Supplying Classrooms

from 2021 August Momaha Magazine

Nature Suncatcher

Teachers are finding all kinds of ways to source the school supplies they need

STORY Marjie Ducey

Omaha Mercy math teacher Christine Gonderinger once asked for graphing calculator emulator software for her computer.

A bit nerdy, she admits, and when nobody responded to that item on her school supply wish list, she rigged up a solution.

Usually, she’s asking for things like binders, rulers and Clorox wipes. This year, she’d love to go big with decorations.

“There’s not a lot of positive vibes in my end of the building,” she said with a laugh.

Amazon wish lists are making it easier for teachers to post requests for the extra things they need in their classrooms, and it’s even easier for parents to respond with a click of a button.

“I definitely saw it a lot last year and I have a feeling those are going to return,” Gonderinger said. “I think everything has kind of turned digital. It’s just easier than having to go to Target. Teachers have started to realize that and parents have started to realize that it’s easier for them to contribute.”

Facebook is another source. A few years ago there was a push for people to adopt teachers who needed help with supplies, said Angelica O’Brien, a first grade teacher at Holy Name School.

But neither method ensures that teachers are getting everything they ask for when they put out a supply list.

Omaha Public Schools teacher Noelia Weber says she’s planning to re-use as many supplies as she can this year so she doesn’t have to do one.

“It’s always my family members that help out, and I don’t want to ask them to get things for me,” she said.

A thermometer and a voice amplifier were asks last year that came in handy during the coronavirus pandemic. She preferred buying her own cleaning supplies so she could purchase what she liked.

Many teachers don’t do wish lists, either because they receive funds from their school or because they don’t want to overburden already financially strapped parents.

At St. Robert Bellarmine, parents give a set amount to the Home and School Association, which then divides it up between the teachers. At Holy Name, a spring fundraiser helps raise money for

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supplies. The advancement office at Mercy will ask donors for contributions when a teacher needs something extra.

Former Millard teacher Liz Smith would receive funds from her Parent Teacher Association to buy mileage tokens to encourage students in the school’s walking club.

Many teachers will purchase things they need from their own funds.

“Any art projects we do I buy all the supplies,” said Deb O’Malley, a fourth-grade teacher at Holy Name. “Any science experiments and classroom parties. I usually take care of things like that myself. It’s not just me though. This is something all teachers do and we do it for the students not to get any praise or glory. I think it’s a situation unique to our profession.”

Holy Name’s O’Brien said sometimes that can inch up toward $400 or $500 a year.

“I don’t keep track, because I wouldn’t want to know,” she says.

Teachers become adept at finding bargains.

Weber watches for things she needs on clearance. Gonderinger says she’s good at thrifting.

“I have started to pick up packs of lined paper, old rulers and calculators at estate sales and store sales,” she said. “Having taught for five years, I’ve accumulated a lot and I’m able to reuse most of it.”

Her advice to new teachers is to be specific about the things you put on your wish list.

“You didn’t realize you had a favorite hand sanitizer until you had a gallon of the wrong kind,” she said.

What teachers need to help your kids learn

STORY Ashlee Coffey

As we near the start of the beginning of the school year, teachers are getting their supply and wish lists ready.

Many teachers are adopting Amazon wish lists where they can keep a continual list going of items needed for their classroom. These can be easily accessed and purchased from by parents or community members any time of the year.

Below are the most needed supplies local teachers say they’re adding to their wish lists for the upcoming school year.

1. Math manipulatives (such as MathLink cubes) 2. Disinfectant wipes 3. Notebooks 4. A Sadotech wireless doorbell 5. Pencils (and pre-sharpened pencils) 6. Crayons, colored pencils and markers 7. Erasers 8. Paper (regular and cardstock) 9. Stickers 10. Glue/glue sticks 11. Headphones 12. Dry erase boards/markers 13. Large Post-It chart paper 14. Books 15. Healthy snacks 16. Tape: Mavalus, Scotch and packing tapes 17. Small handheld vacuum 18. Kleenex/tissues 19. Alcohol wipes for tablets 20. Post-it notes 21. Scissors 22. Storage baskets and bins