Should parents pay for classroom supplies? Ticked-off teacher sparks back-to-school debate: ‘Crying over crayons'

New York Post

4 days ago

This teacher's ticked.
An enraged educator is calling out her students' penny-pinching parents over their refusal to chip for a few additional back-to-school supplies the school district allegedly can't afford — adding fresh fuel to the ongoing debate over who pays for what in public education.
'Just so we're clear, I'm expected to take a bullet for little Johnny and his classmates,' began Randi's viral rant on TikTok, which has now received over 1.4 million views.
4 Randi, a teacher, blasted parents who are not buying supplies for their kids and classmates to use throughout the school year.
Lucia PSV – stock.adobe.com
'But little Johnny's mother does not see it fit to provide for the community with some Clorox wipes, some tissues, maybe an extra pack of pencils?'
The redhead's hot take comes as NYC educators report shelling out hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars to bridge budget gaps — even turning to crowdfunding in a desperate attempt to drum up the necessary cash.
Cash-strapped parents aren't pleased with the nationwide trend — with one Tampa-based mom virally vowing not to purchase any school supplies for her five children ahead of the 2025 fall semester.
She argued, in part, that the onus is on teachers and school administrators to provide educational tools and utensils — much like it was the parents' burden to furnish all learning implements while homeschooling during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The conversation carries on amid a nationwide teacher shortage — with Empire State learners taking a hard hit.
4 Some parents argue that they should not be expected to furnish classrooms with learning supplies, when schools failed to provide educational tools for remote-learning during the pandmeic.
Elena – stock.adobe.com
A whopping 86% of New York schools find it difficult to hire qualified candidates — while over 60% of those already on the job report being dissatisfied with their career, per recent data.
Meanwhile, burned out educators are walking away from the chalkboard for more inancially-stable positions as private tutors — and even Hooters waitresses.
And while the revved-up Randi hasn't publicly announced any plans to leave the desk and teach tots one-on-one, or sling chicken wings, it seems the professional is more than fed-up with unhelpful folks.
4 School supplies have become a hot-button issue between teachers and parents online.
David Tran – stock.adobe.com
4 Randi noted that she'd be forced to make 'the ultimate sacrifice' for her students in the case of a school shooting, while parents aren't willing to make a monetary sacrifice for the children in their communities.
Taras Grebinets – stock.adobe.com
'I have to make the ultimate sacrifice for the community, the school,' she said, doubling down on the dangers of being a teacher. 'But little Johnny's mother does not think she has to make any sacrifices for the community?.'
The commentariat appeared to side with the indignant instructor — concurring that little Johnny's mommy is a big meanie.
'Everybody wants a village but nobody wanna be a villager,' a commenter chimed, scolding folks who are unwilling to pitch in to meet classroom budget shortfalls.
'Parents complaining about school supplies are the same parents that don't sit down and read with their kids,' another spat.
'Johnny's mother also thinks you should be providing for Johnny out of your own pocket, because they do not value teachers,' an equally peeved onlooker added.
'These parents are taking it out the wrong people,' wrote another.
''If they don't wanna shell out money for school supplies, they should be up at those board meetings [and] electing better representatives, fighting for public school funding. Not on this app crying over crayons.'