Teachers pass on classroom gear at 3rd annual ‘Flea’ in Canfield

CANFIELD -- Gina Woodley knows that the art of teaching often creates short-term ripple effects that, years later, can reverse their direction in boomerang effects -- one of which took place during an ordinary meal at a Warren pizza restaurant.

"I leaned over and said to the mom, 'I love the fact that you're engaging with them. You're asking them about the books they've read and what they're doing in school,'" Woodley said, referring to the woman's interactions with her two school-age sons, minus distracting technological devices.

During the conversation, the mother asked the veteran teacher if she was Miss Tabacca (Woodley's maiden name), then Woodley realized the young mother also was one of her former students. The boys' mother also recalled several books she had read and projects she enjoyed in Woodley's class.

"That made my day," said Woodley, who retired May 31 after having taught 43 years. "I love to see what they're doing with their lives."

Woodley's long teaching career may have ended, but that doesn't mean she has shelved everything. Quite the contrary: She was selling a variety of items, which she had amassed over the years, to younger teachers during the third annual Teacher Flea on Friday at the Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio, 7320 N. Palmyra Road.

The indoor gathering gave educators, parents, grandparents and others a four-hour opportunity to shop for gently-used and budget-friendly classroom materials, supplies, items that can be manipulated for educational purposes and other related merchandise, Staci Direnzo, the ESC's director of pupil services, said. Much of it consisted of items current and former teachers, including returning sellers, no longer needed yet wanted to pass to this generation of instructors in advance of the start of the 2026-27 school year, Direnzo added.

About 25 vendors had for sale classroom-related items such as numerous books, games, stuffed animals and flashcards. In addition, one section of the room had books and other materials to give away.

For her part, Woodley, who began her teaching career in Arizona after having graduated from the University of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, had a table nearly filled with books, containers and essential items that included hole punchers, staplers and bulletin boards.

"I've already sold tons and I'm selling tons here, and I have a lot more in my garage," said Donna Melanson, an ESC teacher who works with preschoolers who have challenges.

The "tons" of items she parted with included books, stuffed animals and a few costumes to help her youngsters better understand, connect with and appreciate certain stories.

The 32-year teacher who also worked in the Austintown Local School District with children who have special needs also enjoys connecting with former students via social media, and she has been invited to some of their weddings, graduation parties, baby showers and other special occasions, Melanson recalled.

Also pleased to impact others' lives was Laura Lumpkin, who will be teaching science beginning this school year to students in grades nine to 12 at Potential Development High School in Youngstown. During her first two years at Potential Development, she was an electives instructor who taught art, music, finance and health, Lumpkin said, adding that she will have six classes with seven or eight students in each, along with a teacher's aide and an environment that will allow for more one-on-one time with each student.

During Friday's Teacher Flea, she was selling items mainly for small children, such as age-appropriate books, games, stuffed animals and boxes of flashcards.

"This gives me a chance to get the kids excited about science," said Lumpkin, who has taught 20 years, including two years at Leonard Kirtz School in Austintown.

As much as Melanson enjoyed selling a variety of items she no longer planned to use, she also didn't hesitate to articulate perhaps her proudest aspect of a teaching career that has spanned more than three decades.

"It's making a difference in the children's lives when you see them accomplish something and their faces light up, and for them to be proud of themselves," she said.