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5 ways to organize your student teacher desk
- Samantha Fecich
- 16 hours ago
- 3 min read
Student teachers, let's discuss your desk area. It might be a student desk, a table, or an actual desk; either way, it's yours. It's your spot in the classroom. So let's make it an effective and efficient workspace, no matter the size.
Why desk organization matters for student teachers
As a student teacher, you are juggling lesson planning, grading, feedback, and so much more. You don't want a messy desk in your way. By having an organized student teacher desk, you can
Find materials quickly
Create a professional and approachable environment
Manage paperwork
Keys to organizing a student teacher's desk
1. Prioritize what you use most often
Keep frequently used items within reach. Some materials may include pens, sticky notes, pencils, and highlighters. You can easily do this with a desk caddy, one that rotates and has ample space. It is also helpful to group similar items. For example, all of your teacher stickers for the test are kept in a drawer together.
2. Use space in different ways
Try a stackable tray to organize your files, like lesson plans and assessments. You can create a tray for each day of the week that includes the lesson plans you need and the assessments that need to be graded or returned to students. This way, you can keep it all organized in one place. Another pro tip is to select two days when you will be grading, so you aren't spending every night of the week grading; instead, you divide the grading across each day of the week.
3. Personalize with intention
Add some personalized items to your desk area, but be careful not to clutter it. For example, a plant, a framed photograph, or a personalized nameplate would be great. You can also have a space on the front or side of your desk to hang student pictures or projects that are gifted to you.
Digital organization
As a student teacher, you may be required to print materials or connect your laptop to play a game or create materials. Have a spare laptop charger and multiple ways to connect your laptop to the classroom display system (USB, VGA, and HDMI connectors are great examples). Keep these materials within easy reach; consider placing them in a drawer or small case so they are organized and ready at a moment's notice.
Student Teacher planner
No student teacher desk would be complete without a planner. So many times I get asked, "What do I put in my student teacher planner?" Well, I did all of that hard work for you and created one just for student teachers. Student teaching is your chance to shine, but let’s be honest, it can feel overwhelming.
Between lesson planning, observations, and reflections, it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning in details. Here is a peek at what’s Inside
Contact Pages – Keep your supervisor and mentor teacher info handy.
Class Roster – Track student names, likes/dislikes, and notes to build strong relationships.
Lesson Planning Templates – Create engaging lessons that wow your mentor and students.
Student Teaching Checklist – Know exactly what to do before Day 1.
16 Weeks of Reflection Prompts – Grow as a teacher with meaningful weekly reflections.
Classroom Procedures & Policy Pages – Observe, reflect, and learn what makes classrooms run smoothly.
Maintaining organization
This is all well and good until the business of the day creeps up on you. So I recommend some upkeep throughout the week.
During your planning period, return materials where they belong.
At the end of the day, clear your desk and wipe down items on the desk to get rid of those pesky germs.
Each month, sort through papers and toss or file completed work. You might also want to establish a routine of photographing papers and worksheets you may want to keep. This is super easy to do with tools like Office Lens or Kami.
An organized desk can help you stay calm and ready to go. You know where everything is, and everything has its place instead of scrambling for materials and lost pens.
Want to keep the conversation going?
I’d love to connect with you! Whether you're a future educator, a current teacher, or someone passionate about edtech and innovation in the classroom, there are plenty of ways to stay inspired and supported.
Discover Your Student Teacher Superpower. Take the free quiz: What’s Your Student Teacher Superpower? and uncover your unique strengths in the classroom.
Join the Conversation on Instagram. Tag me @sfecich with your thoughts and takeaways.
Remember, EDUmagicians...You have the EduMagic within you. Keep shining, keep growing, and keep making a difference.
