Is your teacher desk covered in piles of papers? Are you looking for a system to help you get control of your multitude of school paperwork? I’ve been there and found that you can make a teacher VIP binder that will help you get that under control. That way you can easily find important papers at a moment’s notice.
Organized teachers have desks and classrooms that could be featured in a magazine. Then there is us, we have piles of papers on almost every surface. While we can usually explain which pile a specific paper is in there are also times when the clutter wins and we lose something important. We want to be organized, but it doesn’t come naturally.
I used to feel guilty about my paper piles. I’ve tried many different organizational strategies, but nothing seems to get control of all the papers that come with teaching. I finally found a solution when I created my teacher VIP binder.
Getting your papers organized is easy when you know how to make a teacher VIP binder.
Once you make a teacher VIP binder you will be able to quickly find the papers you need most amongst all the piles. Yep, that’s right I can still have piles of papers on my desk but my bright purple binder stands out so I can find it. An added bonus is that you can take it with you everywhere.
Going to a staff meeting? Bring it along to take notes and immediately add them to previous meeting notes.
Writing lesson plans at home? Pack your teacher VIP binder to reference curriculum information.
Learning a new strategy at a professional development? File your handouts and notes in your teacher VIP binder for later, easy reference.
There have been times when I or someone else I’m working with is trying to recall information. Once I developed my teacher VIP binder I was able to pull out the information needed.
I, the teacher with a desk covered in piles upon piles of papers, have been told, “You are so organized!” You don’t need to completely change your classroom into something that is picture-perfect. You can make a small change and become more organized with the simple tool of a teacher VIP binder.
A teacher VIP binder is a great organizational tool because it can be used from year to year. It is a system that is adaptable as you refine how you use it. Each year I’ve used mine I’ve changed it up to make it fresh again.
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Materials Needed
*Binder: I would suggest a heavy-duty 2-inch binder. This will allow you room to expand over the course of a year, but won’t let your binder become too heavy. I’ve tried regular or cheaper binders and they don’t hold up. If you plan on taking your binder everywhere you’re going to want something that will last.
*Binder Pencil Pouch: Include a pencil pouch. This will help you always have a writing utensil on hand when you need it. If you have to run to a meeting at the end of the day all you’ll need to do is grab your teacher VIP binder and you’ll be all set.
*Fun Pens: Taking notes with a colorful pen is just more fun. I love these Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pens. They have a vibrant color, don’t smear, and write smoothly.
*Three-Hole Punch: Having a three-hole punch on will make it easier to keep your teacher VIP binder organized. I like this three-hole punch because it can punch through multiple sheets at once. It is also easy to use with only a small amount of effort.
What to Include
There are so many things that you can include in a teacher VIP binder, but it’s best to narrow it down. This way your binder doesn’t become too overwhelming. In the beginning, I had all my important information, notes, and student data in one binder. The binder was huge and cumbersome to carry around.
I now have two binders my VIP binder and a data binder. I’ve found that this is an easy way to divide up the information. As you use your teacher VIP binder you may find you need a separate data binder as well.
You need to decide what works for you. To figure out what to include write down everything that could go into the binder. Such as meeting notes, thematic maps, district information, etc.
Once you have your list, if possible, narrow it down to the most important headings. Check if you can combine different topics or eliminate entire categories.
Another way to figure out what to include is to sort the papes you already have into piles. 😛 Then use those piles to help you decide on your different sections. Don’t overthink this step. The first time, I created my teacher VIP binder, I spent hours arranging and rearranging trying to find the perfect combination. Here’s the thing you don’t know what will work until you start using it.
I’ve adjusted my binders every year that I’ve used them. I’ve even changed them up half-way through the school year. The binder dividers I suggested are great because you can simply change them up by erasing your previous heading. I’ve used the same dividers since I first created my teacher VIP binder.
Adding a pencil pouch was the best addition I ever made. I never worry about having something to write with when I’m in a meeting. I always have my trusty purple pen, because it lives in my pencil pouch.
I would also include pencils, extra pens, highlighters, extra lead, sticky dividers/flags, and sticky notes. These have all come in handy for myself or other teachers during meetings. I would also suggest making sure you stock your binder with lined paper for taking notes.
How to Keep it Up
The main reason I am a piler versus a filer when it comes to papers is that I get busy. I tend to set a paper down versus put it where it needs to go. Having pockets on the dividers helps lessen this issue. If you get a new document you are able to at least file it under the appropriate heading. Then when you have time you can three-hole punch it and include it. This will help you stay on top of your binder and allows you to find what you need until you have time to add it to the binder.
I always put aside time at the beginning of the school year to clean out and reorganize my binder. I’ve also found it important to periodically remove papers that are unnecessary.
There are times when I add something to my binder because I believe it’s going to be valuable and useful. Then I discover that I’ve never used it. If you’re going through your binder and notice outdated or unused documents it is best to remove them. This is especially true for meeting notes. Unless there is something on the notes that you will reference again, recycle the notes.
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Make it Yours
You want to be able to find your binder amongst your piles of papers, so make it uniquely yours. You could add a fun cover and spine label, choose a brightly colored binder, or get crafty with it. If you don’t want to waste color ink you can always print a black and white design on to fun colored paper. Ultimately, you want to make a teacher VIP binder that you love to use so have fun with it.
You need to make a teacher VIP binder because it will help reduce the amount of time you spend looking for things. This project is something that you could overthink and spend way too much time planning, but don’t. Your teacher VIP binder is not something that is set in stone. You can change it up as you find what works and as you discover what you need and do not need. If you’ve made it to this point you are ready to make a teacher VIP binder, so go get your new binder and get started!
