Meet Adzua! And Win a Desk Set-up Care Package!

Aug 31, 2012

Back-to-School time always means starting fresh with clean desk. . .  setting up where you will lesson plan, where you will grade, and where you will rummage for an afternoon snack. If you just can’t wait, scroll to the bottom of the blog for a giveaway!

We don’t want you sitting down to finally get some work done, only to spend 20 minutes searching high and low for your stapler. And we certainly don’t want you prowling around your school in the late afternoon twilight looking for the vending machine.

Picture of Aduza

So, let’s take a look at how some Together Teachers are stocking their desks* for the start of school.

Adzua is beginning her second year as a K-5 math and reading resource teacher in Atlanta. As a special education instructor and case manager, she frequently uses her desk to organize and complete paperwork.

This year, Adzua doesn’t have a planning period and there’s a hole in her desk’s bottom drawer. So, it’s extra important that everything she needs is close by.

Here are Adzua’s favorite items to stock in her teacher desk. She personally describes why she needs each one:

1) Fuel!

I like to keep my desk stocked with snacks, like Luna Bars and nuts and instant coffee. I don’t have a lot of time to work throughout the day, so when I sit down to work on lesson plans or write IEPs, I like to have some fuel to push me through the occasional afternoon energy crash.

2) Medicine and Health Aids

Despite my best efforts with hand-washing and sanitizing, I got sick several times last year. I just started teaching, so it might be awhile until my immune system can defend itself against elementary school germs. In the meantime, I try to keep some painkillers and cold medicine (like Emergen-C) close by. This drawer is locked and out of student reach. Also included on this list are Chapstick, hand sanitizer, lotion and deodorant.

3) Your most necessary supplies. . . In Adzua’s case. . . . The Heavy Duty Stapler

The giant stapler in my drawer is one of my favorite school-related purchases. I use it primarily for assembling Reading A-Z books, but it’s really useful for those thick IEP packets, too.

For some teachers, this favorite tool may be a hole puncher, shredder, favorite grading pen, or an awesome Sharpie. Whatever it is, keep it close so you always know where to find it!


4) Jumbo Paper Clips

As a special education teacher, I have to handle an incredible amount of paperwork, and paper clips are one of my favorite simple organization tools.

5) Stickers and Other Student Incentives!

My students love to earn stickers, so I always keep a packet in my desk to reward them for good behavior and extraordinary achievement. Other teachers keep fun Post-Its for student notes or personalized thank you cards for parents and colleagues.

Thanks, Adzua, for sharing your desk essentials with us!

The Personal Comfort Bonus Category

These last “icing on the cake” tips come from Adzua and three other Together Teachers (Jenny C., Jackie P., and Kelly V.). They told us to be sure to stock your desk with:

  • A change of shoes
  • An extra sweater or blazer (for fluctuating room temperatures)
  • A change of clothes (for spills and snags)
  • An extra umbrella

Together Teacher Contest:

Together Teacher Content star

What are your top three teacher desk must-haves for professional and personal survival?

Post your reply with your first name, last initial, by Friday, September 21, at 6 PM EDT.

 

Two winners will be randomly selected to receive a Together Teacher Desk Care Package, full of at least 8 fun goodies for your desk!

*For the sake of this blog, we use the term teacher “desk” to mean wherever your home base may be, e.g. a U-shaped table, your tote bag, or a cart you push around your school.

91 Comments

  1. Claire S.

    In addition to items already mentioned….
    1. Band Aids – saves students from having an excuse to leave class and visit the nurse for tiny, minor, and/or imaginary boo boos 😉 Also always useful for shoe blisters, etc.
    2. Cheer Up Board – I keep kind notes from parents, funny notes from students, and former class pictures nearby and visible for inspiration to power through difficult days or long planning sessions after school
    3. A list of commonly used telephone extensions taped to my classroom phone (nurse, co-teachers, sped coordinator, front desk, etc.) & my students’ parent phone numbers taped to my desk in a prominent place. Serves as a reminder to check in and is easier than searching through my cell phone in an emergency or in case of a sub, etc.
    I also have learned the hard way to keep a spare pair of glasses in my desk for days when I lose a contact, or my contacts start to be distractingly uncomfortable. This is a pair I actually got FREE as a promo from an online retailer, so I don’t mind so much if they get lost or damaged and I don’t carry them back and forth every day.

