Your desk says a lot about you.

Consider it the showroom of your class, as it's the only thing with personality that doesn't pack-up-and-go when the bell rings. It's the life in the classroom which should also be respected as a workplace, or rather, workspace. They watch and imitate all that you do, and it's part of your task as a teacher to be a role model of good managing skills, or as Albert Einstein once said:

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1. Filing is as important as brushing your teeth.

Keep them close, label them, color-code them and most importantly, keep them up-to-date. It might even be folders if you prefer. Try to keep them on a shelve nearby to save some space on your table.

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2. Don't stack!

You're just making thing difficult for yourself. Use a firm and steady desk tray with a maximum of 5 layers to keep those on-hand documents organized and nearby. Hand-out's, quizzes, tests, anything you might need to find quick.

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3. Label, label, label!

You'll get as confused as a chameleon in a bag of Skittles without labels. You have LOTS of markers, use them!

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4. Bathroom passes

Keep those at your desk where you can control them. There's a time and a place for everything - and trips to the bathroom should be kept to a minimum, under normal circumstances.

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5. Personal belongings

Have a private space for your personal belongings. Although we should have eyes behind our heads, we actually don't...
Have a drawer that can be kept locked and keep your things in there. Phone, wallet, personal items, etc.

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6. Tablecloth

Have a fresh, calm and friendly tablecloth to cover your table. It makes it more personal, the heart of the classroom, not just a chair and a cold desk. Cover it with plastic too to keep the laundry trips to a minimum. Be sure to choose something YOU like!

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7. Stationary

Your stationary holder can never be big enough. Keep them all together so you won't have to search hours for something. It you have more than your desk can handle, get someplace else. This is a great idea:

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8. Decorate

Yes, you may have a decoration on your table...no, rephrase...Have a decoration on your table! Whatever you choose, a vase with flowers, a photo frame, a trophy, an ornament - anything that can brighten YOU up on a dull and bad day. Your desk is about YOU!

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9. Prioritize

Anything that you do not use regularly, should find another place.

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10. Throw rubbish away!

Make it a habit to discard of things you are done with. If your stapler doesn't work, throw it away, don't keep it and think you might be able to fix it. It it irritates you, throw it away or move it somewhere else. Keep a dustbin nearby.

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Remember, it's your desk and you deserve it. You've worked hard to be there and it's the place you spend most of your time at. Spice it up, keep it neat, and enjoy it!

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