thredUP and AdoptAClassroom.org Launch “Raise A Hand For Teachers” to Recognize and Thank Teachers Across the Country

New survey results show how teachers go above and beyond for students, what motivates them, and how parents can help set kids up for success in the classroom this fall

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Kids #RaiseAHand for their favorite teachers as part of the program from thredUP and AdoptAClassroom.org called "Raise A Hand For Teachers." Recognize the outstanding teachers in your life at thredUP.com/Teachers.

SAN FRANCISCO--()--thredUP.com, the leading online shop to buy and sell like-new women’s and kids’ clothing, in partnership with non-profit AdoptAClassroom.org, today announced the launch of Raise A Hand For Teachers, a program to recognize and thank teachers for their hard work, generosity, and the positive impact they make on our children’s lives. thredUP and AdoptAClassroom.org are calling on parents, students, and teachers across the country to “raise their hand” and nominate a special teacher at thredUP.com/Teachers through August 23 for the opportunity to earn funds for their classroom this fall.

Teachers purchase 75 percent of all classroom supplies with their own money. On average, they spend $500 annually, and 10 percent of teachers are spending $1,000 out-of-pocket each year. A new survey conducted by AdoptAClassroom.org for thredUP reveals that teachers also help secure other basic essentials, such as clothing, for students. Over nine in 10 (95%) teachers have helped students secure items like jackets, shoes or mittens, of which 70 percent have gone as far as purchasing new clothing for them and 76 percent have provided a student with items from their own home.

“Teachers play such a crucial role in the development of our children, both academically and personally,” said James Reinhart, CEO of thredUP and former teacher. “Raise A Hand For Teachers is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the teacher community for their hard work and dedication to students, and is part of thredUP's long-term commitment to supporting our local schools.”

The passion teachers exude for their role and responsibility to educate children is made evident by the top reasons they are motivated to teach: knowing that they can help benefit a young person’s life (92% of those teachers surveyed), seeing the look on a child’s face when they learn something new (90%), and having a student return years later to thank them (57%). In fact, it’s the simple gestures like hearing “thank you” or receiving a hug from a student, and having them stay in touch over the years that make teachers feel most appreciated.

“We are thrilled to have thredUP join us in support of teachers across the country,” said Ann Pifer, Chief Operating Officer at AdoptAClassroom.org. “Teachers play one of the most important roles in a student’s success now and in their future. We need to help make sure teachers have all the tools they need to do their jobs.”

For this coming school year, teachers say the top three ways that parents can help set students up for success in the classroom are ensuring they get the proper amount of sleep, establishing a daily routine for their child, and making sure they have proper nutrition and exercise. They also stress the importance of parents being responsive to teacher communications.

Recognize and #RaiseAHand for a teacher who has made an impact on your life or your child’s life today, plus, find inspiring content about teachers, explore more survey details, and listen to what kids have to say about their favorite teachers at thredUP.com/Teachers. On September 8, thredUP and AdoptAClassroom.org will select three teachers to receive $2,500 for classroom supplies through AdoptAClassroom.org plus $500 to shop on thredUP, and an additional 50 teachers will receive $100 to shop on thredUP for the new school year.

Survey Methodology

The online survey was conducted by AdoptAClassroom.org, from July 1 to July 10, 2015 and features response data from 3,451 teachers across the nation.

About thredUP

thredUP is the leading online shop to buy and sell like-new women’s and kids’ clothing, and was founded in Boston by James Reinhart, Chris Homer and Oliver Lubin in 2009. The company publishes the Annual Resale Report, and pioneered the Clean Out Bag, the most convenient way for consumers to sell clothes they’re no longer wearing. Now headquartered in downtown San Francisco, and backed by world-class investors, thredUP is disrupting the $30B secondhand clothing industry and inspiring a new generation of consumers to think secondhand first.

About ADOPTACLASSROOM.ORG

AdoptAClassroom.org (AAC) gives teachers a hand by providing much-needed classroom supplies and materials to help their students learn and succeed. As an award-winning 501(c)(3), AAC makes it easy for donors to provide funding and support to K-12 classrooms in public, private and charter schools throughout the U.S. On average, teachers spend $500 of their own money each year to equip their classrooms - 10% of teachers spend more than $1,000 annually. Since 1998, AdoptAClassroom.org has raised over $22 million and benefited more than 5 million students throughout the U.S. AAC holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. For more information, or to adopt a classroom, please visit www.adoptaclassroom.org.

Contacts

thredUP
Farrell Klein, 415-617-5910
farrell@thredup.com
or
AdoptAClassroom.org
Carolyn Aberman, 612-770-1085
caberman@adoptaclassroom.org

Release Summary

thredUP and AdoptAClassroom.org announced the launch of "Raise A Hand For Teachers," a program to recognize teachers for their hard work, generosity, and the impact they make on our children's lives.

Contacts

thredUP
Farrell Klein, 415-617-5910
farrell@thredup.com
or
AdoptAClassroom.org
Carolyn Aberman, 612-770-1085
caberman@adoptaclassroom.org