Teachers hold one of the most important jobs in the nation. They help to shape the minds of youth, turning them into knowledgeable, socially conscious, and productive adults. Yet, despite their noble work, the average teacher earns only $44,821 per year. As the cost of living rises across the country, it’s becoming more difficult for teachers to meet their financial needs. To further contribute to that burden, many teachers are spending their own earnings on school supplies for their classrooms.
How Much Are Teachers Spending on School Supplies?
In an article by the Huffington Post, it was reported that teachers, on average, are spending about $500 out of pocket on supplies for their classrooms. However, this number varies drastically depending on a variety of variables, like the amount of school funding, the class size, the geographical location of the school, etc. DeAnn Moran, a teacher at Moore Public School in Oklahoma, reports spending between $4,000 and $6,000 every year on supplies.
Why Are Teachers Spending So Much?
It certainly isn’t in the job title of teachers to provide their own classroom supplies. So, why are teachers spending such a large portion of their meager income on their students? The reasons are likely varied. In part, many schools have little funding, which makes it difficult for them to provide all of the supplies needed for the classroom. Many children come from low-income families who are unable to fully equip their child for the school year. According to Moran, it’s devastating to see the look on a child’s face when they don’t have the right classroom supplies, which is why she goes to such lengths to ensure every student has the materials they need.
How Can Teachers Reduce Spending, and How Can You Help?
Obviously, for children to flourish in the classroom environment, they need to be equipped with the right educational tools. Children who lack basic supplies will fall behind in their class work, and that struggle is compounded with every passing year. Fortunately, there are some ways that teachers and the public alike can reduce the cost of classroom supplies and ensure every classroom is fully equipped with an array of new materials.
- Buy in bulk. If you’re a teacher looking to buy supplies for your class, or a concerned parent hoping to give teachers a break, buying bulk school supplies is a cost-efficient way to ensure all children have the tools they need for education. Buying in bulk will reduce the cost per item, and by purchasing larger packages, you can access even greater discounts.
- Turn to nonprofits. There are many nonprofits that offer free school supplies for both students and teachers. The Kids in Need Foundation (KINF) is an organization that offers grants to teachers to help them afford school supplies, so they can stock their classrooms without draining their finances.
- Run a school supply drive. Instead of purchasing all of the supplies out of pocket, consider starting a school supply drive in your community to encourage others to come together and donate supplies for your school.
Teachers play an important role in our country, helping to educate and shape the children of today, so we can build a better future together. Yet, their salaries are meager as is, and when they are forced to buy their own supplies out of pocket, it can cut into their finances considerably. By purchasing school supplies in bulk, teachers can cut the costs of supplies considerably, thus saving money. Search a variety of bulk back-to-school supplies today, and access the best savings imaginable.