alexa to count how many days were left until Christmas vacation...

In the weeks leading up to back-to-school, my son tried to enjoy as much outdoor play as possible. And as he so often does, he would come barreling through the front door to ask for the time out of fear of missing his favourite TV shows. Only now he could bother Alexa instead of me! (Honestly, I don't know why I ever bothered buying him a watch that he never wears.) He also relied on Alexa to set a timer on Echo Dot to help him limit the amount of time he would spend on his Xbox. I would even hear my ever-inquisitive son asking Alexa for random facts while simultaneously listening to his favourite George Michael and Michael Jackson music. When it's time to say goodnight to Fortnite, you might even hear him ask Alexa for simple recipes or how long it takes to boil an egg, for example. It's a great way to boost his confidence while also supporting his need to be a little more independent.

The neat part about Echo and Echo Dot is that they feature beamforming technology, noise cancellation and Amazon's 2nd generation far-field technology. This means that Alexa can hear you ask a question from any direction - even while playing music. You can also ask her to adjust the volume, tell you the weather forecast, quiz you on the Word of the Day, set a reminder to study for a test, set up an alarm on school days, tell you a joke or randomly select head or tails to help you decide what outfit to wear. Plus, Alexa can learn new skills from a growing bank thousands of additional capabilities, as well as customizable routines, creating a more personalized experience. For example, you can use the Alexa app to program a morning routine that tells you the forecast, traffic conditions and any events on your agenda with a single prompt, such as "Alexa, good morning!" 

Of the two devices, Echo is my favourite simply because of its powerful speakers that provide incredible sound. It retails for $129.99 but it is currently on sale for $119.99. Echo Dot is a more compact and affordable version at $69.99, currently on sale for $44.99. Although it has a built-in speaker, the sound isn't as crisp but if you already own a decent speaker, you can connect to it over Bluetooth or with the included audio cable to play music. 

Disclosure: I received product help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

I kid you not. Back to school season has always been an exciting time for me ever since I was a kid. There's a certain je ne sais quoi about shopping for a fresh batch of school supplies and gearing up for a new school year. As an elementary school teacher, Staples has been my go-to shop for back to school essentials for the past 16 years. Whether it be a fresh set of stickers, marking pens and sticky notes, computer paper and printer ink, or refills for my labelling machine, I know I can count on Staples to carry just what I need. Plus, I love that I can earn Air Miles Reward Miles and enjoy special savings during Staples Teacher Appreciation days.

One of the items that seems to always make its way onto my shopping list is a new set of pens. As a travelling teacher who teaches à la carte, I tend to forget my pens, among other things, as I rush off to my next class. This year, I'll be using Candy Pop! PaperMate Flair felt tip pens. This is a limited edition set filled with bright, hard-to-miss colours but, just in case I leave them behind in any of my classrooms, I'm going to be labelling them with my new personalized labels by Oliver's Labels. 

For jotting down notes of inspiration and ideas, I'll be using a limited edition Hilroy Exercise Book that comes in a sleek black in celebration of Hilroy's 100th anniversary. 

And to store my day plans, I'll be using a trendy floral Avery binder. This year marks the third annual #AveryGivesBack campaign and, in partnership with the Pinball Clemons Foundation, young change maker Hannah Alper and multiple school board associations across Canada, Avery will be donating one to a student in need for every binder purchased. C'est super, n'est-ce pas?

I have a feeling this year's Avery designs will be a huge hit with teens and tweens given that you can find coordinating binders, pocket folders and dividers. Très chic!

When it comes to back-to-school shopping for my kids, I have to say it is quite handy to be able to find all the school supplies they need in one location. In addition to affordable options for everyday consumables, I can always count on our neighbourhood Staples to carry a wide selection of backpacks and lunch bags. This year, they have so many cute prints such as their "Tasty Treats" designs featuring cherries, pineapples and avocados, "Furry Friends" featuring sharks, sloths and flamingos, and "Adventures in the Galaxy" themed prints. One of my favourites is this eyes pattern 16" backpack.

For my little guy, we will be stocking his pencil case with a set of PaperMate Handwriting Mechanical Pencils. Printing is probably one of his least favourite things and I've noticed he is very hard on his pencils. He applies a lot of pressure when he writes so these #2 HB lead pencils will be perfect for him. Plus, the triangular shape will help guide his finger placement and will prevent his pencils from rolling off his desk.

And, because he loves playing with slime as he walks to school, we will be making a fresh batch of slime using Elmer's glue. Did you know you can now buy glow in the dark glue? It's the coolest thing! It comes in pink, blue and natural. We already made a batch and love how it glows. However, it's also sparkly and we found that some of the sparkles would end up on our hands. Which reminds me... I need to add hand soap to my Staples shopping list!

