Teacher Reuse is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in San Marcos, Texas, with a mission to support educators by turning donated items into free classroom supplies. What started as a local initiative is now making a statewide impact, helping teachers reduce out-of-pocket expenses while keeping usable materials out of landfills.
According to the Teacher Reuse website, “Texas teachers spend on average $750 to $1,000 yearly out of pocket on supplies.” These costs can be a heavy burden, especially for educators just starting their careers or those working in underfunded districts. That’s where Teacher Reuse steps in—easing the financial strain while promoting sustainability.
The organization was founded in 2022 by Shelly ODonnell, a retired Texas educator who spent 26 years teaching Deaf Education (PK–12) and American Sign Language. Inspired by a similar reuse initiative in Fort Worth, ODonnell launched Teacher Reuse to combine her love for education with her passion for community service.
“You can take the teacher out of the classroom, but you can’t take the classroom out of the teacher,” ODonnell said. Through Teacher Reuse, she’s found what she calls a “social cause” that gives her continued purpose and allows her to make a real difference in the lives of Texas children and the teachers who serve them.
In the 2024–25 school year alone, Teacher Reuse provided more than $260,000 worth of classroom resources to Texas educators. A total of 948 teachers from 89 school districts visited the organization’s facility to stock up on essential materials. As word has spread, the organization has grown significantly – fueled by enthusiastic educators and a growing list of community partners.
Teacher Reuse has formed meaningful partnerships with companies like H-E-B, Whataburger, A+ Federal Credit Union, and others that understand the importance of investing in public education. One particularly unique partnership is with USA Decomp, a company that decommissions and redistributes surplus or outdated supplies. “They donated 300 staplers – that can go a long way,” ODonnell said.
Support has also come from the academic community. The University of Texas provided interns who helped modernize the organization’s operations. “They revamped our whole website,” ODonnell noted. These improvements have made it easier for teachers to sign up for shopping appointments, learn about upcoming events, and volunteer.
Tina Perez, a third-year Spanish teacher, shared how the program has transformed her ability to prepare her classroom. She received folders, colored pencils, markers, different types of paper, posters, flash card, and many more items. Perez described Teacher Reuse as having been “a tremendous help.”
Despite its success, the organization faces two major challenges: space and staffing. “We can’t really handle what we have,” ODonnell admitted. “We’re desperately looking for a building, because right now we’re hodgepodge-ing across three buildings on City of San Marcos property.”
Volunteers are also key to the organization’s operations. Teacher Reuse runs on a skeleton crew—just four core volunteers—yet needs 10 people in the morning and another 10 at night to function at full capacity. “It’s all about helping teachers shop, and teachers are the best volunteers,” ODonnell said.
For anyone looking to make a meaningful impact—whether through time, donations, or spreading the word—Teacher Reuse offers a powerful way to give back to the education community.
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering or supporting this mission, please visit here.
