Anonymous Teacher: Diapers or Supplies

Today we have a heart-wrenching account of a brutal decision too many teachers have to face when funding is cut. When students are pitted against teachers' families, who gets the "short end of the stick?" An anonymous Mississippi teacher shares a shocking look into her classroom.

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I don’t know how I am going to do this. We are supposed to be following the curriculum map, and next week we have a math lesson where we are “highly encouraged” to engage the students in a hands-on activity involving marshmallows and toothpicks. I don’t have any marshmallows or toothpicks in my classroom.

Yes, I had an Educational Enhancement Fund (EEF) procurement card. I received that in October. I bought face paint and fabric to make costumes for my first graders’ holiday program. This performance allowed them to meet CCSS Speaking and Listening standards. I bought more crayons and glue because most of my students are burdened by poverty and didn’t bring in their supplies at the beginning of the year. I purchased poster boards so that my students could participate in the Red Ribbon Week poster contest where they were able to write for an audience, which is another CCSS standard. I could go on with this justification of where I spent the funds allotted to me on the EEF card, but I digress.

It is now February. The EEF card is empty. If I do not go purchase toothpicks and marshmallows, my students will be the only first graders in our building who do not get to participate in this hands-on activity. Because I am a good teacher, I know that this hands-on lesson is really the best way to teach the concept. I don’t know how I am going to do it.

You see, I have two young children, both still in diapers, of my own. My husband’s had to face a cutback in hours at work, but not enough for him to keep the kids and us to forgo the weekly day care payment. I am going to have to run to the store this afternoon. After paying bills this month, I have less than $25 left to get me to pay day. I could probably buy enough diapers with that. There wouldn’t be anything left over though. I guess I am going to have to either choose the diapers or choose the materials for my class. Well, I guess what I will really have to do is put it all on a nearly maxed out credit card. My own children can’t go without diapers, and if I don’t do this lesson with my class, I might get into trouble and receive a poor evaluation. I need to keep this job.

Fully funding education would not only make a huge impact on my classroom, but on my personal life and the lives of my own children as well. What kind of message are we sending to families in this state when we don’t fully fund our schools? That quality of life doesn’t matter? What kind of message are we sending to the rest of this country? That we are satisfied with this status quo?

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What about you? What is your story? Are you a public school educator in Mississippi with a unique perspective you would like to share? How does funding affect your students and your goals to educate them? First year teachers and veterans, administrators and support staff, writers and non-writers, celebrities and anonymous submissions alike, fresh perspective is what we're looking for! Let us know if you'd like to impact Mississippi education! 

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Disclaimer: The blog entries shared here are individual works that do not necessarily represent the ideas and opinions of the Show and Tell administrators.