Classroom Wish List: Items Teachers Desire for Their Classrooms

As the back-to-school season approaches, the sight of bright backpacks, pencils, and erasers fills us with the excitement of a fresh start. However, amidst all the praise for teachers, it’s important to acknowledge that they are often left to supply their own classroom materials. While fostering a love for reading is crucial, it becomes nearly impossible without the funds to purchase books. It would be like expecting a surgeon to bring their own surgical tools to work.

If you haven’t been directly involved with a public school, you might assume that teachers are provided with the basic supplies they need. However, browsing through online teacher wish lists reveals a different reality. Many schools and districts lack adequate funding, leaving teachers to shoulder the burden.

For example, Kelly Gallagher, a science teacher from New Jersey, shared, “I buy supplies for labs that aren’t ordered from the science supply [company] (oil, baking soda, bleach, sugar, Q-tips, cotton balls, etc.). … I’ve participated in teacher wishlist programs to obtain things for my class, like stethoscopes, lab coats, pulse oximeters, and supplemental books. While these may technically be donations, they still require my time, which has value.”

Sometimes, the purchasing regulations imposed on teachers are simply nonsensical. Sandra Riek Gill, a preschool teacher from Bowling Green, Kentucky, recounted, “The district provided a nice laser jet printer but did not provide the ink. We were told to use our classroom budget. Our yearly budget was $300, and the ink alone cost $295.”

In addition to providing educational supplies, teachers often step in to fill the gaps when students’ families are unable to provide essentials like food, clothing, and toiletries. In every aspect, educators tirelessly address the glaring inequities that exist in our society, often at their own expense.

Staci, a dedicated physical education teacher with 32 years of experience, recently shared on Twitter the various items she has personally purchased for her students, ranging from clothes and shoes to personal care items. She even provides class time for elementary students to shower and goes above and beyond by buying school supplies, backpacks, coats, and weekend food for her students.

We reached out to our HuffPost Parents Facebook community to find out about the surprising items teachers have to buy for their classrooms. Here’s what they shared:

• Fans: “Most of our building isn’t air conditioned, and we return on August 14th.” –Heather Mcalpin-Berkemeir, high school English teacher, Cincinnati, Ohio
• Furniture and books: “Bookcases, shelves, hundreds of books for a classroom library.” –Kathie Hilliard
• Technology and accessories: “A stand for a projector, extension cords, a computer for a student.” –Merry Mc @merrymclellan
• Cleaning supplies: “Wipes for messes” –Louise Dewaele
• A desk and chair: “Somehow not provided and we aren’t allowed to use our $75 in supply money to purchase. Also, can’t use that money for tissues, sanitizer or basic needs for students.” –Rebecca Nitterauer McCord
• Carpet: “I desperately need a new one this year, and I am not allowed to use my district provided funds.” –Sarah Underwood
• Storage: “Storage bins, posters, curtains, and sometimes furniture.” –Kim Mecum
• Decor: “Bulletin board paper/borders, incentive charts/stickers/prizes, any decorations” –Denise Iannascola Matarante; “Anything that makes it more ‘homey'” –Britany Tuetken
• Food: “Snacks for students” –Catherine Sullivan

We also compiled a list of popular items from teacher wish lists found online:

• Tissues
• Adhesive bandages
• Menstrual care products
• Hand soap and lotion
• Plastic baggies
• Play-Doh
• Legos
• Popsicle sticks
• Rubber bands
• Glue
• Crayons
• Scissors
• Markers
• Stickers
• Sticky notes
• Folders
• Visual timer
• Poster paper
• Clipboards
• Broom and dustpan
• Laminator and film
• Whiteboard
• Dry erase markers
• Whiteboard erasers
• Doorstops
• Flashcards
• Puzzles
• Games
• Paint and paintbrushes
• iPad chargers
• Headphones for audio books and other listening activities
• Rocking chair
• RugFollow Google News