ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA Winthrop University faculty member Sarah Catalana believes in "dressing for success."
"Dressing for success is a real thing," she said. "I can remember picking out my first
day of teaching outfit. It was so important to me."
Now Catalana, an assistant professor of curriculum and pedagogy in the Richard W. Riley College of Education, will help students find their perfect outfit through the Teachers Clothes Closet. Housed in 204 Withers/W.T.S. Building, the "closet" contains donated professional attire for students in the field, on
internships and in the process of interviewing for their first jobs after college.
The best part: it's free.
Catalana had heard about Teachers Clothes Closet branches while at an education conference.
She and Mary Slade, chair of the Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy, talked about
how an initiative at Winthrop would greatly benefit students.
"Many are in the field on a regular basis, from field students to full-time internships,"
Catalana said. "It's just a lot of money and hidden costs."
Though the Teachers Clothes Closet has only been "open" a brief time, Catalana has
already received a thank-you e-mail from a student.
Want to donate to the Teachers Clothes Closet? You can bring professional attire, such as ties, blouses, dress slacks, etc., of
all sizes to Deedee Cousar, administrative specialist, in 206 Withers.
Are you a student or soon-to-be graduate who wants to select some items? You can also stop by 206 Withers and talk to Cousar about visiting the closet.