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Readers' Survey 2007: Amount You Spend Out of Pocket Each Year on Classroom Supplies
Edutopia readers weigh in on their favorites.
by Edutopia Staff
Credit: Getty Images
$500 or More
We can see those checking accounts shrinking before our very eyes! Nearly half of you told us you spend $500 or more. Shockingly, more than one in three of those heavy spenders shells out more than $1,000 a year, up to a high of $3,500. Oh, my. Responses ranged from the magnanimous ("I don't care what I spend -- the results are worth it") to the miserly ("$0 -- I refuse to pay for what I can put in the budget"). But the consistent message in response after response was simply "Way too much!"
Our Take
Payback
If you're tapping your own funds for the sake of your students, David Holmstrom, a licensed tax preparer in Brookline, Massachusetts, has advice on how to get some of that investment back from Uncle Sam. It's tough to deduct it the usual way, by itemizing purchases on Schedule A, because classroom expenses rarely outweigh the standard deduction anyone can take. "Congress therefore decided to give educators a special break not available to other employees," Holmstrom says. "They can take up to $250 as an adjustment -- that is, they can subtract it from their income -- whether or not they itemize deductions."
If you're in the 25 percent tax bracket, he says, this adjustment is worth fifty dollars to you -- not enough, surely, but something. The allowance covers out-of-pocket costs for classroom supplies and is available only to teachers, counselors, principals, and aides in private and public K-12 schools who worked at least 900 hours during the year.
Here's the catch: Congress approved the educator adjustment for this year after the tax forms were printed. So, Holmstrom explains, teachers must put the $250 on line 23 of Form 1040 (the line that says "Archer MSA deduction") and write an E on the line to indicate it's an educator expense. He adds, "Isn't the IRS great?"
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2007 Readers' Survey Home Page
Money
Submitted by Rachel (not verified) on July 1, 2008 - 18:04.
Each year I am surprised by the amount of money that I continue to spend for my classroom and students. I continue to buy motivational rewards for the students or items for projects. I agree with Sondra, teaching is a job for pack rats. I continue catching myself looking at other people's "garbage" as my "treasure" for a future project. This new "treasure" can save me an expense in the future. I have become very organized and know where each "treasure" is hidden and in return can pull it out quickly. I also find this allows me to help out other teachers that send an email out in search of items.
I would suggest to new teachers or even experienced teachers to display a wish list for items that maybe needed throughout the year. I have done this the past few years and have gain materials for indoor recess, lessons, and projects.
money
Submitted by Rachel H (not verified) on July 1, 2008 - 16:44.
I am shocked every year at the amount of money that I continue to spend for my classroom or on my students. Our build PTA and district will rfund a small portion of what we spend but I find myself continueing to spend past our set amount.
I agree with Sondra, teaching is a job for pack rats. Each year you continue to look at someone's "garbage" and view it as your "treasure" to use for your next class project. It is amazing what teachers begin to save for unknown projects in hopes to save some money on purchasing more for their rooms.
Out of pocket spending for my classroom
Submitted by Rachel (not verified) on July 1, 2008 - 12:06.
It was interesting reading this article and thinking about what I actually spend for my classroom and my students. I am constantly purchasing items for lessons or motivational prizes for the students. I have moved grade levels or buildings six times out of my eight years of teaching. I agree with Sondra, teachers become pack rats! You never know if you will have to move grade levels or if the curriculum focus will change. As teachers, we learn to save things on the chance that we might use it sometime in the future.
Classroom Expenses
Submitted by Sondra Lawson (not verified) on May 28, 2008 - 20:30.
Not only do teachers bear the expense of making their classrooms "kid friendly" but they also have a double expense if they change grade levels or the state changes the standards of focus. Suddenly you need "states" not "presidents" and "rain forests" not "tundra". The craziest thing is that most of what I have purchased is not always in my classroom. It is stored away in the event that I may need it again some other time.
Each year I add to my collection trying to improve on the resources I have and make each year better than the last. Of course, the staples of pencils, paper, and the odd reward gobble up plenty of money throughout the year. I get some help with supplies from parents at the beginning of the year but no help from my school. I am also an avid recycler and keep many things on the chance I can use them in my classroom. My best financial advice to new teachers, invest in some good storage shelves. Teaching is a job for packrats!
Money
Submitted by Rachel (not verified) on July 1, 2008 - 12:14.
Sondra,
I agree that teaching is a job for pack rats. If a person is not a pack rat, they soon become one after teaching a year. You soon learn to look at peoples "garbage" as your "treasure" to use for a project or lesson.
Rachel
Out of pocket spending for my classroom
Submitted by Ashley (not verified) on May 28, 2008 - 19:51.
I spend so much money out of my pocket for the students on a regular basis. Not only for school supplies but for special occasions for the students which may include holidays as well as parties or special events. Since I work in a high needs school I tend to buy the students small items for their birthdays and other events because that may be the only gift they get. To see a smile on their face brings a smile to mine. Though spending the money does hurt my pocket it helps my heart.
Money spent in a year
Submitted by Tiffany (not verified) on May 28, 2008 - 16:51.
This is my 3rd year teaching and every year it seems like I spend more and more money on my classroom. I feel that if my classroom does not have the necessary supplies that I need for a lesson/unit/activity, I will go and buy it. It is more of an investment to me than an expense. Not only will I be able to use the supplies again, but I am investing in my students' educations. That is what is worth more than the money spent. Not all of the money that I put into my classroom is for curriculum, some of it is for decoration or fun activities. I teach second grade and I feel that the classroom needs to be visually appealing to students. If I had just plain walls, the studnets wouldn't be thrilled to come to school. Teaching is an expensive occupation. There are teachers who have taught for several years to continually spend money on students, supplies, and curriculum.
I do feel that teachers should have a tax break due to the ammount spent. Other professions get breaks so why not teachers. If a doctor, for example, can get deductions for purchases, why can't teachers. I spend over $250 a year but if that is all the government is willing to allow as a refund, I guess I should take it an be happy.
Money spent in the classroom
Submitted by Sara (not verified) on May 28, 2008 - 13:32.
I have just completed my seventh year of teaching and I found out in the beginning how costly teaching can be. I know go to Wal-mart in the late summer, when they have all the school supplies on sale at a greatly discounted price and I stock up. Also I have given each student a holiday gift of crayons and glue in the past. This year though I really got upset by the attitude that many of my students had about my being able to give them all of their supplies. Although I am generally a generous person, I truly felt that they (students and parents alike) taken advantage of my generous spirit. Not only do I have to supply the students needs, but I also purchase educational materials and professional literature. In the beginning of my teaching career I know that I spend probably between $500 and $750 a year. However, I cut way back this past year and I probably only spend around $250. It is a shame that school districts are having to cut back their budgets so severely that they can no longer help supply the needs of the students.
Classroom Spending
Submitted by Kelli (not verified) on June 13, 2008 - 09:39.
I teach in a low income district and also spend a great deal of my own money on supplies for the students, as well as general classroom materials. While I genuinely do not mind spending the money on students who truly need it, I am getting aggravated giving students supplies who come to class everyday with the latest version of the ipod and a better cell phone than the one I own.
Out-of-pocket expenses for school supplies
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on May 28, 2008 - 12:16.
I agree that husband's have trouble accepting the amount of money it takes to support a classroom. Our school gives no money for supplies, so it is up to me for all of the extra's. I had never thought about HS teachers not having to buy all the extras.
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