Teaching Tools Resource Center
Empowering teachers with the resources and support you need to be effective in the classroom is critical for student achievement.
At our Teaching Tools Resource Center, teachers in Hillsborough County’s Title I schools can shop for free core school supplies and other resources. Our Teaching Tools Resource Center is managed and operated by Hillsborough Education Foundation and staffed by dedicated volunteers.
Hours & Location
School Year In-Person Shopping Hours
Monday, July 26, 2021–Thursday, July 29,2021 (first week only)
1:30-5:30 p.m. (last appointment at 5 p.m.)
Monday, August 2, 2021–Thursday, May 26, 2022
Mondays & Thursdays: 2:30-5:30 p.m. (last appointment at 5 p.m.)
Wednesdays: 3-6 p.m. (last appointment at 5:30 p.m.)
2nd & 4th Saturdays: 9 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (last appointment at 12:30 p.m.)
Location
2306 N. Howard Ave.
Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: (813) 574-0260
Get Directions
Monthly Specials
Who Can Shop
Qualifying Hillsborough County Public Schools teachers are invited to shop for free supplies through our Teaching Tools Resource Center:
- Full-time Teachers
- Resource Teachers
- Principals
- Assistant Principals
- School Psychologists
- VE, PE, Art & Music Teachers
- ESOL Teachers
- Speech Therapists/Pathologists
- Guidance Counselors
- Media Specialists
- Social Workers
- Instructional Coaches
Full-Service Schools
All full-time teachers and designated faculty at Hillsborough County Public Schools Title I schools can shop from July through May per our current shopping process policy.
Click here to determine if your school is approved for shoppers as a Full-Service School.
One-Representative Schools
At One-Representative Schools, the principal assigns one shopper to serve as the designated shopper for the school.
Click here to determine if your school is approved for shoppers as a One-Representative School.
Volunteer-to-Shop Schools
All full-time Hillsborough County Public Schools teachers at schools that we currently do not serve at Full-Service schools can volunteer 3 hours, up to two times per semester at the Teaching Tools Resource Center to earn a free shopping trip. Teachers at One-Representative schools are eligible to volunteer to shop. All volunteers must be healthy and follow our established safety protocols.
Deliver to my School
30 select Title I schools in outlying areas of our county are eligible to have items shipped to their schools. Shoppers at these schools also have the option to schedule a pickup at HEF
Click here to determine if your school is approved for delivery.
How to Shop with Us
It is easy to shop at our Teaching Tools Resource Center. Just follow the simple steps below.
Step 1. Access our portal to log in to schedule an appointment for an in-person shopping trip at the Teaching Tools Resource Center. Teachers at one of our Delivery Schools will have the option to schedule an appointment for in-person shopping or place an order online for delivery. Our appointment process ensures that we can provide the best customer service possible. Logging in to the portal is easy, all you need are two items: Your district email address and your district assigned “Lawson number.”
Example:
- User Name: [email protected]
- Password: Your Lawson Number: example 100000
Step 2. For your first visit to our portal each school year, you will be prompted to review and agree to all terms of our Policies & Eligibility Form electronically. Please save a copy of this form for your records. You do not need to bring a signed copy with you to the Teaching Tools Resource Center. Once you click “Accept Agreement,” you will be directed to our main welcome page.
Step 3. Select your order fulfillment option by clicking on “Schedule a Store Visit” or “Deliver to my School.”
- Schedule a Store Visit: For this option, you will select a 30-minute registration time. You must show up in that 30-minute window to shop for that day. Instructions: Enter our building in your 30-minute window, check-in at the front desk and show your School ID/State-Issued ID. You will be given a sanitized clipboard/pen and a quick overview of the new shopping process. Please use the provided hand sanitizer before entering the Resource Center. Each teacher is eligible to receive up to 40 line items per shopping trip.
- Deliver to my School: This option is reserved for 30 select Title I schools that are in outlying areas of our county. Teachers at these schools can either shop in person or shop online and have items shipped. Check out the Who Can Shop section above for the list of schools that are eligible for delivery. Due to school mail weight restrictions, teachers using this method will receive up to 30 line items. Select your items from the list and click “Complete Order.”
*We are operating with minimal staff and volunteers and cannot make exceptions. We are limited to the number of appointments we have available each shopping day. If you cannot make it to your scheduled appointment, please make sure you cancel as soon as possible to allow another teacher to take advantage of the opportunity to shop that day.
How to Substitute Shop
Aides, paraprofessionals and teachers may shop in person on behalf of a teacher who has scheduled an appointment. The teacher requesting a substitute shopper will log in to their account and click on “Substitute Shopper” at the top of the page. Select “Yes” in the dropdown menu under “I want another person to do my shopping for me,” fill in all the required fields and click “Submit.” Please note: aides and paraprofessionals will not have an account created for them as we have done in the past.
At this time due to the increased amount of products being offered in one trip, teachers may shop for themselves and substitute shop for one other teacher. Aides and paraprofessionals may substitute shop on behalf of up to two teachers. Please note: both teachers utilizing a substitute shopper must have the same appointment time.
Contact Jordan Walters at [email protected] or (813) 574-0260 Ext: 0 for questions or to schedule a volunteer opportunity at our Teaching Tools Resource Center.