COLUMBUS, Ind. (WTHR) — In just one month, a program to help teachers has exploded across the country.
"Support A Teacher" started with a teacher in Texas with the idea of teachers paying it forward to other teachers.
It began on social media and allows teachers to receive wish list items for their classrooms.
Sara Searcy teaches agriculture at both Columbus high schools and is the Future Farmers of America advisor. She plans to buy several items for her classes not in the school budget.
"It's hard being a teacher. You really want to get things for your classroom, but you feel bad spending so much on yourself," Searcy said. "So it was really nice to kind of join this group and your gifting other people. You know they need it and you're not expecting anything in return."
The Facebook groups allow teachers to buy items for other teachers and post their own classroom wish lists.
"I saw a few planners that are a lot of fun for teachers to have. So, I went ahead and bought one for an elementary school teacher," Searcy said. "Then someone turned around today and bought me my planner."
You can find "Support A Teacher" on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
"Everyone knows that as a teacher, we don't get paid very much. But we love what we do. So, when we gift other people it kind of fulfills that place in our heart," Searcy said.
There are now Facebook group pages for every state. Anyone can join the group, but only teachers can post a wish list.