Top 10 everyday items all k-12 I.T. Directors shouldn’t live without
Running I.T. in a school district means being part network engineer, part device doctor, part cable wrangler, and sometimes even janitor. After years in the trenches, I’ve found there are a handful of tools and consumables I reach for almost daily.
Here are the top 10 items I recommend every K-12 I.T. department keep on hand — whether you’re a one-person shop or part of a larger tech team.
1. Label Maker
Nothing saves more headaches than labeling. Asset tags, power adapters, charging cables — a simple label maker can prevent mix-ups and speed up inventory. My go to label maker fit’s in my backpack, but I don’t carry it all the time. If I’m going to tone out a network cable I’ll bring it along to label both the port in the classroom and the port on the switch/patch panel.
👉 DYMO LabelManager
2. Cable Tester
If everyone would set up their classrooms and offices the same way every year this wouldn’t be necessary, but we all know that doesn’t happen. I think re-arranging rooms is a requirement sometimes… Anyway, get a good cable tester and toner combo. I just picked this one up and it’s solid, easy to use, and makes you look like a pro.
👉 Klein Tools Cable Tester
3. External SSD
Whether imaging devices, backing up servers, or carrying around installers, a rugged SSD is a must-have. They’re fast, reliable, and pocket-sized. Sure you could just use the cloud or a local storage server, but these portable drives are fast and reliable. I carry two with me all the time. Never know when you’ll need to back up a teacher device.
👉 Samsung T7 Portable SSD
4. Multi-Tool Screwdriver
Laptops, carts, wall plates, you name it — schools use every screw under the sun. A good multi-tip screwdriver keeps you from hauling around a toolbox. I’ve got a nice iFixit kit that stays at my desk. In my back pack I always have my Gerber multi-tool and a simple Husky screw driver. Great tools to have on hand in a pinch.
👉 iFixit Mako Driver Kit
5. Portable power bank
Inevitably you’ll be away from your desk all day and won’t get a chance to charge your devices. Wether it’s your laptop, tablet, or phone, all I.T. people should carry a battery bank. Having one big enough to charge your laptop isn’t a bad idea, but not necessary. Just need enough juice to get you through until you can plug in again. Pro tip: Get one with a built in cable so you don’t have to think about adding that to you pack as well.
👉 Anker Power Bank
6. USB-c adapters
USB-C is terrific, but what about all those USB-A peripherals you have? Yes, there are still plenty out there. Pick up an adapter. Heck, pick up ten or twenty! I keep a couple on me in case a teacher or staff member needs one. I’ve got ones with ethernet ports on them and others with SD readers. Having these in stock is a must.
👉 Anker USB-C Hub
7. Alcohol Wipes
Germy iPads, sticky keyboards, dusty Chromebooks… enough said. Alcohol wipes are a cheap consumable that save on complaints (and illness). Don’t go into a classroom without them. I prefer the small pouches so they don’t take up a lot of room in my pack.
👉 OWELL Alcohol Wipes
8. Cable Ties & Velcro Straps
Server racks, carts, and classrooms quickly turn into spaghetti monsters. Velcro straps and ties keep things neat and easy to maintain. I’ve used these to secure Apple TVs to ceiling mounted projectors all the time. I don’t recommend using zip ties either. Who knows if you’ll have to remove it one day and if you do will you have a pair of clippers on hand to cut it free? Velcro my friends. Velcro.
👉 Reusable Cable Ties
9. Tech organizer
Keeping small items together is a game changer. A tech organizer keeps flash drives, portable SSDs, extra cables, and adapters neat and secure instead of floating around in a backpack.
👉 Bagsmart Tech Organizer
10. A Well organized backpack
Probably the most over-looked item nobody thinks about. I’ve gone through so many backpacks in my past because I could never find the right one. I didn’t want a huge one, but those were the ones with the most pockets. I prefer a separate compartment for my laptop, not just a pocket in the main space. I like to be able to quick attach things to the outside of it if I need. Like the Molle webbing you see on the military style packs. Finally I found one that I have been most happy with. It didn’t break the bank, it’s not cheaply made, and it fits everything I need.
👉 North Face Recon Backpack
🧠 Final Thoughts
These tools and consumables might seem simple, but they’ve saved me countless hours (and frustrations) while supporting staff and students. If you’re building your own district IT toolkit, start here — you’ll thank yourself later.
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