RALEIGH, N.C. — Everyone loves new school supplies, but the prices can add up for both students and teachers. In our state’s largest school district, WakeEd Partnership’s Tools4Schools program is trying to help out.
On average teachers in North Carolina spend more than $900 on school supplies for their students. That money often comes out of their own pockets. Tools4Schools turns the donations it collects into a free school supply store for teachers.
Monika Johnson-Hostler knows how important it is to stock up. She keeps drawers in her house full of supplies for her husband, who’s a teacher. Johnson-Hostler is a member of the Wake County Board of Education. She knows if students don’t have what they need, teachers are the first to notice and take action.
“Teachers know that if their students have the supplies — and the teachers are making sure the students have it — they know that students are more likely to be actively engaged and also see the teacher as a trusted adult,” Johnson-Hostler said.
Since it opened in 2022, Tools4Schools has given away more than $1 million in school supplies.
“I love Tools4Schools, because it still allows teachers to be able to use school supplies as a way to bridge and create relationships with our students,” Johnson-Hostler said.
And it's had more than 8,000 teachers shop in its free supplies store.
Donation boxes will be at every Wake County Staples and YMCA as well as the Tools4Schools store. There’s also an Amazon wish list on its website for online shopping.
Other counties in our state are also collecting school supplies.
Classroom Central started its drive yesterday. It serves teachers and students in six districts, including Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The Teacher Supply Warehouse in Guilford County and Teacher Treasures in Caldwell County also support local educators.
