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Teachers shop for supplies in preparation for new school year

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Teachers shop for supplies in preparation for new school year

A new school year fast approaching, Corpus Christi teachers have started preparing, shopping for supplies for their classrooms and students.

For most teachers, this means dedicating their own money. But for a handful of teachers shopping Thursday morning at Mardel Christian and Education Store, the bill was covered by Reliant and Mardel.

The All-Star Educators Program has provided $45,000 to teachers for classroom supplies since it was created in 2022 by Reliant and the Corpus Christi Hooks. The program recognizes about 10 teachers from the Coastal Bend area annually. Honored teachers receive $1,500 from Reliant and an additional $100 from Mardel in gift cards.

John F. Kennedy Elementary School librarian Malia Perez came to Mardel prepared with a list of items she planned to pick up and order online.

Perez has worked in education for over 25 years. In the summer, she prepares the West Oso ISD school library for the new year, ensuring the books and Chromebooks are ready for students. She leads activities and lessons in the library to reinforce classroom lessons and to inspire a love for learning and the library.

On Thursday, she picked up buckets to use to display books in the front of the library for students to check out easily and ordered school supplies like crayons and pencils.

Typically, she sets aside money from each paycheck to put back into the library, Perez said. It’s common for teachers and even administrators to open their own wallets to purchase supplies to create a better learning experience for students.

“I don’t know a teacher that doesn’t,” Perez said.

The All-Star Educators Program shopping trip was helpful for this year’s back-to-school preparations, Ray High School math teacher Jeff Mudd said.

“As a math teacher, I go through tons of supplies like pens, pencils, paper,” Mudd said.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Teacher and Principal Survey, nearly 94% of teachers spent their own money on classroom supplies without reimbursement during the 2019-20 school year across the country. The percentage of teachers spending their own money was higher for public school teachers than private school teachers.

According to a May 2024 report from Texas American Federation of Teachers and Every Texan, the average Texas teacher salary actually declined by 9% between 2009-10 and 2023-24 when adjusted for inflation. The report notes that in Corpus Christi ISD, teachers have lost about 20% of their earning power over the past decade and a half due to inflation.

The state has not offered new funding for teacher pay in years beyond a program that offers pay boosts to top teachers in participating districts. The state’s basic allotment, which is the basis of the school funding formula intended to provide a basic level of education, has not been increased since 2019-20.

In the summer before each school year, Kaffie Middle School science teacher Jane Lee-Rhodes reflects on the last school year and plans out the new year.

It’s exciting every year, she said.

“The best part of the new school year is all the possibilities,” Lee-Rhodes said. “Everything is a blank book at this point.”

Lee-Rhodes, who is preparing for her 38th year teaching, was also named regional secondary teacher of the year this summer. With the funds from the All-Star Educators Progam, Lee-Rhodes said she plans on shopping for some of her colleagues and their classrooms as well.

“Once we’re back at school, I’m setting up the room and making a welcoming place for the kids,” Lee-Rhodes said. “I want to create a calm and productive environment for my students.”

Ada Anderson, who has been teaching for over 25 years, is about to start her second year teaching a science, technology, engineering, art and math class at Flour Bluff Intermediate School this August. Students in the elective class learn about the engineering process and work together in groups to solve challenges based on real-world problems.

“They build things and they can change their minds as they work and then we test it,” Anderson said. “They learn that failure is okay because you learn from your mistakes.”

These projects require supplies, like cardboard, glue guns, pipe cleaners and straws. She tries to reuse supplies whenever possible.

Anderson was looking out for new craft and building supplies Thursday, but she also added a decorative sign about respect to her cart.

“We want to create a culture and environment that’s inviting,” Anderson said. “My big thing is being kind because they’re working in groups and sometimes students can be afraid to share ideas. I want to promote a safe environment and definitely (for them to be) respectful and kind to each other.”

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