Joplin teachers get $263,000 in classroom supplies - KOAM TV 7

Joplin school teachers hit by the tornado get a big boost in rebuilding their classrooms supplies.

Learning Resources, with help from two sister companies, fills the aisles of the district's food warehouse with classroom tools.  They range from books to science games.

The company sent three 18-wheelers full of materials valued at $263,000.

Each teacher will get up to 50 items for their classrooms and some won door prizes during a lunch on Wednesday.

They are supplies that are not covered by insurance but can make a big difference to education.

"You need a lot of different modes of learning - a lot of hands on products - educational games,  things called manipulative's - little pieces and shapes kids are moving to learn math and to build words and so forth," says Wendy Zachrisen, a Marketing Manger for Learning Resources.

Learning Resources responded to a request for a donation from Debby Guardino, a customer who has mastered getting classroom projects funded by DonorsChoose.org.