You work hard to create the perfect learning environment for your students, but part of the room that often receives less attention is the teacher desk. This is your space in a room for your students, and it should be a place where you feel organized and can get work done. Whether you like your desk to be eye-catching, or just want a clean and organized space, we’ve got some tips for prepping your teacher desk for back to school.
6 Back to School Ideas for Your Teacher Desk
Dress Up That Filing Cabinet
Just because you have a filing cabinet full of your important papers, lesson plan ideas, and student information, doesn’t mean that it has to look like your everyday filing cabinet. Try labeling the drawers with decorative letters or cover the cabinet with decorative paper. Use Scotch Expressions tape to make a fun border, or add a temporary whiteboard surface to the side for notes or an inspirational phrase.
Keep Utensils Organized and Ready
Need a pen? Don’t spend 5 minutes trying to distinguish between your mechanical pencils and colored pens to leave a note or sign a document. Keep your pencils, pens, and markers organized, sorted, and easy to access. This see-through storage cube makes it easy to view your writing utensils, and this desktop organizer has a spot for your phone!
Hang Clipboards With Important Info
Need help remembering where students sit during back to school? Want to make sure you have access to your daily schedule? Hang some decorated clipboards on the wall next to or behind your desk if you have the space, and you’ll find they are useful as well as a great way to cover boring wall space. Make DIY decorative clipboards with your choice of playful, patterned paper!
Hide Under the Desk Mess
Using cheerful paper to cover the sides of your plain desk can be a great way to carry the theme of your classroom into your desk area. Wrapping paper or fun-colored paper rolls can be decorated and changed with the seasons. Students will love seeing the prints/colors and it’s also a budget-friendly way to update an older desk.
Keep Drink Rings Off Your Desk
Whether you’re a coffee consumer or you just prefer to drink some ice water out of a water bottle, you’re going to want to set your drink down when you sit at your desk. Save yourself the hassle of dealing with condensation and rings on your desk by investing in disposable absorbent coasters.
Hide Teacher-Only Essentials In the Drawer
There are some items that you’ll want to keep for yourself, and would prefer students didn’t get their hands on. These might include a set of Sharpie markers, your favorite gel pens, a couple rubber bands/hair ties, breath mints, cough drops, Advil, change for the vending machine, Post-it notes, a fresh dry erase marker, and a glue stick.
What are your teacher desk essentials? Did you come up with any fun ideas for making your teacher desk space your own this year? Feel free to share your ideas in the comments below!
