“Teaching is the greatest act of optimism.” Colleen Wilcox
Teachers already carry enough. Keeping track of classroom materials, seasonal needs, available budgets and upcoming purchases should not become another source of unnecessary stress. DeerStride creates practical classroom-planning tools that help educators organize what is needed, when it is needed and how available funds can be stretched throughout the year.
Teachers spent an average of $895 of their own money on classroom supplies in the 2024–25 school year (AdoptAClassroom.org, 2025 Teacher Spending Survey).
Small store runs add up. A clear plan shows the whole year at a glance.
Glue sticks in October, tissues in flu season: a simple plan keeps the cupboard ready.
School budget, PTA, grants, families: a clear list and total makes it easy to ask for exactly what you need.
A little structure can prevent last-minute shortages, duplicate purchases and unnecessary personal spending.
The goal is simple: more clarity, less administrative burden.
We understand that classroom resources are often limited.
Our approach is practical, respectful and designed to help educators make the most of what is available.
We see this work as part of our social responsibility. If you're a teacher, a special needs teacher or staff member, a family of a child with special needs, or a volunteer-run PTA or PTO, you get community pricing on our planner services, based on your budget.
To keep community pricing fair for the people it's meant for, we ask for a simple proof of eligibility before we confirm it: an email from your school address or your staff badge (ID number covered) for teachers and professionals, a note from a current officer for a PTA or PTO, or a short letter from your child's school or a support organization for families. No diagnosis, medical records, student names or plan details, ever. We check it once, note that you're eligible, and delete it.
The pledge covers our planning work only. We don't buy or provide classroom supplies; those stay with you or your school.
Tell us what you can afford, even if it's very little. If we can do the work well within it, we'll say yes. If a request is more than we can take on, we'll tell you honestly and point you to free tools that can help.
Community pricing for educators and families. Fixed prices for schools and districts.
Do it yourself first, then let us take it from here.
See the SampleCommunity pricing applies to individual teachers, special needs teachers and staff, families of children with special needs and volunteer-run parent groups, with a simple proof of eligibility (see our community pledge). Schools, districts and companies pay the fixed price.
Take a look inside the full Classroom Supply Planner: an example class with its supplies, costs, funding and wish list. It opens with a verifiable school email address, so it stays a gift for educators.
Free, with a verified school email address.
Request it and tell us your budget. Then use it in Excel.
Send your supply list in writing. We set it up for your class.
Update your counts at the end of the semester; your next plan starts from what you have.
"Room 12", a fictional 3rd-grade class of 24: the year's supplies planned at about $56 per student, funded from five sources, with running-low alerts and a wish list that builds itself. A third of the budget goes on reusable items that last beyond this year.
Example data and prices are illustrative.
Teachers give their time, their energy and, too often, their own money. Families of children with additional needs juggle more than most of us ever see. We want to make one part of that a little easier.
Whatever your budget, we'll treat your request with the same care as any paying client, and if we can't help, we'll say so kindly and point you somewhere that can. Your classroom is in good hands.
Teachers, special needs teachers and staff, families of children with special needs and volunteer parent groups tell us their budget for our planner and setup help. It covers our services only: supplies are bought by you or your school. If a request is more than we can do well within your budget, we'll say so kindly and suggest another way.
Yes. There's a sensory & adaptive category (pencil grips, noise-reducing headphones, wobble cushions, visual schedules) and you can plan per room for shared sets. Please keep it to supplies only, with no student names or plan details.
Yes. List each class or period with its number of students, and the planner adds them up for per-student items.
We'll tell you honestly and politely, and suggest free tools or a simpler option. No pressure, ever.
It works in Excel 2016 or later, Excel for Mac and the free Excel for the web.
Too many teachers fund supplies from their own pocket and still run short. We'll help you plan every supply and stretch every dollar.
Let's Plan Your Supplies →Two minutes. No calls, no obligation, and no student information needed.
