Must-Have Resources for New Teachers

What You’ll Find Here

As a fellow educator, I want to share four essential tools that have made a real difference in my teaching practice. These resources are classroom-tested, easy to use, and support everything from lesson planning and student engagement to communication and creativity. If you're a new teacher looking to build your toolkit, these are the platforms I rely on daily—and plan to keep using for years to come.

Google Classroom

Purpose: Central hub for digital learning, assignment management, and classroom communication.

I use Google Classroom to reduce paper use, post assignments, provide feedback, and keep students organized across multiple subjects. It also helps me communicate with parents and colleagues. It’s the first thing I open each morning and the tool that keeps my class running smoothly.

Quizizz

Purpose: Make learning interactive through self-paced quizzes and game-based assessments.

I use Quizizz daily to review content, differentiate instruction, and assess student understanding in real time. It’s flexible, fun, and provides instant data that helps guide my instruction. My students ask for it by name—because it doesn’t feel like a test, even when it is.

Canva

Purpose: Design professional-looking visuals for classroom and school-wide use.

I use Canva to create everything from anchor charts and classroom posters to flyers for student performances and school events. It’s easy to use and a great way to teach students about digital design, too. If you’ve ever wanted your materials to look polished without needing graphic design skills, Canva is your friend.

Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT)

Purpose: Access high-quality teaching materials created by other educators.'

TPT has saved me countless hours. I use it to find supplemental lessons, worksheets, and project ideas that align with the standards I’m teaching. While I always review and adapt what I download, it’s a huge help when I need something creative, time-saving, and classroom-ready.

Why This Matters:

Each of these tools supports effective teaching by blending technology, pedagogy, and content. More importantly, they’ve helped me create a learning environment that is organized, engaging, and responsive to student needs. I’m excited to keep using these tools and hope they’ll serve you just as well.