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Policies & FAQ2023-11-16T13:26:10-05:00

Policies & FAQ

Please be sure to review the following teacher shopping policies and frequently asked questions prior to your shopping visit with A Gift for Teaching.

teachers showing off school supplies

Teacher Shopping Policies

  • All items distributed through A Gift for Teaching are strictly for student and classroom use only. Items may NOT be taken for personal use, sold, bartered, traded, or donated elsewhere.
  • A photo ID is required to shop; OCPS ID preferred.
  • Due to capacity, guests and children of any age may not accompany teachers inside the Free Teacher Supply Store. For safety, children may not be left unattended outside the store during shopping. Please plan accordingly as there are NO exceptions to this policy.
  • Teachers are responsible for bringing reusable bags or boxes to load supplies.
  • Be advised, select items are restricted by grade level and may not be on your shopping sheet.
  • All items are distributed in good faith and are “as is.”
  • Food or drinks are not permitted inside the Free Teacher Supply Store.
  • A Gift for Teaching reserves the right to take photographs and/or videos during shopping visits and other events. We have the right to use these photos and videos without notice or permission.
  • Any abuse of our policies will result in the revocation of teacher shopping privileges. We reserve the right to share any shopping information with your school administrator(s).

If you are unable to keep your shopping appointment or pick up your Pencil Boy Curbside order, please cancel it on My AGFT as soon as possible so other teachers may have the opportunity to receive these free supplies. Those who do not cancel ahead of time and do not check in or pick up for three (3) scheduled appointments or orders may lose shopping privileges.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Gift for Teaching works closely with Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) to serve schools with the highest levels of need. There are two types of shopping service programs:

  • “Monthly Shopping Schools”Once a month, every instructional teacher may select one of our three distribution methods to shop for free supplies (Free Teacher Supply Store, Pencil Boy Express — The Mobile Free Store, or Pencil Boy Curbside).
  • “Representative Shopping Schools” – Once a month, two designated representatives assigned by the principal may shop on behalf of their school only at the Free Teacher Supply Store.

For eligible Osceola County public schools, please visit A Gift for Teaching of Osceola County.

Who is considered an instructional teacher?2022-01-12T17:14:25-05:00

Instructional personnel include classroom/general education teachers, media specialists, guidance counselors, nurses, principals, assistant principals, and deans. At this time, custodians and administrative support staff such as administrative assistants, paraprofessionals, and positions assigned to departments other than a school are not eligible to shop (i.e., district employees working at schools).

What is a Monthly School?2022-01-28T13:59:48-05:00

Teachers at “monthly” shopping schools may shop once per calendar month throughout the entire school year through the Free Teacher Supply Store, Pencil Boy Express — The Mobile Free Store, or Pencil Boy Curbside.

What is a Representative School?2023-08-15T09:31:50-04:00

Eligible “representative” shopping schools may designate two representative teachers to shop at the Free Teacher Supply Store once per calendar month on behalf of their school. Every academic year, principals must register their representative shoppers with A Gift for Teaching prior to shopping. Principals can request a form at freestore@agiftforteaching.org.

What if I am a new OCPS teacher?2022-01-12T17:12:20-05:00

It may take some time (especially over the summer) for OCPS to set up all new and incoming teacher employee records. Once you have received your OCPS ID number and set up your OCPS Outlook email account, we can verify employment and add you to our eligible teacher database. If you are able to sign into Outlook and find your name entered in the employee directory – we can find you, too!

What if I changed OCPS schools?2022-02-03T15:24:53-05:00

Please check the list of eligible schools for your shopping eligibility.  Once OCPS has updated your employee record and it is updated in our teacher database, you may begin shopping!

For any additional questions, please contact us at freestore@agiftforteaching.org or 407-318-3123. 

Is it really free?2022-01-12T17:19:12-05:00

Yes, it really is free for teachers!

When can I shop? 2024-07-24T12:32:07-04:00

Eligible teachers can shop free supplies for classroom and student use in three convenient ways:

  • The Free Teacher Supply Store is open for teacher shopping August through May on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 2:00pm to 6:00pm and select Saturdays from 8:30am to 12:00pm, by appointment only. Store hours may vary for holidays. Eligible teachers can make their shopping appointment for the month on “MY AGFT”. If you choose to shop in store, you will not be able to shop Pencil Boy Curbside or Pencil Boy Express for that month.
  • Pencil Boy Curbside is available from September through April. Eligible teachers from monthly shopping schools will have the opportunity to order custom supply kits online for convenient curbside pick-up at the Free Teacher Supply Store. If you choose to shop by Pencil Boy Curbside, you will not be able to schedule a shopping appointment for the Free Teacher Supply Store or Pencil Boy Express for that month.

