First-Year Teaching: Classroom Supplies

Hi, my name is Cody, and I'm excited to announce that I've accepted a full-time teaching position for the 2022-2023 school year.

Despite the news media's attempts at scaring me away by reporting that 300,000 U.S. teachers have quit since the beginning of the pandemic (https://www.wsj.com/articles/schools-out-for-summer-and-many-teachers-are-calling-it-quits-11655732689), I grew to love my high school students during a long-term substitute teaching assignment last school year.

Here's where I need your help: setting up and supplying my first-ever classroom. I will teach in a rural district where many students are a combination of family, housing, and food insecure.

Teachers spent $750 of their own money on school supplies last year (https://www.yahoo.com/now/teachers-spending-more-pocket-school-120319679.html).

I want to set my students up for success by providing them with the supplies many are unable to afford. Secondly, I hope to fulfill their requests from my teacher evaluations last year that I decorate my classroom to match my style (they're often sweet even as they're occasionally little rascals).

Thank you for any help you can provide as I get started--somewhat later in life than usual--on my new career as a teacher!