    Reply
    • alyssa

      Alyssa S

      I have something similar to a cheer board too! I keep stackable, bright blue boxes of different sizes on my desk. One of them is full of thank you cards from families and colleagues and pictures and notes from kids.

      I also have a small file box (Scholastic Instant Organizer) that has files for each day, to help with paper management. At the end of the week, I make sure it’s emptied out and files are correctly put away for longer term storage.

      Lastly, a label maker is a great investment. Labeling desk items, like tape dispensers and staplers, ensure that all your items are returned!

      Reply
  2. Claire S.

    In addition to items already mentioned….
    1. Band Aids – saves students from having an excuse to leave class and visit the nurse for tiny, minor, and/or imaginary boo boos 😉 Also always useful for shoe blisters, etc.
    2. Cheer Up Board – I keep kind notes from parents, funny notes from students, and former class pictures nearby and visible for inspiration to power through difficult days or long planning sessions after school
    3. A list of commonly used telephone extensions taped to my classroom phone (nurse, co-teachers, sped coordinator, front desk, etc.) & my students’ parent phone numbers taped to my desk in a prominent place. Serves as a reminder to check in and is easier than searching through my cell phone in an emergency or in case of a sub, etc.
    I also have learned the hard way to keep a spare pair of glasses in my desk for days when I lose a contact, or my contacts start to be distractingly uncomfortable. This is a pair I actually got FREE as a promo from an online retailer, so I don’t mind so much if they get lost or damaged and I don’t carry them back and forth every day.

    Reply
    • alyssa

      Alyssa S

      I have something similar to a cheer board too! I keep stackable, bright blue boxes of different sizes on my desk. One of them is full of thank you cards from families and colleagues and pictures and notes from kids.

      I also have a small file box (Scholastic Instant Organizer) that has files for each day, to help with paper management. At the end of the week, I make sure it’s emptied out and files are correctly put away for longer term storage.

      Lastly, a label maker is a great investment. Labeling desk items, like tape dispensers and staplers, ensure that all your items are returned!

      Reply
  3. Chava

    I don’t have my own desk – boo! As a resource/SETSS teacher I share my space with others. So I have to keep everything easily packable. So far I haven’t found the perfect solution but a basic art supply box works well for most things. The compartments hold my collections of markers and pens/pencils, while the bigger bin part keeps my more frequently used bigger things. Books and games which I use different ones at different times I keep at home and drag back and forth in a backpack each day. Siiiigh… the itinerant life.

    Reply
  4. Teri Williams

    My Survival Pack:

    1. Protein bars for an afternoon pick-me-up
    2. Portable hard drive for backing up whatever I am working on at school so that it can travel with me 🙂
    3. Post-it’s…..I use them for marking my place in texts, labeling things I need to copy, and making general notes! Love my post-it’s!!!!

    Teri Williams
    5th grade tomfoolery (blogger)

    Reply
  5. Nicole K

    1. Chargers- I am forever frustrated by dying batteries. This year I brought an extra cell phone and laptop charger to school. One for home, one for school. It has been magical.
    2. Printer- I had an extra printer hanging around the house and I brought it to school. It even prints in color. It’s great for those quick prints: lesson plans, worksheets, awards. No more running to the printer.
    3. Umbrella and Sunglasses- For quick changes in the weather. They make dismissal so much better!

    Reply
  6. Chava

    I don’t have my own desk – boo! As a resource/SETSS teacher I share my space with others. So I have to keep everything easily packable. So far I haven’t found the perfect solution but a basic art supply box works well for most things. The compartments hold my collections of markers and pens/pencils, while the bigger bin part keeps my more frequently used bigger things. Books and games which I use different ones at different times I keep at home and drag back and forth in a backpack each day. Siiiigh… the itinerant life.

    Reply
  7. Teri Williams

    My Survival Pack:

    1. Protein bars for an afternoon pick-me-up
    2. Portable hard drive for backing up whatever I am working on at school so that it can travel with me 🙂
    3. Post-it’s…..I use them for marking my place in texts, labeling things I need to copy, and making general notes! Love my post-it’s!!!!

