Parents for Transparency Launches Teacher Wishlist Hub to Help Lee County Classrooms Get the Supplies They Need
July 20, 2026
More than $80,000 in classroom needs are now available for community members to purchase directly, with no middleman and no money collected by the organization.
FORT MYERS, FL — Lee County teachers are doing everything they can to create safe, engaging classrooms for their students while living and working in one of Florida’s increasingly expensive communities.
Many are spending their own money to fill the gap.
They are buying paper, pencils, storage bins, art supplies, books, laminating pouches, classroom seating, math materials and the small comforts that help children feel welcome and ready to learn. Some of their Amazon wishlists have been active for years, waiting for someone to find them.
Parents for Transparency has launched a new Teacher Wishlist Hub to make those needs visible and give the community a direct way to help.
Within 12 hours of its launch, teachers across Lee County began submitting their classroom wishlists and sharing the project with one another. Together, the published lists represent more than $80,000 in requested classroom supplies.
There is no donation portal and no organization deciding where the money goes. Community members choose a classroom, open the teacher’s Amazon wishlist and purchase an item directly.
“One of the hardest things about looking through these lists is realizing how ordinary many of the requests are. Teachers are not asking for luxury items. They are asking for the materials they need to teach, organize their rooms and give children meaningful, enjoyable learning experiences.”
Amber Cebull, co-founder, Parents for Transparency
“This platform has given teachers a way to feel seen and a way for their community to support them, their classrooms and the students they work so hard every day to serve.”
Ali Olivo, co-founder, Parents for Transparency
The wishlists reflect the wide range of needs inside local schools. Some teachers are rebuilding classrooms from the ground up. Others need supplies for art, reading, science or hands-on learning. Some are asking for flexible seating or organizational tools. Others have created modest lists containing only the most basic classroom necessities to supplement gaps.
One teacher noted that her school provides essential supplies, so her wishlist focuses only on enrichment. That distinction matters. A classroom can technically have what it needs to function and still lack the materials that help children explore, create, collaborate and feel excited about learning.
Florida law provides eligible teachers with an annual classroom supply allocation. In a high-cost-of-living market, however, teachers are also managing rising housing, grocery, insurance and transportation costs. They should not have to choose between protecting their household budgets and creating amazing learning environments their students deserve.
This project gives residents, families and local businesses a practical way to stand behind educators.
A pack of markers may help a child complete an art project. A set of laminating sheets may allow classroom materials to be reused year after year. A new book may help a student discover that reading can belong to them. A chair, storage container or math tool may seem small to the person buying it, but inside a classroom, it can change what a teacher is able to provide.
Parents for Transparency verifies each submission against Lee County Schools’ public staff directories and confirms the nature of that teacher’s engagement. The organization does not collect or handle money. Donors purchase items directly from each teacher’s Amazon wishlist, helping ensure that the support reaches the intended classroom.
“Supporting teachers does not always require a massive program or a complicated solution. Sometimes it looks like a community member buying a box of pencils, a local business clearing a teacher’s list or a parent sharing the page with someone who wants to help. Small acts, multiplied across Lee County, can make a real difference. We’re willing to credit any businesses that support teacher wishlists and display their logo on our website as well.”
Amber Cebull, co-founder, Parents for Transparency
Teachers can submit a classroom wishlist at parentsfortransparency.com/teacher-wishlists. Community members can visit the same page to choose a classroom and purchase an item directly.
Local businesses interested in offering a benefit or special offer to participating donors can submit information at parentsfortransparency.com/business-offers.