Hey babe,
It’s about that time of the year again for teachers—crazy how time flies. If you’re anything like me, you probably started thinking about next school year’s theme and everything you’re going to need way back in January before last school year even ended lol.
There’s a lot of excitement about revamping your classroom for the next school year (aside from the cost). Especially if you are a 1st year educator, this is probably your dream.
I work in special education and inclusion at the middle school level, which is a mixture of structure, flexibility, paperwork, and a whole lot of “what do I grab right now to make this work?” Over the past few years, I have learned a lot about what works for me and the students I have the pleasure of working with.
So of course you know I have to share all of my must-haves and favorites with you. I work in special education, but I also get to work a lot in general education classrooms, and I’ve gotten to observe and evaluate students in classrooms in many different grade levels. Now don’t get me wrong, teaching is a forever learning process, but I definitely have learned what works and what’s absolutely unnecessary.
So I put together my ultimate teacher wishlist of classroom essentials, SPED tools, organization must-haves, and little teacher-life items that genuinely make the job easier.
Not just cute stuff… but the things I actually rely on to survive the school day and support my students in real time.
Let’s get into it ✏️🍎
Pssttt…..
📢If you want to shop everything as you read, I linked my full teacher wishlist here so it’s all in one place:👉 Best Supplies for Teachers & Classrooms
🍎 Classroom Basics That Save Your Life Daily
These are my “I reach for this every single day” supplies.
Nothing fancy—just essentials that keep the classroom running:
- dry erase markers (and honestly… backup packs because they disappear fast)
- sticky notes for literally everything
- highlighters for guided notes and tracking
- laminating sheets so you can reuse materials
- clipboards to keep yourself together
- stapler that will hold you down through thick and thin…literally
It’s giving: organized chaos but make it functional.✨
✏️ Student Supplies (Because They Will Need Everything)
If you teach, you already know students will come in needing something every five minutes 😭 Especially at the secondary level.
So I always keep extras of:
- pencils (a never-ending supply situation)
- crayons and colored pencils
- glue sticks
- notebooks or composition books
- loose paper
- scissors (not the sharp ones…)
It’s not even optional at this point—it’s survival.
🧠 SPED & Inclusion Tools I Swear By
Now THIS is where the magic happens. I love to talk about effective accommodations.
As a Special Education inclusion teacher, I need tools that support learning without overwhelming my students.
Some of my go-to supports:
- visual timers (transitions are everything)
- fidgets for focus and regulation
- task boxes for independent practice
- visual schedules (so students know what’s coming next)
- dry erase sleeves for unlimited practice without pressure
- noise cancelling headphones
These aren’t just “extras”—they’re how I make instruction accessible.
📋 Case Manager Essentials (The Paperwork Era 😅)
If you’re a case manager too, you get it… organization is not optional.
These keep me sane with a heavy caseload:
- IEP binders with dividers for each student
- rolling cart
- labeled file folders for quick access
- teacher tote bag for moving between rooms
- label maker (because everything gets labeled, always)
If it doesn’t have a system, it will disappear in my classroom.
💻 Tech That Makes Teaching Easier
I love anything that gives me my time back.
These are my favorites:
- wireless clicker/presenter
- portable charger (because outlets are a myth)
- laptop stand for better visibility
- USB mic for zoom meetings
- USB port hub
Nothing too crazy, but all game-changers in real instruction.
☕ Teacher Survival Kit (Because We’re Human First)
Let’s be honest…some days you’re just trying to make it to contract time.
My survival staples:
- coffee tumbler that actually stays hot
- comfy shoes for all the walking
- lunch bag that keeps food from getting sad
- hand sanitizer (the germs are REAL)
- travel pillow and blanket (for that nap you need to sneak in during break)
- basic pain relief for long days
- heating pad (ladies, trust me on this!)
Not glamorous… just necessary
💡 Final Thoughts
Honestly, you don’t need everything at once.
Your classroom will grow with you.
But having the right essentials makes teaching feel less overwhelming and a lot more intentional—especially in special education where structure, repetition, and accessibility matter so much.
These are the things I personally lean on every day as an inclusion teacher and case manager, and I hope they help you build a classroom that feels like you while still supporting your students in the best way!
📌 Shop My Full Teacher Wishlist
I put everything I mentioned (and more) into one curated list so you can easily grab what you need:
