One of my co-workers is the most thoughtful gift-giver. Each season, she gives our team a “Teacher Emergency Pack” with sweet gifts. It’s truly her love language. She has taught me SO much about being prepared. Even today, if I don’t have something, I know I can send a student next door, and she’ll have what I need! 

Really, we all need a teacher survival kit that’s well stocked with teacher emergency items in our desk. It saves so many headaches (literal and otherwise, as we’ll see later on!), and you can even be the go-to teacher who has what your friends need.

Here’s what I’ve learned from her and how I try to keep my desk better stocked for everyday emergencies! Let’s get into my teacher desk emergency kit!

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1. Pain Reliever: https://amzn.to/4lfQXYC 

With every year of teaching, I seem to show my age a little more. Headaches, cramps, and other aches and pains are sure to happen in 180+ days of teaching! I love keeping the travel sized bottles of Tylenol and Advil in my desk.

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2. Feminine Hygiene Kit: https://amzn.to/3ZHdOEr , https://amzn.to/4lbWlMu 

Okay, this one’s for the ladies. I always keep two of these kits: one in my desk and another in the faculty restroom.

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3. TUMS: https://amzn.to/4lhoe5V 

Maybe I’m speaking from my current pregnant perspective, but TUMS are a must-have item for my desk. Sometimes the lunchroom food just doesn’t settle well – or even the yummy leftovers you packed from home. Don’t let heartburn make your miserable (or cranky, in my case!).

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4. Cough Drops & Band Aids: https://amzn.to/4liczDW 

The first week of school does a number on my voice! I always like to keep some cough drops on hand for the days when my voice is especially fatigued. Also great for cold and flu season!

Blisters are no joke! + there will always (and I mean ALWAYS) be a kid who needs a band-aid. They’re great to keep handy.

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5. Hand Sanitizer: https://amzn.to/3GbCnTh 

Now, I go through cases of hand sanitizer with my students. Maybe it’s a little bougie, but I have my personal off-limits hand sanitizer. Have you ever thought about how nasty the pump of the student sanitizer has to be?!? Yuck! Yep, I have my own. I don’t have a preference as far as brands go, but I insist on keeping my own personal stock!

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6. Clorox: https://amzn.to/3G1iwWU 

I love the smell of Clorox. Maybe there’s something wrong with me? But I do! I love making sure student desks and my own personal items are clean. I usually cut my Clorox wipes in half to save money throughout the year!

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7. Lip Balm: https://amzn.to/3I6Ub2m 

As teachers, we talk a ton! Chapped lips can be just part of the territory, so I like to keep a lip balm on hand. As a plus, I feel like I am in a better mood when I feel a little more polished.

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8. Extra Change of Clothes (+ Undies!)

It only takes one time for this to become a must-have in your desk or closet. I keep my extras in a gallon-sized Zip-lock for any unforeseen accidents!

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9. Spray Deodorant: https://amzn.to/3T6pmxc 

I am the world’s worst at forgetting deodorant before running out the door. If you’re trying not to be late for school, sometimes things just fall through the cracks as you get ready. Now, I always try to keep a spray deodorant in my desk.

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10. Floss and Throw-away Brushers: https://amzn.to/4ndiSdL 

As a teacher, we talk. A TON. After lunch, I really want to be careful of dragon breath! No student wants to receive help from a teacher whose breath still smells like the cafeteria’s spaghetti and garlic bread! Flossers and the Colgate wisps are my favorite.

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11. Lotion: https://amzn.to/44rqCBn 

For the winter months, I love keeping some lotion on hand to help chapped hands. I don’t know about you, but I use hand sanitizer like it’s going out of style. The lotion helps my skin so much.

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12. Money

I try to keep between $5-$20 in cash because something always comes up! It’s also great to keep the cost of a cafeteria lunch handy just in case you need one!

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13. Protein Snack

Kind Bars, Chomps or Archer Beef Sticks, Lenny & Larry Cookies are some of my favorites. For quite a few years, I would keep some “emergency chocolate” on hand, but I quickly found how easy it was to feel like each day required some candy! Now, I keep 1-2 snacks that are relatively healthy with some added protein to fill my craving with some substance.

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14. Pick Me Up Drink

Whether you’re a coffee-holic, love Alani energy drinks, or prefer a vending machine Diet Coke, Having one on hand can turn a tough afternoon around. While pregnant, I’ve been keeping a flavored water with me to perk up the afternoons. For me, it’s a non-negotiable! An easy way to always have a pick-me-up on hand is getting a box of energy drink packets. My favorites are the peach energy packs from Aldi! Inexpensive and such a great boost of energy!

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15. Phone Charger: https://amzn.to/4eboO2I 

I keep a phone charger in my classroom for those days that I’m going to be out and about after school! Teacher tip: I keep my extra charger curled up and pinned in place by a binder clip! So easy and cheap.

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16. Mini Sewing Kit with Safety Pins: https://amzn.to/3FRvHtv 

No one wants to deal with a button popping off of a top or dress in the middle of the school day. I love the simple sewing kits that help me know I can always fix embarrassing clothing malfunctions. I’m also thinking about investing in the stitch gun for clothing to secure tops that are too low-cut for school.

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17. Stain Remover Pen: https://amzn.to/4eeNffy  or Wipes: https://amzn.to/40YApNm

Even though I try to avoid wearing white on the days I bring chili or spaghetti to school, food mishaps are sure to happen in the year. Keeping these around can help yourself and your friends!!

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18. Lint Roller: https://amzn.to/466bJph

In the winter, I wear leggings under dresses almost every day. A lint roller is so helpful and makes me look a little more put together, especially after playing on the carpet with my toddler!

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19. Static Guard: https://amzn.to/4kXr408

A problem with the leggings I mentioned in the last section is that they feel impossible to wear due to so much static! Now, I keep a small can of static guard beside my door at home, in my car, and in my school desk. Life feels looser now, haha!

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20. Cards

I try to write cards to a couple of co-workers every week. Finding cute general (not seasonal or holiday-specific) cards & keeping them in my desk helps make me more mindful to reach out to others with a thoughtful note.

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There you have it! My 20 personal items to keep in your desk. Of course I also love some Flair pens and nice tape, but these personal items are the ones to save the day with rubber meets the road! Do I have thees items organized? Of course not! Type-A teacher, I am not. But I know they’ll be there when I need them.

I hope this list gives you some helpful ideas to stock your teacher desk this year!

💚 Madison (from the Classroom Hunt)