School Supplies in the Dominican Republic! (Part 1)

Teaching at a small private school, I wish someone would have told me the things I would need before I arrived in country. As a result, I am writing this in hopes to help all of you.🏫

1. Lab top 

Most of the schools here do not provide a teacher computer in the classrooms (laptop or classroom desktop).  They do provide however the connection cords to use the projector with your lab top. There are very few schools with Smart boards. At my school only the lower grades have Promethean boards.💻 Most schools do have a teacher's lounge which provides desktop computers for you to plan.

2. School supplies🖍 ✏: dry erase makers, chalk, eraser, industry size sharpener, pencils, markers, crayons, supplemental materials/books (you can scan into a pdf), wall clock

Teaching at a private school the students are required to supply all of their materials but of course there are always a few that do not have them.  It is much cheaper to go to the dollar store, $5 Below or amazon and order a bulk set to have in your classroom while you are still in the U.S. before coming.  Trust me they will come in handy.  The few things that the school does provide does not last long.  If materials do run out , the other option is to let the parents know every time a student runs out. In my experience it usually ends up being a few days or a week before the materials are replenished.  Which puts a major stop on your instruction for those students. (Ideas for shipping materials to the Dominican Republic from the U.S. while living abroad will be posted at a later date).

3. Uniforms 👕

All private schools in the Dominican Republic have a uniform. Men wear slacks and dress shirts. For us women there is usually a more specific uniform. Find out what that is for your school before coming.  It is usually blue or black dress pants, black shoes and the school shirt.  If you have children like I do expect to bring an additional $200 dollars to buy the school uniform. At my school they have a school store and the uniform must be bought only from the school store.  One pair of pants are 600 pesos. The school shirt $500 pesos. (Right now the peso is at 47 to $1 dollar)The gym pants and shirt are about the same price.  Twice a week the students must wear their PE uniform and 3 times a week their regular uniform.  ***Keep in mind there are other school shirts that you may buy such as the 12th grade promotional shirts or a shirt from family day that may be used in substitution.👍

 Male Teacher School Uniform
(left) 11th grade promotional shirt with dress pants
(right) standard - dress shirt/pants

Female Teacher School Uniform

Dress pants, school shirt with sleeves. Sleeveless is not allowed.  She should also have black or blue dress socks on as well. Shhhh☝Don't tell! A wrist watch would also be helpful because classroom wall clocks are rare to find. If found they are not working properly. 

Student Uniform

Uniform Shirt must be tucked in. Uniform pants ironed and pressed. Black or blue socks and shoes.  A belt must also be worn with the uniform.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Don't be shy😊

Happy Blogging!