[malcolmk14]

Just to chip in, I spend about $150-200 of my own money a year as a teacher, and none of that is on necessary items to execute my job. It's always on extras or "nice-to-haves". I could absolutely perform my job to the same standard without taking money out of my own pocket.

Anything that is required, my school generously provides. There are ample professional resources and equipment. I have a large student supply budget at the beginning of every year which is topped up halfway through the year by our wonderfully involved School Council. I spend every penny of it on things the students consume.

All that being said...

There are SO many schools out there that are not fortunate in the way that mine is. Talking to other teachers and even having come from teaching at a school in a less privileged neighbourhood, the conditions that some teachers have to work in are absolutely dismal. I am tremendously lucky to be in the position I am in.

As far as some of the comments go about teachers buying clothes for underprivileged kids and whatnot, good for them, really, I say that sincerely. They are amazing, caring people and I applaud them for trying to make a difference for that family. Personally, I would be doing everything I could to refer that family to the appropriate agencies to get the help they need. I would be pushing my administration to help with financial relief for field trips, etc., I would be putting that families name forward for a Christmas basket or some other kind of charitable help. I'd be sitting down with those parents on a regular basis doing whatever I can to help support them. However, I would absolutely not be taking money out of my own pocket to dress someone's kid properly. That's just so far beyond my responsibility. But I can totally see how some teachers take that on and personally invest in having those kids feel safe and comfortable at school. They are amazing people.