As a second year teacher at a title 1 school, I have probably spent maybe a total of 3000-3500 on my classroom this year alone. I work a second job on the weekends to put towards my classroom. But most of what I bought were basic supplies like crayons, markers, snacks, etc. each of my kidos are like my own and I feel they should have that safe environment when they walk in.
Michelle Brown that's very kind of you to make sure that your students feel safe and are having fun at school , that's a lot of money , but it is for a good cause. More teachers should be like you
Anyone else not a teacher but loves watching Elizabeth's teacher videos! I'm going to be a freshman in High School this year but I love the Kinderhearted Classroom! I love you so much Elizabeth and bless you for providing such a happy and healthy space for you Kinder Kiddos! I'm sure they will love it so much❤️
I am a Mom to an Elementary Education major. We have started her a "Teacher Hope Chest" so to speak. Well, really it's now several tubs. My daughter has started building a classroom library and gotten other things from garage sales, thrift stores, dollar tree, HomeGoods, etc. It's fun doing this with her. I now wish that when she was younger and in school I had given the teachers more gift cards. You just don't realize how much of their own money teachers spend. Pray you have a wonderful year this school year!
Office Administrator I have two years part time and two years full time school before I get my certification and I've already started gathering up stuff. Grabbing things that are on sale or that are at ridiculously good prices over the next few years, instead of everything at once right before I start teaching seemed like the better option to me. Cheaper too!
Office Administrator -- I am in the same situation. My daughter will graduate with her bachelor's this DEcember in Elementary Education. She is getting her master's degree next year so she is still about a year away from having a classroom of her own. We have started doing the same thing over the past year-- building her own library, some supplies, etc. It IS so much fun to share this with her. And I too share the same remorse for not doing, giving even more when she was in school. I was a single mom at the time so I did what I could but it didn't feel like much. Now I really do understand how very much it takes for excellent teachers to have enough! Good luck to you and your daughter. @TheKinderheartedClassroom-- LOVE LOVE LOVE all your videos and how much your true heart and spirit shine through when you share about your classroom. Thanks for all you do!!
I'm a homeschooler (my first year this year!) but I like snooping on your videos for your creative ideas and finds! I just wanted to say that I really love this. As a kid, school was a refuge for me. Childhood was rough. I still remember the little kitchen play set in my kindergarten classroom and the teacher in 4th grade who felt like home. I love your teacher heart. Others may see this as overboard, but that pink playhouse may honestly change a kid's life. Keep doing what you do. ❤️❤️❤️
I love how honest and transparent you are! I'm jealous you're allowed to speak about the Bible in your school. I'd be interested in what your bible curriculum is! At my public school, we get $300 to spend on supplies and materials for the kiddos and our room. We have a technology grant that we can apply for but only about 4 people get that in our district. This year I only spent about $100, but throughout the whole year it's probably around $500 😳 my husband I don't think knows... I also do a donorschoose project each year that I am very thankful for. I just submitted my project this year!
I'm so jealous you get money to spend on your classroom. Like the kindhearted classroom, I teach in a Christian school. It is wonderful to integrate Bible into every aspect of their day.
As a first year teacher it's been tough reminding myself of what I want verses what I really need. It's hard seeing so many perfect looking classrooms and feeling like mine isn't up to standard. This video really helped, like you said it's about the memories for students and what we teach them. Overall these past 2 months I've spent probably around $300 or so on my classroom so far of my own money. I am also fortunate enough that my public school will provide some items such as class supplies. Thanks for being so real with us viewers! !
This was so informative!!!! I'm at a private school in cali as well. This was so informative and honest and helpful. I totally get what your saying about investing time and money into your classroom.
Elizabeth, I am not a teacher nor do i work in the education field and honestly dont know how RU-vid got me to watch your videos but I love all of them! I love how honest you were in this video. You seem like a very genuine person and a great teacher who really does love your students. Where I am, we have not had the best experience with teachers, my son has ODD, ADD, SPD and other learning disabilities. My son feels like the teachers dont care for him or understand him. Growing up in the public school system I can completely sympathize with him feeling that way. You are the kind of teacher who makes an impact and children will remember for the rest of their lives. The kind of teacher who cares and loves her kids no matter what differences they may have.Thank you for all you do!
Thanks for pointing out that there's a difference between needs and wants for your classroom. I also loved your comments on what makes a good teacher which is not a beautiful classroom. However, it's nice to make things inviting for students and that's what we all do on the budget we have. Thanks gain. Have a wonderful year.
