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Mission & History
Our mission is to provide an outlet for the donation, repurpose, and reuse of new and gently used teacher, school, community and business discards. We aim to create a sustainable solution that diverts these abundant resources from landfills and ensures they find new life in educational settings. By facilitating the redistribution of these materials, we strive to support educators, children, and nonprofits in their pursuit of knowledge, learning, and environmental responsibility.
Since opening in 2020, during the height of the Covid pandemic, we have been serving Forsyth County public, private, pre-k, and homeschool educators, as well as nonprofits serving children. In 2023, we expanded our reach to include educators in neighboring counties. Furthermore, we have formed collaborations and served organizations such as Literacy Network Of North Georgia, Friends of the Library, Mission 1:27, Adventure Bags, CASA of Forsyth, Boys and Girls Club of Lanier, Bald Ridge Lodge, Mentor Me - North Georgia, and The Place, amplifying our impact.
Need
Shelling out hundreds of dollars of their own money each year so their students can succeed is a long-standing ritual for teachers.
In a 2021 survey by AdoptAClassroom.org, 95% of teachers reported that their classroom-supply budget isn't enough to meet their students' needs, and they spend an average of $750 of their own money on school supplies each year. 30% of teachers spent $1,000 or more on school supplies.
The environmental impact of buying new school supplies is detrimental as plastic pollution around the world continues to worsen. School supplies are typically made up of thick, dense, plastics which when thrown out, pollute landfills and do not decompose for hundreds of years. According to Earthday.org, two garbage trucks filled with plastic are dumped into landfills every minute. Throwing out lightly used pens or perfectly intact folders does nothing but add to the destruction of our ecosystem. According to Ciel.org, 99% of plastic is made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels. Plastic school supplies are not only contributing to landfill pollution but create immense amounts of air pollution as well.
Read more at The Importance of Reusing School Supplies.
Rules & Requirements
- Shoppers must provide official documentation to verify teaching or authorized status for entry and/or a letter of intent (DOI) to homeschool (not virtual learning).
- Shoppers must sign up for shopping.
- No helpers or children will be admitted.
- We will provide you with a shopping bag. Please do not bring your own.
- Limits on certain items apply. Don't be greedy - there are many teachers who are needy, and we're open all year long!
- Materials taken are for teaching and educational use ONLY - NOT RESALE.
- Shoppers agree that any materials taken are to be used responsibly.
- If you're unable to shop on your selected day and time, please cancel/delete your sign up so another teacher can sign up. This also helps us to make sure we are adequately staffed with volunteers.
Who Can Shop
- Forsyth County public, private, pre-k and homeschool teachers.
- Forsyth County residents that teach outside the county at a public school or private pre-k.
- Hall (incl. Gainesville City), Dawson, Pickens, Lumpkin, Cherokee and Gilmer County public and pre-k teachers. Not homeschools currently.
- Teaching students enrolled at University of North GA (UNG).
- Nonprofits serving children with 501(c)(3) status.
Shopping
Please consider a $20 donation each time you shop at the TRE. The TRE is a volunteer, not for profit program. Your gift will help to pay rent and utilities.
Please read sign up to make sure you're eligbile to shop. Text Denise at 770-490-1083 if you have any questions regarding eligibility and credentials to shop. Review our list of unaccepted items before donating.
No children or helpers admitted.
No exceptions.
November &
December 2023
**Teachers in every GA county can shop at the Teacher Reuse Store in Athens-Clarke County.**
Talk to your school administrator and PTA/PTO about providing funding and/or reimbursing you for shopping at the TRE.
Location & Hours
101 Meadow Drive, Suite 2T, Cumming, GA
Park in lot and walk around back to enter.
Tuesdays & Thursdays
12pm to 2pm
4pm to 6pm
Saturdays (1x month)
10:30am to 1:30pm
Let's FILL Classrooms - NOT the Landfill!
Donations & Recycling
- Donations are by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays (unless otherwise noted). Text (770) 490-1083.
- List of unaccepted items.
- Effective 10/13/2023 - WE CAN NO LONGER ACCEPT BOOKS OR PRINTED MATERIALS OVER 10 YEARS OLD, ANNOTATED, HIGHLIGHTED, DRAWN IN, OR IN WORN, TORN OR YELLOWED CONDITION UNTIL WE FIND FUNDING FOR PICKUP FEES.
- Please DO NOT leave items at door.
- The TRE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit recognuized by the IRS. Donations are tax deductible as provided by law.
We are committed to diverting materials from the landfill. Donations that are not reusable by the TRE will be donated to another worthy organization.
T-Shirt Contest
Congratulations to Avyukta, a 5th grader at Settles Bridge Elementary, for winning our t-shirt contest, Why Become a Teacher? and a $50 gift certificate from Casa Nuova. We loved her design and message about teachers!
Her winning design is available for purchase on t-shirts and more! A portion of the sale proceeds will support the mission and work we do at the Teacher Reuse Exchange.
Click Here to Order
Volunteers
Come make new friends, strengthen your ties to our community, broaden your support network, and show your support for teachers. Volunteering at the Teacher Reuse Exchange is rewarding and FUN. Volunteering involves accepting donations from donors, restocking and organizing supplies, greeting and assisting teachers shopping, and other related tasks.
All volunteers must complete and sign a waiver before volunteering. Parents or guardians must sign a volunteer form for minors. Volunteers under age 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Contact
Mail: 1470 Harburn Ct., Cumming, GA 30041
Phone: (770) 490-1083
Board of Directors
Board Chair, Christine Murphy
Secretary, Sue Javors
Treasurer, Susan Sokolowsky
Board Member, Marilene Cunningham
Board Member, Denise Webb
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Founder & Executive Director,
Denise Carleton
TRE Engagement Manager,
Lisa LaFayette
Hadriane Kalfus, Steadfast Volunteer
