New teachers who join the Davenport Education Association can “shop” for classroom supplies, at zero cost, thanks to the association’s Teacher Re-Store initiative.
The DEA and Active Community Conscious Teachers Committee (ACCT) have gathered materials from mentor teachers and retired educators, as well as the three buildings that are set to be demolished this fall.
In its ninth year, the Teacher Re-Store event is held to assist new hires with the costs associated with classroom setup, costs DEA executive Sarah McGlynn says can act as a major hindrance.
“The amount of money it takes to set up a classroom, especially for a brand-new teacher, is astronomical. This event is a way to help give back to educators throughout the district,” she said.
Organizers are expecting a large turnout. At the DEA’s introductory meeting for the 2023-2024 school year, around 45 of the 120 new district staff members immediately signed up to join the association. McGlynn said they could see anywhere from 40-100 educators at the event, and the “store” has been stocked accordingly.
“We had around 50 to 60 boxes at the beginning of the summer, and that number has easily quadrupled. The supplies this year have been donated entirely by teachers, for teachers, but we’ve seen a lot of support from businesses in the community in years past,” she said.
In line with the District’s motto of growing excellence, this event is one way to ensure that all scholars, and their educators, have access to the resources needed to foster quality education in the classroom.
“You don’t see many events like this from other districts. The Teacher Re-Store serves as evidence that our school district is a step above the rest,” McGlynn said.
The Teacher Re-Store event is one of the DEA’s largest initiatives. New teachers can stop by 1002 W. Kimberly Rd. (Stepping Stones building) from 1-3 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 15. to pick up supplies for the coming year.
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