GVSU Education Programs News
Education students receive classroom libraries
October 03, 2025
On September 12 and 19, 2025, the GVSU department of Teaching and Learning partnered with The Storehouse of Community Resources, a local non-profit organization that provides teachers with low- to no-cost classroom supplies. In this case, the beneficiaries were nearly 150 students from the Birth to Kindergarten, Special Education, PreK–6th, and GTC programs! The students from these programs dedicated over 9 hours in total to sorting pallets of books donated by Scholastic Books, who generously contributed over 2.5 million dollars’ worth of reading materials.
In recognition of their hard work and community service, the students were rewarded with 240 books apiece to help jumpstart their own classroom libraries—an inspiring example of collaboration, service, and the power of literacy. GVSU Teacher Candidates sorted 75 pallets, which contained over 90,000 books, and received a grand total of 28,385 new books for their future classrooms. Faculty members Sheryl Vlietstra and Megan Freudigmann organized the event that was sponsored by The Michigan Literacy Project , with colleagues Allison Philippe, Barb Lubic, Bill Smith, Lydia Saldivar, Kim Hughes, and Kathryn Ohle joining in. It was a tremendous success for all!
Below are a few impact statements from students who participated:
- "So beneficial for new teachers like me. It makes me relieved that I have a starting point for my future classrooms."
- "I found so many books to build classroom culture! I’m so excited! Thank you so much!"
- "Thank you for kick-starting my classroom library. You are setting me up + my students up for success! I am so appreciative."
- "This was such a fun and amazing opportunity to get my class library started! Thank you!"
- "I know that these books will be so useful for small group assignments! Also a financial relief! Thank you!"