Flexible seating, sensory tools top Delaware teachers' wish lists

As yet another school year begins, many teachers across Delaware are looking for new ways to invest in their classrooms and students.

According to the National Education Association , over 90% of teachers and educators spend money on their own classrooms, including on school supplies and other items and resources for learning.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many teachers spent nearly an average of $500 to $750 of their wages every year to help meet their students' needs – though several have reported they end up paying more out of their own pockets.

Here’s what teachers are adding to their wish lists for the 2024-2025 academic year in the First State.

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What are teachers looking for?

According to data collected by the National Center for Education Statistics , roughly 141,465 students were enrolled in 229 public schools across the state in 2022, with a reported 9,991 teachers employed that same year.

Despite the notable tax deduction from buying their own classroom supplies, many teachers are still spending a great deal on a wide range of items to help their students succeed, including the basics like paper, pencils, snacks and tissues, as well as greater expenses like subscriptions to online learning tools or even clothing and toiletries.

For three teachers at Harry O. Eisenberg Elementary School near New Castle, creating wish lists is not only an opportunity to help their students succeed, but help them thrive.

Erica Sharp, who teaches fifth grade at Eisenberg, said she hopes to submit a wish list on DonorsChoose for flexible or foldable chairs and rolling carts to hold books for her students, helping give them “somewhere to read books beyond their own seats.”

For her first year of teaching, Ayesha Jamison also registered for flexible seating on Amazon Wish List this past June.

Jamison said she is looking for additional seating that provides “an extra piece” of comfort and movement for her first graders, like wobble and bean bag chairs, as well as additional materials such as adhesive magnets and Clorox wipes.

Jamison said she used a wish list during her residency last year, and feels wish lists are a great chance to “give friends and family the opportunity to help” students and teachers alike throughout the school year.

After having bought supplies from Target and Michael’s previously, kindergarten teacher Daphne Blakey registered on Amazon Wish List in July.

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Along with cleaning supplies like tissues and hand sanitizer, Blakey said she has included specific items for her first wish list this year, including Play-Doh, the book "If I Were the Teacher: A Book About Classroom Rules,'' multicultural crayons and different sensory tools for her students like noise-canceling headphones, bottles with glitter and digital timers.

For Blakey, contributing to wish lists helps support teachers and students throughout the year, and “makes a world of difference" for the entire classroom.

What is a teacher wish list?

According to the non-profit management tool Teachers Wish Lists , these wish lists are supplies, items or other resources created by educators and coordinators that are then shared to parents and communities “to help meet unfulfilled classroom needs.”

Many commonly asked for wish list items include sharpened pencils and pens, folders and cleaning supplies such as hand sanitizer and wipes.

Several lists also name age-appropriate books, organizational bins and storage containers and even calming tools such as stress balls or fidget toys.

Where else can you donate?

Aside from Amazon, several groups offer opportunities for donors to support Delaware classrooms. One example is DonorsChoose , a site where residents can search for and sponsor registered classrooms across the country, including those in Delaware .

Options include monthly donations, direct support to a classroom of choice and partnerships.

Teachers also can submit a classroom essentials list where they can choose from a prepared list of teacher favorites such as pencils, paper, crayons and healthy snacks, or submit a classroom project request. Further information can be found on the DonorsChoose website.

Residents also can donate to teachers’ funds registered under the non-profit AdoptaClassroom.org . Options include monthly and online donations, employer-matcher gifts and wills and trusts. One hundred percent of donations go directly to the teachers or schools listed. Donations made online become available for educators to immediately use on their classrooms.

The organization also accepts donations for Spotlight Funds , which help support teachers and classrooms across the country in specific subjects and areas of study. This includes funds for the arts , Indigenous language and education, STEM learning , racial equity and social emotional wellness , among others. Additional information is available on the AdoptaClassroom website.

Other teacher wish lists can be found at TeacherLists.com , Get Your Teach On (GYTO) and Wishing Well .

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Donors also can support The United Way of Delaware’ s Education team. Funds will go to help support teachers and students alike, as well as future school supply drives and giveaways and launch new programs, according to their website .

Retailers including Amazon, Target and Walmart also offer lists for donors to choose from.

Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. Reach her at omontes@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Flexible seating, sensory tools top Delaware teachers' wish lists