I'm a Public Charter School Instructional Support teacher at the high school level. I will agree, needs are typically met by our ISD. We do get a Staples fund for instructional supplies for $350 for the year. (This is typically used for printer ink and copier paper) Classroom wants are completely our responsibilities as teachers. I usually spend $200 to $300 at the beginning of the school year on supplemental supplies, decorations, etc. This year we have moved into a new building, which means a new classroom and to my mind means a new start and new decor. I am incorporating flexible seating and as a result I have spent (so far) a little over $500. I will no doubt put in $200 more in the next week or so. Even the "big" kids enjoy having a "pretty" space.
I share your perspective on the classroom. I know good education does not come from pretty bulletin boards BUT I do feel they add to the climate in the room. I think a welcoming, warm place is essential. I do spend each year on curriculum resources. I also purchased organizational mateials and classroom decor items. It probably cost around $ 2,000 dollars. The good news is that these will be long term projects.
I've taught in both public and private. I currently teaching a private school... My first year I spent about $1500 and about $500 for additional years. I receive $150 stipend a year from my school, but everything I buy needs to be justified. How I get money for my classroom... 1. My school also gives an end of the year bonus which I save for things I will need next year. The bonus usually grows each year. 2. I love teacher swap shops... give a little and get a little. We usually have these at the beginning and end of the school year. 3. When parents ask what we want for holidays I respond gift cards to improve my room. It works! I received $250 my first year teaching. 4. Loads of thrift store, amazon, and craft store clearance finds with a little DIY magic. 5. I'm a less is more type of teacher. If I don't use an item over the course of two years, I sell it and use the money to reinvest in something I will use.
Thank you for including homeschoolers. Currently we live in AK which is extremely generous to their homeschool families that are willing to put themselves under an umbrella school. We are allotted 1.5k to 2k for each child enrolled for curriculum, education related activities and extracurricular activities. I try to cut as many corners as possible by using TPT and used curriculum to supplement our regular curriculum. We ended up using all of our allotment and going over, which came out of pocket. For books I frequent the friends of the library sales and secondhand stores.
I also find that I invest in my classroom because I want the kids to learn and be happy. I apply for grants and parent involvement. I spend my money also. You are making a great difference.
I am a third year teacher, but I had a bunch of stuff given to me. I also am a major bargain shopper. I probably spend $100 over the summer and another $100 between the time teachers go back and the kids come. I teach in a private school and cannot get grants. Now....I could easily drop a grand to get my classroom the way I want it. But I can't afford to do that. Be a savvy shopper, and, like she said analyze needs vs wants.
I can honestly say I've never totally added up how much I've spent each year. One year I got about halfway through my receipts and I had hit the $1,000 mark. GASP! I never had the cutest classroom, and I switched what I was teaching EVERY SINGLE YEAR - so I spent a lot, particularly on books! I was always in public schools and we got zero in spending from the district or PTA. I was given the basic needs from the school district and the kids came mostly prepared with materials, but I still found a lot of things that would help them learn better. And I had to replenish supplies, provide everything for art, and some other minor things. Regardless - no complaints!
I work for a Title I public school where we are given everything we are needing but as for needs, we have to buy a lot of our things on our own. I have used Amazon to get books donated for my classroom and I love that method!
Hi! Would you be interested in filming a video about pros and cons or even just pros of working at a private school? I'm going into my sophomore year in college as an elementary education major and would love to hear more about private schools, they are talked about so much less than public schools. Also, your positive energy is wonderful and I always look forward to your videos. Your students are so blessed to have you!
My situation is different since I'm not a k-12 teacher. I work at a childcare center as a 3 year old preschool teacher. When I started in January I was just a floater and I was shocked at how little our classrooms have. I mean they took bare minimum to a whole new level. When I got my own classroom I was able to bring in a lot of stuff I already had from previous teaching jobs, but I ended up spending over $700 on manipulatives, pocket charts, pocket chart holders (we arnt allowed to put anything on the walls), I bought so much I lost track. But now instead of having three centers in my classroom I have 10. I make basically poverty level income but I really felt that my students deserve better so I made a classroom that I feel good teaching in and they can feel good learning in. There's still a ton more I would love to do but we aren't allowed. So as it is, it's as good as it's going to get.
Thanks for clearing up that idea that I thought you spent tons of money all the time! I felt so cheap for my classroom. I went out and spent and fixed it up to look way better and more organized. I did not spend tons of money as it comes from my pocket! I teach in a private school and get paid less than public school but I love the place I work and I hope the students will love the classroom and how I set it up. I would love to see shorter videos, as a teacher I don't have a lot of time (except in summer) so I like 6 or 7 min vids. Your class looks amazing and I wish you a fabulous year ahead! Thanks for sharing and inspiring me! A viewer from Southern Ontario, Canada.
