25 Amazon Prime Day Must-Have Purchases for Leaders
By Kelly Croy
Behold, My Stuff!
Hey educators, creatives, and leaders! Prime Day is more than a sale—it’s your opportunity to upgrade the tools you use every single day. These are the actual items I use (and one I just REALLY want #25) and love in my work as a teacher, speaker, artist, dad, husband and leader. They’re tested. They’re trusted. They’re ready for your classroom, home, life and beyond.
Affiliate Disclosure: I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through these links. Thanks for supporting The Wired Educator Podcast and everything I do to help educators lead well and live fully.
(Of course, I would love for you to add my books Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed to your cart too, but they did not make the list.)
0. Audible Account to listen to books
I kid you not, this is the unfair advantage over everyone else. To consume awesomevbooks while mowing, running, working out, laundry, dishes, walking dogs etc. I love Audible. Get it for yourself and give it as a gift. One of the best decisions I ever made.
Free Trial and Subscription Here
1. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
Noise-canceling brilliance—perfect for quiet, calls, or creative work. Amazing price on these discount days. I use these every single day and I even purchased Apple’s over-the-ear AirPod Max for around the house and Wowzers!
2. Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus
Looks sharp. Works hard. Carries everything I need. This bag is NOT cheap, but it is the greatest bag I have ever owned. I love it and when I consider that it goes everywhere I go… it is a bargain. All the great and expensive things I own, deserve a great place to live. I also have Air Tags hidden in it.
3. Apple AirTags (4-Pack)
Never lose your keys, tech, or peace of mind again. I put these on just about everything including: my bike, keys, wallet, bag, and dogs.
4. Minimalist AirTag Wallet
Sleek. Slim. Trackable. I carry mine every day. I can ping it from my phone and track. Has prevented a couple of heart attacks and… if I were to set it down and walk away, it alerts me that “Wallet has been left behind.” Boom. No brainer. Super-cheap.
5. Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle (24 oz)
My go-to hydration sidekick. Cold all day, zero spills. We all need to be intentional about better hydration. I hate straws. This solved that problem and more. I wrote about this in a newsletter and received a few thank-yous. The uglier the bottle, the better in my opinion. I love it.
6. Pilot G2 Gel Pens (07 & 10)
Teachers’ best friend—smooth, reliable, satisfying. My go-to is purple ink, but I have a case and I use both the 07 and the 10 width. My go-to colors are: purple, black, blue, and an occasional red. These are for my journal and everything! The 10 might smear, so I let it dry when creating beautiful journal templates. The 07 is my standard for the whole day.
7. iDream365 Pen & Pencil Case
Keep your tools together and tidy. I keep other things in here too. This pencil case goes in my backpack. I like mini cases and bags inside my pack. You are going to love this. I don’t loan my pens… well… if I do, I keep my eye on them. LOL.
8. Apple iPad Pro (M4 chip)
There is nothing quite like it. The most expensive item on this list and the most powerful creative and teaching device I own. I have written and illustrated a book on it. I give presentations with it. It is, outside my watch, my most-used device. I’m an artist, writer and designer. I love GoodNotes, Procreate, Keynote and Pages. I make things. I love the size and I have a nice case for it that holds my Apple Pencil.
9. Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro
Transforms your iPad into a full workstation. I love typing on this. Not a must, but… glad I have it. Highly recommend. Not cheap
10. Apple Pencil (2nd Gen)
Annotate, illustrate, and create—all from your armchair.
11. Moleskine Journal.
If I could only have ONE item on the list, believe it or not, this would be it. Not kidding. This is my journal. The perfect balance of style, function, and reflection. All my dreams and ideas go here. I love it.
12. Microfiber Screen Cleaning Cloths
Clean screens make a difference. I keep one in my bag, one in my desk, one in my car and one at each work station. I clean my glasses, phone, Mac, iPad, etc.
13. Anker Slim Power Bank (Portable Charger)
It might be the best deal on this list. I keep it in my bag. I don’t tell my girls I have it. Lightweight. Lifesaving. I never leave home without it. Gives me about 5 phone charges. I have an adapter to charge my watch, etc. Great for flights. Breezes through TSA.
