Teachers are Paying More
A recent article in our local paper addressed what has become a commonplace occurrence in most schools in Ohio, and probably nationwide; teachers are spending more of their own money to both prepare their classrooms and supply their students with what they need.
I’m sure some of you who are reading this blog are thinking, “Boo-hoo! Teachers get paid to work 9 months a year, so they have no reason to complain if they have to spend a little money on their classrooms and students.” So let me give those of you who are thinking, or worse yet saying this, an idea of everything I had to buy to get my classroom up and running this year. Here goes:
* 6 black line master books on specific reading standards
* 5 black line master intervention books on specific reading standards
* Math review game aligned to Ohio standards with hanging chart and game cards.
* An extra set of math cards for above game
* A mailbox system for student papers
* 4 bulletin boards for science
* 5 bulletin boards for math
* 10 new sets of bulletin board borders
* Staple gun for hanging bulletin boards on wall
* Bullying bulletin board set and No Bullying sign
* Star of the Week bulletin board set
* 5 new sets of die cuts for attendance board and welcome boards
* Wireless keyboard and mouse
* Multiple rolls of paper towels
* Multiple bottles of pump soap for my classroom sink
* 4 Sam’s Club bags of candy for rewards (And this is just to get me started)
* 3 boxes of treat bags to auction off (This will just be the beginning.)
* Gift bags for each student which contained glitter pencils, crayon pencils, erasers, a Rice Krispie treat, and several pieces of wrapped candy
* Popsicles for the students for the first day of school
* Multiplication Bingo game and Division Bingo Game
* Multiple packages of math flash cards
* Pens, highlighters, markers, pencils, and poster board paper
* 3 magnetic hanging file holders
* 3 clear plastic bins with lids for science materials
Again, I will reiterate that most of these products will only get me started. I will have to purchase or replace more of these items throughout the year. As far as supplies are concerned, periodically we will need to supplement those things that our students run out of and parents do not replenish. We already have a few students who do not have their supplies, probably because their parents cannot afford them. This is not unusual, and we will end up helping these students out.
The article reported that teachers in our area spend anywhere from $100-$2,000 a year on their students and their classrooms. Based on my experience, elementary education teachers generally spend more money than high school teachers in preparing their classrooms for school and providing student rewards and supplies. I am sure I have spent upwards of $700 this year already, as I have had to purchase so many new materials due to teaching all subjects. And I will spend much more before the school year is over. I think we all feel that we are spending more than we used to as our schools’ budgets keep shrinking. Even paper for worksheets is being carefully rationed in our district this year. So, as most parents and schools tighten their belts, teachers will continue to have to loosen theirs if they want to provide the same amenities they have in the past.