Desperate need for posters? I gave the best stuff away, but I still have a laminated poster of a volcano that would add color and authenticity until student art could replace my souvenir of Mt. St. Helens. I will be giving this to a school I help shortly, but I am not alone in having random volcano posters. I’d bet many of my former colleagues have their own volcano posters. Imagine how much random stuff the average teacher collects over his or her years of teaching. That retired teacher down the block? Stop and visit that retiree on your next dog walk.

I don’t sub much in my old district. While the district pays well, I can find fun assignments much closer to home. My old district is lamentably disorganized, too. They fail to post positions I know they need to fill. They require that I turn in a paper sheet with my hours, signed by school administrators. That alone sends me elsewhere. Everyone else nearby is managing subs electronically, requiring a single signature at most. So I pass on my old district — unless an old friend asks for help. I’d help a new teacher there, too, if asked. When actual humans call, I tend to answer the call. I spent a few weeks in that district last year.

Retired teachers should be seen as possible untapped resources. Those teachers are seldom going out of their way to thrust classroom experience or materials on unsuspecting passers-by, but they may have much to offer. Many teachers fall into the category of people who respond vigorously to pleas for help.

So ask that retired friend or neighbor for a helping hand! What do you have to lose except a few minutes of your time? You might get free and cheerful help. You might get access to the resources still stashed in the basement.

You might even make a new friend.