A Lifeline for Teachers
Teachers in Greater New Orleans, like many across the country, are overburdened. With an average of $450 spent out-of-pocket on classroom supplies each year, many don't have access to the basic resources they need to help their students succeed. Combined with low pay, this financial strain is pushing many teachers out of the profession, contributing to alarmingly high teacher attrition rates. In fact, half of the teachers in Greater New Orleans have less than five years of experience, directly impacting student outcomes.
The Teacher Free-Store was created to combat these challenges. What started as a pop-up in 2018, distributing $20,000 in supplies in just two hours, has since grown into a permanent fixture. Our Free-Store allows teachers to access everything from binders and dry erase markers to classroom decorations—materials that would otherwise come out of their own pockets. Since opening, we’ve reallocated over $350,000 worth of classroom supplies to more than 1,170 teachers at 142 schools across the region.
About Teacher-Free Store
The Teacher Free-Store is committed to supporting the educators of Greater New Orleans by providing essential classroom supplies, free of charge, and access to resources. Our mission is simple: to relieve the financial burden on teachers, reduce stress, and ultimately help improve teacher retention in a region that faces significant educational challenges.
That mission is actualized through the following ways:
- The Free-Store: We repurpose donated materials—such as office supplies, furniture, and arts and crafts—giving teachers the tools they need at no cost.
- The Copy/Print Center: Full access to a poster printer, regular copy printer, laminate machine, die-cutting machines, and even a Cricut machine, allowing teachers to enhance their classrooms without too much out-of-pocket spending.
- The Teachers' Lounge: A welcoming space where educators can relax, work, or network and comes complete with a full kitchen, snacks, free Wi-Fi, and A/V amenities.
If you're a teacher in need of supplies, need to make some copies or just want a nice place to chill and get some work done, we invite you to visit us today!
