I still love back-to-school hoopla. Going to Target or Wal-Mart and seeing all of the shiny new school supplies gives me such a thrill that I have to restrain myself from loading up my cart with brand-spanking-new notebooks, folders and pens.
Although I am no longer in school and don’t have any kids of my own to prep for back to school, I have many friends who are parents and even more who are teachers that are currently getting back to school and gearing up for another school year. And let’s not forget, my mom and Coach are teachers too! So I know all too well the trials, tribulations and STRESS that comes along with back-to-school season.
Given that I grew up with two teachers for parents, I was really not surprised to learn that on average, teachers spend nearly $500 out of their own pockets on school supplies each year for their students and classrooms. Given the (lower than they should be) salaries for teachers in our country, that amount is really significant.
I was really pleased to get an email from Procter & Gamble about an exciting online initiative aimed at helping out these dedicated teachers and their students. School Family Media, with support from P&G’s Bounty brand, have launched TeacherWishList.com. This site houses wish lists of essential supplies that teachers are lacking in their schools and allows parents and other friends in the community to help make a difference my fulfilling these unmet needs. This initiative will not only provide much needed supplies, but it will allow teachers to focus on what is really important -- educating children.
Now through Tuesday, September 27, teachers who register their school wish lists on TeacherWishList.com are entered for a chance to win a grant from Bounty to fulfill items on their wish list. Additionally, schools with five or more registered teachers are entered for a chance to win a grand prize $25,000 art classroom makeover. And, when you print out a teacher’s wish lists, you can receive a $1 off coupon good on any Bounty product.
In addition to this initiative, P&G has teamed up with Communities in Schools to launch GIVE Education, a campaign to increase awareness or the student dropout crises and help keep more than one million kids in school. For each P&G coupon you use the next time you go shopping, P&G will donate two cents to Communities In Schools to provide much-needed resources to students.
These efforts are a win-win for everyone, right? I encourage teachers to go upload your wish lists so that parents (and friends of parents like me!) can help you get your classrooms stocked and make this the best school year ever. Not just for the kids, but for the teachers too.
Wishing everyone -- parents, kids, and all of my teacher friends out there -- a happy and successful new school year!
Posts
Thanks so much for sharing!! I have quite a few friends who are teachers, and I completely believe the average of $500 spent by teachers themselves for their classrooms. One of the most important jobs in the world, and teachers can't get everything they need :(
ReplyDeleteI just shared the link with a teacher girlfriend I had drinks with last night.
And I know that is just the average...I know lots of folks that really go above and beyond to make their classrooms the most fun and learning-friendly environment possible. I think one of the reasons I never even dreamed of being a teacher was because I saw first hand from my parents how HARD it was!!
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful! I have one parent who is a retired teacher. My library collects school supplies to give to the teachers and I donate a bunch of stuff each year.
ReplyDelete