School district calls on teachers not to post 'personal' wish lists
As teachers across the country get ready for the upcoming school year and turn to online wish lists to help supply their classrooms, one school district in Tennessee is gaining attention for asking teachers not to do so.
Lewis County Schools, which consists of four schools and is located about 80 miles outside of Nashville, has asked staff to not post Amazon wish lists on social media alongside the names or logos of the school district or its schools.
The district's director of schools, Tracy McAbee, explained the decision in a Facebook post and letter posted on the district's website, writing that sharing wish lists can imply that the district is not providing classroom supplies.
"I also want to be respectful of the perception created when wish lists are shared publicly. Many donors believe they are giving items that the district refuses to provide," McAbee wrote. "In truth, we work diligently to provide classrooms with necessary materials and to prioritize spending in ways that benefit all."
McAbee said Lewis County Schools, which will kick off its first day of classes Aug. 4, is working to form an official channel for future donations to students, teachers and schools.
ABC News reached out to Lewis County Schools for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Teachers' wish lists, often created on e-commerce retailer sites such as Amazon or Walmart, have grown in popularity in recent years. Filled with item requests such as school supplies and student books, they are viewed as a way to help teachers fill classrooms with needed supplies and, in some cases, help provide extra learning opportunities for students.
Some educators have even caught the attention of celebrities like Chrissy Teigen and Kristen Bell, who have financially supported and promoted teachers' wish lists, raising awareness about student and staff needs in light of education funding gaps.
Tanya Coats, the president of the Tennessee Education Association, the largest teachers group in the state, told ABC News that teacher wish lists play a crucial role in "filling gaps that districts are not" and that the focus should be on providing more funding and resources for teachers.
"The real issue isn't these lists. It's a lack of classroom resources," Coats said.
"Rather than just stopping teachers from asking for help, let's focus on why they're asking for it in the first place," Coats added, saying the issue at hand goes beyond Tennessee and is indicative of a broader, national need. "[The] community shouldn't have to just crowd source crayons or paper."
Not all Tennessee school districts are following Lewis County Schools' lead.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools told ABC News that the district, the largest in Tennessee, "does not currently have a policy that explicitly prohibits teachers from posting 'wishlists.'"
"According to Policy 4003, Section IV, Item 4, employees may accept meals or token gifts that are given by an individual, company, or organization on a routine basis such as pens, notepads, or tickets to special events," the school district added.