    Teri Williams
    5th grade tomfoolery (blogger)

    Reply
  8. Nicole K

    1. Chargers- I am forever frustrated by dying batteries. This year I brought an extra cell phone and laptop charger to school. One for home, one for school. It has been magical.
    2. Printer- I had an extra printer hanging around the house and I brought it to school. It even prints in color. It’s great for those quick prints: lesson plans, worksheets, awards. No more running to the printer.
    3. Umbrella and Sunglasses- For quick changes in the weather. They make dismissal so much better!

    Reply
  9. Becky M

    1- Band-Aids/First Aid Kit!! As a teacher for students with special needs, I have plenty of kids with real health needs. Having a first aid kit and first aid training means that I can fix their cuts and scraps, and lose less instruction time taking kids to and from the nurse.
    2- Post-it notes! I make tons of phone calls during the day, and constantly have people asking me to do or remember a million things. Post-it notes are an easy way to record my thoughts before I lose them, keep track of what I am planning, what needs to be copied, where I was in my book, AND for grad school, I use them to take notes in my text books. I would be a mess without my post-it notes.
    3- A desk top calendar! I record dates and times of parent contact, meetings, IEPs, and even short behavior notes on a kid who had a rough day. My desk top calendar is my documentation for everything when I don’t have time to sit and type or update my flexy during the day.

    Reply
  10. Becky M

    1- Band-Aids/First Aid Kit!! As a teacher for students with special needs, I have plenty of kids with real health needs. Having a first aid kit and first aid training means that I can fix their cuts and scraps, and lose less instruction time taking kids to and from the nurse.
    2- Post-it notes! I make tons of phone calls during the day, and constantly have people asking me to do or remember a million things. Post-it notes are an easy way to record my thoughts before I lose them, keep track of what I am planning, what needs to be copied, where I was in my book, AND for grad school, I use them to take notes in my text books. I would be a mess without my post-it notes.
    3- A desk top calendar! I record dates and times of parent contact, meetings, IEPs, and even short behavior notes on a kid who had a rough day. My desk top calendar is my documentation for everything when I don’t have time to sit and type or update my flexy during the day.

    Reply
  11. Lana M

    1. An organizer to keep track of student forms, substitute plans, etc.

    2. Mints or some other type of hard candy.

    3. Writing utensils.

    Reply
  12. Lana M

    1. An organizer to keep track of student forms, substitute plans, etc.

    2. Mints or some other type of hard candy.

    3. Writing utensils.

    Reply
  13. Emily L

    I am an ESL teacher, so I have to be on the move a lot to different classrooms.
    1. My iPhone to keep track of my class management, my schedule, and my to-do lists.
    2. My clipboard for my paper essentials.
    3. Hand Sanitizer! Elementary school germs definitely get around.

    Reply
  14. Emily L

    I am an ESL teacher, so I have to be on the move a lot to different classrooms.
    1. My iPhone to keep track of my class management, my schedule, and my to-do lists.
    2. My clipboard for my paper essentials.
    3. Hand Sanitizer! Elementary school germs definitely get around.

    Reply
  15. N. Smith

    School:
    1. A spinning file and supply holder that holds many necessary teaching items – lesson plans, leader stickers, sharpie pens, data binders, you name it.
    2. My coffee mug next to an always full thermos. Caffeine is a must!
    3. Pictures of previous students for inspiration.

    Home:
    1. Stationery that makes me weak in the knees.
    2. A photo of my wedding party.
    3. Have I mentioned my infatuation with sharpie pens (they don’t bleed)?!

    Reply
  16. N. Smith

    School:
    1. A spinning file and supply holder that holds many necessary teaching items – lesson plans, leader stickers, sharpie pens, data binders, you name it.
    2. My coffee mug next to an always full thermos. Caffeine is a must!
    3. Pictures of previous students for inspiration.

    Home:
    1. Stationery that makes me weak in the knees.
    2. A photo of my wedding party.
    3. Have I mentioned my infatuation with sharpie pens (they don’t bleed)?!

    Reply
  17. Blair Allen Mishleau

    1.) My student file crate: I often have to file student work, quick, between the three-minute passing period before another class starts.

    2.) My handy-dandy rubber football. This thing keeps kids awake when I’m not getting enough hands up: the ball gets tossed your way, you answer for me!

    3.) My clip-board, organized by period. It makes me feel official and makes consequences efficient. Oh, and it keeps kids on their toes when I look at them and make a scribble on the sheet with a stern expression.

