What to Know
Buying school supplies is necessary to help offset classroom costs for teachers, who are already typically paid far less than they deserve. There, we got that out of the way and it’s a universal truth. But the issue some parents are coming across with teachers now is that some teachers have very specific requests about supplies and brands and not all parents can afford to just go all out with everything.
In a TikTok posted by a woman who has worked in education for years, she calls out teachers who have a “mean girl” mentality when it comes to school supplies from parents. She also adds a video where a teacher holds up different supplies and says which is acceptable and which isn’t. And the acceptable products are all name brand and pricey. Which, again, is not realistic for some parents. Who are we kidding? In this economy, it’s not realistic for most parents.
The teachers are giving “mean girl vibes” with their comments.
@unpluggedmoments Parents, buy what you can afford and do not feel guilty. A striped folder or off-brand marker will not stop a child from learning. We need to give each other grace.#teachersoftiktok #teacher #teacherlife #backtoschoolshopping #schoolsupplies ♬ original sound – Unplugged Moments
In the video that the TikTok user shared, a teacher holds up Target brand pencils and says a cheerful “no.” She then shows a more high end brand of pencils and says, “yes.” She does the same for Target store brand markers versus Crayola. And we are so tired, Miss Teacher Lady. The woman who posted the video explains why this mentality from some teachers is so unacceptable.
“Some of your teachers are giving mean girl vibes, OK?” She says in her video. “It is so cringe and unhinged when teachers come on here and make parents feel guilty over school supplies. And before y’all come for me, you know I have teachers back 100%. But I worked in education for over a decade. I know teachers spend their own money. I get it. I completely understand that some brands last longer. I get it. That is not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about these videos every single year, back to school. Buy this brand, not that brand. Don’t buy this folder, but bring this, send this, not that. Stop making parents feel like they are failing over school supplies.”
She points out that some parents may not be able to afford higher end school supplies, and they don’t need to be made to feel guilty over it. She assures teachers watching her video that some parents will be able to adhere to the specific brands they ask for, but some will not. So asking for specific brands sets up parents and even their kids for some uncomfortable moments.
“A red folder with stripes is not going to stop that child from learning. A Mondo Yama marker is not going to make them fall behind. Did they complete the assignment? Did they turn it in? Did they use the correct colors? If they did, they did great. You did great,” she says. “That is what we should be focusing on. Let’s educate the kids, support the teachers, support the parents. Give parents a Little Grace. Give teachers a little Grace instead of stressing them out over whether their folder is a solid or stripe, or if it’s Crayola over Mondo Yama. I’m done.”
Parents say they will send in to school what they can reasonably afford.
Parents flew to the comments to agree with the TikTok user and share their own experiences with school supply shopping, especially on a budget. Some teachers also commented to assure other users that they are not concerned with certain brands that are purchased for school supplies.
One user wrote, “People act like times aren’t TOUGH. ‘It’s only 50 cents more.’ Yeah and that 50 cents turns into $150 dollars REAL QUICK. Get REAL.”
Another wrote, “Teacher told me she only wanted Clorox wipes…you better take these Great Value wipes and hush.” I never met a store brand wipe that didn’t do for me what more expensive brands do, so that’s fair.
“I buy what I can afford at the time,” a parent commented. “But throughout the year when the teachers ask for donations I’m there to help with snacks and supplies for things they need in the class!”
Others agree that school supply lists are hard enough to deal with.
@thenicegirlwithbadjokes I love teachers. I have had so many wonderful teachers. I know it’s a thankless job but unless you are doing Crayola specific projects in class, there is no need for this. To me it just screams you’re gonna make someone feel less than because they can’t afford it. Not everyone can afford these things, the name brand stuff. #fyp #backtoschoolshopping #teachers #schoolsupplies ♬ original sound – nowvisitingtvshow
Other parents commented to agree that school supply lists in general are hard to deal with every year. Yes, they are necessary, especially in under-funded districts and for teachers who can’t reasonably afford to supply all of the pencils, crayons, and folders that each child needs.
But, especially when you have multiple children, dropping tons of cash on school supplies is hard enough without adhering to specific brand name guidelines. It’s giving lack of awareness in a big way.
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