Helping teachers help kids

Alpine Bank’s Teacher Reimbursement program offsets classroom expenses

A recent survey of 5,400 teachers of pre-kindergarten to 12th graders at public, private and charter schools in the U.S. discovered that teachers are spending more out-of-pocket money on classroom supplies than ever before. The survey findings showed that teachers spend an average of $750 of their own money each year and confirmed that almost a third of teachers spend upwards of $1,000 on school supplies.*

This data reinforces the need for the Alpine Bank Teacher Reimbursement Program, the brainchild of senior vice President David High of Alpine Bank Steamboat. With it, a teacher with an Alpine Bank account and receipts for their purchases can be reimbursed $200 for supplies they buy in the fall, usually between August and October. (The program dates and details vary slightly by region.) The program, which launched in 2015, and has grown to six additional school districts in which Alpine Bank does business: La Plata,  Montrose, San Miguel, Delta, Eagle and Ouray county school districts. 

“​As a husband of a teacher, I’ve seen firsthand the amount of personal and financial investment teachers make for their students. Alpine Bank also invests in our communities, and a teacher reimbursement  program seemed like a great opportunity to help some of our youth’s most influential people,” says David. “Teachers often have the greatest impact on the lives of our kids and families. I’m proud to work for a company that jumped at the chance to foster this idea.” 

Holly Barclay is a first grade teacher at Soda Springs Elementary in Steamboat, and a participant  the reimbursement program. 

“I’m grateful for the Alpine Bank teacher reimbursement program. Last year was my first year teaching first grade and this program allowed me to purchase supplemental materials to create games and get additional manipulatives for math,” says Holly. “This year, I was able to use the money to purchase building activities for the morning when the kids come into the classroom. These materials help them settle in for the day, work together and problem-solve. I love this program and I’m grateful for it.”

*Source: 2021 Teacher Spending Survey by AdoptaClassroom.org

• November 21, 2022
• Community
• Alpine Bank Staff

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Alpine Bank Staff

Alpine Bank is an independent, employee-owned organization with headquarters in Glenwood Springs and banking offices across Colorado’s Western Slope, mountains and Front Range.

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