Must Have Supplies for New Teachers

Congratulations! You just landed your very first teaching job. Whether you’re a ball of energy or a nervous wreck (it’s totally normal to be both), I have compiled a list of some new teacher essentials you can start searching for now.

Remember, some teacher supplies need to wait for purchase until you have your exact subject level assignment and you’ve seen the layout of your classroom. BUT…here are a few things you can start collecting now.

Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means that if you click on them and decide to make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I certainly appreciate your support!

Teacher Calendar or Planner

• There are so many options here as far as size, color, orientations, note sections/no note sections, spiraled, etc.
• Find one that caters to how you “record” best.
• For example, I loved using a large desk calendar like THIS ONE so that I could see a huge overview each day/week/month. It had enough room for me to jot down notes along the sides and keep track of minor things throughout the week.

Stickers

• Whether your students are 5 or 18 years old, I PROMISE YOU, they will want a sticker!
• Make sure to find some stickers, like the ones listed below, that can be used across all subjects.
• Also, get some packs of different sized STICKERS. There are SO many uses for these, and the kids, of all ages, love to be affirmed in this small way. Click on any image below for further details.

Magnets with Clips

• In just about every single classroom I’ve taught in or visited, I see a TON of these. You’ll want them.
• They are super versatile and come in a ton of different colors and designs. I like the ones BELOW.

Post-Its (in all different sizes)

• As a prior teacher, I cannot tell you how many times I had to “grab something quick and write it down.”
• ENTER – Post-Its…and they need to be the name brand, too, like the ones BELOW. You can click on each image for more details. I have used many post-its that weren’t actually Post-Its, and they NEVER stuck to my computer, calendar, board, or whatever I needed them to stick to.

Dry Erase Markers (all colors)

• This is kind of a “DUH” essential.
• In EVERY classroom I’ve been in, there is some sort of “whiteboarding” going on whether it’s the teacher at the front of the room or the student at a desk.
• It is essential that you load up on these in every size, shape, and color, like the photos BELOW.

Turn-in Trays

• Students turn in work to the teacher, plain and simple.
• You’ll want a community place for them to do so that’s NOT your desk, which makes these turn in trays great for your classroom. If not, your desk will become a mountain of frustration.
• If you want to stay organized, especially if you teach many subjects and/or levels, get something like THIS.

Desktop Caddy

• Sometimes, you’ll get a teacher desk with slide out trays and cabinets, and sometimes, you won’t.
• It’s a great idea to snag a desk caddy, similar to the picture BELOW, to house all of your “teachery” things.
• You can customize these easily, too, with labels.

Legit Pencil Sharpener

• Remember those old school, nailed to the wall pencil sharpeners that always found a way to break, clog, spit tiny wood chips at you, or whatever? BYE.
• You need to invest in a decent, legit pencil sharpener that will get the job done for you and your students. You’d be surprised how many high schoolers still prefer to use pencil over pen!
• One like BELOW would look fab on a shelf in your classroom.

Laminator

• You may think only elementary teachers use personal laminators but, oh NO, NO.
• Small laminators, like the ONE BELOW, can definitely come in handy if you want to preserve lesson plan items year after year.
• Sometimes, million pound, heavy duty, community laminators is what you need for a classroom project but, oftentimes, it’s NOT what you need.
• Get a personal laminator, and save yourself some time.
• Don’t forget to purchase the LAMINATOR SHEETS, too!

Paper Cutter

• I promise you’ll use this more than you think.
• Having a personal PAPER CUTTER in your classroom can save a lot of headache when you need to do things like update bulletin boards, prepare lessons plans, and such.
• Something like below is all you need.

I’m positive there are some I’m leaving out, but the above essentials will give you a great head start. Please stay tuned to my page for more helpful hints and recommendations that will help you navigate your journey as a new teacher. Thank you for choosing this profession!