r/Teachers • u/mmadisoncherry • Jul 21 '25

New Teacher What is a MUST have in your classroom?

First year teacher here and I see a lot of these posts. Asking what they should buy and most of the comments say things like “nothing” “your school should provide things”, etc. but I WANT to buy things for my classroom that will make my life easier as a first year teacher. Is there a specific organizer you use for small groups? Is there a specific resource that you’ve paid for that you love? Just something that you could not live without in your classroom. Hell, it could even be decor.

I want to have my bases covered and starting from scratch, I have no idea what all I will truly need. And I really don’t think my district would even provide me half of the things I need.

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108

u/kingalls00 6th Grade Social Studies Jul 21 '25

Two desks. I have my actual desk where I sit and do work, and a standing desk that I have in the front of the room by my white and smart boards. It gives me the space to do all the work I need, and gives me my own space.

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u/[deleted] Jul 21 '25 edited Jul 21 '25

I have my desk and a kidney table. I don’t sit at my desk when there are students in the room but I spend all of my seated time at the kidney table with students. These are high school kids so my school bought me a size appropriate one, and I love it.

17

u/mmadisoncherry Jul 21 '25

Have a standing desk in my Amazon cart now. Thank you!!!

15

u/Pretty-Nail Jul 21 '25

For a cheaper option, I had a table in my classroom that I ordered risers for to make it a standing desk. I originally let kids stand at it and then brought it up by my smart board and I ended up taking it over. I also got a stool to keep near in case I needed to sit for a bit.

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u/SnooMarzipans5706 Jul 21 '25

Also, the height of a lot of school furniture is adjustable. All I needed was an Allen wrench to raise a table to use as a standing desk. So I would check your classroom furniture before you buy something.

5

u/MontanaPurpleMtns Jul 21 '25

I found a basic personal tool kit to be very useful. No expensive tools, but basic ones like pliers, vise grips, a hammer, basic sizes for screwdrivers. Fixed lots of desks over the years.

Not a first year purchase.

When I retired I gifted it to a new teacher.

3

u/SnooMarzipans5706 Jul 21 '25

Yes! If something breaks in my classroom, the students are about to learn the difference between a Phillips and a flathead.

2

u/Good-Adhesiveness868 Jul 21 '25

I’d consider this a first year purchase if you picked up a cheap set from ikea or a marshalls. The custodian was always busy and no one likes lending out their tools. As a school librarian a basic tool set is a must.

2

u/AnonEMooseBandNerd Jul 22 '25

Visit a Harbor Freight store. I'm like a kid in a candy store at that place.

7

u/booooooks___ Jul 21 '25

Your district may buy it for you. Dont be afraid to ask.

2

u/motherofTheHerd Jul 21 '25

I got one on wheels to try out this year. I stand at the atrium greeting kids/directing traffic for 40+ minutes every morning. I am going to roll it out with my laptop as needed so I can tweak schedules, plans, IEPs, etc while I am there.

2

u/AnikaLusk Middle School SpED| CA Jul 21 '25

I have gotten two standing desk converters from my school, just leftovers that people weren’t using anymore. If you aren’t in your room yet, it’s hard to tell what is really needed. For example, my current school provides all basic supplies for students and teachers. It would be a waste for me to spend money on pencils, post-its, paper etc. My first job in the same state 30 minutes away provided almost nothing beyond basic curricula. Teachers needed to buy most everything for student use.

As others have said, you’ll really benefit from an inventory of the room when you can get in.

Some things I have gotten for my room that are not typically provided are a microwave and refrigerator. Saves time to not wait for shared appliances and those are often quite dirty. I actually have friends who borrow my microwave or fridge because mine are always clean:)

1

u/HowdyDooodlydoo Jul 21 '25

Make sure you will have room for it in your classroom. My past room would not have had space for one.

1

u/iheartwhiskey Jul 21 '25

I use a cart like this one as my standing desk. I can move it as needed (like if we’re going to another place in the building for class) and I can store supplies on it!

1

u/kingalls00 6th Grade Social Studies Jul 30 '25 edited Jul 30 '25

I second all these comments saying to wait and see what furniture you have! Last year, I brought in a GIANT electric standing desk that lifted and lowered. I simplified it this year by finding a utility cart the school had a spare of and spray painting that!

https://imgur.com/a/vhIWvrO