With many schools back in session, teachers need to keep their rooms fully stocked with the right tools, resources, and materials. Not everything that you need in the classroom is on every back-to-school shopping list—some items bring the comfort of a home office to your workplace. Whether you’re an educator or an administrator, consider these four essential items teachers must have in their classrooms when preparing for the year ahead of them.
Electric Kettle
By nature, teaching requires a lot of talking—whether the teacher speaks to the class or individuals. Staying hydrated is a priority, but sometimes, your throat needs some extra care after several back-to-back lectures. Keep an electric kettle around your desk so you can make a quick cup of tea without needing to run off to the break room. Bring your favorite tea bags to school along with some honey for an instant pick-me-up on a cold day.
Also, do you have students that like tea? Consider sharing your hot water with them!
Emergency Kit and First Aid Kit
If disaster ever strikes, teachers must be prepared with the right tools and supplies to keep their class safe. Keeping an emergency kit in the room ensures that if anything happens that separates the class from the rest of the school, you can handle it to the best of your ability.
In their emergency kit, every teacher should have:
- A flashlight.
- A standard first aid kit.
- A list of their students by class, along with emergency contact information.
- Batteries.
- A portable, rechargeable phone charger.
- A way to communicate with the school without cellphones, like a two-way radio.
Update your emergency kit before the start of every school year to ensure that everything is in working order. If you have a school-issued two-way radio in the kit, make sure you know how to use it. Knowing how to use your two-way radio during an emergency can make all the difference.
Sanitizing Supplies
In the wake of the pandemic, we’ve emphasized classroom cleanliness and personal hygiene. Don’t run a classroom without plenty of hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, and cleaning spray for everyone to use. Even if the school provides you with cleaning supplies, bringing your own can ensure that you don’t have to use the same products as the kids do.
Secondary Light Sources
As the final thing on this list of four essential items teachers must have in their classrooms, bring your own floor lamps, string lights, and desk lamps to use instead of the harsh ceiling lights. This will do you and your photosensitive students a major favor. The bright fluorescent lights often cause headaches—or even migraines—for light-sensitive students. You’ll also appreciate having a moment to relax with mood lighting during lunch breaks or downtime!
