When Teaching and Volunteering Come Together

Guest author Sue Galandiuk is a retired teacher who is part of the weekly volunteer corps at Shoes and Clothes for Kids.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE 

People choose a career in education for a variety of reasons. Perhaps they were inspired by one of their own teachers. Maybe they got an inside perspective from relatives who were professional educators. Some might have found their way into teaching entirely on their own. Like many educators, I became a teacher because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of my students.

While getting a degree in education was not difficult for me, finding a teaching job in Northeast Ohio at the beginning of my career was not easy. There were many applicants for the few positions available. I was one of the fortunate “rookies” who was able to start my career the fall after I graduated from college.

Whether I was teaching six-year-olds, sixth graders, or sixteen to sixty-year-olds working to earn their GED, making a difference for each student was my goal throughout my career.

SC4K MAKES A DIFFERENCE

I was teaching first grade when I learned that I could get resources from Shoes and Clothes for Kids (SC4K) through the Teacher Resource Center Program. It was wonderful to have a chance to get school supplies for my students without having to buy them all myself.

My district had new students enrolling throughout the school year. Most new students arrived in my room with few supplies. Think about that from the viewpoint of a six-year-old… a new school, everyone is a stranger, and I don’t have any pencils, crayons,… Thanks to SC4K, I always had supplies ready to help reduce some of the stresses children were facing.

STILL MAKING A DIFFERENCE

I retired from teaching in June of 2021. One month later, I started volunteering at SC4K. It is very rewarding to be able to give back to this organization that helped me make a difference during my career. By sharing my time at the resource center, I’ve made new friends, get to see some of my old friends when they come to shop, and I am still making a difference in the lives of students and my fellow teachers.