Teacher’s Fund launches school supplies drive to support educators in Santa Barbara County

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – Chelsea Siciliano and her students are enjoying all the new features inside her classroom at Monte Vista Elementary School in Santa Barbara.

“This high top table here with the two bar stools and the rug is also from the Teacher's Fund," said educator Siciliano of Monte Vista Elementary School.

Thanks to the nonprofit the Teacher's Fund, Siciliano is teaching inside a classroom full of new interior accessories.

"And every single year Teacher's Fund has come back and give me a big chunk of money to use for supplies, said Siciliano.

“It’s pretty neat so it’s kind of like a hodgepodge we’ve got this table here a love seat over there … round table for group projects … so there’s a variety of learning environments," said principal Hans Rheinschild of Monte Vista Elementary School.

This year the Teacher's Fund hopes to raise at least $150,000 or more.

“Would love to help as many local classrooms as we possibly can. The students are our future … and we’d love to enrich their education as much as we can," said realtor Brianna Johnson of Village Properties.

Donors can contribute to specific items requested by teachers or submit a general donation. 

Common teacher wish list items include STEM supplies, learning toys, art supplies, and classroom furniture.

Teacher's Fund was created in 2002 by Village Properties to help Santa Barbara public and private Elementary, Middle, and High School teachers get materials they need but can not get due to budget cuts. 

Hosted by Village Properties, the goal is to fund teachers' requests for basic materials such as books, art supplies, classroom rugs, and reading materials to electronics like iPads, computers, and software programs.

Village Properties leaders say Teacher's Fund is a way for everyone to enrich the lives of children through education and 100 percent of the donations go directly to our teacher's requests.

Anyone interested in donating to the drive can do so here http://www.tfsuppliesdrive.com/.