    Reply
  18. Blair Allen Mishleau

    1.) My student file crate: I often have to file student work, quick, between the three-minute passing period before another class starts.

    2.) My handy-dandy rubber football. This thing keeps kids awake when I’m not getting enough hands up: the ball gets tossed your way, you answer for me!

    3.) My clip-board, organized by period. It makes me feel official and makes consequences efficient. Oh, and it keeps kids on their toes when I look at them and make a scribble on the sheet with a stern expression.

    Reply
  19. Zoe

    1. Binder clips! I find that paper clips always get lost in the bottom of my bag, and then everything gets disorganized. They are expensive, though, so I am fastidious about returning them to their place when I am done.
    2. Hook on the wall to hang my stopwatch. I never teach without it.
    3. Green tea. I don’t drink coffee or soda, so this is my strongest source of caffiene in a pinch!

    Z. Witzeling

    Reply
  20. Zoe

    1. Binder clips! I find that paper clips always get lost in the bottom of my bag, and then everything gets disorganized. They are expensive, though, so I am fastidious about returning them to their place when I am done.
    2. Hook on the wall to hang my stopwatch. I never teach without it.
    3. Green tea. I don’t drink coffee or soda, so this is my strongest source of caffiene in a pinch!

    Z. Witzeling

    Reply
  21. Arsheen M

    I can never seem to find a pen. so this year a I wrapped 6 or 7 flowers onto some pens and have a bouquet on my desk.

    I can’t do my job if I’m dehydrated so I keep water or some type of beverage on my desk at all times.

    I can not live without my computer. I can record grades as soon as I grade them, enter attendance right than and there, access a website quickly if I come with an idea, use the projection for lessons, and so much more.,

    Reply
  22. Arsheen M

    I can never seem to find a pen. so this year a I wrapped 6 or 7 flowers onto some pens and have a bouquet on my desk.

    I can’t do my job if I’m dehydrated so I keep water or some type of beverage on my desk at all times.

    I can not live without my computer. I can record grades as soon as I grade them, enter attendance right than and there, access a website quickly if I come with an idea, use the projection for lessons, and so much more.,

    Reply
  23. Sue B.

    Mint gum, for a quick breath freshener, before the kids come back in the classroom.
    Hand lotion, I wash my hands so often during the day that they really get dried out.
    Sticky notes in assorted sizes, one size doesn’t necessarily fit all.

    Reply
  24. Sue B.

    Mint gum, for a quick breath freshener, before the kids come back in the classroom.
    Hand lotion, I wash my hands so often during the day that they really get dried out.
    Sticky notes in assorted sizes, one size doesn’t necessarily fit all.

    Reply
  25. Alvarez5th

    I have a three ring binder with emergency lesson plans, enough for three days, since I am always getting strep it seems. I have antibacterial hand sanitizer, and a lipstick to help brighten my mood and look polished.

    Reply
  26. Alvarez5th

    I have a three ring binder with emergency lesson plans, enough for three days, since I am always getting strep it seems. I have antibacterial hand sanitizer, and a lipstick to help brighten my mood and look polished.

    Reply
  27. Shara M.

    1. Desk calendar. I like seeing what’s coming up next to have something to look forward to.
    2. Sharpies! I don’t know what I end up using them so often but they are a must have!
    3. A snack. Just in case I have too light a lunch I need something to supplement planning at the end of the day.

    Reply
  28. Shara M.

    1. Desk calendar. I like seeing what’s coming up next to have something to look forward to.
    2. Sharpies! I don’t know what I end up using them so often but they are a must have!
    3. A snack. Just in case I have too light a lunch I need something to supplement planning at the end of the day.

    Reply
  29. Lisa C.

    Afternoon snacks, mechanical pencils to make corrections in plans and calendar ( I never use a pen too messy to correct), Timers and bell to signal time to stop or start something new. 🙂

    Reply
  30. Jennifer McDowell

    I cannot live without:
    1. My thought catcher. Without it new ideas go out the window or keep swirling around and coming back to me multiple times a day
    2. Extra large ziplock bags— perfect for capturing scraps of construction paper, loose yarn, or whatever stray materials can be reused for another project
    3. A box of felt-tipped pens. Perfect for everything and rarely returned.

