Most teachers face a common challenge: keeping their desks clean and organized. With all the student work, lesson plan paperwork, and other classroom supplies you deal with on a daily basis, it’s understandable that keeping your desk neat and clutter-free can be a challenge.
5 Ways to Organize Your Teacher’s Desk
Fortunately, with a little bit of effort and the right supplies, you can be on your way to a clean and organized desk in no time.
Make Your Teacher’s Desk Area More Efficient
Prioritizing Your Paperwork
With so many papers making their way onto your desk each day, having some kind of filing system in place is a must. A good way to organize and file your papers is to have separate trays for different priorities and tasks. For example, you might have separate trays for homework that needs to be graded, homework that needs to be handed back, and papers that need to be filed.
Relocate Your Decorations
All those adorable photo frames and other desk decor you’ve accumulated over the years are nice to look at, but they can also take away from the working space you have on your desk. Consider moving all of your desk decorations to the top of a nearby filing cabinet, hanging shelf above your desk, or separate table. This will maximize your workspace without making you get rid of those prized possessions.
Take Time for Labeling
A label machine is a teacher’s best friend for a number of reasons. For starters, labeling different parts of your desk (drawers, bins, files, etc.) is a great way to stay organized. However, labeling is also a lifesaver for those situations where you need to bring in a substitute teacher. Having everything clearly labeled will help your sub know where everything is, which will keep the classroom operating more smoothly in your absence.
Stick to the Essentials
Having too much on your desktop will not only reduce your amount of available workspace, but also creates unnecessary clutter. Consider moving your non-essential desk items into drawers or bins so that they’re easily available when you need them but out of the way otherwise. Some essentials worth keeping on your desk include a lesson plan binder, stapler, and pens/pencils.
Tidy Up Every Day
Coming into the classroom to a cluttered and messy desk gets your day off to a bad start. Take a few minutes to tidy up your desk before you leave work; doing so will help get your day off to the right start.
More Classroom and Desk Organization Tips and Tools
Looking for supplies to better organize your desk or classroom? Check out the other posts in the School Supplies category of the School Specialty blog. You’ll find more great ideas and inspiration for your classroom.
