Crayons to Classrooms gives $66,000 in supplies at First-Year Teacher Shopping Event

On July 20th, Crayons to Classrooms (C2C) hosted May 2023 Wright State University (WSU) graduates for a First-Year Teacher Shopping Event. At this pilot shopping event, 49 first-year Dayton teachers stocked up on free supplies to fill their first classrooms. Several WSU faculty and staff volunteered to support their former students, help them shop, and congratulate them on securing jobs.

“First year teachers face a heavy financial burden at the start of their careers,” says Dave Herick, Professor and Program Director for the Elementary Education Program at WSU. “Our new graduates have often put themselves through school and most will have to quit their jobs before the start of their new teaching position and getting their first paycheck. Coming up with the hundreds of dollars often needed for supplies and materials is very stressful for a new teacher.”

Crayons to Classrooms removes this financial burden. Over $66,000 worth of school supplies were distributed to these first-year teachers. The average shopping trip value per teacher was $1,347.

Macy F., graduate of WSU’s education program, shares how this event helped her prepare to set up her new classroom. “Crayons to Classrooms got me all set up for my classroom… This means so much to me because I haven’t even started buying stuff yet, so this is perfect, and will be so helpful for my classroom.”

Last December, Wright State’s Office of Partnerships and Field Experiences held a campus-wide school supply drive that collected $1,000 worth of supplies for C2C. Crayons to Classrooms looks forward to partnering with the WSU College of Health, Education, and Human Services to host this first-year teacher shopping event each summer.