In the run-up to Halloween, teachers are revealing the secrets of their candy cabinets that cast a spell over trick-or-treaters.
As the season of costumes and candy approaches, some educators take their Halloween candy-giving duties lightly, while others make the treat in “trick-or-treat” their primary objective.
The candy they give out in their homes can classify teachers as slackers, variety-packers or over-achievers.
The “variety-packers” make up most teachers at the school. Variety packs allow teachers to cater to several tastes while playing it safe.
“We do Halloween big. We’ve got like 10 inflatables at the front, and we have a bonfire on Halloween night. I give out chocolate, Reese’s, Hersheys. 3 Musketeers and the Snickers,” said English teacher Robin Butler.
Like Butler, History teacher Jeremy Fulk also sticks to chocolate variety packs.
“I don’t get the child play’s pack, like the generic. I go with like the Snickers and KitKats and Mounds and stuff,” said Fulk. “Last week, I got some and they were 33% off.”
Math teacher Elena Shaffer said she’s also a variety-packer since she doesn’t consider herself a Halloween fanatic whatsoever.
“I just do it for my neighborhood,” Shaffer said.
For others, a variety pack seems like the only option since they have a smaller turnout.
“Our driveway is literally so steep so it’s hard for them to walk on the driveway,” said Sarah Akin, a math teacher at the school.
Since the kids don’t reach her house, Akin brings what’s left over to her classroom.
Contrary to the chocolate variety packs most teachers get, Social Studies teacher Lauren Hall opts for the fruitier packs.
“I don’t know who has nut allergies, and I leave the candy in the bucket on top of my driveway since I’m out trick-or-treating with my kid.,” said Hall. “We get the Airheads and Nerds and Sour Patch Kids. But I’m a big anti-Jolly Ranchers’ person, because I think it’s like cop out candy.”
However, Hall one day hopes to be an overachiever with her candy-giving.
“My husband and I are determined to give out the big size candy bars when our kids can go trick or treat by themselves. That’s our goal,” said Hall.
Though there are limited categories for teachers and their trick-or-treating practice, there will always be those that are the odd ones out.
For English teacher Renee Westlake, it’s not her selection of candy that puts her in a miscellaneous category, but the combinations of those selections.
“It’s usually Reese’s Cups and Sour Patch Kids. Well, it’s all the ones that I like,” said Westlake. “And this year, I got SpongeBob Crabby Patties that are gummies. I got two packs of those— two big packs,” said Westlake.
Her strategy is to get the ones she likes best to have for herself.
“Since we have a newer neighborhood party and so a lot of the older kids don’t come. So I have crabby patties leftover – my favorite,” said Westlake.
Megon Garcia, an English teacher at the school, traditionally sticks to Dum-Dums.
“I give out Dum-Dums,” said Garcia. “I think this year we’re elevating from Dum-Dums to Blow Pops this year,” said Garcia.
To cleanse the palates of the trick-or-treaters running on a sugar rush, some teachers have decided to give nothing.
“We’re not giving out candy this year,” said Science teacher David Boatright. “Mostly because we didn’t want to… We’re all old.”
Like Boatright, math teacher Anu Krishna doesn’t give out candy.
“Even if I gave out candy, not many people would go by,” said Krishna. “I’m not a big sugar fan. So, I don’t do that candy stuff. I would probably give out fruits. Like apples or oranges or nectarines… no bananas. I don’t like bananas.”
The polar opposites of Krishna and Boatright would be teachers like April Smith, an English teacher at the school.
Smith’s neighborhood makes Halloween a lively holiday, and so Smith selects her candy with this in mind.
“It’s a neighborhood event because we start off at the pool with fun and games for the kids and from there the trick-or-treating begins,” said Smith. “We give out Skittles and Starbursts and Snickers and KitKats and Reese’s Cups, but full-sized.”
