Hey Teacher Tapp Community!
Welcome to Week 34 – some of you are coasting toward the finish line, while others are still deep in the race – wherever you are, we’ve got fresh insights to keep you going!
Want to help Teacher Tapp grow?
👥 Invite your colleagues to join!
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📌 Share us in your teacher lounge!
Print this poster and pin it in your lounge to help spread the word.
Now, time for the edu-data!
1. Classroom decor
Classroom decorating isn’t just about flair—it’s a serious time and money commitment for many teachers. In May alone, 44% spent $50 or more on items for their classroom. That might sound like a lot, but for many, it’s part of the joy of the job: 81% say they enjoy making their classroom look great, and 64% have full freedom to choose how they decorate.
But not everyone gets to enjoy their hard work for long. 27% of teachers told us they’ll have to take everything down over the summer and start again in the fall—every poster, every display, every bit of creative effort.
So is it a labor of love, or just more labor? Either way, teachers are investing—personally and financially—in creating spaces where students can thrive.
2. Sick days…to catch up?
We were a little stunned by this one: over a third of teachers said they’ve called in sick just to catch up on work. 😳
📈 That’s more than in previous years — where only 24% said the same.
🌍 It’s also MUCH higher than our teachers in England, where just 4% say they’ve used a sick day even though they weren’t sick to catch up on work.
But how do teachers even report sick days?
🔹 29% said they message their principal or line manager directly
🔹 64% have to log the absence in an internal system (hello, double admin)
One teacher got in touch this week and asked us to dig deeper:
💬 “How many paid sick days do people get? What if you run out? What happens if your kid is sick?”
We’re on it! But if there’s something we’re missing about sick leave, let us know — we’re all ears. 👂
3. Summer break
Summer break sounds like bliss—but for many teachers, it’s not all sunshine and sleeping in. 19% don’t receive pay over the summer, and while most (78%) have their salary spread across 12 months, that doesn’t mean they can fully switch off. 28% will be working a summer job, and another 16% will be continuing a second job they hold year-round.
Still, the break brings real perks. 29% of teachers said the best thing about summer is spending more time with friends and family, while 21% are just thrilled to turn off their alarm clocks.
A slower pace, a fuller house, and maybe a new side-hustle – summer means something different for everyone.
4. Classroom must-haves
If you spend any time on teacher TikTok, you might think every classroom is packed with cutting-edge tech and neon mood lighting. But what’s the real story?
🔊 Alexa and Siri might be eavesdropping in a few places — 10% of teachers said they have a smart speaker in their classroom.
🧑🏫 The basics still rule: 88% have a regular whiteboard, and 71% have an interactive one. (Lucky 60% have both!)
📱 32% of classrooms have tablets, and 💻 a solid 81% have laptops — with 29% rocking both!
📸 And more than half of teachers (56%) have a document camera on hand.
So, how does your classroom compare? Do you have more tech than most, or is your setup more chalk-and-talk? Either way, it’s clear: there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to classroom gear.
Daily Reads
We know lots of teachers on Teacher Tapp LOVE the daily reads! If you have ideas of reads we could feature, get in touch by emailing usa@teachertapp.com and we will check it out!
This week our most-read blog was on the best TED talks about education.
Until next week!
