Teachers Save Money & Build Executive Functioning Skills
This post explores the concept of annual school/district garage sales (or gymnasium sales) to reduce clutter, get organized, and create more efficient and sustainable systems that could ultimately save money, save time, make money, and reduce stress for educators. WhiteSpace Design Co. services could be the perfect gift for the educator in your life. Read more to learn more….
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It’s time to get real about what you have, what you need, and what you can remove from your space.
Who doesn’t want to find more money, more time, and less stress?!
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WhiteSpace Design is happy to help with this process, as members of NAPO and The Home Edit Organizers Society - no challenge is too big or too small.
We can coordinate in-person or virtual ‘garage/gymnasium sales’.
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Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week is just around the corner
Teachers who are ready to retire
Students graduating college and transitioning from student-to-professional
Brand new teachers - looking to get their classrooms looking ready for learning
Family members of educators - gifting your loved one with a professional organizer to help them live a more balanced life - less stress all around
Perfect teacher appreciation gift from current students/families.
Make Money, Save Money: Rethinking Your Classroom & Office Space
Have you ever stopped to think about how much money might be hiding right in your classroom or office space? As spring approaches, now is the perfect time for teachers and office staff to empty, evaluate, and redesign their learning spaces and offices, creating not only more effective classrooms but also significant savings for school budgets—and potentially putting cash back into your own pocket, if you are like the majority of teachers who end up dipping into their own bank accounts to supply their classroom with materials. You’ll be amazed to find how many duplicate products are hiding in these spaces!
Uncover Hidden Savings
Classrooms are often cluttered with outdated materials, unused supplies, forgotten resources, and items purchased with good intentions but never used. Let’s be real - educators typically have limited space, limited time, and an abundance of stress. By emptying and reassessing your classroom, you can clearly see what's truly necessary, freeing up valuable space and revealing the potential savings hiding in plain sight. With shrinking school budgets, this is a perfect opportunity to get a handle on what your current inventory is, what your needs are, and if there are any gaps to fill. Instead of purchasing new/more items, you could see what your colleagues are donating
Sell, Donate, or Recycle
There seems to be a “National Day of…” just about everything (ie Day of Pi, Day of Burgers, Doughnut Day, etc.) - let’s start our own “Day of Decluttering” in the education field - who’s with me? What if every district stopped, dropped, and decluttered on an in-service day. If we actually gave educators the gift of time, and a professional organizer’s expertise, we could create something magical together!
What if schools, districts, or states coordinated an annual garage sale (or gymnasium sale)? Rather than storing unused items indefinitely, consider organizing a garage sale or selling items online. Spring and summer are prime garage sale seasons, and eager buyers are always on the lookout for gently used educational supplies and furniture. Not only can this effort put money back into your school's budget, but it can also help replenish your own bank account. Those old items that you had best intentions of using ‘some day’ are just collecting dust and taking up space - but they may very well be useful for another educator. Especially those who have changed positions, grade-levels, etc.
Deeper than decluttering, educating on executive functioning skillS
Good news - this does NOT need to fall solely on the shoulders of teachers! The best part about this process, is that we can set up better, more efficient, more sustainable systems for you and your students along the way! This is an incredible opportunity to model and practice executive functioning skills for students and adults at all developmental stages. My services go much deeper than the beautiful aesthetics on the surface…I educate, coach, and support so that you and your students can maintain sustainable systems once we clear the clutter. We establish a ‘home’ for everything, utilize universally designed labels, and create SOP’s so anyone using your space (ie Guest Teachers/Subs, students, volunteers, student teachers/interns, etc.) can navigate the space with ease and maintain the systems in place. We incorporate Universal Design principles to support inclusive practices, accessibility, and greater independence.
Declutter Your Classroom and Home
Don't stop at the classroom—your home might also have unused teaching materials, children's items, and educational supplies that could easily convert to cash. Whether you choose to donate, recycle, or sell, decluttering both your workspace and your home will lead to clearer thinking, improved efficiency, and a welcome financial boost. Private schools, home study programs, and daycare centers might find a lot of value in the items that you are not using or no longer need.
The PErfect gift
Stumped on how to celebrate and appreciate the educator in your life? Look no further…purchase a gift card for professional organization services with WhiteSpace Design Co. You can fill out the short email form below, and I’ll be in touch with you to get the ball rolling.
As a former elementary principal, I know first-hand how challenging (and fun) it can be to get creative in showing your appreciation for your team of educators. Why not raffle off a few gift cards to help give teachers time and money to get their learning and work environments decluttered, reorganized, and maybe even spark some new lesson plan ideas?!
I remember being a brand new teacher - I was beyond excited to start shopping for items to set up my classroom - and I spent A LOT of my own money (before I even received my first paycheck BTW). What if we could set up our own internal shop (online and a closet space in schools) for newly hired teachers to get a warm welcome and a smooth start?
My first teaching position was as a kindergarten teacher, and I was relieving a person who was retiring after 30 years of being in the same classroom, teaching the same grade level. I inherited A TON of outdated, dusty materials that I knew I was never going to touch. I did a complete overhaul and brought the classroom up to the 2010’s - seriously, who needs a cassette tape recorder anymore? If you know of an educator who is preparing to retire - a gift certificate to utilize my professional organizing and decluttering (and moving) services.
Students (and parents of students) who are looking to show appreciation for their teacher this spring…look no further! Maybe a group of families would be willing to go in on a gift card for professional organizing services for their teacher.
Family members who are the unwavering support for these educators - what better gift to give your loved one for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Teacher Appreciation Week, birthday gift, anniversary gift, or a ‘just because’ gift - by helping declutter, reorganize, and establish more efficient systems, your loved one will be less stress and be able to have a better balance between home and school. It’s a win-win!
IF decluttering and organizing is your jam, and you’re feeling really good about your systems you’ve developed - good for you, that’s awesome! Perhaps you are looking for some upgraded products to elevate your space. Be sure to check out some of the sweet finds I curated for you on the Educator Products Pages.
Ready to Get Started?
If the idea of tackling classroom decluttering feels overwhelming, don't worry—I’m here to help with every step, from editing and organizing to selling, donating, and more. Together, we can transform your learning and work space into an organized, effective, and financially savvy environment.
Let's turn clutter into cash this spring! Who’s ready to join me in maximizing savings and reclaiming learning spaces? Principals, this could be an awesome gift for teacher/staff appreciation week as well - getting some professional helping hands to get organized, create efficient and sustainable systems, and reduce stress for educators!
Contact me today, and let's get started! Are you ready to bring more white space into your life? Not sure where to start, or need a little help to get started? Let’s make your space work for you—not against you. Reach out to me today and let’s create something functional, beautiful, and intentional together. Let’s connect ~ schedule a free 30-minute consultation today!
At WhiteSpace Design Co., I create custom environments that empower people to do their best work and live their best lives. By embracing the power of white space, I create clarity, efficiency, and inspiration in every space I touch.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on creating a “Day of Decluttering” in the education field, and if you think a local school closet/store or a district online store would be most effective - please share in the comments below!
