Back-to-school season is a time of fresh starts and new beginnings—not only for kids, but for teachers too! Kids aren’t the only ones with butterflies of excitement as they pick out new backpacks, accessories, and supplies. For educators, it’s also an important reset and a chance to stock up on the tools and little extras that help them feel prepared and inspired for the year ahead. Indigo appreciates teachers and the excitement of a new school year, which is why the fall plumTeacher Weekend is back in stores across Canada from September 18–21, 2025—giving educators the perfect chance to treat themselves while preparing for the year ahead. To kick things off, our President & CEO, Joanne Sallay, joined some of our tutors—who are also elementary and high school teachers—for a special preview to select our favourite seasonal finds and school-year must-haves. Read on to see our top #TeacherPicks for plumTeacher Weekend!
Teachers on Call’s Joanne Sallay on Starting the School Year Strong with plumTeacher
One of the highlights of back-to-school season for kids is the thrill of new gear for the year ahead—whether it’s a fresh outfit or a bright backpack. Confession: educators love new supplies too! In what is becoming a tradition, the Teachers on Call tutoring team was invited back to browse the collection at Indigo ahead of the sale. Last September we made our first round of selections during the launch of plumTeacher, and now with a new cohort, we’re back with fresh fall recommendations.
One of the best things about Indigo is that there’s always something new to get excited about, and we certainly were—like kids in a candy store (books are teachers’ candy!). At Teachers on Call, our in-home and online tutoring team is made up entirely of provincially certified teachers, making us the perfect guides. When we arrived, we couldn’t help but scatter in different directions—some teachers went straight for the science books, others explored picture books and games, and a few headed for organization essentials. We eventually regrouped in the clothing section for a bit of a spree and truly had the best time. Keep reading to learn more about the plumTeacher program and all the great items you can enjoy at 20% off to stretch your teacher dollars.
So, what is plumTeacher?
If you’re an elementary or secondary teacher who loves to shop at Indigo, Chapters, Coles, or Indigospirit, then plumTeacher is the appreciation program designed for you. Homeschool teachers and other education professionals who would benefit are also welcome to join. The program helps stretch your dollars further with 20% off during select Teacher Appreciation Weekends throughout the year. Since teachers often spend their own money on supplies for students and classrooms, Indigo’s plumTeacher program is their way of giving back—helping you make the most of every purchase. Beyond discounts, members also receive access to an exclusive educator newsletter, downloadable lesson plans, curated booklists, resources, and special events through Indigo’s dedicated Teacher Content Hub.
#TeacherPicks: Fall Favourites Recommended by Teachers
Indigo is well known for Heather’s Picks—and inspired by that tradition, Teachers on Call has created our own #TeacherPicks. We’ve gathered some of our incredible in-home and online tutors (all provincially certified teachers) to share their must-have items for fall. From classroom essentials to cozy personal favourites, this seasonal round-up is designed to spark inspiration and help you start the school year off right. Think of it as your fall shopping guide—just don’t forget to sign up for plumTeacher before making your purchases so you can enjoy those well-deserved 20% savings! And if you haven’t already, keep reading after our picks for details on how to join.
Anyone who follows Teachers on Call’s blog knows that our entire team is passionate about reading—and that’s not just our English teachers! We even have a dedicated Hooked on Books series, where we spotlight Canadian authors and illustrators from coast to coast. So, it’s no surprise that during our Indigo visit, our team flocked to the Canadian Authors section before branching out across the store to add even more favourites to this year’s list.
Overall, our group went with a book club theme—which should come as no surprise, since teachers’ favourite recommendation to students is always to read for fun. We absolutely loved the book club–inspired clothing and were especially drawn to the hats, t-shirts, and sweatshirts that truly speak our language. After all, it’s not really back-to-school without a fresh new look! Fun literary slogans made it even better. And what pairs perfectly with book club clothing? Reading accessories and Canadian books, of course! Here are some of our favourite picks for fall.
Austin’s #TeacherPick
To match his “Read More Books” sweatshirt and “Bookish” hat, Austin chose some reading-inspired candy—because every good book club needs a sweet treat! He paired it with his favourite Canadian picture book, I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen. According to Austin, it’s a true classic that he even enjoys sharing with high school math and science students.
Sarah’s #TeacherPick
To complement her book club ensemble, Sarah selected a Book Lover’s Journal & Kit with the perfect tagline: “Keep Calm and Read More.” When it came to choosing from Canadian authors, she went with one of her favourites—Margaret Atwood—and picked The Handmaid’s Tale.
Madison’s #TeacherPick
In addition to her “Literary League” hat and cozy reading sweatshirt, Madison’s accessory of choice was a fun book sleeve with the phrase “Just one more chapter.” It’s the perfect travel companion to keep her books in great shape—whether on the way to school or simply on the go. For her Canadian book pick, she chose I Love Canada, written and illustrated by Liana La Rocca. Yet, Madison has many favourites, including French titles that she plans to tuck into her sleeve, reflecting her passion for teaching students in French programs.
Lexie’s #TeacherPick
Lexie is a camper at heart, so she picked a “Cozy Tree Reading Retreat” hoodie—perfect for those crisp fall evenings. And of course, no book club, campfire, or staff lounge at school is complete without a trusty mug—perfect for hot chocolate, coffee, or tea.
Karen’s #TeacherPick
To match her “Book Lover” hat and “Book Club” hoodie, Karen chose an accent pillow embroidered with the phrase “Read the Room”—because what reading session is complete without a cozy pillow? For her Canadian author pick, she selected Restaurant Kid: A Memoir of Family and Belonging by Rachel Phan.
Our #PresidentsPick
It’s no secret that our President & CEO, Joanne Sallay, loves to read—so she wasted no time getting into her book club clothing. Her accessory of choice was a matching book sleeve, though as a hybrid reader she’ll also be using it to carry her beloved Kobo (which she admits she’s a little obsessed with!).
Ready to Sign Up Now? How to Register In-Store or Online!
Who qualifies for plumTeacher?
The plumTeacher program extends to a diverse spectrum of education professionals, including school leadership, school teachers, specialized and home-based educators. This includes school administrators (principals and vice-principals), school teachers (elementary and secondary teachers in K-12 schools, including guidance counsellors, classroom and educational assistants, and special education staff members), specialized educators (English as a Second Language teachers and college/university faculty members), and home-based educators (parent educators and homeschool teachers).
What verification is required for plumTeacher?
You can sign up anytime online, register here. For in-store, you’ll need to bring verification of your educational role. If you don’t have a physical teacher ID card, any current documentation with your name, position, and school affiliation will be accepted—this includes valid teacher certification, school staff ID, or a current verification letter from your school administrator. Canadian Centre for Home Education (CCHE) cards are also accepted for homeschooling parents.
Just keep in mind that teacher appreciation discounts are offered in-store only. So, mark your calendars, grab your teacher identification, and head over to your local Indigo, Chapters, Coles, or Indigospirit!
This blog has been created in partnership with Indigo, reflecting our shared mission to inspire a love of reading and our mutual appreciation for the incredible work of educators. Photography by Jennifer Allison from JSHUTTER Photography
