Yeah, I can relate.  I'm reduced to giving kids extra credit for bringing in kleenex and paper towels, and cough drops.  I used to post a list of needed items (not all bought, some just things around the house) on the bulletin board.  Haven't done that all year.

I remember the years when the schools had to buy EVERYTHING!  Don't tell the parents, they will expect it again.  When I was a kid, we provided our own stuff but not paper and books.  Now the kids have to bring their own paper too.  I am out.  I am not spending my money on paper.  They can use scratch if they don't supply any more paper.  How sad it is that the same kids are always the ones who bring the stuff.  I have one little boy who didn't bring a single thing. He  sure used it though.   He said they couldn't afford it.  However, they could afford to bring cash and buy pop tarts off another boy in class.  No paper, no pencils, just pop tarts.  What are we teaching him by letting him get away with this?  I think the should have to do work/payback if they don't bring supplies.

I always bought a lot of supplies.  There was one school where I taught that did have a closet with pens, pencils, etc., and let the teachers come and get items at any time.  It was really nice.  It is very frustrating when the kids aren't prepared to work.  Plus, I know what you mean, Mystery Teacher, about some of them having money for everything else.  

I am in my third year at a University in Indiana and I am getting nervous to realizing that being a teacher is going to be hard...mentally and financially.  Any inspiration for me to get through my last year?

AliRose;  If you feel it is your calling to be a teacher, go for it.  Nothing is more exciting to me that driving to school (I have a long drive) and planning my day with my class.  I am excited every single day to be at work teaching.  Of course, this is a great class this year.  I wouldn't have said it quite this way last year.  

I LOVE teaching.  I LOVE planning lessons and activities to help my students learn.  I hate getting up early but I LOVE what I do.  Summers often seem too long for me.  I keep myself busy with projects and planning for the following year.  If you love it as much as me, it isn't hard.  It might be a challenge at times but it isn't hard.

AliRose, To me, teaching is hard mentally.  I have days that I enjoy it so much and I have other days that I'm so frustrated I could cry.  There are a lot of ups and downs.  My mind is never completely "off" the job. Even so, this is my 30th year and it seems like the years have just flown by.

I complain about all the things we have to buy, but I cannot complain about my salary when it's added to my husband's salary and his is not a whole lot more than mine.  We live comfortably, but nothing fancy.  We have a lot more than many people and a lot less than other people in this town.

When I was student teaching in 1977 I was with a 50-something lady who took all kinds of paper work home with her at night.  She wore "comfortable shoes" (translation: ugly).  I thought to myself, "Her life must be hell."  Now, I AM that lady and my life is NOT hell---ha!

It makes me happy that I see former students around town and they speak to me.  Now I have the next generation of these students.

It was wonderful to have all the holidays off with my daughters as they were growing up.  And, the summers were wonderful with them.  Neither one of them wanted to be a teacher, though. (pharmacist and physical therapist)

So, it's been a good life.  There are still some people who respect teachers and that is a nice thing to have.

I hope you do well in your last year.  You are wise to ask questions about what's coming.  If I had it to do over, I would probably choose teaching again.    Eva