    Reply
  31. Laura H

    A three hole puncher (we file a lot of paperwork in binders), a small paper cutter (I’m always trying to save paper and paper cutters help save time and get the job done neatly), fun scissors (for student projects, making signs with more pizazz 🙂
    Many more but these are my favorite 🙂

    Reply
  32. Laura H

    A three hole puncher (we file a lot of paperwork in binders), a small paper cutter (I’m always trying to save paper and paper cutters help save time and get the job done neatly), fun scissors (for student projects, making signs with more pizazz 🙂
    Many more but these are my favorite 🙂

    Reply
  33. Tch1st

    I must have a jacket of some sort.I cannot stand to be cold.
    I keep pens handy in a small basket on my desktop.
    A special apron comes in handy for dry erase markers, cough drops, hand sanitizer, school keys, kleenex and bandaids. I don’t have to walk across the
    room for these items when I am trying to teach.

    Reply
  34. Tch1st

    I must have a jacket of some sort.I cannot stand to be cold.
    I keep pens handy in a small basket on my desktop.
    A special apron comes in handy for dry erase markers, cough drops, hand sanitizer, school keys, kleenex and bandaids. I don’t have to walk across the
    room for these items when I am trying to teach.

    Reply
  35. Lisa C.

    Afternoon snacks, mechanical pencils to make corrections in plans and calendar ( I never use a pen too messy to correct), Timers and bell to signal time to stop or start something new. 🙂

    Reply
  36. Jennifer McDowell

    I cannot live without:
    1. My thought catcher. Without it new ideas go out the window or keep swirling around and coming back to me multiple times a day
    2. Extra large ziplock bags— perfect for capturing scraps of construction paper, loose yarn, or whatever stray materials can be reused for another project
    3. A box of felt-tipped pens. Perfect for everything and rarely returned.

    Reply
  37. Amanda Goodrich

    1. My fun, pom-pom pen! I love writing with it and my kids think I’m so cool!
    2. My teacher to-do/ideas notepad. I am always thinking of new ideas or something I need to do and having this notepad handy keeps me on task.
    3. Charm Suckers! They are great incentives for my students, and I seem to think clearer with a little sweetness in my brain!

    Reply
  38. Amanda Goodrich

    1. My fun, pom-pom pen! I love writing with it and my kids think I’m so cool!
    2. My teacher to-do/ideas notepad. I am always thinking of new ideas or something I need to do and having this notepad handy keeps me on task.
    3. Charm Suckers! They are great incentives for my students, and I seem to think clearer with a little sweetness in my brain!

    Reply
  39. Lesley

    My travel power strip with surge protection, 3 outlets, and 2 USB slots – so I can charge my phone iPad and laptop. A few bandaids- for myself or my students who don’t really need to see the nurse for that invisible paper cut! And I love the rolling pen style dispenser of correction tape – no waiting for white out to dry on something you need to fix and copy fast!

    Reply
  40. Lesley

    My travel power strip with surge protection, 3 outlets, and 2 USB slots – so I can charge my phone iPad and laptop. A few bandaids- for myself or my students who don’t really need to see the nurse for that invisible paper cut! And I love the rolling pen style dispenser of correction tape – no waiting for white out to dry on something you need to fix and copy fast!

    Reply
  41. Karen A.

    My top 3:
    Aspirin!
    Water and snacks (I teach 730 to 415, and need to recharge on the go)
    An extra or two of each of my favorite pens ( I love the friction erasable ones)

    Reply
  42. Karen A.

    My top 3:
    Aspirin!
    Water and snacks (I teach 730 to 415, and need to recharge on the go)
    An extra or two of each of my favorite pens ( I love the friction erasable ones)

    Reply
  43. Betsy S.

    Gotta have a stash of makeup/grooming supplies, water, and energy bars. I teach theatre and sometimes have looooooong rehearsal days.

    Reply
  44. Betsy S.

    Gotta have a stash of makeup/grooming supplies, water, and energy bars. I teach theatre and sometimes have looooooong rehearsal days.

    Reply
  45. Michelle K

    I keep instant stain remover in my desk for times when I or a student spill something on my clothes. It definitely prevents a day from going from bad to worse. I also keep two go to dvds in my desk for very unexpected situations such as being on lock down all day when you normally only have a class for fifty minutes. Lastly, I keep my old digital camera at work so if I randomly get the urge to document an event I can do so. No more wishing I had my camera with me, and since it is an old camera I am less worried about it getting broken or lost.