✂️ I'm not a teacher but you are a great one for sure...can't wait to see your room...your always smiling and I'm sure your students will love your space..thank you for sharing..✂️✂️✂️
I work for a special education cooperative. We get a budget each year for supplies and curriculum needs. We also get to use tax exempt status on items we purchase ourselves if they will be used in the classroom. I try to make my own materials or repurpose things where I can. Some good finds come from discarded materials from retiring teachers or thing others no longer need ( one teacher's trash is another teacher's tresure) TPT is another awesome way to get cute items for a nominal price. Like everyone else dollar store, target and Amazon are used. However, that can easily rack up. I try not to go too trendy and choose items that can be used year after year easily. Looking at what others do and crafting it myself with free items I already own is yet another way to get what you want for nothing. Thanks Elizabeth for sharing. I think people need to know also that no one starts at ground 0 and buys all of this stuff at once. It happens overtime. Some years you spend more in your classroom than other years. Take your time, Newbies you'll get there.
I'm not a classroom teacher, but I do run a nonprofit that revolves mostly around the education for students with special needs. I spend a considerable amount on materials for them. I also run a lot of workshops, and most of the materials at the workshops, including the food are purchased by myself. During the last workshop, all of the children who attended were given audiobooks. I bought all of those. Like you, I have made many friends over the years, including at my local bookstore whenever I need materials, they are great at finding things for me and giving discounts. I also buy a lot of things from Poundland (I am based in the UK] or other places that sell things at low prices. I really wish we had a target here, but we don't. For students with special needs, I often have to make story boxes. I don't know if you have ever heard of them, but they are great for students who have multiple disabilities such as visual impairment and hearing loss. Things like story boxes can cost 50 pounds minimum, so I am always trying to find ways to make them.
Hi, I'm a teacher in Canada, so our funding may be a bit different. I work in a public school. Each classroom, in my school, is allotted 500$ for furniture and supplies. We also collect anywhere from 20-30$, for school supplies, from parents. There's also many different grants you can apply for, a few years ago I applied for a technology grant and received a few thousand dollars. I think, as teachers, we often spend our own funds trying to create an environment that is a cozy, inviting, creative, and fun place for children to learn. I really look at my classroom as an extension of my home, I'm always bringing new little items in to create a joyful and comfortable atmosphere. I want my children to feel welcome when they enter the classroom door, almost like they never left home. I agree, though, that It's not about the amount of money you're spending, or how cute your classroom is, but rather, the quality of teaching that's happening. Thanks for sharing your insight. Much appreciated❤️
Thank you for sharing and being so transparent. It is so important to provide an inviting environment for the kids, a safe haven where they can learn and explore all while having fun. I think most children and adults learn best through laughter and in a creative, well designed space. God has given us this world to explore with all its colors and beauty. Why stick kids in 4 walls covered in industrial gray all day and expect them to learn and grow to their full potential. Thank God we have people like you in the world that want to truly change lives for the better!
I teach in a Chicago public school on the north side of the city. We have a lot of immigrant families, not necessarily low income, but new to the country. I typically spend $500-$1000 per school year. More on what I want, than need. That includes, TPT purchases, and resources. We get reimbursed a couple of hundred dollars. I also completed several donors choose projects for an Elmo projector, projector and other large ticket items. I do not have a smart board, but would love one!
I'm feeling very grateful for my situation! I am an Aussie teacher in an independent, low-fee, Christian school. I get a class budget each year that I am responsible for administering. If I need anything under $100 I can go ahead and spend that, and be reimbursed without approval. Above that I need approval, but if the money is there it is never denied. There is also no pressure here for pinterest-worthy classrooms, so that is a whole thing I've never had to be worried about. I just put up what feels right and appropriate for my kids and their learning.
I teach in a public primary school in Poland. I have a classroom... actually kind of, because our school is really small, and each class has its own room, I'm in charge of the oldest class, 7th graders. 1-3rd graders have most lessons with one teacher (apart from RE and English), 4-7th graders sit in their classrooms and have each subject with different teachers, therefore I don't have a lesson in one classroom. I wish I could decorate my classroom with the stuff I need to teach, but reality is that I keep all the needed things in my car and take them out during a break just to carry them into the classroom I'm having next lesson in (5-6 times a day) 😀
We get $250 to spend and then anything else has to be bought by me, possibly bought by the school (not likely) or through Donor's Choose. I work in Chicago Public Schools.
