From classroom decorations to student supplies, many teachers spend their own money on classroom supplies. According to the U.S. Department of Education, some teachers spend nearly $500 out of their own pocket. 

To help offset this, Frisco ISD is giving teachers, teacher facilitators, librarians and speech therapists $250 to help fund classroom supplies for the school year. 

AP Psychology teacher, Tim Johannes, always puts his funds to good use. 

“The stipend is nice to have because it doesn’t feel like I’m spending my own money on classroom supplies,” Johannes said. “If I do want to buy the kids supplies, like an activity we do, I can use school money but it’s just easier.” 

World Geography and AP U.S. History teacher, Kenneth Schiumo, works to make his classroom a welcoming environment. 

“I usually use [the stipend] for things that will increase student engagement. So that might be extra things that I’m signing up for, for lessons,” Schiumo said. “I might buy things for stuff around my classroom: new flags, posters, clocks. Just to make my classroom a more welcoming environment. That’s exactly what teachers need.”

But Johannes thinks of the $250 as more than a stipend.

“It’s kind of like a bonus almost because teachers were already using their own money,” Johannes said. “I guess it’s nice that they’re recognizing that we were doing that and they give us that.”

Students such as junior Sophia Hung support the stipend as she realizes that some teachers spend money out of their own pocket.

“I know many of my teachers that use their own personal money to just give us a better classroom,” junior Sophia Hung said. “They should be getting paid by their job not putting money into their jobs so it is definitely necessary that they get support from the district.” 

Thankful for what is being provided, an even bigger stipend could likely be justified in the eyes of Schiumo. 

“Frisco ISD does do a great job of taking care of us as far as supplies go, but if you want to make your classroom professional you usually have to go out-of-pocket,” Schuimo said. “I think that teachers should get around $1,500, top end. More realistically, I would say around half of that $700 would be better for our stipends. “