Is it possible for a clean desk setup? As a teacher, your desk is your command center. With the sheer amount of materials and information you handle daily, it’s easy for your desk to quickly become a mess. However, a clean and organized desk can significantly impact your efficiency, reduce your stress, and help you enjoy teaching. There are practical strategies that you can use to ensure that your workspace is clean and functional.
One way to have a clean desk setup is to use a digital activity in your classroom. This Build a Robot Activity helps your students practice 2-digit addition! After students answer a question correctly, they will add another part to the robot until the robot is complete. They will be so highly engaged that they will forget they are answering math problems. It can be used with your whole class or could be used in a math small group. Your students will love it, and you will feel the same because it is so easy to prep! Put your name and email address in the boxes and this FREE PowerPoint activity will be in your inbox!
Clean Desk Setup 101: A Place for Everything
One of the most crucial aspects of an organized desk is having a specific place for everything. This includes student information, IEPs, teacher materials, and any other documents or resources you regularly use. When each item has a designated spot, you can quickly locate what you need.
- Student Information and IEPs
Keep all student-related documents in a secure, easily accessible location. Consider using a locked drawer or a password-protected digital file for sensitive information like IEPs and special needs records.
- Teacher Materials
Your personal teaching materials such as lesson plans, textbooks, and classroom management tools should also have a dedicated space. Whether it’s a drawer, a filing cabinet, or a specific shelf, keeping these materials organized will help you know where to find what you need. I also like to make sure that I have the items that I need close to where they are used.
Designated Areas for Teaching Materials
As a teacher, you likely juggle multiple subjects, each requiring its own set of materials. Having a designated place for each subject’s resources is essential for maintaining an organized desk.
- Reading and Math Materials
For example, if you teach reading and math, designate specific areas for each subject’s materials. Use labeled bins, shelves, or drawers to store books, worksheets, manipulatives, and other resources. This way, when it’s time to switch subjects, you can easily access everything you need without rummaging through a pile of mixed-up materials.
- Organizational Systems
For teachers who handle multiple subjects or grade levels, consider using a more comprehensive organizational system, such as a cart with drawers labeled for each day of the week. You can store the materials you need for each day’s lessons so that everything is ready to go when you need it.
Find an Organizational System That Works for You
No two teachers are alike, and what works for one may not work for another. Finding an organizational system that suits your teaching style and needs is key to maintaining an organized desk.
- Carts with Drawers
A popular option for many teachers is a rolling cart with drawers labeled for the days of the week and specific subjects. I like this method because I can pull out the drawer and take it where I need to use it. This also worked well for me so that I could organize a stack of materials that were made ahead of time. If I put the math materials in the math box, then I will be able to find them later when it is time for the lesson. I also had a drawer for math centers which allowed me to organize my manipulatives ahead of time. I like the drawer method because I am able to add odd shaped items to it along with any papers that might be needed for a math activity.
- Hanging File Organizers:
Another effective system is a hanging file organizer that holds folders for each day of the week as well as for different subjects or classes. This method keeps your materials off your desk while still allowing you quick access to everything you need. I have found this method is more helpful for organizing papers only.
- Digital Organization
In today’s digital age, many teachers are turning to digital organization systems. Using apps or cloud-based platforms, you can store lesson plans, student records, and teaching materials in one centralized location that are accessible from any device. This not only reduces physical clutter but also ensures that your resources are always at your fingertips.
A Place for Everyday Essentials
Your desk is home to the tools you use daily including pencils, pens, staplers, paper clips, sticky notes, and more. These items can quickly become a source of clutter if they are not organized. They can look like a big mess when you want to keep your workstation clean and tidy.
- Desk Organizers
There are a large variety of desk organizers that provide compartments for all your essential items. A pen holder, a drawer organizer, or a desktop caddy can help keep these tools within easy reach without taking up too much space. You can also use some of those mugs that you receive for student gifts to hold pens, pencils, rulers, scissors, and other items to clean your desk. If your desk has limited space, you can consider using wall-mounted storage solutions such as magnetic strips or pegboards to hold frequently used items.
End the Day with a Clean Desk
One of the best habits you can develop as a teacher is to clean your desk at the end of each day. A clean desk sets a positive tone for the next day which helps you start fresh and focused. This is one thing that really helped me when I began leaving my desk clean before I left. Most days it took about 1-2 minutes to clean up although some days took longer, but the rewards were worth the little bit of time.
- Daily To-Do List
This idea is one of the best things I have ever done to help me. Before you leave, take a few minutes to write down a list of tasks you need to accomplish the following day. Place this list prominently on your desk, so it’s the first thing you see when you arrive in the morning. I make sure to write down the things that I am afraid I am going to forget. Then I am not at home thinking about them! This simple step can help you prioritize your tasks and ensure that you hit the ground running. It is especially effective to do before you leave for home on the weekend. Since you know you have a list waiting for you on Monday morning, you can relax and enjoy your weekend.
- Quick Tidy-Up
Spend the last few minutes of your workday putting away materials, filing papers, and clearing off your desk. This daily tidy-up will prevent clutter from building up and keep your workspace ready for the next day.
Make a Daily Job List
Teaching is unpredictable, and you never know when an unexpected parent meeting or emergency will arise. To ensure that you stay on top of your responsibilities, create a daily job list of essential tasks that need to be completed either before or after school.
- Routine Tasks
Your daily job list might include tasks such as checking emails, updating the classroom calendar, organizing materials for the next day, and reviewing lesson plans. By completing these routine tasks each day, you’ll be better prepared to handle any surprises that come your way.
A daily job list also provides peace of mind. On days when things don’t go as planned, you can rest assured that the most critical tasks have been completed which allows you to focus on what matters most—your students.
Practice the Habit of Putting Things Away
The final piece of the puzzle in maintaining an organized desk is the habit of putting things away as soon as you’re finished with them. This simple practice can save you time and prevent clutter from accumulating. Since you’ve already designated a place for everything, putting things away becomes a quick and easy task. By consistently putting things away, you’ll maintain a clutter-free desk that promotes focus and productivity. This habit may take some time to develop, but the long-term benefits are well worth the effort.
A clean desk setup is more than just a neat workspace because it is a powerful tool that can help you stay on top of your teaching responsibilities, reduce stress, and create a more positive and productive environment for both you and your students. So, take a moment to assess your current setup, make any necessary changes, and enjoy the benefits of a clean and organized desk. Your future self will thank you!
