What Every Teacher Should Have for the 2025–2026 School Year

As the 2025–2026 school year approaches, teachers everywhere are preparing for another year of creativity, innovation, and meaningful learning. Whether you're a seasoned educator or new to the classroom, the tools and systems you use can make all the difference in how you manage your space, engage your students, and deliver high-quality instruction.

At WhyMaker, we work alongside teachers across the country who are building vibrant, student-centered classrooms using hands-on learning, project-based strategies, and real-world skill development. Based on what we’ve seen work best, we’ve put together a guide on what every teacher should have to thrive in the year ahead, organized into three essential areas to consider: Curriculum Development, Organization, and Classroom Management. 

Curriculum Development: Build Lessons That Matter

Great teaching starts with great planning. This year, we’re seeing more teachers design cross-curricular, project-based units that don’t just deliver content, they build real skills for students.

At WhyMaker, our team offers personalized support to help teachers develop curriculum that’s hands-on, standards-aligned, and deeply relevant. Our approach helps educators think beyond worksheets and lectures, integrating STEM, career exploration, sustainability, and design thinking into the everyday classroom.

Looking to bring project-based learning (PBL) into your teaching? Our PBL frameworks turn teachers into “learning engineers,” equipping you with the mindset and tools to lead students through authentic problem-solving experiences.

A great place to start is with WhyMaker’s bestselling book, Educator’s Guide to Design Thinking. This resource offers a practical, educator-friendly framework for building inquiry-based lessons and student-centered environments using design thinking principles.

And the PicoSolutions Alternative Energy Education Lab Kit is a favorite among middle and high school teachers exploring renewable energy. With this kit, students can investigate wind, solar, and hydro power through structured experiments, connecting science and engineering to real-world challenges.

Whether you’re designing new units from scratch or looking for plug-and-play kits that support your goals, WhyMaker has everything you need to make learning meaningful. 

Organization: Keep It Simple and Student-Led

We all know that a cluttered classroom leads to a cluttered mind, for teachers and students alike. That’s why classroom organization isn’t just about neat shelves; it’s about creating systems that promote independence and reduce teacher stress.

One of our top recommendations is the Makedo Invent Kit. While originally designed for cardboard construction and maker projects, these kits are also amazing for creating a student-led classroom setup. The simple-to-use tools and reusable connectors make it easy for students to manage their own materials, share supplies, and take ownership of clean-up routines.

Another game-changer: the 3Doodler Set. If your classroom includes 3D pens or printing, this accessory kit empowers students to troubleshoot and repair their own projects. Fewer broken pieces, more problem-solving, and fewer trips to the supply closet.

And for teachers who need to move materials between classrooms or want to build a flexible makerspace, the Edm8ker Mobile Makercart is the perfect solution. Fully stocked and on wheels, it allows for easy transitions and supports rotating classroom setups, especially helpful in schools where space is limited.

Amazon is also another place to find must-have tools for teacher organization.  Here are a few…

1. Erasable Whiteboard for Your Desk - Replace your mountain of sticky notes with a desktop dry-erase board. It’s perfect for jotting daily to-dos, student reminders, or call-back lists. Total game changer for desk clarity and mental space.
2. Magnetic Wire Mesh Organizer – Attach this to the side of your desk, metal filing cabinet, or magnetic whiteboard to store pens, passes, and sticky notes where you can always find them.

These basics may not be flashy, but they are the quiet heroes of a streamlined classroom.  By investing in tools that promote student ownership and streamlined storage, you’ll spend less time managing supplies and more time guiding learning. 

Classroom Management: Make Engagement the Expectation

Finally, no matter how great your curriculum is, your classroom won’t function without systems that support behavior, collaboration, and engagement. The best classroom management strategies are proactive and often built right into your tools and routines.

That’s why we love the Edison EdSTEM Class Pack. With 30 Edison robots and 15 EdCreate kits, this bundle helps you create team-based coding and engineering challenges that are self-directed, collaborative, and incredibly engaging. Students stay focused because they’re genuinely excited about the task, and they learn to work through challenges together with minimal teacher intervention.

Pair that with your Makedo Kits and Makercart, and you’ve created a classroom culture where students are empowered to build, explore, reflect, and take initiative. Transitions become smoother, routines become predictable, and students understand their role in creating a positive learning environment.

Looking Ahead

The new school year is an opportunity to reset, reimagine, and reinvest in the tools that make a difference. At WhyMaker, we’ve seen how the right combination of curriculum design, organization systems, and engagement tools can transform not just classrooms but entire schools.

So whether you’re planning a new STEM unit, trying to cut down on clutter, or looking for ways to keep your students motivated all year long, we’ve got your back.

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And if you’re not sure where to begin, reach out to us. We’d love to talk through your goals and help you design the learning experience your students deserve.