What do teachers buy out of their own pocket?

Here are just a few items I have puurchased in the past: posted notes index, cards, high liters, and dri ink markers

This is a wonderful idea! Every year around X-mas time I put up a wish list for parents. They get a choice of what to get the classroom if they want to. As a teacher here are some things we lack, especially by the middle of the year.

*PENCILS!!!
*Tissue boxes
*Clorox/Lysol wipes
*Hand sanatizer
*Board Markers (dry erase)

Thank you so much for this initiative...pass it along because most teachers all over the nation would love it if their presents become classroom supplies.

What a wonderful idea! On average a teacher spends between 1,000 and 5,000 dollars a year in their classroom.
I find that tape, paper clips, a zip drive, pens to check work, any art supplies, card stock, markers for the white board, Lysol, etc
You will find that most teachers appreciate usable things so any of these would be wonderful.
Maybe donating a book to the class or a gift certificate to Staples?
Thanks for caring!

First, it is so thoughful of you to consider giving your child's teacher a gift, thanks!
I love the idea of giving something useful. How about the following:
zip drive, art supplies, white board markers, correction pens, gift card to Amazon (I buy professional books online), paper clips, multi colored circles for labeling books, etc..
Remember no matter what you give your child's teacher will appreciate your thoughts!

www.ShopForStudents.com could very well be your answer. It's free and will not only provide what your teachers' needs are this year, but for many years to come. We believe that teacher funded classrooms need to be eliminated.

I buy items needed to conduct small experiments about once a month, I buy cleaning supplpies, extra chairbacks for students who can't afford them, treats for rewards, writing journals, all kinds of school supplies, books for students to read, and I even buy tickets for my entire class to attend a movie after school when it is about a book we have read. I used to keep my receipts for income tax purposes but I always exceed the amount so I quit keeping track.

What a wonderful idea! As a teacher, I often purchase school supplies (I buy when the sales come up to stretch my funds) to serve as a reward for a job well-done, contests in math, etc. If I had a wish list, it would be: dry-erase markers, packs of erasers (normally 50-100 in a package), notebook paper, sheet protectors (normally come 100 to a box), but anything is greatly appreciated by teachers.

Thank you, Bec, for starting this discussion string! I think teachers can never have enough boxes of tissues, or dry erase markers.

Also, teachers: if you are Title I school, always remember to go to the Title I office first before buying supplies. This is often a resource not tapped into enough. You can also check with your administrator to see if the IMA (instructional materials account) can cover any classroom library books, supplemental instructional materials, or in Pamela's case, "items needed to conduct small experiments."

Best,
Rebecca Alber
Edutopia

A gift card to Walmart, Target, Kmart or another popular store would be great. I like to take pics of my students for scrapbooks or craft items. Picture developing is expensive. Also, I buy lots of school or craft supplies throughout the year at these stores

Hi! Have you ever thought about what it might be like to have your very own classroom fundraiser that you can include your parents in? It's called shopforstudents.com
It is free and you can monitor your results right online.
We donate back 15% of every order placed to your classroom, no matter what is purchased. Including educationsla toys and games, child products, school organizational items and our most popular products, remanufactured inks and toners. Great for the environment, we donate back on everything, no ecxeptions, no little print. Hope this helps. Take Care!!