The Education Partnership

09/03/2026

Today, Congresswoman Summer Lee and Congresswoman Jahana Hayes introduced the Access to School Supplies Act of 2026, legislation that would invest $500 million to help provide school supplies at no cost to students and educators across the country.

The Education Partnership is proud to endorse this legislation and even prouder to see the work happening right here in Southwestern Pennsylvania helping demonstrate what access to free school supplies can mean for educators and their students.

Every year, TEP puts free school supplies, classroom essentials and other critical resources into the hands of 12,500 educators serving 82,000 students. And nearly 68% of the educators we serve tell us that this support has factored into their decision to stay in the classroom.

As our Executive Director, Josh Whiteside, shared:

“Teachers should not have to buy their own classroom.”

We see the impact of removing that burden every day. Teachers have more resources to teach. Students have the tools they need to learn. Families have one less expense to carry.

We are proud to stand with Congresswoman Lee, Congresswoman Hayes and education partners across the country in advocating for a future where access to basic school supplies does not depend on a student’s ZIP code or a teacher’s wallet.

What we know here in Southwestern Pennsylvania is simple: when educators have the right resources, education can flourish.

Text of Bill (PDF)

09/02/2026

We’re always getting creative when it comes to helping teachers! 🛶🐷🌺

09/01/2026

For six years, Reliable Structural Engineering has brought their family to build kits for Adopt-A-School. And for six years, these volunteers have grown before our eyes!

When asked what they enjoy most about volunteering with us, each of the three had very different answers, including the fun of packing kits and spending time with their family. The last answer really captured the positive impact volunteering early can have. She said, "I like that it's going to kids who need it."

Creating an environment where children learn to give back at a young age can teach compassion that lasts a lifetime.

08/31/2026

We made a pretty big, needed change this school year.

In addition to supporting Pre-K through 12 classrooms, we are also now supporting Headstart classrooms as well!

But we’ve gone beyond letting Headstarts shop in the Teacher Resource Center. These classrooms will get the full TEP experience with our new Bright Beginnings Box!

Supplies in this box include all the classroom essentials, like jumbo writing utensils, hands-on learning materials, and everything a classroom for our littlest learners could need.

08/30/2026

'Nuff said! 🎒✏️🍎

08/28/2026

Sometimes, the items we give away find exactly the right owner!

Recently, TEP received a large donation of LMNT electrolyte drinks in a variety of flavors. So when two physical education teachers from Carrick stopped by the Teacher Resource Center, we had a feeling they'd found an essential for their students.

Their luck didn't end there. They also picked up several backpacks from Bazzy & Bubba's Backpack Brigade, perfect for outfitting their student athletes for the season ahead.

Right supplies, right teachers, right time. That's a win in our book.

08/27/2026

When we said 10,000 backpacks was our goal, our community heard us loud and clear!

DHL Express recently donated a generous supply of backpacks, ready to be filled and handed off to students across our region. Thanks to partners like DHL, more kids will start the school year with a bag on their shoulders and one less thing to worry about.

We are so thankful to have dedicated community members who stepped up to help our students start the school year on the right foot!

08/25/2026

We are so thankful for all of the support that we have received over the summer season, but the back-to-school season isn't over yet!

For thousands of students across our region, something as simple as a pencil, a notebook, or deodorant can be the difference between walking into class ready to learn and sitting on the sidelines. That's where Enrichment Support Packages (ESPs) come in. These packages give our teachers the basic classroom supplies they need to make sure every student can participate from day one, whether that's dry erase markers so kids can practice spelling without fear of mistakes, glue sticks that help students with disabilities join in alongside their classmates, or the extra folders, notebooks, and pencils that mean no one is left without what they need.

There's still plenty of time to support students and teachers this back-to-school season. Purchase an enrichment support pack today and help make sure every child starts the year with dignity, the tools to participate, and teachers ready to meet their needs.

08/24/2026

Happy first day back to many of our teachers and our students!

We hope you all have a wonderful school year and are here to cheer you on!

08/21/2026

Don’t walk, cartwheel to our bio to support our teachers for back-to-school!