My daughter is pretty much set for back to school. She has been ready for about four weeks now. Seriously, she would rather spend the summer at school. Recently, she purchased grade 9 math and science workbooks to keep her busy. (She's going into grade 8!) She spent the past year looking into options for high school and now she is talking about university. Whoah! (Read in a "Joey from Blossom" voice.) 

When we visited a downtown Staples last month, she was so in love with the Student Living model room, she insisted on giving her own room a makeover. While I declined her request to repaint her room, I already know that, when we do, we will be looking to staples.ca/studentliving for inspiration.  

In particular, I want to take advantage of Staples' print services and order some personalized canvas prints to match her theme of choice. I feel like this pastel balloon print was the perfect inspiration for the model room, I might just have to snatch this idea.

We have about four weeks left until school starts back up but we are pretty well stocked up. I plan on waiting until Staples Teacher Appreciation Days to pick up a few more teacher supplies for myself, such as Avery Magnet Sheets so I can make some more magnetic words for my French classes. In the meantime, it's good to know that I can always order top-ups online and pick them up in store two hours later. 

To check out the latest tech, school supplies and classroom essentials, be sure to visit staples.ca/backtoschool.

It's almost August and, for the first time in a very long time, I am super excited to head back to work. Like, over the moon excited. It's not that I have ever dreaded going back to work per se. It usually has more to do with the fact that back to school marks the end of summer and that I don't get to spend as much downtime with the kids. But this year, it's different. I will be embarking on my second year as an AIM teacher and, based on the amazing outcomes of the past year, I know my FSL students will continue to flourish this year and that makes me incredibly eager to go back to work right now and start making preparations. Crazy, right? In addition, our vice principal has ordered a variety of robots and micro:bits, so I am really looking forward to incorporating more coding and programming, as well as collaborating with colleagues. And of course, back to school also marks a special time for us teachers, which is why I'm sharing my yearly TSA (Teacher Service Announcement). 

Staples Teacher Appreciation Days are back! Save 15% on most in-store purchases on August 24, 25, and September 1 and 8, as well as 10% on technology purchases. Plus, you will also receive a free gift but I suggest going early as there will be limited quantities. Can't make it out on any of those days? Fret not. You can still save 10% on any day from August 20 to September 9 (excluding technology). Don't forget to sign up for the Teacher Appreciation Email Program for special offers, promotions and updates on teacher-related events.

And while we're at it, check out the Staples Blog and read up on some of my previously published articles. There's one with photo evidence of when I had really short hair. I know! What was I thinking?

Nearly my entire life, September has been synonymous with back-to-school. And it never fails, the kid in me still gets so excited to shop for school supplies for the kids. But I also love buying teacher essentials. There's something about opening up a fresh set of markers or testing out or breaking in the latest gadget. At the top of my list of teacher must-haves is the Scotch Thermal Laminator.

Amazon.ca also carries a wide selection of Expo Low-Odor Markers. They come in bright, vivid, non-toxic ink in fine point tip for thin, detailed lines, as well as chisel tip for broad or fine writing. Purchase an Expo Dry Erase Set if you need a cleaner and eraser for as little as $13.93.

If you are like me and you print a lot in colour, I highly recommend Epson's cartridge-free eco-tank printers. This revolutionary printer comes with enough ink to print up to 11,000 black and 8,500 colour pages, the equivalent of about 50 cartridges. That means we can go up to two years before replacing any ink. The Epson ET-3600 Eco-Tank Wireless Colour Printer is available on Amazon.ca for $473.47.

Finally, for all those late nights marking papers and scrupulous planning, check out the AUKEY Wooden desk lamp. Featuring natural illumination in a choice of adaptable lighting presets, this pivoting wooden LED desk lamp has an organic look and reduces glare and eyestrain by evenly diffusing light. Purchase the AUKEY LED Wodden Desk Lamp on Amazon.ca at its current price of $45.99.

Disclosure: I have partnered with Amazon.ca to bring you this post, which contains affiliate links, and have received special perks. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Back-to-school is right around the corner which means it's a busy time for families and teachers alike. We're trading in our lazy mornings and late nights for jam-packed schedules of homework and extra curricular activities. And yes, teachers have homework, too! As I prepare for another school year and ensure my two kids are just as prepared, the furthest thing from my mind is running out of printer ink. This year, however, that will be one less thing I have to worry about thanks to the Epson Expression ET-3600 All-in-One Supertank printer.

While we loved our Epson Expression Premium XP-630 Small-in-One printer, the wireless EcoTank is a welcome upgrade. This revolutionary printer comes with enough ink to print up to 11,000 black and 8,500 colour pages, the equivalent of about 50 cartridges. That means we can go up to two years before replacing any ink! Of course, print times and ink yields will vary depending on a variety of factors such as frequency, print settings and images printed. But I've been using our EcoTank for several months now and the ink levels are still high despite how much I have printed. And that includes dozens of Google CS First double-sided passports and other materials that I printed onto cover stock paper and assembled for our school's first coding club. 

