Often teachers will look for a part-time job in order to afford the supplies their students desperately need. Despite good intentions on the part of the government, states, and school boards, classrooms still fall short when it comes to basics like paper, pencils and crayons.
Teachers often pay for this out of their own pocket, and the expenses can add up very quickly. A dollar for paper might not seem like much to someone who is sending a child to school, but when a teacher is buying paper for a classroom of thirty, that’s a good chunk of change – and that’s before delving into the other things that are required, such as posterboard for art class, binders and folders for keeping it all together, pens and pencils for writing, and sometimes, the cost of books for the year.
Many parents don’t realize how bad the situation is – so let them know! If you need more supplies for the classroom, write a letter explaining the situation. Offer a “wish list” of what your students need. Stress that this is NOT a requirement of the parents, just a reminder that if they do have the money to spare, your classroom could definitely use it.
Send the letter home with the children in the room. Some parents might not be able to provide anything more than they already have, but you can bet there will be a few parents who step forward to pick up the slack.
Nothing matters more to parents than the education their children are getting – and as a teacher, that puts all of you on the same page. So don’t be afraid to ask if they might be able to provide a bit more to get your classroom over the financial slump.
Obtaining a second job or a weekend position in order to help your classroom students afford the supplies they need is an admirable position to take, but you might be able to avoid it by working closely with the parents, recycling what you can, and striking deals with stores to get discounts on bulk purchases.
Remember that old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child”? These days, it takes a village to teach that child, too – so open up the doors to let parents work with you and make that experience the best it can be. They will be happy to help, and you will breathe a sigh of relief. Best of all, the kids under your charge will get the supplies they need to maintain a great education. What could be better?