More than 90% of US teachers spend their own money on school supplies, survey finds

The American education system is in trouble. They’re also talking about putting added security in schools, changing the entrances so there is only one way in and out, and ludicrously, also talking about arming teachers.

Nothing is changing quickly enough with gun control, and the idea of arming teachers is insane. Teachers have huge responsibility already, mostly to keep their students safe. While the emphasis has been on teachers and how to help them, the one thing not being addressed is how so many teachers are using their OWN MONEY to buy school supplies.

Yes, that is true. There are schools who just don't have the budget to buy stationary for their teachers or students. And teachers are being forced to spend their own money to buy pens, paper, chalk, staples, highlighters and even overhead projectors.

Teachers do not earn particularly good salaries either. They love teaching and do it so they can make a difference. And yet when interviewed, almost every public school teacher in the USA said they had used their own paycheques to buy suppliers for their classroom. We expect teachers to teach our kids, not just educational skills but also social skills. We expect teachers to make sure our children are safe, day in and day out, and this includes putting their lives on the line when there are awful gun incidents. It makes no sense that we expect teachers to buy stationary and make sure their classrooms are fully stocked too.

The only good news is that the students are on the teacher’s side and there have been several demonstrations and kids being active in trying to help their teachers. Kids today have s lot to worry about at school. We’re not sure they need to worry about their teachers too. The government and the education departments need to step in.