My daughter has been giving our new EcoTank a workout this summer as well. She has been printing endless photos of her favourite pop singers and plastering them all over her new school supplies. But because I can easily check on the ink levels through the semitransparent windows on the side of the EcoTank, I know I don't have to worry about running out of ink any time soon. And when I do, I just have to top up with Epson’s ultra low-cost ink replacement bottles (as low as $18.29 each).

Of course, we also love the Wi-Fi feature and being able to print from any of our computers, tablets or even our cell phones with ease. And the photo quality is great, as we've come to expect from Epson. At my daughter's birthday party last month, I took a group photo and sent to print on 4x6 glossy photo paper directly from my iPhone. It was a great memento that her friends got to take home with them once the party was over. 

The Epson Expression ET-3600 EcoTank All-in-One Supertank Printer can also copy and scan documents and holds 150 sheets. It retails for $529.99 but it is currently on sale for $449.99. You can purchase it online at Epson.ca as well as at Staples. And teachers, don't forget you can save an additional 10% on technology on select Staples Teacher Appreciation Days!

Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Don't forget to stop by your local Staples store to pick up some emoji-themed supplies for back-to-school. Whether you're buying something for a social diva, a modern minimalist or a digital guru, you'll definitely find some style inspiration.

And teachers, remember to save the date for Staples Teacher Appreciation Days where you can save up to 15% on most in-store purchases!

It doesn't take much for me to get excited about the latest tech accessories. Yet, when they are not only functional but stylish and unique, I can't help but swoon. If you have yet to discover the perfect combo of fun and functional, check out all the coolest accessories by Toddy Gear. We're talking about power banks, charge and sync cables, microfiber smart cloths and wedge mobile device stands that reflect your personality and add some extra flair to what is so often boring and plain.

One of my favourite Toddy Gear accessories is their Smart Cloth. This eco-friendly microfiber cloth is made in the USA and is incredibly soft. You can use it to clean screens and it is also great for cleaning glasses, too. I've had so many compliments on my Sanibel Smart Cloth, seen above, but you can get them in so many different styles. For the art enthusiast, Toddy Gear recently added a famous artwork collection. My personal favourites are Mona Lisa, Starry Night, and La Tournée du Chat Noir. Their 5x7 cloths usually retail for $9.99.

Looking for a hands-free solution? The Toddy Gear Wedge is a beanbag-like stand that is perfect for the home, office, or even on an airplane. It cradles your smartphone so you can catch up on your favourite show or follow a recipe while you cook. The plush microfiber on the bottom can also clean your screen. There are some fun new designs in their Back-to-School collection such their Bubblegum Wedge, Jazzy Wedge, and Pug Life Wedge. These generally retail for $14.99. 

Finally, don't leave home without a power bank. Toddy Gear's Smart Charge Power Bank is travel-sized and is available in a wide range of creative and unique designs to suit your style. I tested out the deluxe charger with a 7000mAh battery that has dual USB ports so you can charge two devices at once. I use it with my iPhone 6S and get almost three full charges. It is slim and elegant in design and features three digital LED indicators to show how much power is remaining. A standard power bank is $24.99 and the deluxe is $29.99. 

Luckily, I have a special promo code that will save you 20% off your Toddy Gear purchase. Simply use TEACHERMOM20 at checkout. 

One lucky Toronto Teacher Mom reader will win a Toddy Gear Smart Charge Deluxe Power Bank in their choice of available designs. Be sure to complete the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is open to residents of Canada and the USA who have reached the age of majority. Void where prohibited.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Are you excited for Back to School? We often joke it's the most wonderful time of the year for parents. But teachers get just as excited, especially when it comes to back to school shopping. And so, teachers, here is your yearly TSA (Teacher Service Announcement). 

Staples Teacher Appreciation Days are back! Save 15% on most in-store purchases on August 25, 26, and September 2 and 9, as well as 10% off technology purchases. Plus, you will also receive a free gift but I suggest going early as there will be limited quantities. Can't make it out on any of those days? Fret not. You can still save 10% on any day from August 21 to September 10 (excluding technology). Don't forget to sign up for the Teacher Appreciation Email Program for money-saving coupons, exclusive AIR MILES Reward Miles offers, and updates on teacher-related events.

And while we're at it, check out the Staples Blog and read up on some of my previously published articles. There's one with photo evidence of when I had really short hair. I know! What was I thinking?

