The Teacher Drawer: Things I’m Glad I Keep at School

Every teacher has a drawer filled with pens, sticky notes, whiteboard markers and all the usual school supplies.

I have one of those too. But I also have another drawer.

It’s the drawer I open when my lips are dry, my phone is dying, my throat has had enough or I just need one of those little things that makes a long teaching day easier.

First, Keep It Organized

Before we get to what’s in the drawer, I should mention what keeps it from becoming "that drawer".

I use small plastic drawer organizers to give everything its own place. Mine are the interlocking kind, so I can arrange the different sizes around whatever I’m storing.

I love them because when I open the drawer, I can actually see what I have—and things tend to stay where they belong instead of becoming one big pile by Friday.

Now here’s what’s actually in it.

1. A Small Mirror

I use this more than you might think. It’s handy for a quick check before class or when I get something in my eye and don’t want to leave the classroom to find a mirror.

Small, simple and surprisingly useful.

2. Lip Balm

I keep Burt’s Bees Honey Lip Balm in my drawer because I want something I can reapply quickly—even when I’m standing in front of a group.

No mirror. No fuss.

3. Mini Deodorant

Teaching can be a surprisingly physical job.

A travel-size Native deodorant takes up almost no room and is one of those things I’m very happy to know is there when I need it.

Enough said.

4. Throat Lozenges

If you talk for a living, you understand.

I always keep sugar-free Fisherman’s Friend lozenges nearby for the days when my throat starts letting me know it has participated enough.

5. Eye Drops

Between screens, classroom air and long days, my eyes sometimes need a little help too.

Eye drops take up almost no space, so they’ve earned a permanent spot in the drawer.

6. Hand Cream

I keep L’Occitane hand cream at school because I absolutely love the smell and it leaves my hands soft for what feels like forever. Some of my students have commented on the scent and I believe a few think it's my personal fragrance.

7. My Own Box of Kleenex

Yes. My own.

There’s a box for the students.

And then there’s my box.

If you know, you know.

8. The Little Things

A hair clip, hair tie, nail file, hand sanitizer and phone charger all live permanently in the drawer.

None of them is particularly exciting—until the day I need one and actually have it.

And the phone charger stays at school.

9. The Room Spray

I keep J.R. Watkins Lemon Room Freshener in my drawer and like to give the classroom a little spray before class and sometimes between groups.

Because let’s face it: after a room full of students has been working hard, the classroom can occasionally smell a little like...effort.

One Drawer, Lots of Little Saves

None of these things will make me a better teacher. They simply make my day a little easier or more comfortable.

If I use something regularly and can keep a duplicate at school, I do. It’s one less thing to remember, one less thing to carry and one less “I wish I had...” moment.

Sometimes being resourceful is just knowing where your lip balm is.

And keeping your box of Kleenex away from the students.