This week, Nicole and I traveled up to King of Prussia, PA to the National Education Association (NEA) Student Program Conference.

This was a great chance for us to spread the word about Campus Advisory Boards, encourage the NEA student chapters to get involved, and make sure the programs they serve are registered with First Book. We met an amazing group of students who have chosen education as their career and are truly committed to the welfare of children.

One of the highlights of the trip was the opportunity to help with NEA Student Program’s Outreach to Teach annual school renovation project. Nicole and I joined a sea of orange shirts to renovate a school in Norristown, PA which could best be described as an outdated urban jungle. The principal’s greatest wish was to have green space for her children on the playground, so 20,000+ square feet of concrete was removed and a new playground area created.

Nicole and I lent a hand (our whole bodies, really) to help lay the sod. We got rather dirty, and a bit sore, but we met some wonderful people (Go Team Sod!) and had a lot of fun!

Meanwhile inside the school, broken down retractable walls were removed, permanent walls were built, bathrooms were renovated, bulletin boards were created, and everything was painted, cleaned, and organized. Our only regret is that we won’t be able to see the look on the children’s faces on the first day of school when they see how much their learning environment has been transformed.

Nicole and I are already looking forward to next year!