Boxes of School Supplies: Finding a New Home for My Teaching Treasures

[Jean DeVries]

Hi all,

7 years ago I got a teaching certificate. At that time, the mother of a friend of mine retired and gave me everything from her classroom. I mean EVERYTHING. I easily had thousands of dollars worth of stuff - you name it, I had it. Her classroom must have been veryyyyyy full.

Anywhoo, fast forward 7 years. Michigan is an almost impossible job market (really wish I had realized that before spending $30,000 on a teaching degree), and I'm not willing to move. And I've been promoted at my job enough that I would have to almost cut my existing salary in half to be a first year teacher, and I don't want to do that. (Fret not....perhaps in a few years when my debt-to-income ratio is much smaller, I'll try again...can't give up on a dream....)

But, in the meantime, I have a garage full of teaching supplies, regerences, equipment, and quite honestly, I can't remember what else because it's been so long since I've looked at it. It's been in my garage for 7 years, and I've actually moved it twice.

I sold some stuff (for pennies on the dollar), given some to a local school district, but I'm at a loss as to what to do with the rest of it now. Anyone have any ideas? Have any line on school districts that may want to take it off my hands? Any other ideas?

 

[chef_kimmo]

You may want to check with daycares. They loved it when I brought in some of my mom's old school supplies.

 

[nicki25]

What about churches for their sunday school programs or youth groups??

 

[DebbieJ]

I bet some schools in downtown GR would LOVE you. Maybe check with La Grave CRC or Madison Square? They've got to have some hookups.

 

[wadesgirl]

I like the idea of donating it to another school. There are teachers out there who cannot afford to purchase stuff for their rooms. Call around and see if the schools have a program that allows you to donate it (tax write off too!)

 

[trps]

I don't know about every school but I am teaching in Ohio in a brand new school where we can't afford many if any supplies and my students are 40-60% on free lunch because they also can not afford anything including supplies. So my guess is almost any school would love anything. Just because the building is beautiful doesn't mean the inside is beautifully supplied.

 

[ChefLoriG]

What about the local moms who homeschool? They could probably use the stuff.