Operation Organization #2: Teacher Toolbox

I have been SO obsessed with getting everything done for my classroom sidetracked by school lately, that I feel like summer is slipping out of my hands so quickly. :( I can't help myself from working on little projects here & there {ALL OF THE TIME}. I've tried to stay out of my actual classroom until closer to August, but it certainly doesn't stop me from tackling projects at home.

One project I've seen ALL over Pinterest is the "Teacher Toolbox" in all of the many designs and styles that are possible. I knew I wanted to create my own version as soon as I saw this organizational dream, because I am not going to have a teacher desk in my classroom this year. My classroom currently does not have a desk in it, because the teacher prior to my arrival did not have one, and I decided I wanted to keep it that way, instead of hauling one in from the storage room. It will really help to keep my {kind of small} classroom opened up & create more room for the kiddos!

To start: I found a few different toolbox ideas on Pinterest that I really liked. 

This toolbox is from Ms. Lilypad's Primary Pond and she has her labels for FREE. 

I was going to use her labels {they match my color scheme}, but decided I wanted to use my drawers for different purposes.

This is the toolbox I purchased from Lowe's. 

It is the Stack-On-22-Drawer Storage Cabinet. 

This toolbox is SUPER affordable: $16.97, but super difficult to locate in the store!

I searched "Tool World" for a good 10 minutes before finally giving up and asking someone. 

For future reference: they're located in the organizational/storage aisles. 

{At least in my store}

I knew I wanted my toolbox to be brighter than the dark blue shade it comes in, so I also purchased some spray paint while at Lowe's. 

{I honestly don't remember what shade, and can't find where I put the can ... I'll update once I locate it!}

I also created my own labels for my toolbox, based on what supplies I knew I would be using most frequently and wanted organized. 

Create, Teach, Share is an AMAZING blog that started the whole Teacher Toolbox craze. This is where I found the dimensions for the toolbox labels.

Dimensions for the toolbox are:

{14 Labels} H: 1.38" x W 2.00"

{8 Labels} H: 2.12" x W 4.25"

Just create text boxes in MS Word or PPT and edit the dimensions up on the toolbar. Fill-in whatever you want to label your drawers and voila! 

I added some multi-colored chevron backgrounds to mine, just by searching "multi-colored chevron" in Google Images.

Here is my Teacher Toolbox! :)

{I am lovin' her}

Some of the boxes are hard to read in this picture, but the labels include:

{Large Labels}

- Glue

- Post-its

- Markers

- Highlighters

- Pens

- Pencils

- Stickers

- Stickers {Seasonal}

{Small Labels}

- Staples

- Tape 

- Rubber Bands

- White-Out

- Push Pins

- Stamps

- Ribbon

- Binder Rings

- Small Paper Clips

- Large Paper Clips

- Eraser Toppers

- Small Binder Clips

- Large Binder Clips 

- Band-Aids

If you are interested in making your OWN Teacher Toolbox, head over to my Teachers Pay Teachers store for a FREE download! :) http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Teacher-Toolbox-Labels-1337320

The font used for my labels is: KG Second Chances Solid. {Free download at DaFont}

I just printed my labels, cut them out, and attached them to the inside of each drawer using a small piece of tape on either side. You could also use double-sided tape, but I didn't have any, so I used what I had on hand. :)

Happy Crafting! :)

- Kristen