HISD Teacher Shares Tip for Getting School Supplies

HOUSTON – Our teachers often do whatever they can to make sure their students have everything they need in the classroom…even if it means digging into their pockets. But one Houston ISD teacher says she’s found a better way to get her students the supplies they need.

Madelynn Campbell teaches art to students in kindergarten through second grade and uses a lot of glue and construction paper during the school year. After spending $1,600 One year, her students’ parents asked if she had an Amazon wish list. Teachers often create lists of supplies they need on the shopping site, making it easy to share the link with people who want to help.

“For years, I never made an Amazon wish list,” Campbell says.

“I’ve always done the shopping myself. And then one year, some parents got together and asked me, ‘Hey, do you have a wish list? We’d like to help improve the classroom.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, that makes sense. I should probably do it.’”

After creating her wish list, she shared the link on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, where it really took off.

“Actually, TikTok got the most responses. I was quite surprised, because I didn’t have that many followers or anything like that. But a lot of people saw it on their For You page.”

Campbell recommends that teachers use the hashtags “TikTok Teachers,” “Fill My Classroom,” and “Amazon Wish List” to ensure their wish lists get the most views.

“It’s really easy to see how much money adds up when you buy things for your classroom. Anytime someone can donate, it’s great.”

Campbell hopes to repeat that success with something just for the teachers at his school.

“We work in a charter school in a low-income area. The building we’re in is already there. We’ve adapted it to the needs of the students and their resources. But the needs of the teachers are a little bit behind, which is completely understandable. But now we’re finally settled enough to have this extra space. I asked our principal if we could use it as a break room. And our principal said yes.”

The teacher is currently preparing another Amazon wish list to fill the teachers’ break room with furniture and other items.

“Wish lists have worked well for me in the past, and I firmly believe that it never hurts to ask.”

If you would like to donate to give these teachers some much-needed relaxation time, click here.