As a school teacher in a poor district, I spend my own money on materials. Do other teachers do this?

Question

If so about how much do you spend a year? any suggestions on alternatives to spending own money?

Answer 1

I spend at least $300.00 a year, sometimes more. When I first started I paid much more because I bought some CD's, posters, bulletin board borders, etc. Now I can reuse those things and do not spend as much as I did the first couple years.

The bottom line is that when I think it is valid and want my kids to have it; I buy it. Sometimes I feel like my students appreciate me spending money on things for them more than my own children do, so I do not mind.

I do know that Staples will keep damaged things and offer them to teachers. They are usually nicer than the things that we have in our classrooms, but they cannot sell it due to a flaw. That is a place to start.

Target is known for helping schools. You do need to go through the main/corporate office with requests. Another option is a local company. They may be more than happy to help and get a little free advertising.

You can check into the possibilities of a fundraiser, but in a poor district that may not be as successful as other places. Could you do a bake sale at a local store? This of course requires permission from the principal and possibly the board.

One last idea; talk to a couple of stores and let them know your dilemma. When they have damaged product that they may throw away (a package of paper that got opened and torn up or crayons in a broken box, etc.) they may be willing to save it and give it to you. Those things are very useable. I would be thrilled to have anything like that to use in my room. As a matter of fact... I am going to do that in my town!

Good luck. You will keep spending your money, but the kids notice and it will mean a lot to them.

Answer 2

We all do it, honey. Make sure you save your receipts to count them off on taxes. Whatever the maximum amount you can claim for business expenses on taxes are, my husband and I have met (and then some). I'm not actually sure what that adds up to though. I think surveys have been taken in the past, and the average is around a thousand a year (but I might be remembering it wrong).

A perfect alternative to spending your own money is simply to ask local businesses for their help. I personally don't use this avenue enough. If you need something, tell a local business that you're a teacher in a poor district and would like some supplies donated if possible. You know the schools the "bad kids" get sent to when they can't cut it in the regular classroom? Those principals and teachers know how to work a business in order to get donations. They'll even get food donated when they have parties sometimes. The problem is that we just don't think to ask as often as we should. I'd even try Wal-Mart for supplies if I were you. For text books and literature, write to publishing companies and ask for an EXAMINATION COPY. They'll send one to you for free if you agree to look it over and think about purchasing more for your class (no obligation).

Are there any items that you find yourself buying more of? Maybe I could help you brainstorm for specifics. Good luck!

Answer 3

I spend between $1500 and $3000, depending on my needs that year. You see, the school system did not provide leveled books for in-class silent reading use ... I knew it was the best way to increase reading levels, so I bought them. Good reading scores. And the school bought a manipulative kit. However, when you have children of such varying degrees of ability, you need beyond the basics ... bought these items, math scores went up. Kids adore science -- it is a real motivation for them -- but since it was not tested in my school, there was no financial allocation for it. I bought supplies, my students ate it up and had real content knowledge. For instance, every one of my kindergarten and first grade students knew plants come from more than just seeds .. we grew potatoes from potato eyes, bearded irises from others, etc. We even planted the babies from a spider plant. They loved it and learned.

All of this costs money. Schools are traditionally underfunded. As a teacher, my books and things go with me wherever I go -- consider it like the tools a carpenter has. Well, when I leave, it's a few SUV or truck-loads.

All of the money came off taxes as an unreimbursed business expense.

Answer 4

This isn't just happening in the "poor district" schools, it is EVERYWHERE!!! My friends and relatives who decided to change from teaching to pursue a different career, cite lots of problems.

It is totally pathetic, that I have a property, and will pay my entire life, school taxes on that property. whether residential or business, or, even, if used for most NON-profit uses!

The 29 layers of "Administration" above the teacher, all REQUIRE those air conditioned and carpeted offices, sweeping estates of landscapes, staff transportation, and, salaries that are double to ten times what the teachers earn, after their 8 years seniority!!!

For our teachers to have to BEG for paper and pencils, erasers, crayons, paints, and other teaching aids, that the PARENTS should provide, is an OUTRAGE to the taxpayer who never had kids, or whose kids are in their 40's! Even to the folks WITH kids, this is an outrage!

The entire system is totally STUPID and, there is about to be a TAX PAYER REVOLT in America, over this. I can't wait to see Private Schools and home schooling parents, receive vouchers!

After all, the really bright rocket scientists and University educators, inventors, spelling bee winners, are all home or private schooled!

It ain't the water, folks, it is the 'watered down' government school education!

Answer 5

I teach in a relatively wealthy district and easily spend $1,000 a year out of my own pocket. I've already spent close to $300 so far this year and I just finished my second week of school. I'm not a new teacher either - my ninth year. Unfortunately, it comes with the job as I will not let my kids go without the supplies they need to learn just to prove a point. Politicians, administrators, and others with the power to change things know this and count on teachers to dig into their own pockets to supplement the public school system.

Answer 6

I think 100% of teachers spend some of their own money.

I think the average amount is $300 - 500 a year.

You could try to partner with a store in the area, ask for their end of year clearance in exchange for drawings the kids do to post in their store for good PR to the store.

Maybe ask a church to ask their congregation to donate supplies

Answer 7

No, other teachers do not do it and you should not either. For a number of reasons. You may be solving the problem for your class (at your expense) but you aren't helping the class next door. Your school district needs to find ways to increase its funding if taxes don't provide enough. There are ways to do this -- on a per school basis, you can have any number of fund raising activities -- raffles, garage sales, hot dog sales at sporting events, etc.etc.etc. Or the school district can approach local corporations for donations. A company can be asked to fund (or to provide continuing support) for a library. Or a science lab. Or whatever relates to their business.
If you continue to spend your own money you are doing two things:
Convincing people that teachers in your district are overpaid, because they have lots of money to contribute to the needs of the students in their classroom (try arguing against that next time contract negotiations come up)
Convincing people that the money given to the schools is sufficient because the teachers aren't asking for any more money to equip their classrooms.
Sorry -- that probably wasn't what you wanted to hear, but that's the truth of the matter.

Answer 8

although our school is a well to do district we do still spend our personal money.
I buy sports magazines so students that cannot participate in our gym class can do something instead of just sitting there.
There are somethings the school will not get for us.
Some of the expenses are tax deductible.

Answer 9

In my district the PTO will reimburse the teacher $60-$100. I know it's not much.

Answer 10

Growing up, I had a number of teachers forced into that position. One thing you might try is going to various businesses and ask them if they would be willing to donate supplies to help further the education of Today's children.