for Back to School, first Impressions of your classroom ought to include Teacher Professionalism, Organized, Personability... so set up a workspace that says that! Your teacher workspace controls your MINDSET, steadies your Classroom Management, and keeps you focused....

1. TMI
Ten Minutes of Information
Organize your Classroom Workspace

2. Being organized
helps you to establish
your image, routine, and
performance.

3. Be sure to regularly
unclutter and organize…

4. With an uncluttered workspace, you can:
Easily locate information and supplies
Keeps materials relatively confidential
Keep materials safely out of reach
Keep inventory of what you have
Maintain the appearance of productivity
Share your workspace without apology or
explanation

5. Choose Fitting Furniture
A supportive, adjustable chair
Support for computer
Proper support for keyboard
Secured area for valuables
Desk with basic supply drawer,
file drawer, and ample top space

6. Position furniture appropriately:
Desk chair facing door
File cabinet for longer term storage at further reaches of
workspace
Book case or storage shelves at further reaches of workspace
Guest chair at conference table or at opposite side of desk
Consider importance of other furniture: get rid of superfluous
Bulletin board for you to see readily;
Another bulletin board for visitors’ information

7. Purge routinely:
Unnecessary furniture
All unnecessary duplicates
Trash
Obsolete documents
Broken items that cannot be fixed

8. Keep regularly needed items accessible:
Phone, walkie-talkie, pager, etc.
Computer
Garbage
Recycling? (depending on usage)
Shredder? (depending on usage)

9. Keep basic supplies in working order:
Pens with blue, black, and colored ink
Sharpened #2 pencils, stored with point to ceiling
Paper: copy, scratch, note, composition
Loaded stapler and refill
Paper clips of various sizes
Ruler

10. Nearby Document Storage
Choose size of common files
Anticipate quantity of files requiring short term
space
Choose system: alphabetize, numerate, date/time,
use grade level, colorize, department, age, origin, or
whatever is sensible
Choose space for oversized or overflow files
Consider your personal ergonomics: what to put to
the right side or left side; high and low.

11. Archive files
…accessibly but away from daily work station
Check with superiors before sending inactive files to an
alternate destination (storage, new office, trash, etc.)
Label and send appropriate files to appropriate offices
for long term storage
Duplicate critical and important files (generic contracts,
current handbooks, and resource lists)

12. Desktop or top desk drawer
To do list
Sharpened pencils with points upward
Usable erasers
Black, blue, and colored pens with fresh ink
Other pens: white board markers, chalk
Paper: writing, note, copy, scratch
Information for constant contacts: title, role, email, phone, cell,
address, referral, relations, language, and pertinent information

13. Personal Bulletin Board
Daily Routine printed in large font
Hard copy calendar
Inspirational quote or image
Current memos and reminders that are not confidential
Spare push pins
Simple personalization: artwork; photo, drawing, gift
To do memos

14. Visitors’ Bulletin Board
Your professional name
Office hours
Contact information
Current or ongoing handouts (classroom handbook, rules, project
information, etc.)
Information flyers
Calendar
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

15. Ta-da

16. TMI: Ten Minutes of Information
Learn what to say and do to be an effective teacher.
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