HOLLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Learning valuable lessons at Home Depot

Rhonda Danaj, second grade teacher at Holland Elementary School, has been working with Rodney Harris and his staff at The Home Depot.

Home Depot is our business model and is playing an instrumental part in educating about goods, services and resources needed to be successful in business. They are teaching the class how to operate a business so that it can start its own business within the school community. Although the class hasn’t decided on what it is going to produce and sell yet, it plans on donating all of our profits to Pound Pals to benefit the Taylor Animal Shelter.

We went to The Home Depot on October 29 and the experience was nothing short of extraordinary. Rodney and his staff went all out. There was an itinerary that began with a gathering in the training room where each student and teacher received a personalized apron. The class then was put into three groups led by great team members that took us to three different departments for 15-minute rotations on a behind-the-scenes tour.

Students were given a chance to ask questions and see how things operate on a daily basis. Next the pupils were given supplies, assistance and told to build-away. They were so incredibly excited to build cars and calendars with hammers, wood and nails. Rodney encouraged them to make noise and have fun.

It was an unforgettable experience. They were even given a kit to take home. All students were given a personalized Home Depot bag for their treasures that they acquired along the morning. Those bags were pretty full by the time they left.

  

After our fun, the class was brought back to the training room for fresh popped popcorn, pizza, water and Halloween treats. Each child received a Home Depot water bottle filled with candy. It was a kids' dream come true!

When we finished our lunch, we were able to ask Rodney and his staff questions about The Home Depot, like when it was founded, what makes it successful, the kinds of natural, human and capital resources used, where they get their supplies from, and more.

  

There were many things that impacted my class today but one thing that stood out was what Rodney said about his job: What is most important to him is taking care of people and making sure they have what they need to be successful in their own lives.

That is a very valuable lesson. It's not just a home improvement business, but it's a people business, too.