Teacher FAQ
Teacher FAQ
Classroom Central provides free resources to educators in six Charlotte-region school districts:
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS)
- Gaston County Schools
- Iredell-Statesville Schools
- Union County Public Schools
- Kannapolis City Schools
- Lancaster County School District (South Carolina)
To view a list of eligible schools, please click here:
2026-2027 Classroom Central Eligible Schools List
Classroom Central uses state education data to determine program eligibility, ensuring our resources reach the schools and students with the greatest need. Schools where 50% or more of students are identified as economically disadvantaged are eligible to participate in Classroom Central’s programs. Eligibility is reviewed annually using the most recent available state data.
Educators at eligible partner schools may shop by appointment once per month through the Free Store, Curbside Pick-Up, or Mobile Free Store.
Eligible school personnel include:
- Full-Time Teachers
- Facilitators
- Counselors
- Media Specialists
- Principals
- Assistant Principals
- Deans
- Job Coaches
- Family Advocates
- ASEP Coordinators
- Nurses
- Social Workers
- Behavior Modification Specialists
- Guest Teachers
- Multi-Classroom Leaders (MCLs)
- Occupational and Speech Therapists
- Interventionists
- Instructional Coaches
Support and administrative staff whose primary role is not instructional are not eligible to shop. This includes positions such as teacher assistants, ASEP associates, custodians, and staff assigned to other departments.
If you are unsure whether you are eligible to shop, please email [email protected] with your name, school email address, and school name. Our team will verify your eligibility and assist you with accessing Classroom Central resources.
To shop through Classroom Central’s programs, educators must schedule an appointment in advance. Shopping appointments open on the 3rd Monday of each month for the following month.
Follow the steps below to reserve your shopping appointment:
- Visit: http://teachersfreestore.com/Classroom/ttlogin.aspx
- Enter your login information:
- Username: Your school email address
- Password: classroomcentral (all lowercase), unless you have previously changed your password
- Select your preferred appointment date and time.
- Click Submit to complete your registration.
Please Note:
- An appointment is required to shop through any of Classroom Central’s shopping programs, including the Free Store, Curbside Pick-Up, and Mobile Free Store.
- Appointment availability is based on capacity. If you do not see any available appointments, we have reached capacity for that month. Additional appointments will become available when registration opens for the following month.
- You will receive a confirmation email once your appointment has been successfully scheduled. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please check your Spam or Junk Mail folder.
- If you need assistance accessing your account, please contact [email protected].
If you are a new teacher or have recently changed schools, please email [email protected] with the following information:
- Full name
- School email address
- Name of your school
- Subject(s) or grade level taught
Our team will verify your employment with your school and register you in our system so you can access Classroom Central programs.
If you have changed schools, you will continue to have access to Classroom Central programs as long as your new school is an eligible partner school. If you have moved to a school that is not eligible for Classroom Central services, access will no longer be available.
We are happy to help ensure your information is up to date and that you are connected to the resources available to you.
Educators have one hour to shop during their scheduled appointment time. If you are visiting Classroom Central for the first time, you will receive a brief orientation at check-in to help you learn how to navigate the Free Store.
To help make the most of your shopping experience, please arrive on time for your scheduled appointment with your school ID and bring bags, carts, or wagons to carry your supplies home.
Both Curbside Pick-Up and the Mobile Free Store provide eligible educators with access to free school supplies, but they offer different shopping experiences.
Curbside Pick-Up (Online Pre-Order)
Curbside Pick-Up allows educators from eligible schools to browse and select supplies online or through the Classroom Central app before their appointment. Educators then visit the Classroom Central Free Store on Wednesdays during their scheduled pick-up time, and a volunteer will bring their completed order directly to their vehicle.
Mobile Free Store
The Mobile Free Store brings Classroom Central resources directly to educators in our partner districts, making it easier for teachers who work farther from our Free Store location to access supplies. The Mobile Free Store travels to our furthest-serving districts each month, including:
- Gaston County
- Union County
- Kannapolis City
- Iredell-Statesville
- Lancaster County
Educators schedule an appointment and pick up their order directly from the Mobile Free Store truck when it visits their school district.
