ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – As summer ends and the new school year approaches, teachers in Onslow County are preparing their classrooms with help from a local initiative.

The Adopt a Teacher program, started in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, supports educators by providing necessary supplies. Kristin Greer, a parent who founded the program’s Facebook page, said it was created to assist teachers who faced new challenges during the pandemic.

“They were expected to do more than usual,” Greer said. “That’s why we created the social media page to help with classroom necessities.”

Many Onslow County schools remain closed, limiting teachers’ access to their classrooms until early August. First-grade teacher Tiffany Rochelle, excited to decorate her classroom, emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming environment.

“We make anchor charts, decorate bulletin boards, and celebrate student birthdays to build a sense of community,” Rochelle said.

The Facebook page, which has thousands of followers, allows teachers to post their Amazon wish lists. Community members and fellow educators can then fulfill these requests.

“A lot of what you’ll find on teachers’ lists are items to make the classroom inviting and comfortable,” Rochelle said.

Marisha Merchant, a teacher at White Oak High School, shared her positive experience with the program. In 2023, a real estate agency adopted her, providing $300 to $400 worth of supplies.

“To have those random items show up from people I don’t know makes me feel appreciated and valued,” Merchant said.

The National Education Association estimates that teachers spend between $500 and $750 of their own money each school year.