单冷5级能效空调一小时多少度电 CT teachers pay out of pocket, share online wish lists for school supplies

BRISTOL, Conn. — As budget cuts are happening and school supplies are getting more expensive, more teachers are turning to Amazon wish lists to receive help.

Jessica Luntta, a kindergarten teacher at Greene-Hills School in Bristol, has to dig in her pockets to buy items for her classroom and students.

“This year, I bought things like books for my classroom, things that would be appropriate for kindergarten, kind of first day jitter type books, the first couple of days,” Luntta said.

She says she also bought things that make her classroom look a little brighter, more welcoming, and fun.

“Because I love what I do and this is my passion and I want to support the kids and I want to give them the best shot that they he in their educational career,” she said.

She says she’s happy to provide for her students, but she also has mixed feelings about it.

“I'm spending a lot of my own money where I could be putting this towards my own family,” Luntta said.

On erage, she spends about $200-$250 on school supplies.

Sometimes, she’s able to catch a sale, including one on scoop chairs.

“Luckily, you can be a bargain hunter and Marshalls oftentimes he random stuff like that,” Luntta said.

Or she will repurpose items from her home, like a sequin pillow.

“They loved this last year; this was a hit,” she said.

Other times, she has to put together an Amazon Wishlist.

“I would love some additional help,” she said. “My list has not been cleared, so any donations are greatly appreciated.”

She’s not the only teacher who turned to online wish lists.

Her coworker, Jillian Pollock, was able to get the items she wanted for her classroom bought by an attorney in Hartford.

“I'm grateful for that because the amount of things that I had on that list probably valued close to $400,” she said.

The school’s principal, Scott Guadet, says he appreciates these kinds of programs.

“Because these teachers work extremely hard throughout, not only the nine months or eight months that they're here, but also all summer long, and the money usually is coming out of their pockets,” he said.

He says it’s gratifying for him as a principal and a great opportunity for teachers to feel recognized.

“And seen for their hard work and dedication, and because they don't get enough pats on the back that they deserve for all the hard work that they do,” he said.

Gaudet acknowledges the generosity of his teachers.

“Our teachers he done an amazing job of trying to look for any means possible to get those items for their students,” he said.

Luntta says it makes her feel proud to provide for her students.

“Because they're gonna come in and they're gonna feel like they are welcomed, and that they can he a fresh start every single day,” she said.

Gaudet says it means a lot to the teachers who receive help.

“I couldn't be able to fund all of those things for her (Pollock), we've got a pretty big school and, you know, try to keep it equitable and make sure that teachers get at least a little of what they need,” he said.

He says completing their Amazon Wishlists allows them to be more creative in their classroom, which he gives them the freedom to do so.

Pollock says the school district and families help buy basic supplies like paper and pencils, but teachers still he to get everything else themselves.

“We do what we can to make the kids feel comfortable and some of that ends up being buying our own things to make it what we want,” she said.

One teacher in a different district, who asked to remain anonymous, says she wishes parents, community members, and the government would fund classrooms appropriately and give educators the respect, pay, and compassion that they truly deserve.

She spends anywhere from $400-$1000 of her own money to make sure her students he everything they need to he a successful year.

“I'm sure that sounds preposterous, but replacement supplies don't pay for themselves. When you're buying Band-Aids and Kleenex during cold season, replacing books that he been loved, but worn, or trying to find the newest decor to make your classroom library inviting to a hesitant reader, it can quickly add up,” she said. “That still doesn't account for the pieces of furniture, the basic office supplies that run dry in January, and the plethora of goldfish crackers that need to be purchased for the child/children in your class that face food insecurity.”

She says buying her own supplies comes with the job.

“In this educator role, it's often expected to go above and beyond to help out our students, and teachers genuinely don't bat an eye. There's that timeless mantra: ‘We do it for the kids,’” she said.

However, she says no other profession is treated this way.

“Your surgeon isn't buying and providing his own scalpel. Your dentist isn't expected to pay out of pocket for your fluoride treatment. Your server isn't purchasing your napkins and silverware,” she said. These professionals are all given the tools that they need to complete the job to satisfaction. It's almost criminal that teachers aren’t treated the same way.”

If you would like to help Luntta clear her Amazon Wishlist, click here.

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Cayla Cade is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at ccade@fox61.com Follow her on X and Instagram.

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