As education professionals, we spend our own money on a regular basis to make sure that we have the resources we need to ensure that our students are successful. The Columbus Education Association has recently distributed an electronic online survey to its members asking them to provide data about their spending habits on their students.
The CEA Blog would like for you to share the stories of how your personal expenditures in the course of your responsibilities as a professional educator have helped our students to be successful both inside and outside the classroom.
You don’t have to be registered to leave a reply— simply click on the “Comments” link below, type your first name (or a screen name of your choice), email address and leave your comment. Once your reply has been moderated, it will be added.
I’m a high school teacher. After seeing some of my pregnant students eating nothing but sugar for breakfast a number of years ago, I try to bring fresh fruit for them at least 2-3 times per week. It adds up, but it’s for a good cause– they always love those clementines in fall and winter.
As an English teacher, providing engaging novels for teenagers is a passion of mine. After realizing that CCS seriously underfunds school libraries, I began one of my own in my classroom. I only stock books which I have reviewed and made sure the content and style is appropriate for high school students. I spent about $400 last year on novels, and I made sure I deducted it from my taxes. The results? I still have students come to me for books even after they have left my classes. I couldn’t be happier!
I am an elementary teacher and was given a case of copy paper at the beginning of the school year and was told to make it last. This will be all you get until the next shipment mid year. Needless to say I ran out of paper by Christmas and ended up buying my own until the new case came. I also donate hundreds of dollars of clothing (new or gently used clothing of my two daughters) to the students in my class. Treats and rewards also add up.
I have always gone into my own pocket for my students, most of the time without thinking. I’ve purchased clothing, shoes, paid school supply fees, bought art supplies, holiday goodie bags, etc. Many years ago, I even became a foster parent for a former student, and again took in the brother of a former student, and raised them from middle school age to graduation from high school. Most teachers do what they need to do for their students.
In serving a refugee population of English Language Learners, I have purchased socks, gloves, hats, and clothes for my students. When an apartment belonging to the family of one of my students was burned, I orchestrated the collection of money from the staff in order to buy a mattress, clothes, food, etc. I spent many hours of my own time helping this family purchase what they needed and arranging for help from various organizations. I have enlisted the help of my daughter, and together we took my fifth graders to a play at the Wexner Center and then out for ice cream at Graeter’s. I purchased outfits for my students to wear in the talent show and spent lunch hours helping them rehearse. The expense has been significant, but the joy on the faces of the of the recipients makes it all worth it.
I am a special education teacher in a high school. I realized how little my students read, and how few high-interest, low-readability books are available for my students to read in the school library. A few years ago I learned about a publishing company that publishes a series about high school students; the readability level is middle-school level and my students enjoy the stories. The books are only $1 each (plus shipping)! I started buying the books in bulk (30-50 at a time)….I can’t keep them on my shelf! I let the students “borrow” them, but I rarely have them returned. I do, however, see many students reading them during SSR (not just my “special education” students either) and I get asked about them all the time. Students want to know when I get a new order in. It gets the students hooked on reading and makes it worth the price and effort.
I have been in CCS over 30 years first as a teacher and now as a counselor. I have bought school supplies at the beginning of each year for the students. I also bought treats and awards. Many times I have bought underwear and outerwear for the students and thought nothing about it. It is just the thing to do.
My own personal expenditures have served to make up for the inequities caused by my principal. Many of my students have no school supplies, or very little anyway. I’ve provided folders, homework logs, pencils and pens, paper and a multitude of things. Administration doesn’t even believe they need to help teachers by providing materials needed to make a classroom a classroom. All they want to provide is a curriculum guide, and even that “should” be viewed online only-no printing.
I have a primary MD classroom in a low income area of town. I am given $100 to spend for snacks but that doesn’t last long especially when you need paper products and plastic utensils. Making snacks is such a functional real life experience… One that my students need in order to provide for themselves. I also want them to try foods that are not part of their regular household experiences. You wouldn’t believe how many of my students have not heard of various fruits and vegetables that are part of my own children’s daily diet! I also try to provide my students with opportunities that they are not receiving at home and usually it takes some money to do so.
As a secondary school math teacher I provide my students with folders, notebooks, graph paper and loose-leaf paper for their work. Candy, lotion, and hand sanitizer are always a must. My students also know that I will gladly buy them lunch when they don’t have the money. My good groups get my homemade treats, and not just candy.
Although I am not currently in the classroom, I have always purchased materials needed to keep my students engaged. When I left the classroom, I donated my over 500 book collection to the teacher taking my place so they would not have to start from scratch. I have always purchased hats and gloves for students in the during the winter months. I recently contributed monies to a former student so that she can attend the the historical inaguration. Teachers are the biggest givers I know. Not only do they contribute to their own classrooms but they give to charitable causes such as Making Strides, United Way, UNCF and Reach Out and Read.
With a book as old as my high school students, there are many costs I come into contact with to keep my classroom in the “now”.
500 pencils have been given out so far this year to students who must not know they are going to school when they leave their homes in the morning.
Just today I gave my gloves to a student who walks to school, she only had a spring jacket with a broken zipper.
The district does not supply high-interest, low readability materials so I always buy my own. You cannot teach children to read when the material is several grades too high for them. Unfortunately, I don’t see the district even really caring that so many students read 3-4 grades below their current school grade. Not only are these children getting left behind — the district seems to be willing to throw them away. Since there is no intervention for these students, I purchase materials and do my own intervention.
As a first grade teacher every year when all of the stores start their school supply sales I go for all the things that my students will need throughout the year. I also have an extensive library for my students to enjoy. Over the years this has really made a difference for the students They love the books and as a teacher or reading, isn’t that what we want for our children? Now that winter is coming, gloves, mittens, hats and scarves are going to be in need. I wish I could fix the zippers that are broken on their coats, but I have been known to sew on a few buttons over the years. Christmas is coming too and I know Santa personally!
I have given shirts out to a girl who did not have the facilities to wash clothing. I also instructed her on hygiene (not taken too well at first). After receiving the clothing the smile on her face melted my heart. Needless to say her hygiene improved afterward.
I was just sharing with my friends how, over the 23 years that i have been in teaching in my field I have noticed that the poverty level of our students has dramatically increased. It breaks my heart to see some of the families and the struggles that they have on a daily basis just to make it through that day. I have used my money to purchase clothing that is kept up in the front office for the children and, food for the families at the holiday. I want to share that I am not the only one at my building that contributes. Our secretary, principal and, many other staff keep the supplies coming in, all year long. If our students’ basic needs aren’t met how in the world can they focus on what we need them to do?
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