With school underway again, teachers are feeling the pinch of inflation when they buy classroom supplies. Jessica Hiler was a teacher for 11 years before becoming the president of the Fayette County Education Association. She said although school districts provide a supplies allowance to teachers, it rarely covers teachers out-of-pocket expenses.
“Teachers still need these things to make the classroom an inviting place for students and to provide them everything that they need. So they're going to have to pay more for the things that they need.”
According to a study last year published by the National Education Association, the average U.S. teacher paid $820 for classroom supplies – a figure that’s likely increased due to inflation.
“All of the colorful posters on the wall, and all those kinds of things, most of the time will buy those themselves. You know, name tags and stuff for bulletin boards, teachers are likely paying out of pocket for those things.”
Hiler said she has 10 to 15 boxes filled with school supplies she bought with her own funds when she was teaching.
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