Parents, here's how you can help your child's teacher this year

If you have children, you are no stranger to the scrambling ritual at a crowded store or office supply store, looking for school supplies. Yet, according to a survey based on a nationally representative sample of tens of thousands of teachers published this year by the National Center for Education Statistics, your child's teacher may be spending money on extra classes. .

"Among teachers who spent their own money on school supplies without reimbursement, the average amount spent was $ 479 and the median amount spent was $ 297, with 9 percent of teachers spending their own money," according to the report. 39; investigation.

Margaret DeRosa Stevens, a second-grade teacher in the Hoosick Falls Central School District in upstate New York states that she probably spends between $ 500 and $ 1000 each year on activities and activities. supplies for his class. "Honestly, our school district and our parents are good at funding early in the year, but we usually start running out of pencils, sticks and pencils around Thanksgiving. stash "drawer. "Sometimes I ask parents to help, but if it's an activity I choose, I do not want to burden them. I probably spend the most money on daily snacks. It's so hard to watch a child pull out a box of juice, chain cheese, fruit and a cookie, while other kids have nothing.

School budgets are notoriously tight

Why do teachers spend so much money on supplies? School budgets – including school meals – vary enormously from city to city. For example, New York City traditionally bases its budget on factors such as student grades and the demographics of each school population – the number of children requiring a free or reduced lunch may increase funding than a school receives.

According to the American Association of School Administrators, school funding is used to pay for:

• Teacher salaries and professional development
• Salaries of Director, Deputy Director and Administrative Support Staff
• The school buildings themselves, including light bills and heating
• Curriculum and staff development
• Transportation (school buses and drivers)
• A school nurse
• Breakfast and lunches for students
• A school library and a librarian
• School counselors
• Special Education Programs

Teachers are often paid unevenly

Teachers' salaries can vary enormously from one city to another and from one state to another, depending on the cost of living. In this very expensive city of New York, for this school year, new teachers with a bachelor's degree and no previous experience range from $ 57 to $ 86,000 for a master's degree and eight years of teaching experience. The maximum salary would be greater than $ 100,000. Remember that teachers in other states receive much lower salaries: just over $ 38,000 for less than 3 years of experience and a license of nearly $ 56,000 for a master's degree and over 27 years of 'experience. website.

As a recent essay by NBC News THINK recently points out, this considerable difference can be explained by the fact that property values ​​can play a role in teachers' salaries, often leaving children in rural and urban areas with teachers. underpaid and limited resources. Teachers go out in protest: This spring, teachers from Arizona, Oklahoma and West Virginia took to the streets to protest low wages, huge pay gaps and the low funding of schools.

According to the 2016 Learning Policy Institute report, the teacher retention rate could improve if teachers receive competitive and fair compensation between districts and scholarship and loan repayment programs. . were instituted to ease the burden of school debt. Meanwhile, parents and taxpayers can advocate for better teacher compensation in their communities by supporting teachers' unions and advocacy organizations, and by voting for the school budget and increases in school fees. teacher salary whenever possible.

What else can we do to help our teachers lighten their load this school year?

Volunteer and raise money whenever you can

When it comes to helping teachers, the time is just as valuable as the money. "Go to PTA meetings and school events and learn what you can do according to the school needs that best fit your schedule," says Dana Gerendasi, principal of elementary school. Waterside in Queens, New York. "My PTA Executive Committee are all working families. Volunteers who help raise funds and volunteer can really help reduce the burden on the board. "

See your child's teacher as a partner

Andrew Swapp, who taught 14 years at Milford High School and High School, said it would help teachers if more parents adopted the mentality that the school was designed to educate their children. "Treat the teacher with the respect you will want from a doctor and yes, a second opinion is allowed. Read everything your child brings home and ask questions about what he has learned every day, "says Swapp. If your child has trouble connecting or learning, Swapp recommends meeting the teacher with some suggestions. "If you do not have an alternative, your complaint may fall on deaf ears – not because the teacher wants to ignore you – but because most teachers rely on the recommendations of other teachers. After all, you know your child better and can give teachers a glimpse of how to reach them.

Remember that your child's teacher is a human being

Above all, remember that teachers are also people. "I've always noticed that parents compared our work to theirs and, depending on the hours, thought it was easier work," recalls Adam Cole, a former school teacher. public in the Atlanta area. "There is no time to stop. Imagine that your job was to watch a child eight hours a day with a 45-minute break somewhere. Now, have 20 or 30 children interacting with each other while you are either "in presentation" or "attentive" to make sure they are safe, busy and learning – and that you are held accountable results. This level of intensity tends to burn teachers quite quickly and, even if there is no alternative, the compassion, understanding and support are enormous. "

And when Thanksgiving unfolds, ask your child's teacher if he needs more snacks, glue sticks and tissues. Chances are that they will be grateful.

MORE TIPS FOR RETURN TO SCHOOL

Want more advice like these? NBC News BETTER is obsessed with finding simpler, healthier and smarter ways of living. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.