CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — Every back-to-school season, the Clay County community shows up in a big way.
Local businesses host supply drives. Churches collect backpacks. Grandparents, neighbors, and community members all ask the same question:
“What do teachers actually need?”
Instead of guessing, we asked the people who know best. We asked Clay County teachers one simple question:
“What classroom supply do you run out of the fastest, and how much did summer donations help you prepare?”
Within hours, dozens of educators responded. While every classroom is different, one thing became clear: it’s often the everyday supplies, not the big-ticket items, that disappear the fastest.
Tissues topped the list by far.
Dry erase markers were mentioned again and again, followed by glue sticks, pencils, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, hand soap, paper towels, and copy paper.
Teachers also said that while summer donations help them start the year prepared, many of these supplies need to be replaced throughout the school year as classrooms stay busy and students continue learning.
If You’re Looking to Help, Start Here
Based on responses from Clay County teachers, these are some of the items they reach for most often.
📝 Classroom Essentials
- ✔ Boxes of tissues (Kleenex)
- ✔ Black Expo dry erase markers
- ✔ Glue sticks
- ✔ #2 pencils
- ✔ Pink cap erasers
- ✔ Crayons
- ✔ Copy paper
🧼 Health & Cleaning Supplies
- ✔ Disinfecting wipes (Clorox or Lysol)
- ✔ Hand sanitizer
- ✔ Liquid hand soap
- ✔ Quality paper towels
🎁 Helpful Classroom Extras
- ✔ Student rewards like stickers, fun pens, notebooks, cups, and other small prizes
One item that generated plenty of conversation was paper towels. Several teachers said quality paper towels are invaluable for cleaning up the everyday spills that happen in classrooms. The standard brown paper towels provided simply don’t absorb very well.
The little things often make the biggest difference.
What Makes a Teacher’s Day?
After reading dozens of comments about tissues, glue sticks, and dry erase markers, we asked one more question:
Besides school supplies, what makes your day a little brighter?
The answers came just as quickly.
Coffee easily claimed the top spot.
Teachers also mentioned chocolate, Diet Coke, Dr Pepper, Alani energy drinks, protein bars, bottled water, iced tea, and favorite snacks. A few joked that having a nearby bathroom should make the list.
Several educators also mentioned practical items they use throughout the year, including classroom incentives like stickers, fun pencils, and small prizes they can use to celebrate student achievements.
But as the comments continued, another theme began to shine through.
The things teachers remembered most couldn’t be purchased at a store.
“Simply words of kindness.”
“Being acknowledged.”
“A positive note from a parent.”
“A drawing from one of my students.”
One teacher said random notes can brighten an entire week. Another said a simple drawing from a student is something she treasures.
One educator reminded us that many teachers quietly help students with needs beyond the classroom, sharing that donations of toiletries, socks, underwear, and gift cards for shoes can make a tremendous difference for children facing difficult circumstances.
Reading through the responses, one thing became clear. Teachers certainly appreciate supplies — but they also appreciate knowing that what they do matters.
A kind email. A handwritten thank-you note. A quick conversation at dismissal. A few encouraging words.
Those moments often stay with a teacher long after the tissues are gone and the glue sticks have run out.
Ready to Make a Difference?
If this list has you thinking, “I’d love to help, but I’m not sure which classroom to shop for,” Stock Our Schools makes it easy.
Visit StockOurSchools.com to browse Amazon wish lists created by Clay County teachers. You can search by school, choose a classroom you’d like to support, and purchase as little or as much as you’d like. Every item ships directly to that teacher’s classroom, making it one of the easiest ways to support local students and educators.
Whether it’s a box of tissues, a pack of Expo markers, glue sticks, hand soap, or disinfecting wipes, these are the items teachers told us they use every single day.
And if you’d like to make your gift even more meaningful, tuck a handwritten note into the box.
Tell a teacher thank you. Tell them your child came home excited about something they learned. Tell them they’re making a difference.
Sometimes those words mean just as much as anything you could buy.
To browse local teacher wish lists and support classrooms across Clay County, visit StockOurSchools.com. One small purchase, one thoughtful note, or one simple act of kindness can help make this school year a little brighter for the teachers who spend every day investing in our children.
