Home > About Us
> Welcome

About Us
A Letter from Mary Phairas, Founder of Treasures 4 Teachers...

On behalf of our entire organization, we thank you for spending a few minutes learning more about Treasures 4 Teachers and our wonderful mission.

Over the last 10 years or so, schools in America have had to systematically reduce the amount of money they spend on their students. One of the results? More and more schools budget less than 5 cents a day per student for basic supplies.

Incredible, isn't it?

Unfortunately, in a country as rich as ours, we find our school systems unable to provide the basic materials needed so that a child can even begin to learn – simple school supplies like paper, pencils, pens, crayons and glue. What's more, vital areas of learning, such as art and music, are being cut from curriculum. These subjects are essential to forming creative and critical thinking skills.

In Arizona, we have an even greater problem in that our state has an extremely high level of children below the poverty line. Many of them cannot afford lunch and clothes, let alone school supplies.

Does anyone make up the difference? Yes – parents, when they can...and when they cannot, school teachers pick up the tab. National studies have shown that most teachers spend at least $500 per year out of their own pocket on basic materials for their students...many spend between $1,000 - $2000 per year, and sometimes more. Despite all of these efforts, many children still get left out.

This is where Treasures 4 Teachers becomes so essential. We take materials that businesses and industries no longer need and transform them, with the help of many dedicated volunteers and staff, into creative, stimulating, educational, and hands-on projects for kids and teachers.

What can we expect from such an approach?

Studies have shown that when school children have the basic tools needed to learn, all kinds of wonderful things begin to appear almost immediately. Their attendance goes up dramatically, their self-esteem improves and most importantly of all, their school performance goes up steadily as well. And the more kids stay in school, the more they stay out of trouble!

So we know that providing basic school supplies is one of the keys to improving elementary education and preparing our future generations to become productive members of society.

Now it’s Arizona’s turn.

There are many ways YOU can participate in this wonderful program – we hope you consider one or more. Enjoy your visit to our website – we hope to see you in person at our store or at one of our Special Events soon!!

Sincerely,

Founder, Treasures 4 Teachers of Arizona

Return to Top