Supplies

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Home : 2003 : October : 25

Supplies
By Kathy

I have been in three new schools thus far and in every one there were very few resources when I came. In fact, my second school--quite affluent--had so little when I came I actually did an inventory on my own of everything
that was there when I arrived in case someone questioned me when I left with my own materials. (No one did)
Since most schools don't have a budget that covers what is needed, many teachers do spend quite a bit of their own money. I have no problem taking with me supplies I bought with my own money. Over the years I have quite a collection of "keepers" that stay with me when I go

to my new assignment.

The "gray area" for me has been with "free" books we get from book orders. Do they belong to the classroom or the teacher?? I have received literally hundreds of "free" books over the years from book clubs. In some ways, it seems they should belong to the class--on the other hand, since it's optional for us to send order forms out and I've spent hours of my personal time on the process I don't feel badly taking some of them with me. My compromise has been to take some and leave some. My last school had a couple dozen library books when I came and several hundred when I left so I didn't feel like I was cheating the school (since no monies had been paid out) by taking some of my favorites with me.

It's unfortunate that you spent your own money on consummables rather than actual materials, but I would agree with others that you do not want to get in the position of taking things you know were bought with school money.

I think what I would do is check your school policy. (Which can itself change with a new administrator) Some administrators actally encourage you to take teaching supplies since the next teacher may not use them.

And you can learn from this experience. As much as possible, in the future have school money pay for the consummables and use your own for things you know you want to keep as resources.