The back-to-school shopping season is upon us, and teachers everywhere are digging into their own pockets to stock up on classroom essentials. According to the National Education Association, educators shell out an average of $500 to $750 annually on supplies their students need.

Many teachers say their districts don’t always provide everything needed to keep students engaged, comfortable, and ready to learn. A survey by the U.S. Department of Education reveals that 94 percent of teachers are spending their own money on classroom necessities. It’s not just teachers either. Support staff like bus drivers, front office personnel, classroom aides, and custodians are also using their own wages to buy supplies.

These purchases cover everything from paper, pencils, markers, and glue, to online learning program subscriptions, lab equipment, snacks for hungry kids, tissues, cleaning supplies, and even hand soap for the bathrooms.

Rising School Supply Costs

Last year, CNN reported that most school supplies have jumped in price, sending the cost of writing tools and supplies such as crayons, pens, and pencils up nearly 19% year-over-year.

Jamesha Gilliam, a public high school English teacher in Marion County, Florida, keeps a locker in her class filled with pens, pencils, notebooks, glue sticks, and other stationery materials.

“I use my own money to keep it filled up during the year,” said Gilliam. But she was hit with sticker shock when she went to buy a bulk supply of unsharpened pencils. “I would get a 50-pack box for $10, and this year it’s closer to $25,” she shared with the outlet.

Parents have been noticing this as well with some sharing how the cost of back-to-school supplies has gotten out of hand.

TikTok user @cramer.crew, known as Christy, recently shared her annual back-to-school haul for two kids. Her list included the usual suspects like dry-erase markers, folders, notebooks, glue sticks, tissues, and paper towels. Most items were store brands, particularly Target’s, which another local mom found to be the cheapest. Christy skipped big-ticket items like electronics and didn’t include backpacks or lunchboxes, which she bought separately. Despite reusing some items like her older child’s backpack and calculator, her total still came to $170.23.

“Absolutely insane. Insane!” she exclaimed.

Another parent, @addi_archers_mommy, known as Harlee, shared her frustration: “I just spent about $100 on my first grader’s school supplies,” she said. “And they wouldn’t even let me buy anything fun.”

She showed her haul, noting the specific name brands required. Although Harlee didn’t always stick to those brands, a teacher friend explained that these requests often come from experience, as investing in quality can save money long-term.

No one seems to blame teachers for the costs. In fact, Christy, in the comments of her video, expressed appreciation for teachers, telling one commenter, “Crazy how teachers are expected to provide it all.”

Some Retailers Are Helping Teachers Cut the Cost This School Year

As the back-to-school season kicks off, some retailers are stepping up to ease the financial burden on teachers by offering discounts and special deals on classroom supplies. They’re rolling out special deals and discounts to help educators fill their classrooms without emptying their wallets. Ready to see which stores are making it easier for teachers to snag those must-have supplies? Take a look at the list below and find out who’s offering a helping hand this school year.