ESC holds teacher flea market in Canfield

CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN) — The back-to-school shopping season has arrived, and teachers across the Mahoning Valley are digging into their own pockets to stock up on classroom essentials.

According to the National Education Association, teachers on average spend $500-$750 of their own money every year on supplies their students need. But the ESC of Eastern Ohio is looking to fix that.

“Our teachers and teachers across the Valley give a lot of their own time, their own money, their own resources,” said Staci Direnzo, assistant director of people services.

On Friday, teachers met up at a flea market in Canfield to help them prepare for the upcoming school year. Anything a teacher could need was available to buy. This includes books, decorations, games, and more.

“We realize how expensive that teaching supplies can be for our teachers,” said Kim Monachino, director of people services and early childhood. “We’re doing this as a way to support our teachers, to support our families and our students.”

Creating a dynamic learning environment can be expensive, which is why the ESC of Eastern Ohio put together the event. For first-time teachers, this is extremely beneficial.

“We have to do this because we support our teachers and our communities and our families and our students we have to do this because we care about our teachers. I was a teacher once, so I know how expensive it is to go out and buy all those materials. So we’re here because we care,” said Kim Monachino of the ESC.

The event was especially helpful for younger or less experienced teachers, allowing them the chance to stock up on supplies as well as some tricks of the trade.

“I wouldn’t want to give my money back, anywhere else than the other teachers who are helping support me,” Student Teacher Joy Carpenter said.

The Flea also promotes a sense of community among educators, drawing together teachers who are dedicated to their craft.

“It is very rewarding, especially when students from the past,” Austintown Middle School Math Teacher Regina Sylvester said. “I’ve told all my students in the past, when you graduate high school invite me to your party because I want to come. I want to see that you graduate and you’re moving on.”

This was the first annual teacher flea market. The ESC hopes to hold this event again next year.

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