What do teachers have to pay out-of-pocket?

I'm doing research. Need to know:

1. How much do teachers spend on school related products/services? I'm referring to teachers spending money "out of their own pocket." Products can include school supplies (paper, pens, etc) or software (online gradebook). Services can include transportation or training. How much do teachers spend annually on these products and services?

2. Specifically, what products and services are you spending on?

Thanks!

Tags: teacher

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Permalink Reply by Denise Stewart on February 24, 2010 at 1:01pm

That is a sore topic with many of us.

Most of my high school students are children of immigrants with very limited assets so I try to support them as much as I can.

Last year, I spent about $2,000. This doesn't include conferences I presented at where the school could not offer me any reimbursements. On conferences, I spent close to $3,000.

I buy all my printer inks since the school has very limited funds. I also buy notebooks and general school supplies for students (I buy them at Target and sell them to the kids at the same price). I also put out money for pens and pencils and the like. Lately, I have also been purchasing board games to build language.

Two of my students were homeless so I bought binders, paper, etc. for them on my own.

One student's home was destroyed by fire so I contributed money to help her family take care of basic needs.

Hopefully the economy will improve eventually.

Denise

www.ellteacherpros.com
www.teachingsuccesseswithells.blogspot.com

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Permalink Reply by Cameron Foster on February 25, 2010 at 4:53am

A tough and ongoing issue - at the heart of which, I reckon is the problem that teachers are mugs.

We want to do what we do so much that we often pay to do our job. Govs are blind to the real costs of education because educators themselves contribute to the infrastructure with pens, cleaning, whiteboard markers/erasers etc.

Nuts.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a mug too - Just wish that it didn't seem necessary.