Despite the fact parents are expected to purchase supplies and the provincial government supplies education funds, many teachers in Alberta are reaching into their own pockets to ensure their classes are ready for the new school year.

At Ralph McCall elementary school in Airdrie, third grade teacher Michelle Mechthol says she spends approximately $1,000 a year on supplies.

“It's like asking a construction worker to build a house and not giving him any good tools to do it with, just saying here's a hammer and here's some nails,” explains Mechthol.

Though schools provide the basics, the majority of teachers in the public system spend to enrich their classrooms.

“I don’t know of any teachers that don’t,” said Michelle Glavine, a junior high teacher. “It is a struggle for some teachers that have a hard time affording to do that.”

Reimbursing teachers for classroom spending is now a federal campaign promise. Liberal leader Justin Trudeau promised a new tax break for teachers of $150 cash benefit for every $1000 spent.

“Right now, teachers all over Canada are getting ready to get back to school,” said Trudeau. “So teachers, keep your receipts because come next spring, when you're filing your taxes under a Liberal government, you'll get this benefit.”

It may sound great to teachers, but it doesn't provide immediate relief, especially for Michelle Mechthol.

Michelle created a take-home library in her classroom where she provides current, interesting books to encourage students to read outside of class.

In 2014-2015, Michelle taught first grade. In preparation for the new school year teaching third grade, Michelle sold all of the old books to ‘G Books’ for store credit. When she returned to purchase new books, the store was shut down and her $100 credit had disappeared.

“That was a huge investment for me,” explained Michelle. “I had spent 10 years buying those books, fundraising, and going to garage sales.”

A sign on the door of G Books says the owner closed due to a rent increase. In an email, Lawrence Gerritsen told CTV Calgary that Michelle should have known the closure was coming since ‘We had notices up in the store and on Facebook early in July that we would be closing on August 31’.

In an attempt to battle the challenges facing teachers, Michelle and a fellow teacher created a Classroom Book Drive and are encouraging everyone to donate gently used, age appropriate books to schools throughout the province.

With files from CTV's Lea Williams-Doherty