It’s 2:40, the dismissal bell is about to ring, I’m helping my students pack up & that’s when I hear it. It is like the heavens have opened and the river above is now falling to Earth. I looked outside only to see that my once beautifully blue sky is now charcoal gray. Knowing I’m lucky enough to have the dismissal duty of loading the students in their cars, I took a quick glance around for any type of rain gear only to discover that in between prepping lessons & my classroom, ensuring the constant needs of each of my 22 students were met, & attending staff meetings it had never crossed my mind that in the event of a dismissal duty downpour I would be more comfortable if I had an umbrella for protection while I stood outside for 20 minutes or even rain boots so my shoes were not ruined.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve come to find there are some essential items to have at school. My first couple of years, it seemed like every week there was something new I needed to bring for the purpose of being comfortable & feeling organized. The more prepared we are in meeting our basic necessities, the more effectively & efficiently we can help our students. Below is my checklist of items I always keep at school & make sure I still have in my classroom at the beginning of each year.

1. A small toiletry bag

I fill mine with floss, lotion, toothbrush/toothpaste, chapstick, mints, sunscreen & anything extra I sometimes find myself needing. I’ve always just had my own bag from home filled with these items. One of my co-workers had recently gotten this Minimergency kit as a gift and we were both surprised with how useful the items in the kit were, especially for how small the kit is!

2.  Teacher Pencils

I’m not really a germophobe – how can a teacher be? But I must say the love I have for my students is as wide as my disdain for getting sick. I can only imagine how many germs are on their pencils so I feel like this is a good precautionary step. The led in my own set of “teacher” pencils is still charcoal gray but the outside of the pencils are colorful. Sometimes I give my students special birthday pencils or occasion pencils but never any that look like mine.

3. A Bell

These bells are the perfect way to pleasantly let your students know it is time to come in from recess. I used to use a whistle to call my students in but there was the germ factor & the fact that when I had a sub there wasn’t anything for him/her to use. All of the teachers on my campus use these bells and so I hopped on that bandwagon. My first bell I ordered was from scholastic. I was so excited about it but it broke within a month. So I would definitely recommend this brand. Perhaps buy 1 set as a team & then each teacher gets a certain color. Honestly, I feel this is something all elementary schools should give their new teachers as a welcome gift because it is such a necessity!

4. Badge Clip & Key Holder

I love my badge clip/key holder! While this is really just designed for badge clips, I put my keys on it too.  My keys are kept together on a key ring. I slide the plastic part of the clip into the ring and then I slide my badge on next. I used to wear a lanyard at one point but just didn’t feel like it was my style & I didn’t like having something kind of heavy (I had that old whistle on it too). Now that I don’t use the whistle, the clip is great! I suggest having it personalized with what your students call you rather than your first name 🙂

5. Field Trip Tote

This is one of my favorite recent purchases. Being a teacher is all about being prepared. Here is what I put in my field trip tote: bandaids, ziplock baggie of kleenex, items from the nurse – meaning if a student has a medical condition, the nurse gives us their medicine (like an EPIpen) to take along, my cell phones, & my wallet.

6. Blanket

If you live anywhere like me, the weather can turn in an instant and there is nothing worse than a recess when it is cold – especially since we are monitoring and not running around building up that body heat! A blanket is a MUST! All of my coworkers and I have one that we bring. It’s perfect when the temperature has quickly changed and as an extra layer in the winter time.

7. Rain boots & large umbrella

Remember my story from above? Well I ALWAYS keep a pair of cheap rain boots & large umbrella in my closet at school. I no longer mind when it rains during my dismissal duty. It makes me so happy to know that I have a pair of water resistant shoes & an umbrella to keep me dry.

8. Sunglasses

I often find myself having to run back into my classroom to grab my sunnies before heading out to recess &/or dismissal duty so that I can best monitor the students. I keep a pair of these cheapies where I can quickly grab them.

9. Sweater

Notice a trend in numbers 6, 7, 8, & 9? 😉 A sweater is a must at my campus. My school’s works this way – it’s either all hot or all cold AND it can’t change half way through the day. I suppose a blanket could also work in this instance but I feel like ascetically it’s unprofessional to walk through the halls wearing a blanket.

10. Receipt Holders

If you are like me, you find yourself constantly buying new items to help meet the needs of your students. I do make sure I keep all my “school purchase receipts” in a separate envelope. I like this one because it is small enough that I can keep it in my everyday purse.

11. Mini-Fridge

Whether it’s storing my lunches or items parents bring for special classroom events/parties, I cannot describe now often a mini-fridge is used. I like to have mine have a small freezer so that I can store “ice packs” for my students to use (i.e. I wet a paper towel, fold it nicely into a ziploc baggie, & freeze it).

12. Student Information Binder

This 1 inch binder holds the forms my students’ parents fill out at back to school night, my campus directory & calendars, my planning calendars (i.e. my general outline of what to teach each week, master copies of various announcements, etc). This cover helps me distinguish this binder from others.

13. Personalized Notepads & Stationary

I find myself constantly writing messages to other teachers, our librarian, the office & that a quick physical note gives me a quicker answer than an e-mail. When I need to write this note, it’s usually somewhat urgent & writing it should take as little time away from my students as possible. Personalized stationary makes the process more efficient because I don’t have to sign my name.

Writing notes & cards to classroom families adds a personal touch & fosters relationships. While any notepad & card works for this instance, I ascetically prefer personalized ones.

14. Desk Calendar

Really, any type of calendar/planner works. Glancing over at this desk calendar while I write a quick note keeps me on track for daily occurrences. My notepads fit nicely in the “notes” section of the calendar. My entire life I used a regular planner but I found that in teaching, I didn’t open my planner as much. During meetings, I write dates on our “meeting minutes” and then transfer them onto my calendar. While I don’t have a teacher desk in my classroom, this calendar fits nicely on my teacher cubby cart.