We've Overburdened Teachers Over the Past 18 Months — They Shouldn't Spend a Dime

While I am not an educator myself, teachers are a significant part of my life. Two grandmothers, my father, a couple of my siblings, a cousin-in-law, and even my neighbor are all teachers. (Spoiler alert: they are amazing!) Back-to-school shopping has always involved two aspects for me: what my daughters require for their classrooms and what the educators in my life need for theirs.

From decorations to foster enthusiasm among students to essentials like dry-erase boards and notebooks, parents are not the only ones shopping for supplies. Some people might view teachers as superhuman—after all, they educate our kids in reading, writing, and math while also instilling values like kindness and empathy. However, expecting them to also act as decorators and personal shoppers for students? That’s a bit much.

On top of the usual demands, the Covid era has imposed additional burdens. Anything teachers purchase for their classrooms now has to undergo a strict cleaning regimen. Is it reasonable to expect teachers to buy items that could potentially be damaged? Absolutely not. One teacher I spoke with recently shared that this year, they are scaling back significantly, as any paper materials must be laminated to ensure sanitation.

Do you have any idea how pricey lamination can be? Truly, decorating is the last thing on many teachers’ minds. Others have mentioned that they primarily end up purchasing basic supplies like folders and notebooks, classroom reading materials, and, of course, snacks.

What Are They Buying?

Every school operates differently, even within the same district. For instance, my daughters’ school and the schools where some of my friends teach are all in the same district, yet their supply lists vary widely. And I’m not just talking about the differences between elementary, middle, and high school levels. We are all at the same level in the same district, so I assumed the materials would be similar—my mistake.

The school my daughters attend largely ignores the district supply list. Instead, teachers send out separate requests based on what they’ve already acquired or the activities they have planned. The teachers at the other two schools chuckled when I mentioned what was on our list. They find themselves buying not just basic supplies but also food to keep in their classrooms, as some students only eat at school. Additionally, they often need to buy reams of paper for printing after exhausting their allocated amount, as well as mittens and coats.

Let’s be clear: teachers are not parents. It’s one thing when a parent forgets to pack something occasionally. I’ve made that mistake myself, but that occasional oversight is nothing compared to what some teachers face daily. For many students, their time spent in the classroom is their most stable and secure period, where they can find warmth, nourishment, and safety.

As we discuss education, consider Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Teachers recognize that without meeting their students’ basic needs, their ability to teach effectively is severely hindered. The spending teachers are doing goes far beyond what their contracts stipulate.

If This is the Expectation, Pay Teachers What They Deserve, or Find Another Profession

Here’s a thought: perhaps we should pay teachers fairly? No one enters the profession expecting to become wealthy. Teachers are driven by a passion for making a difference and a deep understanding of education’s importance (not to mention the extraordinary patience they possess).

Teachers have long been undervalued and underappreciated. The contributions they make to our children’s lives are immeasurable. For the past 18 months, they have been expected to educate under unprecedented circumstances—first scrambling to create at-home curricula as the world shut down, then navigating the chaos of remote learning, risking their health to return to the classroom, and managing the complex needs of both in-person and online learners.

If schools expect teachers to educate our children, feed them, clothe them, and address everything in between, then they better compensate them adequately. Teachers can only deduct $250 as an expense on their taxes. Seriously? With an average class size of around 25 students, why would teachers spend more than $10 per student for the entire school year? Because they are extraordinary individuals dedicated to your child’s education and experience.

This struggle isn’t new; teachers have been pouring extra time, energy, and money into our children’s education for decades. Recently, they have had to do so under the intense strain of a global pandemic. Is this acceptable? Absolutely not. We need to examine how government funds are allocated at state and local levels. Why are so many teachers being expected to fill the gaps?

As a parent of school-aged children, I see you, teachers. If there are extra supplies I can contribute, please ask. If you want to organize a special classroom activity, send the email. I’m sure many parents would be more than willing to support your efforts. After all, what better way to express gratitude for taking care of our children five days a week?

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In summary, our teachers have been shouldering an immense burden, especially over the last 18 months. They shouldn’t have to spend their own money on classroom supplies while fulfilling their roles as educators and caregivers. It’s time we acknowledge their contributions and advocate for fair compensation.