Teachers Warehouse offers free supplies

NEWS 9

The beginning of school is rapidly approaching and many teachers are getting ready and buying their supplies.

In Oklahoma City, however, public school teachers can get supplies and equipment for free. Everything they need for the classroom is at the district's Teachers Warehouse. Teachers order the items online.

"They almost can't believe it when they go into the supply room," said former teacher Robyn Hilger.

Everything is donated and free for the taking. Teachers can take paper, pencils, and scissors, among others.

"We have these large desk-size file holders that teachers can use to file student records," Hilger said.

Hilger, a former teacher, said the donations are important.

"The supplies at the beginning of the school year often move away from students even by the middle of the year," Hilger said.

It's not uncommon for teachers to use their own money to buy classroom supplies.

"One year, I spent $1,700 of my own money," said Pre-K teacher Judith Gaylor. "It's always over the $250 that the state allows on the income taxes."

Gaylor was ecstatic to learn she no longer had to spend hundreds of her hard-earned dollars for classroom necessities.

Many teachers said the items will shape the minds of our future.

"Children learn 90 percent of what they are ever going to learn between Pre-K and six-years-old and we have to catch them early and to catch them early we have to have the resources to give them to work with," Gaylor said.

All the supplies are donated from local businesses and individuals.

Browse or order from the Teachers Warehouse here.