I teach at a private Catholic school where the majority of our kiddos are very low income and many come from non English speaking households. We are given $200 from our pta to purchase things for our classroom. I am the preschool teacher and my budget is separate from the rest of the school so I am able to get a few big things through the budget, however, most comes from my pocket. I have spent about $1200 of my own money. This is only the 2nd year for the preschool program at our school so I have had a lot of start up costs.
This is my 10th year as a kindergarten para in a title 1 school. I even spend my own money to decorate my classroom and to purchase things for my students. My husband is retired military and has been working as a sped para and he buys things for his kiddos too. If we actually kept track of what we spend I'm sure we would be shocked. Para pay is terrible, LOL! Fortunately we have other income. We love what we do!
Last year I spent $400 to "flip" my room. For the most part it looked the same, but it had cute decor. This summer I'm at about $200. I am planning on filming a haul, and I was going to discuss my buyers remorse, lol. It hit me pretty hard today after shopping at the Dollar. A lot of what I bought was on my "wants" list. Thank you for sharing :) Your kids are lucky to have yiu
I love to teach to kindergarden kids, but, in my country it's really rare that someone fulfill our classroom with stuff something really good enough to do our jobs well. But, despite that, we've been doing a good work!!!! It's amazing! But, I the kind of person that simply hate just doing a "good" work for the kids, even more being kids of a very needy community, even more knowing that this work isn't good enough, how they tell to the goverment, to the parents, to the teachers.... So, what I do is use my january and february payment to equip my classroom with some stuffs that I see it's import to development of my little students, like paper, crayons, puzzles, pencils, and, somethings to help me and help my friends, like markers, things to cleanup the classroom quickly, I decorate the walls (huge small walls, because it is a extremely small room...!). But it's worth it. My little ones love it, their parents love it, my friends love it, my principal love it..... and everyone can enjoy a suth beautifull class, kind, clean, functional.... Oh my God, I spend so much money of beginning of the year....!!!! I don't know how much is in dollars, but it's about R$ 4,000! Just two months, I don't spend the same the whole year, of course!!!! kkkk
I have received funds for my classroom. This is my 2nd year teaching. Last year, I didn't $2,000 - $3,000. This year, I have spent $300. I am not done yet.
I homeschool in the uk and get no funding also it isn't as big as it is in America. We have no teacher shops and would love to have access to all the goodies at target dollar shop. I pay monthly for some on Line curriculum though there is an amazing Facebook group when we do get discount on some subscriptions.I have spent about £400 on back to school supplies/curriculum and easily spent £100-£200 a month . My son has Autism and I absolutely love giving him the education that he wouldn't get at school due to there not being one suitable for him near where I live.
In NYC, Public school has more resources such as smartboards, math manipulative, classroom library, and funding, math textbook, etc. I am working in a Catholic classroom, I don't have what public schools have.
I'm a homecoming momma ( this is our 5th year) I love watching your videos for all of your amazing ideas I just love your sprite. I always want my classroom to be super cute and colorful this year I think so far I've spent $300 but we've just started our year lol 😂
So far I've spent over $1K because I'm a resource teacher for the first time and needed high dollar items like a mini-fridge and microwave and curtains and...yeah.
I work in a public title I school. Funds are limited and the district will not allow us to post on donors choose. We get around $300 each year from the state that we can spend. I honestly spend that much every month out of my own pocket. So I spend about what you did every year, I just spread mine out over the entire year. I do spend more at the beginning of the year getting my room ready.
wow! that's a lot of money to invest in a classroom! I work in a public school and most of the photocopies we do at school, art supplies as well other stuff we would pay out of the pocket. I can't really say yet how much money I've spent bc I'm not done yet :) I want to say about 200$.
I worked at a Target in the greater Boston area for two years/two back to school seasons. Two years in a row I watched and checked out the same mother/teacher. She spent at least a few hundred dollars of her own personal money on basic supplies like lined paper, note books, folders, etc for her students. Her son "wanted" a soda. She didn't have enough money left over for him; it broke my heart! A kid doesn't need soda, but it made me wonder if she had enough money for his school supplies. I wish I had been able to pay for her supplies, but being in college myself at the time I didn't have the money. It's my dream to pay it forward someday since I couldn't do it that day! I went to a really good public school in a Boston suburb; dare I say a "wealthy" suburb. But I remember one year the school supplied paper had run out; this really is a true story! We had no paper; no white lined paper and no printer paper left! We had to try to bring paper ourselves from home. Teachers were using cheap thin pastel colored paper. Maybe not a big deal to some, but I hope my point is coming across. How can you be a top school, but not have paper?! On another note, thanks, I love your channel! I've been struggling with what I want to do with my life for two years; I finished my undergrad in 2015. I think I've finally decided to go back to school for early childhood education. Please excuse the long post; I just felt compelled to share a little bit of my story, even though I'm a future teacher and not a teacher yet! Thanks for the inspiration from you and from the comments!
my name is shayna miramontes i'm a first grade teacher at a catholic church in california. I love your videos. we get our budget from our church. people donate in mass for our classrooms. two years ago we didn't have air conditions so the teachers and the people in our church donate money to the church. we have air conditionors in our classroom. hope to meet you someday.
