VOICES FROM THE CLASSROOM

TEACHER VOICES

Every day, teachers show up for their students.
These are their voices and the impact your support makes possible.

“I teach 140 students—and they always have pencils because of Classroom Central.”
— Middle School Science Teacher, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools 

“Classroom Central allows me to tell my families to focus on paying their bills and not worry about whether their child has the supplies needed to succeed.”
— Pre-K  Teacher, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools

“Because of Classroom Central, my students can focus on learning and creativity instead of worrying about supplies.”
— 9-10, English 2 & AP Seminar Teacher, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools

Every supply matters

Teaching at a Title I school means every notebook, pen, and pack of paper truly matters. Classroom Central has made such a difference for my students this year. Their generosity helps me keep my classroom stocked and my students supported. My kids can focus on learning and creativity instead of worrying about supplies.

9-10, English 2 & AP Seminar Teacher, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools

Meeting basic needs for families

This year, our school focused on meeting the basic needs of our families—food, clothing, and supplies. Classroom Central made it possible to create a “supply table” at school events, where families can take what they need. I’ve also been able to send items home with students. Families are incredibly grateful.

4th Grade Math Teacher, Union County Schools

A fresh start every year

At the start of each school year, Classroom Central gives me a fresh start. The supplies, cleaning items, and incentives help me create a safe, fun, and engaging classroom. Monthly visits help me stay stocked and ready for my students.

6th – 8th Grade Teacher, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools

Supporting beginning teachers

As a first-year teacher, I’ve spent a lot of my own money getting started. I’m so grateful to Classroom Central for helping me stay stocked with the essential supplies my students need. Your support is invaluable.

3rd – 5th Teacher, Gaston County Schools

Students know they can ask

Providing my students with everything they need to succeed is incredibly valuable. My students know that if they need supplies, they just have to let me know.

ELD Teacher, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools

A partner who listens

As a two-teacher household, we’ve always relied on Classroom Central. There are so few places that truly understand and support teachers, but this is one of them. Over the years, I’ve seen the organization evolve to meet our needs. The supplies are more targeted, and the services are exactly what teachers need—it’s clear they listen. Thank you for supporting teachers and going above and beyond for us.

High School Teacher, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools

Building trust beyond the classroom

It makes a huge difference in students’ confidence when they can access supplies without being judged. I provide a table with essentials—school supplies, care items, and more. This builds trust that lasts for years. Former students—and even students I’ve never taught—still come by when they need support.

High School Teacher, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools

Supplies where and when they are needed…

The Mobile Free Store allows me to provide my students with everything they need, right when they need it. Fewer students are coming to school prepared, so having supplies on hand makes a significant difference.

7th Grade Social Studies  Teacher, Lancaster County SC

Learn more about how you can make a difference.

“I have a student who is without a home and lacks for all supplies. She knows that if she needs anything for school she can come to me in private and get what she needs. It takes away the shame of not having, and she is much more confident.”

Ms. Beasley, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools

“I often have students who are new to our school and have left their book bags and supplies behind for reasons beyond their control. I love that I am able to hand them everything they need in a new book bag. This makes the transition to a new school much easier for them and I’m able to establish a positive student-teacher relationship right away.”

Andrea McCray, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

“One of my 6th grade students had a book bag that was being held together with tape and staples and I was able to pull him to the side and hand him a new one that I got from Classroom Central. He took it home and decorated it that night and showed it to me the next day. He was so excited and proud of it. His confidence with his peers and his classwork went up dramatically.”

Ms. Lindsay, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

“I had a student recently join my class. All she came to class with was an empty book bag. When other students began to take out their materials, she was ashamed because she didn’t have anything. I grabbed a zipper pouch filled with crayons, pencils, glue and scissors from Classroom Central and no one thought anything of it. The little girl looked as though she had won the lottery. The materials I receive from Classroom Central have been a life saver on more than one occasion.”

Ms. Bass, Lancaster County (SC) Schools

“At the beginning of the school year, one of my students did not know how to let me know that he needed some supplies. I think he felt embarrassed about it. When I found out, I let him know that I was able to get free supplies from Classroom Central for all students who need them. Now, he is a much more confident student.”

Ms. Davidson, Iredell-Statesville Schools

“I have a student who needed just about everything.  He didn’t have pens, paper, notebooks or any of the basic supplies.  Because of Classroom Central, I was able to give this student what he needed to start the school year successfully. It allowed him to feel better about school and about himself and he was able to keep his work organized.”

Mr. Jackson, Kannapolis City Schools

“On the first day of school, my students were so happy to receive the composition books, pencils, paper and other materials on that I got at Classroom Central. We wasted no time starting our lessons, because they had the supplies they needed and they were ready to learn.”

Ms. Knight, Gaston County Schools