14. Anker Multi-Device Power Bank
This is the big daddy. Think of a brick, Recharge everything. Great for travel, conferences, or emergencies. My whole family plugs into this when we need to in the van and elsewhere.
15. Extra Charging Cords
Put them everywhere—car, classroom, bag, drawer.
16. Biofreeze Roll-On
Maybe it is my age. I love this stuff. My go-to after long days on my feet or sore muscles. I hit my neck, wrist and knees a lot with this. So helpful. Goes in the bag.
17. Logitech Wireless USB-Chargeable Presentation Remote. It’s the best.
People ask me all the time what remote I use. This is it! Works across huge rooms. No batteries needed. A speaking essential. Easy advance and backtrack. It just plain works. Every. Single. Time.
18. Rechargeable Flashlight with Laser & UV Light
Laser pointer, flashlight, UV scanner—all in one. I use it constantly. I love that it is rechargeable. No batteries. It has settings. Goes in the bag. Way better than iPhone light. When you need to find something or point something out… Boom! Every Jedi carries a lightsaber. This is mine.
19. Bowflex Kettleball for working out.
Strength training for any age and any space. This kettlebell is compact and powerful. I love my Bowflex Dumbbells and I love a good kettleball workout. Build muscle. This is an inexpensive home gym right here.
20. The Best Screen Protector (Tempered Glass) for your iPhone
This is it! Easy on. Perfect fit. Protection. Every should be protected. This is the one.
21. Apple Watch (GPS + Cellular)
I track my steps, get alerts when I leave my phone behind, and stay connected. Silent taps for emergencies are a huge plus. I can put all devices on Do Not Disturb. I can leave my phone and still take or make a call or text. Offers tons of info instantly. Best watch I have ever owned. Mine has lasted for years. Love it.
22. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (Book)
Every teacher needs to read and hear this story! Andy Weir is an incredible author; he wrote The Martian. Ray Porter delivers one of the best audio performances ever. Funny. Adventurous. Read the book and listen to the audio. You will thank me. And… they are making a movie of it too. Wow! Just found out. I love it all. An unforgettable sci-fi story of teamwork, grit, and leadership. Every teacher should read this book—and yes, the movie’s on the way.
23. Just Click Retractable Dry-Erase Marker
No cap. No mess. Just one click to write. Dry Erase. This is the best dry erase marker I’ve ever used. Period.
24. Productive Undarted Weekly Desk Planner
It’s hard to explain how helpful this is. This allows me to focus, get things done, and reflect back on what was done when. I love digital, but this paper planner sits on my desk and it is where I begin each week and day and where I end it. This is the way! This is the planner I keep on my desk every week. It helps me set my focus, map out goals, and get clear on priorities. A must for intentional educators and leaders/
25. DJI MIni 3 Drone Pro
What is the one thing I would buy on Amazon if I could? Something, I really want? It’s a DJI Mini 3 Drone Pro. It’s so cool. I know… I don’t need it, but… so cool. I do NOT own this, but it looks so darn cool. I had a DJI Phantom years ago in my classroom. Did cool things with it.
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BONUS: Tultex 202 Heather Gray T-Shirt
The perfect tee. I’ve tried them all—this is the one I wear. If you’ve ever watched one of my Tik Toks, or stopped over at my house, you have probably seen me wearing this awesome t-shirt. Feels great.
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Final Word from Kelly
This isn’t just a shopping list. It’s a toolkit for educators and leaders who want to lead with energy, purpose, and strength both in and out of the classroom. Every item here earns its place. If you’re looking for something meaningful to grab on Prime Day, I hope this helps you pick something that actually makes a difference.
You are awesome!
Kelly
I would like to speak at your event!
Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library.
Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker
Instagram: @kcroy
Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com
Podcast: The Wired Educator Podcast Twitter: @kellycroy and of course: Facebook.
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Eleven minutes and forty seconds of pure “let’s level-up our leadership and design a dynamic lifestyle.” Buckle-up as I share the absolute transformational power of The Four Essential Actions of Leadership. They’ll take you to the next level, but be cautioned: these actions take practice, courage, and skill, and our best developed over time with reflection . The first action is so easy, but the other three are tough, and the fourth separates leaders from everyone else.
