33 of the Best Teacher Supplies for Your Classroom

As a former classroom teacher and current instructional coach, I can help you set up your classroom for success. The right supplies in your classroom can make a huge difference in your mindset. 

It can be tempting to focus on classroom decorations and bulletin boards (and let’s face it – that’s the fun part for many of us!) But it’s just as important that your classroom functions well. 

The best teacher supplies aren’t necessarily expensive, but they will make your life less stressful. Below I have included both the practical school supplies you need and also a few just-for-fun items, too. 

Disclaimer: If you click on my product links, I’ll earn pennies on the dollar for each click. These affiliate links won’t affect your purchase price. More information is here.

The Best Teacher Supplies

Here is a comprehensive classroom supply list for any new teacher. All of these are available on Amazon, but frequently check your local dollar store, too. They have a surprisingly good selection of teacher supplies. Occasionally you can find helpful items at Oriental Trading Company.

Online teacher supply stores like Really Good Stuff and others are pretty expensive, but sometimes school districts will only reimburse from select approved vendors. 

Classroom Essentials List

What do most schools provide for teachers?

Most campuses provide basic office supplies for the teacher, but they don’t usually have the cutesy stuff. Those freebies may or may not last you the whole school year.

You’ll likely have access to pretty great technology, including Smart Boards, document cameras, and Chromebooks or iPads, depending on your grade level. 

In other words, you can probably visit the supply closet for basic yellow Post-It notes, manilla file folders, binder clips and paper clips, and chart paper. They will likely not provide anything FUN and certainly not all of your essential teacher supplies will be provided to you. 

If this is your first teaching job, call your campus secretary and ask him or her what’s in the supply closet, so you can make preparations. 

When your whole world is that classroom for 9 or 10 hours a day, having pretty things helps the mental state. Of course, you’ll want to build your classroom slowly over time because setting up a classroom can get expensive quickly. Begin with only the most essential items and take advantage of that campus supply closet and work room. Then you can set your priorities for what you’ll buy next. 

Here are some cute supplies and decor that are also super functional. You may be the type of teacher who doesn’t need everything to be *fabulous* and that’s perfectly okay. Sometimes the pressure for everything to be adorable can feel like a lot, especially in elementary schools. Don’t give it much thought. Focus on what’s most important – student outcomes and managing your stress levels!

Concluding Thoughts

For many of us in lower income communities, it’s pretty rare to receive a gift from students. My favorite gifts are ones my students have made for me, no matter how childlike and silly they might seem to parents. One time, I got a can of Chef Boyardee from a child who wanted me to try his favorite meal for Christmas. Those are the gifts a teacher never forgets.

What do teachers need for their classrooms? Practical stuff with a dose of fun and whimsy, usually. Remember that the average teacher spends about 9 hours a day in her classroom without many breaks. We want a beautiful space that feels like home. Hopefully this post gave you some ideas!