20 best organizational items for teachers

by | Jul 15, 2023 | Teacher Tips & Hacks

Teachers are known for going crazy over awesome new stationary and organizational items! Why? Because being a teacher is hard and overwhelming and these little things bring us JOY! Having a tidy organized space helps us feel calm and in control, while aesthetically pleasing stationary helps us feel a sense of excitement. 

In this blog post, I’ll share a list of my 20 must-have organizational items for teachers. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting your teaching journey, these tools will not only save you time and effort but also enhance your classroom management skills. From planners to storage solutions, I’ve compiled the essential items that will transform your teaching space into an oasis of order and productivity.

best organizational items for teachers

best organizational items for teachers

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20 best organizational items for teachers

1. Device holder: These are great for keeping your devices organise and easy to grab. Whether they are your own devices or you have some class ipads etc, it also makes it easy to set up a charging station.

2. Rotating pen holder: Apart from being functional, there is also something very satisfying about having all your pens and markers and stationary displayed so beautifully and neatly on your desk.

3. Magnetic shelf for whiteboard: This might be a weird one but hear me out – these magnetic shelves are so versatile! Whether you want to display a couple of books or put some pen holders for your whiteboard markers, or even just a pretty plant, they are a great space saver for a practical location.

4. Magnetic anchor chart / date holder: This is a great way to display the day’s date, anchor chart, key words or important information on the whiteboard where all students can see it.

5. Teacher planner: Of all the organizational items for teachers, this is probably a non-negotiable. I love a pretty teacher planner and there are so many out there! Make sure you check the inside of them to check it has all the features you like and that it works with how your school is run (e.g. 5 period day or 6 period day etc).

6. Slide clicker: This is a game changer for classroom management. It allows you to wander around the room and ensure students are engaged while still maintaining control of your screen. Gone are the days you need to be pinned to the front of the room so you can press ‘next slide’!

7. Doorbell: This has two functions in my classroom. The first is to gain students’ attention back after an activity. It is great because I don’t need to raise my voice and students know what it means. The second function is to actually have one at my classroom door. Since my classroom is often a bit noisy with the types of activities I run, if someone knocks on the door I can’t hear it. The second doorbell lets me know when someone is there. I have a different tone for each doorbell so I know which is which.

best organizational items for teachers

8. Magnetic ruler for whiteboard: There are so many times I go to draw a straight line and it turns out wonky… until I got one of these! Definitely a worthwhile investment.

9. Classroom Drawers: To be honest I don’t really have a use for these as a highschool teacher, however my primary school teaching friends can’t live without them!

10. Trolley moveable: This is such a practical purchase that can be changed and updated to suit whatever you need. I actually have one of these at my house for organising my kids art things.

11. Bulletin Pegs: These bulletin board pegs are so so cute! Pin them up and then just clip in relevant anchor charts or displays without having to constantly push the pins in and out of the board. This makes changing displays so much quicker.

12. Storage bags: While plastic storage tubs seem to be all the rage, I actually find these better for saving space. Perfect for storing task cards, student work or activities.

13. Label maker: A device to create neat and consistent labels for files, bins, and classroom items, this blutooth label maker is a must-have. 

best organizational items for teachers

14. Desk calendar: I find it really handy to have a full month in front of me so I can see upcoming events, disturbances to our lessons and plans. 

15. Name cards: When starting with a new class it can take some time to learn all their names. These cute name plates are perfect for helping students know where to sit and helping you learn their names, while also bringing some cute style to your classroom.

16. Hanging folders: Use hanging folders in to keep things organised without taking up space in the classroom.

17. Teacher toolbox: These hardware type boxes are so great for organising any bits and bobs that you have lying around. Pair this with your label maker and you are ready to go!

18. Document scanner: A device to quickly digitize important papers and reduce paper clutter. This portable one is small and easy to use.

19. Cable management solutions: Use cable clips or zip ties to keep computer and electronic cords organized and untangled. This pack is cheap and versatile to keep all your cables safely tucked away.

20. Teacher bag: When thinking about organizational items for teachers, don’t forget about your teacher bag! I love the external pockets on this bag which make it easy to grab things from but also to check if you’ve forgotten to pack anything.

best organizational items for teachers

Conclusion

In the fast-paced world of teaching, organization is the key to maintaining sanity and maximizing our impact as educators. The 30 must-have organizational items for teachers presented in this blog post offer practical solutions to the challenges we face in the classroom. From the essential teacher planner to the versatile storage bins, these tools empower us to create an environment that is conducive to effective teaching and learning.

Remember, organization goes beyond just the physical space. It extends to our digital world as well. Embrace the use of technology such as document scanners and online platforms for seamless organization and quick access to resources. By harnessing the power of these tools, you can reduce clutter, improve workflow, and create a more efficient teaching environment.

What’s are your favourite organizational items for teachers?

Please share your thoughts in the comments!

best organizational items for teachers

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Written by Katrina

Katrina Harte is a multi-award winning educator from Sydney, Australia who specialises in creating resources that support teachers and engage students.
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