For school supplies, I am using Avery Kids Self Laminating Labels. These are available in neon and primary colours, and are smear proof and dishwasher safe. All you need to do is lift the self laminating seal and write using a permanent marker or pen, remove the white backer and press the laminated seal down before applying to a dry clean surface. These extra durable labels are also great for lunch box items, bottles, sports gear, electronic devices and more.

Avery Labels are great to help keep teachers organized at school, too. My favourite set of labels are the versatile Avery Address Labels, now available in Easy Peel. I use these every year to create name labels for the nearly 150 students I teach so they can easily find their French folders and notebooks. This year, I tested out the Avery Design & Print Online templates and found some really cute graphics and design ideas. I probably spent more time than I should have personalizing these labels but it was definitely worth it. Aren't they adorable?

And to save me some time, I used Avery Eco-Friendly Address Labels this year to print out a shortened URL that students and parents can access from home.

Because when it comes to French class, I need to maximize every minute while helping my students stay organized. Thanks, Avery Canada!

Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

In a century where educational technology has become the norm, securing valuables at school, such as portable devices, is more important now than ever before. For middle school and high school students, Master Lock has designed an incredibly smart padlock that puts control in the palm of your hands by way of Bluetooth. The Master Lock 4400D Indoor Bluetooth Padlock turns your phone or any Bluetooth-enabled device into a key. Say good-bye to forgotten combinations or lost keys and hello to secure convenience.

With the Master Lock Bluetooth Indoor Padlock, you can unlock your lock, share limited or permanent access with guests, and monitor activity using the free Master Lock Vault app. To open the lock with your phone, simply touch any button on the lock while your device is with you. If you don't have your phone or the battery dies, no problem. Enter the directional code on your lock keypad. will Knowing this padlock has a hardened boron alloy shackle will give you peace of mind, as will tamper alerts whenever you are not around. And a low batter reminder on both the padlock and app will come in handy, too.

Another one of my favourite Master Lock padlocks is the equally innovative 500iD Speed Dial Set-Your-Own Combination Lock. I first discovered this lock when I tried a Breakout EDU escape game at a the Toronto GAFE Summit last year. It opens with a combination of up/down/left/right directional movements and can be reset to any number of movements in any sequence. You can also apply matching passcode indicators such as letters, numbers, colors, shapes, symbols for added customization. This lock is perfect for younger kids who don’t yet have Smartphones.

Every thought about securing your child’s backpack to protect important school documents, personal information, homework and valuable items, such as smartphones, laptops, tablets and money? Neither had I. But, now that my son wants to bring his iPad mini to school on BYOD days, it is important to ensure protection for when his table is left unattended in his backpack, such as during recess. With the Master Lock 1550DAST Backpack Lock or Master Lock 1548DCM Set Your Own Combination Padlock, the added layer of protection will help deter possible theft.

For college students living on campus, the Master Lock 5900D SafeSpace provides extra safety precautions to ensure that your valuables are safe and secure. It is also a great portable solution that you can take with you since it includes a heavy duty cable that can be secured around a stationary object.

Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Our Expression Premium XP-630 printer came with five Claria® Premium ink cartridges: one black, one cyan, one magenta, one yellow and one photo black ink cartridge. I like that these cartridges were vacuum sealed to ensure optimum quality and that they were really easy to install. 

Of particular interest is the Epson Creative Print App, which allows you to personalize and share photos directly from your mobile device. Available for iOS v5.0 or later and Android v2.2 or later, the Creative Print App also monitors printer status and ink levels, and lets you check nozzles or clean print heads. It appears you can even buy ink directly from the app, which seems rather convenient. My first Creative Print project was a photo collage of photos taken on my iPhone during the summer. After downloading the app, I designed and printed my photo collage and, within a matter of minutes, I had a lovely new photo to display in my office at work. And the print quality? Truly impressive!

Not only does the Epson Expression Premium XP-630 boast superior photo quality, a feature that I personally value, it is fast, too. ISO print speeds range from 13 ppm in black and 10 ppm in colour. And you can save up 50% on paper with the automatic two-sided printing feature. The printer also includes a built-in USB and memory card slot that allows you to bypass the computer altogether and print directly from a USB key or SD card. Plus, the wireless feature is an added bonus since our family can print from our individual devices from virtually any room of the house via WiFi.

Whether you are looking for a convenient family printer for the home office or a space-saving, cost-effective solution for a small dorm room, the Epson Expression Premium XP-630 is the ideal printer. It retails for $149.99 but you can order directly from epson.ca and enjoy a $70 instant rebate through to September 24, 2016. If you are looking for the ultimate in eco-friendly printers, check out the super cool Epson Expression ET-2550 EcoTank All-in-One printer, a cartridge-free option that comes loaded with up to 2 years of ink in the box.

Disclosure: Our family received a product sample to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.