Bringing Generosity to Triangle Classrooms

By Tom and Mary Vande Guchte

School’s Out … for the Summer! When I first heard Alice Cooper “scream” that song, I thought, “Summer here I come!” which I imagine is how every student and teacher feels come May!

This past April, we had the opportunity to host a thank you luncheon at the Angus Barn for teachers and educators from 18 different schools and home school groups across the Triangle. The food was delicious, and we all had the unique opportunity to hear from Brad and Laura Formsma, founders of Generous Classroom.

Generous Classroom was created to foster cultures of caring, kindness, and empathy in schools. How? By practicing generosity. Now we are not really talking about money here; generosity is so much more than just money.

Oak City Academy, a Christian Montessori school for students in grades K-8, introduced the Generous Classroom curriculum across the whole school and shared that it has transformed the school culture! As a result of their experience, Oak City Academy leadership adopted a new core value – “Joyful Communities are Generous and Grateful” – to reflect the centrality of the message and practices of generosity to their school community.

Generous Classroom teaches students about the following seven ways to be generous, motivating them to live out generosity with… 1. Thoughts, 2. Words, 3. Time, 4. Attention, 5. Influence, 6. Money, and 7. Belongings.

Which one of these sticks out to you?  Which one can you “lean into” within yourself and grow within your spheres of influence – family, neighborhood, school, work, church?

We have all heard it said that “life is a journey.” At Generosity Triangle, we believe that generosity is a journey – one of the most important and transformational journeys we’re called to embark on in our lives. We invite you to join us in living openhearted and openhanded, generous lives!

Explore sample Generous Classroom lessons and learn more about how to bring this impactful program to your school!