    The number of available kits are limited each month, and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online ordering will open on the 1st of the month on “My AGFT” and will close when all available kits have been claimed for the month.

  • Pencil Boy Express — The Mobile Free Supply Store is on the road from September through April visiting eligible schools in Orange County. You do not have to teach at the host school to shop! Eligible teachers from monthly shopping schools can view upcoming visits and make their shopping appointment on “My AGFT”. If you choose to shop by Pencil Boy Express, you will not be able to schedule a shopping appointment for the Free Teacher Supply Store or Pencil Boy Curbside for that month.
How do I schedule a shopping visit?2024-07-24T12:41:28-04:00

Eligible teachers can schedule a shopping visit on our dedicated teacher portal: “My AGFT”. You will also be able to change and cancel a shopping appointment as well as check your shopping history.

If you are unable to keep your shopping appointment, please cancel as soon as possible so other teachers may have the opportunity to shop. Teachers who do not check in for three (3) scheduled shopping appointments or do not cancel ahead of time may lose shopping privileges.

Scheduling a Pencil Boy Curbside order pick-up: When your custom supply kit is almost ready, you will receive an email with further instructions on how to schedule a pick-up date. Keep in mind that anyone can pick up your supply kit, and you can help pick up other teacher orders if they are also scheduled for the same pick-up date.

How do I get to A Gift for Teaching?2023-07-20T10:55:26-04:00

A Gift for Teaching’s Free Teacher Supply Store is located on the property of OCPS Southwest Learning Community Complex at 6501 Magic Way, Bldg. 400C, Orlando, Florida 32809 . The closest entrance is off South John Young Parkway.

May I take supplies for my own children if they attend a monthly school?2022-01-12T17:22:45-05:00

No. All items distributed at the Free Teacher Supply Store, Pencil Boy Express — The Mobile Free Store, and Pencil Boy Curbside are strictly for student and classroom use only. Items may NOT be taken for personal use, sold, bartered, traded, or donated elsewhere. Any teacher caught doing so will permanently lose all shopping privileges.

May I bring my teaching assistant or paraprofessional with me to shop for our classroom?2022-01-12T17:19:55-05:00

No. Teaching assistants and paraprofessionals are not eligible to shop at this time. Due to capacity, there is a strict “No Guests Policy.” No exceptions. We apologize for any inconvenience and suggest shopping by Pencil Boy Curbside for the month as an alternative. Anyone can pick up your Pencil Boy Curbside order.

May I bring my child with me to shop inside the Free Teacher Supply Store?2023-07-19T14:04:53-04:00

Due to capacity, there is a strict “No Guests Policy,” including children. We understand childcare can sometimes be a challenge and suggest shopping on Pencil Boy Express – The Mobile Free Store or by Pencil Boy Curbside for the month as an alternative. Another consideration may be to coordinate shopping appointments with other trusted shopping teachers and take turns accompanying any children outside the store. Children cannot be left unattended at the Free Teacher Supply Store.

Can I shop for someone else?2022-01-12T17:21:08-05:00

If a teacher is unable to shop in-person at the Free Teacher Supply Store or Pencil Boy Express for the month, we suggest shopping by Pencil Boy Curbside. Anyone can help pick up your Pencil Boy Curbside order.

What if I have not received my OCPS badge yet?2022-01-12T17:20:08-05:00

It may take some time for OCPS to set up all new and incoming teachers’ employee records. Once you have received your OCPS ID number and set up your OCPS Outlook email account, we can verify employment and add you to our eligible teacher database. If you have not received or forgot your OCPS badge, a valid photo ID such as a driver’s license is required to shop.

Are there any product limits for shoppers?2022-01-12T17:20:12-05:00

Yes. To ensure that supplies can be fairly distributed among all eligible schools and their students, many items have product limits. Those items are clearly marked with the maximum quantities allowed. It is very important that shoppers read and respect our product limits. The good news is there are some sections at the Free Teacher Supply Store without product limitations!

For any additional questions, please contact us at freestore@agiftforteaching.org or 407-318-3123. 

If you are eligible to shop at A Gift for Teaching and have not received our teacher shopping notices directly in your OCPS inbox, please check your spam and clutter folders. Click here to receive our dedicated teacher shopping emails.

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