Neighbors 4 Neighbors

Helping Teachers Prepare For Back-To-School

To Donate To Teachers & Schools, Call Neighbors4Neighbors: 305-597-4404

MIAMI (CBS4) ― Teachers, administrators and faculty report back to school Monday to start preparing their classrooms for students. But it's become harder to get students the supplies they need with recent budget cuts. Two programs in South Florida are helping teachers out and providing creative ways you can, too.

Teachers often say they think of their career as a passion, not just a profession. But they feel the pressure, and the pinch in their pockets, when they're getting their classrooms ready for the school year.

Kindergarten teacher Maria Fernandez says the responsibility of outfitting a classroom has been placed on most teachers' backs. "We fill in all the gaps that the county or the school system does not provide us with. Number-wise I would say it's close to $2,500 year to year."

The Education Fund of Miami-Dade and The Broward Education Foundation helps make it easier for teachers trying to stock up on supplies.

"We don't have everything, but we have a lot of the basic things. They can come here and get pencils, come and get erasers, rulers, pens. A lot of different items that will fill the inventory of things that they need to have when they go into the classroom at the beginning of the year and all through the year" said Gerry Scally of the Education Fund of Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Recently both programs have fallen on tough times. Between budget cuts and fewer donations, it's become a challenge to make sure teachers get the supplies they need.

While there's less to go around, Scally says more teachers are turning to the program, "These are tight economic times. If the district is feeling the pinch, there are an awful lot of families out there going through the same thing. And that means that more children will be coming into the classroom this year with nothing", adding "We all have a vested interest in making sure that our children succeed."

But simple things like volunteering your time or donating supplies can make a difference and ease the burden on our local teachers.

John Gentile of the Education Foundation of Broward described the importance of giving back. "This is a plea to all citizens big and small – what they're doing is giving back to their community. It's a very gratifying experience, and trust me, the need is there" said Gentile.

If you're interested in donating supplies, adopting a classroom or volunteering, give Neighbors 4 Neighbors a call at (305) 597-4404.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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