Nesli Morie, a third-grade teacher at Matoaka Elementary School, is always searching for ways to highly engage her students in the classroom, from printing educational games to laminating items so her students can have more hands-on learning during the school day.
“I buy colored paper and cardstock so that I can print math and language arts games and activities for my students in order to create high engagement in the classroom,” Morie said.
“I purchase laminating pouches so that I can laminate these games and activities at home. Additionally, I buy STEM supplies so that I can incorporate STEM activities. I do STEM Fridays in my classroom, and this requires supplies such as lots of tape, toothpicks, foil, index cards, popsicle sticks, paper cups, straws, and pipe cleaners.”
But doing all this comes at a cost. Before the first school bell rings every year, Morie spends up to $700 of her own money on materials for her classroom. On top of that, Morie says she shells out an additional $150 per month on other items.
Morie isn’t alone, according to Kimberley Hundley, a kindergarten teacher at Stonehouse Elementary School in Williamsburg-James City County School Division and president of the Williamsburg/James City Education Association. Hundley estimates that local teachers spend on average between $300 and $400 per year on supplies. Hundley says she knows of one teacher at Stonehouse who’s so far spent almost $2,000 this school year on classroom materials. The teacher used the money out of pocket to purchase books, furniture, curtains and other décor.
“That was by choice,” said Hundley, who’s been an educator for 34 years. “I would say beginner teachers put out a lot more money for school supplies. I definitely don’t spend as much as I used to.”
According to the Williamsburg James City County 2017-18 pay scale, most teachers start out making roughly $41,000 a year — meaning some have to dig deep into their pockets to pay the extra cost of supplies.
Thinking outside the classroom
Hundley says there is some help. Teachers receive money from the division at the end of each school year to use toward school supplies for the following year. The amount each school hands out and the amount each teacher spends depends on the school and the individual. At Stonehouse, teachers receive $175 on school supplies, while other schools may provide teachers with more or less.
Also, Morie and other teachers try and stretch their resources by shopping at discounts stores like Dollar Tree, Target, Walmart and Amazon for the best prices on items.
“Sometimes, the Dollar Spot in Target will have great items for teachers,” she said. “Anytime there’s a sale on supplies, bins or baskets, or games, I take advantage and stock up.”
Teachers will also seek out parents to assist with providing supplies for the classroom.
“Parents are a great help,” said Morie. “In the beginning of the year, I email my class wish list to my school parents. Additionally, if we’re doing a class activity that requires various supplies, I’ll sometimes ask my school parents if they’re able to send in these items. In most cases, parents are always willing to help out or send in supplies and resources. They just don’t know there’s a need.”
Teacher wish lists are available online and in certain stores at the beginning of each school year. Hundley will also occasionally bring in items from home for classroom activities as well. She mostly purchases materials from her own pocket for cooking demos or special occasions, like buying Valentine’s Day treats for her students.
PTAs and other lifelines
Hundley also encourages teachers to consider applying for grants for materials through organizations such as their PTA, the WJCC Schools Foundation, or the Virginia Education Association. Last year, she was awarded a grant from the WJCC Schools Foundation for a science experiment in which students observed, recorded, and communicated the life cycle of a chicken.
“Our PTAs do an awesome job by providing great grants so we don’t have to spend out of pocket,” Hundley said. “The WJCC Foundation offers grants for big-ticket items. I think teachers are sometimes afraid to apply for grants because they think it is too hard or they will be rejected. But I would really take advantage of grants. Definitely try to rely on that.”
Even with parent donations and grants, much of the financial burden for school supplies still seems to fall on the teachers — something Hundley and the PTA continue to talk about as they look for solutions.
