I just spent $150 on classroom supplies
By NJ Chicaa
@NJChicaa (119649)
United States
August 14, 2023 3:18pm CST
I am thankful that I am not an elementary school teacher for many reasons but just the idea of having to change bulletin boards every month makes me want to drop dead. At the high school level we don't do that but I do still try to improve the classroom space to make both the students and me more comfortable. I just dropped $150 on Amazon on stuff for the room.
I ordered some things for me (post its, mechanical pencils, my favorite pens), some for students (highlighters, band-aids, tissues) and some things for the room in general (dry erase markers, air fresheners, plants, Sharpie markers). I think my order included 15 different things. Who is paying for it? Me.
That doesn't even include the snacks that I will buy for hungry students--and me. I do what I can each year to make the room a welcoming and comfortable place. The subject alone isn't something that students particularly love so I try to do what I can to make the room chill.
I sure as hell won't be reimbursed for that order nor will I for the snacks or desk decal I ordered the other day. Teachers are so overpaid though, right? 
9 people like this
7 responses
@much2say (55665)
• Los Angeles, California
15 Aug 23
I remember the elementary school teachers spent tons of their own money for school stuff. In what other occupation do employees need to buy supplies for that they need to do their job 
?? I noticed middle school and high school do not need to provide as much to the students, but still . . . it takes A LOT to run a classroom. We've always donated what we could to help out.
?? I noticed middle school and high school do not need to provide as much to the students, but still . . . it takes A LOT to run a classroom. We've always donated what we could to help out.2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (102941)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
14 Aug 23
Teachers deserve better pay for their line of work.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37570)
•
14 Aug 23
I have many teacher friends and family. They do the same...they buy so much. Most of them are always on the hunt for items for their students. One of my friends has 2 daughters that both teach, one in elementary, and one in middle school. They both have students that never have warm winter clothing at all. No coats, mittens, nothing. They are always on the lookout so as to keep a few used, but still nice, coats in various sized, generic type that would work for basically anyone. They haunt yard sales and thrift stores and keep some at school. One of them used to buy new coats if the child had none, but then the mom or dad would sell the coat and the child would be back without one again. So now, they buy used ones.
I know that not many realize, nor do they appreciate that you see to it that your students have the school basics. It's all an expense you shouldn't have to have, but you do that, and I thank you.
3 people like this
@Anqaya (3033)
• United States
14 Aug 23
Aww, that is so nice of u. The school where I am an after-class tutor has some nice teachers like u too. And he also tries to do what he can. But the opposite class teacher is so stingy! She keeps being rude to us about something the kids did before us arriving.
But u spent a lot! $150! Those students better behave well and give u a good time ahha.
2 people like this
@jstory07 (139742)
• Roseburg, Oregon
15 Aug 23
One year a Father came into where I worked and bought all the fans we had. When I found out they were for his son's school. He bought a fan for each classroom. I gave him my employee discount. Which I did to when I found out teachers were buying for their class room. I never got in trouble for doing that.
More places should do that to help Teachers out because your salary is not that high.
1 person likes this