    Reply
  46. Michelle K

    I keep instant stain remover in my desk for times when I or a student spill something on my clothes. It definitely prevents a day from going from bad to worse. I also keep two go to dvds in my desk for very unexpected situations such as being on lock down all day when you normally only have a class for fifty minutes. Lastly, I keep my old digital camera at work so if I randomly get the urge to document an event I can do so. No more wishing I had my camera with me, and since it is an old camera I am less worried about it getting broken or lost.

    Reply
  47. Barbara C.

    1. a colorful “train case”-style cosmetic bag filled with personal hygiene/personal care/comfort/grooming items
    2. protein bars
    3. assorted tea bags, including green tea for energy and herbal teas for de-stressing (chamomile, hibiscus, etc.)

    Reply
  48. Barbara C.

    1. a colorful “train case”-style cosmetic bag filled with personal hygiene/personal care/comfort/grooming items
    2. protein bars
    3. assorted tea bags, including green tea for energy and herbal teas for de-stressing (chamomile, hibiscus, etc.)

    Reply
  49. Sunita Yadavalli

    I would say the three most important things on my desk are:

    1. extra folders to put any and every kind of paper that I receive throughout the day
    2. A clipboard with a to-do list of anything that I need to update/fix in my classroom because after a long day with the kids, I usually forget what I wanted to do in the morning!
    3. A picture of my family to remind me to smile whenever I am overwhelmed!

    Reply
  50. Sunita Yadavalli

    I would say the three most important things on my desk are:

    1. extra folders to put any and every kind of paper that I receive throughout the day
    2. A clipboard with a to-do list of anything that I need to update/fix in my classroom because after a long day with the kids, I usually forget what I wanted to do in the morning!
    3. A picture of my family to remind me to smile whenever I am overwhelmed!

    Reply
  51. Sharkey A.

    I’m an inclusion teacher, so while I have my own desk in a room, I am almost never there so my absolute most important survival item is my clipboard with master planner attached (which includes reference info, parent info, student tracker and observation sheets, idea-catcher, and where my students are supposed to be and when my own schedule).

    For my physical desk, I keep a board with magnet poetry – this helps me when I’m meeting with students or they come in for their recess period to talk or ask for help. As their written expression is often low, these students often thrive at arranging the words to express ideas, either for purposes of communicating exactly how they are feeling (many of my students have behavioural plans) or simply to explore language. They often follow-up their own creations with an exploration of the dictionary. I use it too during my own quiet time to arrange thoughts through some word therapy.

    Finally, I keep a collection of various coloured expo markers and fine print sharpies – I have almost the rainbow and then some. It helps my students visualize what is a new step/a different part of the language/etc, and it keeps me feeling good because I get to use my favourite colours! I’m all about the little things!

    Reply
  52. Sharkey A.

    I’m an inclusion teacher, so while I have my own desk in a room, I am almost never there so my absolute most important survival item is my clipboard with master planner attached (which includes reference info, parent info, student tracker and observation sheets, idea-catcher, and where my students are supposed to be and when my own schedule).

    For my physical desk, I keep a board with magnet poetry – this helps me when I’m meeting with students or they come in for their recess period to talk or ask for help. As their written expression is often low, these students often thrive at arranging the words to express ideas, either for purposes of communicating exactly how they are feeling (many of my students have behavioural plans) or simply to explore language. They often follow-up their own creations with an exploration of the dictionary. I use it too during my own quiet time to arrange thoughts through some word therapy.

    Finally, I keep a collection of various coloured expo markers and fine print sharpies – I have almost the rainbow and then some. It helps my students visualize what is a new step/a different part of the language/etc, and it keeps me feeling good because I get to use my favourite colours! I’m all about the little things!

    Reply
  53. Tara s

    Tara s
    1. Clorox wipes- My desk is the kidney table
    2. Gum
    3.. Paper clips

    Reply
  54. Tara s

    Tara s
    1. Clorox wipes- My desk is the kidney table
    2. Gum
    3.. Paper clips

    Reply
  55. Coco E

    1) Band aids – I teach 8th graders and they seem to always want a band aid for the most RANDOM things. Instead of sending them to the nurse, I always make sure to have some on hand.

