Comments on: Infographic: Teachers Spend Their Own Money on Classroom Necessities

By: Stacey Lewandowski

Stacey Lewandowski — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 15:16:41 +0000

Every single year I spend a minimum of $200 out of my pocket just to start the year. Then, throughout the year I spend $ $100-$200 more to buy rewards, incentives, odds and ends for individual struggling students, etc. For a profession where our salaries do NOT offset the amount of money we spend on continuing education, it is unbelievable how “deep” our pockets are so that we can remain effective. Yet, we do it for the love of what we do. I am quite certain that other professionals outside the education world would be willing to do the same. They would expect reimbursement. Rarely an option in education.

By: hardhearted

hardhearted — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 12:43:35 +0000

Working at a school in a very low income area I spent $200-$500 a month on supplies, snacks and incentives like pizza parties. I would not have been able to do many experiments in my science lab if I wasn’t willing to foot the bill. I could easily have spent even more. I could never seem to get enough pencils, notebooks, boxes of kleenex, or granola bars. US Teachers are allowed to claim $250 a year on their taxes for classroom expenses.

By: R. Drew Davis

R. Drew Davis — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 15:54:05 +0000

I’m not a tax expert by any means, but I’m pretty sure that in the US if a teacher properly documents such necessary classroom expenses, that at the very least there has to be a way to make them be tax-deductible to the extent the expenses weren’t repaid by the teacher’s employer. Documenting those expenses, in terms of actual items bought, not just total dollars spent, ought to be an important point in negotiating next year’s budget. It has the merit of being the sort of expenses that parents can understand, so it ought to be easy to get attention on the items.

By: Teachers pay for 87% of the school supplies needed in their classrooms | IgHive

Mon, 04 May 2015 12:06:39 +0000

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By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 11:01:22 +0000

You are right to point out that in other professions, people lay out money from time to time, as well. You are also correct that in education that financial investment doesn’t often yield financial returns.Why do it again, you ask? I suppose the answer to that question is a subjective one. But I know many teachers who keep at it year to year because despite the financial strain, they are driven by a deep desire to help young people reach their potential. What do you think?

By: daveeckstrom

daveeckstrom — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 21:46:50 +0000

Lots of professionals in other fields do the same. Sometimes the red tape isn’t worth the wait. Sometimes you really believe in something that your bosses can’t understand. It happens.

The difference is, for other professionals there is an eventual payoff. At some point going the extra mile pays off in a raise, promotion, better offer or something.

In teaching, that money is gone forever. And next year you do it again. And again. And again. And then your governor says you’re lazy and overpaid, cuts your compensation by 12% and removes your union protection.

And then the next year you do it again. Why?

By: The Teacher Treasury

The Teacher Treasury — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 03:02:19 +0000

Wonderful infographic and the statistics are sad but true. Teachers are undoubtedly some of the most underpaid, underrated and neglected professionals in the world. Educators who are passionate about their work understand their students often need much more than the school systems are willing to provide them. Thanks for recommending organizations like RAFT and Adopt-A-Classroom. We need all the resources we can find!

By: Stephanie G.

Stephanie G. — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 23:58:14 +0000

I recently Transfered schools. I moved from a school in an affluent neighborhood to a school in a low income area. I was surprised to see how few supplies this school has. I have had to buy basic supplies so my classroom can run smoothly… Such as baskets to organize my books (which I’m still working on purchasing), art and center supplies so my kids can enjoy the fun side of learning, wires and other computer supplies to make my smart board actually work, as well as the every day supplies….

By: Top basic requirement of a good teacher

Top basic requirement of a good teacher — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 16:56:12 +0000

Teachers spend a lot that’s the fact, but actually spending is not all that makes teaching effective, there are some little little things like proper classroom management and good teaching qualities that are needed.

By: Jonahan Yunger

Jonahan Yunger — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 06:43:10 +0000

Thanks for sharing your experience with us, Celina. It sound like you are doing your best to be an effective teacher. What do you think is the solution to this problem?