Canadian teachers are asking for help stocking their classrooms with supplies
Teachers across Canada are asking for support in stocking their classrooms, through a social media hashtag called “#clearthelist.”
As September approaches, and teachers look for stationery, books and toys to fill their classrooms, a Canadian blog has created a list of teachers who’ve posted their classroom supply needs online, with the hopes that parents, community members or even strangers will buy the supplies.
“A lot of people just don't realize that as teachers we buy everything ourselves (for the classroom),” said Deena Liguori, a teacher in the Coquitlam, B.C. school district.
Liguori, who’s posted her list online, has been teaching Grades 2 and 3 for the past several years, but come September she’ll be teaching Grades 4 and 5, so she will need new books and materials geared towards older kids.
The lists, often created on Amazon and then linked to in posts on various social media platforms, allow people to send items directly to the teachers’ houses.
Liguori says she’s noticed that many of the lists are from newer teachers who haven’t had very long to accumulate teaching supplies.
“We spend a lot of our own money,” she said.
Classroom supply needs have changed in the pandemic, too, Liguori said. That’s because students haven’t been allowed to share materials unless they’re sanitized before each new kid uses them. As a result, Liguori said she and other teachers have to buy multiples of items.
“I had to go to a dollar store and make individual baggies of little things they can use to help them (with math),” she said.
Liguori’s wishlist includes a swath of books, with titles such as Germs vs. Soap, Kindness is My Superpower and Big Feelings. It also includes items such as wall decals, fidget toys, and magnetic building blocks. Another Canadian teacher’s whishlist, shared on the blog, includes things like Crayola markers in multiple skin tones, lamination sheets, and a book titled Pink is for Boys, among others.
“One big special book that someone sent me is a story about the residential schools … that’s super important,” she said.
The #clearthelist hashtag has, in previous years, been more centred on American teachers, Liguori said, but this year she’s seen more Canadian teachers sharing their classroom need lists online.
“You’d be surprised, if you walked into my classroom – I’m going to go tomorrow and set it up – it’s blank, because everything that I buy, it’s my stuff for the classroom,” she said.
But, that doesn’t mean the walls will be blank for long. Liguori said she’s been thrilled to have so many people help out.
“When I've got a package at my door from the #clearthelist, like, I'm beaming with delight because it just shows that people support us teachers, they know that we had a tough year ... it shows the value people hold in teachers,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.