    2) My planner – Cannot leave home without it. I think I would cry if I ever lost it!

    3) My clipboard – I keep a clipboard for each of my 6 blocks nearby…it has my attendance, seating chart, and lesson plans for the day.

    Reply
  56. Coco E

    1) Band aids – I teach 8th graders and they seem to always want a band aid for the most RANDOM things. Instead of sending them to the nurse, I always make sure to have some on hand.

    2) My planner – Cannot leave home without it. I think I would cry if I ever lost it!

    3) My clipboard – I keep a clipboard for each of my 6 blocks nearby…it has my attendance, seating chart, and lesson plans for the day.

    Reply
  57. Lauren G

    1. A coffee mug and spoon. Spoons always magically disappear, so I always keep a spare!

    2. A giant three-hole punch. It forces me and my students to stay organized!

    3. Pens pens pens pens pens! I am never in the same classroom twice, so they end up all over the school.

    Reply
  58. Lauren G

    1. A coffee mug and spoon. Spoons always magically disappear, so I always keep a spare!

    2. A giant three-hole punch. It forces me and my students to stay organized!

    3. Pens pens pens pens pens! I am never in the same classroom twice, so they end up all over the school.

    Reply
  59. Mary B

    Emergency oatmeal–I never know what might come up during my “lunch” or if I will suddenly have to stay later than expected to finish a project.

    Cards/pictures from students and families I’ve worked with over the years–reminders of past success keep me going on rough days.

    Pens in multiple colors 🙂 A green or purple pen can do wonders to improve my mood!

    Reply
  60. Mary B

    Emergency oatmeal–I never know what might come up during my “lunch” or if I will suddenly have to stay later than expected to finish a project.

    Cards/pictures from students and families I’ve worked with over the years–reminders of past success keep me going on rough days.

    Pens in multiple colors 🙂 A green or purple pen can do wonders to improve my mood!

    Reply
  61. Kirsten S

    1. Computer

    2. Sharpened Pencils

    3. Chocolate covered almonds

    Reply
  62. Kirsten S

    1. Computer

    2. Sharpened Pencils

    3. Chocolate covered almonds

    Reply
  63. Katie Zold

    Three things I cannot live without:

    1. Glitter gel pens (My master teacher when student teaching turned me on to these-it’s my way to pay respect).

    2. Hand lotion (because washing my hands a ton always dries them out).

    3. Blank cards-writing your co-workers notes of encouragement (or thanks) is very crucial!

    Katie Zold.

    Reply
  64. Katie Zold

    Three things I cannot live without:

    1. Glitter gel pens (My master teacher when student teaching turned me on to these-it’s my way to pay respect).

    2. Hand lotion (because washing my hands a ton always dries them out).

    3. Blank cards-writing your co-workers notes of encouragement (or thanks) is very crucial!

    Katie Zold.

    Reply
  65. Danielle McIntosh

    I love my G2 pens, with labels so no one swipes them. They are colorful, which brightens my day. I made personalized postcards from VistaPrint, so I can use those for thank you notes or to jot a quick Ata Boy. My last item is file folders. I buy a bright multi pack then throw anything and everything in a bright folder…for students, teachers, parents, etc.

    PS- I, too, am a Special Ed resource teacher with no planning period, except I’m at the middle school level. Yikes!

    Reply
  66. Danielle McIntosh

    I love my G2 pens, with labels so no one swipes them. They are colorful, which brightens my day. I made personalized postcards from VistaPrint, so I can use those for thank you notes or to jot a quick Ata Boy. My last item is file folders. I buy a bright multi pack then throw anything and everything in a bright folder…for students, teachers, parents, etc.

    PS- I, too, am a Special Ed resource teacher with no planning period, except I’m at the middle school level. Yikes!

    Reply
  67. Laurelin Andrade

    1. A compact mirror (for when I accidentally bring a lunch with spinach!)
    2. A folder in which I store every kind word a student has ever written me (for THOSE days…)
    3. White out tape (because I can’t stand messy-looking documents)

    Reply
  68. Laurelin Andrade

    1. A compact mirror (for when I accidentally bring a lunch with spinach!)
    2. A folder in which I store every kind word a student has ever written me (for THOSE days…)
    3. White out tape (because I can’t stand messy-looking documents)

    Reply
  69. Faizan Seedat

    Personalized baby gifts are super cute and amazing. When I
    had my baby, all my colleagues and my friends got me “tiny cute cards.” I
    really appreciated that gesture.

