Some “Re-Store”ation Will Do You Good
by Sarah Logan, SPS Professional Learning Specialist
If you’ve ever driven down South Scenic Avenue, you may have noticed a large blue warehouse near the Horton Smith golf course and wondered what exactly is that place? The answer is that it’s a Habitat for Humanity Re-Store, a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center. Proceeds from their sale of donated items are invested in supporting the organization’s mission of building homes and improving lives.
So now you’re probably wondering what this has to do with you. As educators, we share a common goal with this organization. We too are interested in building community and improving lives. Though the specific work they do is different from ours, we benefit from reflecting on connections that can be made.
1. Restock,
re-shelve, and replace your inventory.
From time to time it’s important to take
stock of the resources you have on hand. This may include both physical aspects
of your classroom, such as pencils and textbooks, as well as non-physical ones
such as instructional strategies or person-centered relationships. How does what you have support you in building community and improving the lives of learners in your classroom? Identify what you need to keep, what you may need to eliminate, and what you may need to obtain in order to fulfill this mission.
2. Encourage
innovation.
Many of the items purchased at
Habitat’s Re-Store are not actually used for their original purposes. A
doorknob might become part of an art décor project, or a set of kitchen
cabinets may be transformed into a window seat storage area. A creative mind
sees what is and wonders what it may become.What might that look like in your role? Perhaps you can readily identify how you could repurpose resources you have on hand. Solicit input from members of your classroom community to envision creative possibilities that will be meaningful.
3. Remember
your influence.
The Habitat Re-Store is non-profit. All
proceeds from their sales are invested back into the organization’s ultimate
goal of helping people gain access to affordable housing. A sale is not just a
sale. It’s helping someone get one step closer to realizing a dream.How does that resonate with you as you consider what happens in your classroom on a daily basis? Recognize that there is a much bigger picture than what is readily seen. You’re not just building community and improving lives in this moment. You’re impacting many moments in a lifetime.