The Sam Houston State University chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens and the SHSU student organization Royalty are hosting a school supply drive to benefit Huntsville Independent School District.
The organizations began taking donations of essential supplies on Aug. 22.
Junior International Business major Stephanie Serrano says they are accepting a variety of supplies including dry erase markers, folders, crayons and glue. Even something as simple as copy paper can be beneficial for teachers.
“Some schools limit how much paper each teacher gets or they leave the shipment in the teachers’ lounge and whoever comes first gets what they can take,” Serrano said.
It is a scenario that Serrano says plays out in Texas classrooms and schools every day. Teachers are forced to take what little they already earn and put it back into their students’ and classroom needs.
Serrano says teachers spend an average of $530 per year for classroom supplies. However, teachers are only allowed to deduct $250 from their taxes annually.
Data from The National Education Association in 2017 shows teachers do all of this on an average annual salary of $52,575.
“Teachers have to buy items to decorate the class such as educational posters or bins so students will be able to store their items,” Serrano said. “They also purchase professional development materials, computer materials, books, snacks and so much more.”
Serrano hopes that SHSU students will look back and remember those educators who helped motivate them to get where they are and pay it forward by donating to help the next generation of students and leaders.
“I hope that SHSU students remember those teachers that went out of their way to help students that did not have the necessary materials for one reason or another,” Serrano said.
The organizations are accepting school supplies through Sept. 6. Those who are interested in donating supplies should drop them off in the designated boxes in the Lowman Student Center, Newton Gresham Library or Room 317 in Academic Building IV.