The average teacher surveyed spends $356 of their own money to make sure our kids have the basic supplies they need to succeed in the classroom. The reason according to many teachers is a shrinking state education budget that doesn't leave any money for anything other than what is absolutely required to get the job done. Most Michigan lawmakers say their isn't much they can do to get more money into classrooms, but at least one says she can help these teachers keep a little money in their pockets. The details are the subject of this Fact Finder.
When you ask Katie Bonne why she loves teaching, her face lights up with a unrestrained smile, and she simply says "I like to call it the spark, when something clicks and to see their whole being get excited about it. I love that aspect."
If you spend much time in her classroom at Westwoods Elementary , you get the feeling she might do this job for free. The reality is that fulfilling her passion to teach actually costs her money and she is not alone. Katie says "I would say most every teacher in this building digs into their own pocket in order to support the learning of the children." And that's not something that is limited to Westwoods. According to a recent nationwide study conducted by the National School Supply and Equipment Association, 92% of teachers take money out of their own paycheck to make sure our kids have what they need in the classroom. The average out of pocket money that teachers pitch in is $356 per year. Katie digs deeper than most, this year she says she has spent about $1000. She says she gladly spends it on practical things like bulletin board materials, pencil boxes, snacks for kids who might not otherwise have one, and basic supplies but also for things that ignite that "spark."
Now Katie wanted to make sure I passed along her (and her fellow teachers') appreciation for what she described as a very supportive PTO and principal who do all they can to help with the classroom. But even with their best intentions, it's often not enough. When asked why she chooses to cover the cost she explains "I do it because I like to make learning fun and a lot of the times the simple materials are here, but in order to make it fun and engaging for children you need to spice it up a little bit, that's usually where I end up spending money."
Katie's sacrifices don't go unnoticed by her student's parents either. Gayle Neu, who also volunteers in the class, admits "I was surprised that so many teachers were doing that. When I found that out, I felt a little bit guilty. I try to supply a few things myself but overall I know they are doing a lot more than we think they are. I appreciate them doing that I think our kids really benefit from it in the end."
And a group of Michigan lawmakers appreciates it as well. They have introduced House Bill 4512. To read the entire bill click here. Essentially it allows for teachers to get a state tax credit for out of pocket expenses they have in outfitting their classrooms. In a nutshell here's what it calls for: A Michigan teacher can get up to a $500 tax credit if a single filer, or $1000 on a joint return for supplies they have bought for class in a year; those supplies can include, but aren't limited to things like books, software, art supplies, science materials, even prizes or rewards; and the teacher must teach at a public school or public school academy, no private schools are eligible.
So what do you think? Do you support the proposal to give tax credits for teachers to write off some of their out of pocket classroom expenses? Are we asking teachers to do too much with too little? Or are such expenses just part of the job? Supporters say this is a good way to make up a portion of the shrinking per pupil funding from the state. Opponents of House Bill 4512 question why teachers should be given special treatment when other professions have job related expenses that don't qualify for tax credits.
I want to hear from you and so do the lawmakers who will be voting on this bill.
Please leave a comment with your thoughts.