I'm a public school student in a great school district with the top schools in the nation and the school get a certain amount of money depending on elementary/middle/high and number of students and then if a class wants more they submit to the school what they want and if the principal agrees with it they will give some money for it. But what ever money that's left over goes to a different classroom were the kids are doing really well(grades)
I find some of these comments crazy! My first year, the only things I bought were cute little decorations bits that I wanted to make things more homey. Everything else is provided by the school. If you don't have something and need it, they can get it and they will pay. Even books for reading areas are provided in each class and all pens, pencils etc are provided too. Strange how different things are from the US to the UK!
I hope my other half doesn't run across this but I spent at least 2K if not more for this upcoming school!!! I went storage crazy!!!! I am in a public school that is title one(low-income students).
I spent a crazy amount on my classroom. The only issue is that my fourth graders are being pretty cavalier and in some cases, quite destructive/careless with the things that I buy. Any advice on how to get them to treat classroom materials more respectfully? I am already using class dojo if you guys are familiar with that behavior management system.
Im a public school teacher at a Title 1 school. I think I am nearing the $1k mark. Our school gives us $275 a year for supplies and we have to give them receipts. I also started a gofundme! I haven't met my goal, but I am currently at $210!
Have you got any advice on how to save money for your classroom! I have nearly graduated and I am really worried as I can't afford most things! However I really want my kids to enjoy the classroom 😭
When I thought elementary school I spent about $600 a year, but now that I teach highschool, they are responsible for their own supplies, so I only spent about $100 of my own money this year, and we get $75 from our school
I know at the school I went to (public) The school provided *NOTHING* It may be different at different public schools, but the teachers had to buy everything out of pocket besides, school books, chrome books and ipads( but the students have to have the chromebook, they are $200 and the parents have to pay for them) The students are given about a 30 item list differs in each grade, and every parent of every student has to buy all those things, paper, pencils, tissues, paper towels, hand sanitizer, markers, crayons.. ect. This is in elementary, In jr high and HS, each student gets also a list of what they need.. but teachers and parents buy most items. Like I said the school doesn’t buy anything.. other than books, and honestly I’m not sure.. but they don’t buy things needed for students and teachers.. it’s sad!!! Let’s just say about 10 years ago we have a new school built and the football field alone cost $1,000,000 😐 I’m choosing Christian private school, or homeschooling for my kids my daughter will be in K this year.. Another thing, the school here doesn’t take bullying serious, they are one of those schools that your last name and money matter, if you are poor or a”no body” they really don’t care.. the treat people very differently. And I just don’t approve of that, every student should be treated fairly and given the same opportunity as another child to learn in a safe, welcoming environment. A child should want to go to school. And you are such an amazing, wonderful, kindhearted, beautiful woman and teacher! Teachers should strive to be like you, and honestly just people in general! ❤️ *GOD BLESS YOU* ❤️
I teach kindergarten in a public school in California (my 2nd year teaching 😀) My district provides everything we need as well, along with giving us a wish list too. I've heard that my district is the only district in my area that does provide everything for us.
angelica Fregoso basically I'm in school to be a teacher and I get what is like an internship to work alongside a teacher to learn in an actual classroom. It is a program.
angelica Fregoso here is a link to where you can find out about it. 😊 www.indeed.com/career-advice/what-does-a-teacher-assistant-do?from=jtp?kw=how+to+be+a+teacher+assistant&matchtype=e&network=g&device=m&devicemodel=&creative=208394776991&keyword=how%20to%20be%20a%20teacher%20assistant&placement=¶m1=¶m2=&random=18051341410140541258&aceid=&adposition=1t3&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiqTNBRDVARIsAGsd9MpRSPQ63wpxncQs81eTBL58bIn4iRXrxgBBqEPjrQ5JDuLGcve_pZUaAtszEALw_wcB
$2,000?!!! That’s crazy. I feel like teacher you-tubers have negatively encouraged this trend of Pinterest perfect classrooms. For many teachers $2,000 would be a month’s paycheck.