    Reply
  70. Faizan Seedat

    Personalized baby gifts are super cute and amazing. When I
    had my baby, all my colleagues and my friends got me “tiny cute cards.” I
    really appreciated that gesture.

    Reply
  71. Jessica L.

    Jessica L.
    1. Water
    2. 3-hole punch
    3. post-it note

    Reply
  72. Jessica L.

    Jessica L.
    1. Water
    2. 3-hole punch
    3. post-it note

    Reply
  73. Theresa Peele Smith

    Snacks, plenty of pens and markers, and imodium because my class periods are 90 mins. ..and sometimes mexican the night before wasn’t such a great idea!!! 😉

    Reply
  74. Theresa Peele Smith

    Snacks, plenty of pens and markers, and imodium because my class periods are 90 mins. ..and sometimes mexican the night before wasn’t such a great idea!!! 😉

    Reply
  75. Jacquelynn

    My desk MUST have…
    1 – a heavy duty three hole punch. Both my students and I live with binders, so if something isn’t hole punched when it enters the room, it is within seconds!

    2 – pen, pencil, and marker buckets – What can I say? I’m a pen junkie!

    3 – my paper organizer – This holds all of the copies, lesson outlines, and kid work that we are currently working on for each subject. It sits on the outside edge of my desk so I can reach it from the back when I am sitting at my desk or from the front when I am teaching!

    Reply
  76. Jacquelynn

    My desk MUST have…
    1 – a heavy duty three hole punch. Both my students and I live with binders, so if something isn’t hole punched when it enters the room, it is within seconds!

    2 – pen, pencil, and marker buckets – What can I say? I’m a pen junkie!

    3 – my paper organizer – This holds all of the copies, lesson outlines, and kid work that we are currently working on for each subject. It sits on the outside edge of my desk so I can reach it from the back when I am sitting at my desk or from the front when I am teaching!

    Reply
  77. Joanna V.

    Joanna V.
    1. My favourite pens – I feel so much better using my favourite pens to write almost anything – strange but true!
    2. My favourite tea – tension tamer tea – My day begins with a good cup of tea.
    3. Bottle of water – what can I say – lots of talking so of course drinking lots of water to stay healthy all day long!

    Reply
  78. Joanna V.

    Joanna V.
    1. My favourite pens – I feel so much better using my favourite pens to write almost anything – strange but true!
    2. My favourite tea – tension tamer tea – My day begins with a good cup of tea.
    3. Bottle of water – what can I say – lots of talking so of course drinking lots of water to stay healthy all day long!

    Reply
  79. Camille Provencal

    Camille P
    3 must haves in my desk are definitely
    1. stapler,
    2. handheld pencil sharpener
    3. trailmix

    nothing too exciting or different, but helps me make it through they day!

    Reply
  80. Camille Provencal

    Camille P
    3 must haves in my desk are definitely
    1. stapler,
    2. handheld pencil sharpener
    3. trailmix

    nothing too exciting or different, but helps me make it through they day!

    Reply
  81. Camille P

    3 must haves in my desk are definitely
    1. stapler,
    2. handheld pencil sharpener
    3. trailmix

    nothing too exciting or different, but helps me make it through they day!

    Reply
  82. Camille P

    3 must haves in my desk are definitely
    1. stapler,
    2. handheld pencil sharpener
    3. trailmix

    nothing too exciting or different, but helps me make it through they day!

    Reply
  83. kathy N

    1. hand lotion – dry cracked hands from paper handling – L’occitane is the best!
    2. water bottle
    3. ibuprophen

    Reply
  84. kathy N

    1. hand lotion – dry cracked hands from paper handling – L’occitane is the best!
    2. water bottle
    3. ibuprophen

    Reply
  85. Sorby G

    1. Hand Sanitizer
    2. Colorful pens for grading
    3. Binder clips for bigger stacks of paper

    Reply
  86. Sorby G

    1. Hand Sanitizer
    2. Colorful pens for grading
    3. Binder clips for bigger stacks of paper

    Reply
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