Both programs require an appointment and are available to eligible educators at participating schools.
Resources provided by Classroom Central are intended to support educators and enhance student learning by ensuring students have access to the supplies and materials they need to succeed.
Some Classroom Central resources, such as kits or specialty materials available through our programs, are available for educators to borrow. These items should be returned by the designated return date so they can continue to support other educators and students.
Our goal is to ensure every resource provided has the greatest possible impact on student success.
To ensure a safe and efficient shopping experience for all educators, guests are not permitted during shopping appointments. This includes family members, teaching assistants, student teachers, or any other guests.
Only eligible educators with a scheduled appointment may shop through Classroom Central programs.
If you are unable to attend your scheduled shopping appointment and want to cancel, please log into the scheduling system to cancel your appointment.
If you are unable to attend your scheduled appointment and would like someone else to pick up your supplies on your behalf, you may designate a proxy to shop for you. Please note that each person may shop as a proxy for a maximum of two additional educators.
To request proxy shopping, please notify the Classroom Central team by following these steps:
- Email [email protected] before your scheduled appointment date.
- Use the subject line: Proxy Shopping [Date] for [Your Name]
- CC the person who will be shopping on your behalf.
Please include the name of your proxy so our team can assist with the process and ensure they are able to pick up your supplies.
Thank you for helping us ensure a smooth shopping experience for all educators.
A school ID is preferred for check-in. If you do not have your school ID, you may present a valid photo ID or driver’s license.
Please make sure your identification matches the information in our system so we can verify your account and provide access to your scheduled shopping appointment.
Classroom Central offers several ways for eligible educators to access free resources. All shopping opportunities are by appointment only. Eligible educators may schedule one shopping appointment of any kind per month.
Free Store
The Free Store is open:
- Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Two Saturdays each month from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Please note: In October and March, we will offer three Saturday shopping opportunities.
Online Pre-Order (Curbside Pick-Up)
Educators may place an online order and pick up their supplies at Classroom Central on:
- Wednesdays from 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
A Classroom Central team member or volunteer will bring your completed order directly to your vehicle.
Mobile Free Store
The Mobile Free Store brings Classroom Central resources directly to educators in our partner districts, making it easier for educators who work farther from our Free Store location to access supplies.
Educators will receive an email notification when the Mobile Free Store is scheduled to visit their district.
Shopping appointments are available from 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
The Mobile Free Store travels throughout the year to serve our partner districts, including:
- Gaston County
- Union County
- Kannapolis City
- Iredell-Statesville
- Lancaster County
New This Year! Online Express
Online Express allows eligible educators to place an order online and pick up their supplies the same day at Classroom Central.
Online ordering is available:
- Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Same-day pickup is available:
- Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Please Note:
- All shopping opportunities require an appointment.
- Eligible educators may schedule one shopping appointment (of any kind) per month.
- We do not accept walk-in appointments.
- Classroom Central is not open for shopping or supply pick-up on Mondays or Fridays.
Purpose of Classroom Central Resources
Classroom Central provides free resources to support educators and positively impact students. Resources received through Classroom Central programs are intended to support classroom instruction and student needs.
Responsible Use of Resources
To ensure resources continue to benefit students and educators throughout our community, items received from Classroom Central should be used as intended to support student learning.
Items received from Classroom Central may not be sold, bartered, or traded. Any misuse of Classroom Central resources or abuse of the shopping system may result in the loss of shopping privileges.
Shopping Experience Expectations
We want every educator to have a positive and welcoming shopping experience. We ask all shoppers to treat Classroom Central staff, volunteers, fellow educators, and our space with respect and care.
Thank you for partnering with us to ensure Classroom Central resources continue to make a meaningful impact for students and educators.
ur school’s administration.