Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Amazon Wish Lists, and Kristen Bell: How Educators Acquire Classroom Supplies
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Source: Yahoo Finance
Updated: Aug 30 2025
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Source: Yahoo Finance
Teacher Spending on Supplies
- Personal Investment: Many teachers, like Shanna Danielson, spend significant amounts of their own money to enhance classroom environments and learning experiences. Danielson, for instance, spends between $400 to $600 annually on items such as decorations and musical instruments.
- Average Expenditure: During the 2024-25 school year, teachers spent an average of $884 each on various supplies, totaling approximately $3.35 billion nationwide. This represents a 49% increase in out-of-pocket spending since 2015.
Challenges Faced by Teachers
- Resource Gaps: Teachers often fill in gaps where students lack necessary supplies, purchasing items like pencils, notebooks, and snacks. Adriana Ocañas, a former teacher, highlighted the ongoing need for teachers to replace lost or broken supplies.
- Inflation Impact: The rising costs of school supplies due to inflation and tariffs are a growing concern, with 80% of teachers expressing worries about these financial pressures.
Community Support and Initiatives
- Online Wish Lists: Many educators utilize platforms like Amazon and Donors Choose to gather support for classroom needs. Notably, actress Kristen Bell contributed $25,000 to help fulfill teachers' wish lists.
- Local Initiatives: In Covington, Kentucky, a community event provided $10,000 worth of supplies to 85 teachers, showcasing the power of local support in addressing educational resource shortages.
Teacher Salaries and Financial Strain
- Salary Trends: The average public school teacher salary rose by 3.8% to $72,030 in the 2023-2024 school year, but many districts still offer starting salaries below $40,000, failing to keep pace with inflation.
- Financial Burden: Teachers like Perla Penalber report spending up to $1,800 annually on classroom essentials, often without seeking contributions from families due to their students' financial hardships.
Broader Implications
- Systemic Issues: Teachers and school staff, including social workers like Lakeesha Bair-Myers, are increasingly using personal funds to support students, reflecting broader systemic issues in education funding.
- Community Engagement: The article emphasizes the importance of community involvement in supporting educators, as many teachers feel overwhelmed by the financial demands placed on them.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.