From Staff Reporters

Northwestern students who need to get professional clothing can do so for free by visiting the university Teacher’s Closet.

The teacher’s closet, operated by the Division of Education, offers blazers, suits, pants and other clothing items to students regardless of major or grade classification. It is open by appointment.

Several university education majors who are beginning their student teaching assignments in public schools recently visited the Teacher’s Closet and picked up new wardrobe items, university officials said in a news release.

“This opportunity is amazing for students in the student teaching semester,” said senior Candace Brown, an early childhood education major from Blackwell, said in a news release. “We are all about to enter a professional career, and most importantly, we need to dress the part. Professional clothing is more on the expensive side. As college students having access to the closet full of professional dress items is a wonderful resource. Having this experience takes some of the financial stress off the student.”

“I really enjoyed the opportunity to speak with other educators during the luncheon,” senior Jordan Villalva, an elementary education major from Enid, said in a news release. “Also, I really like the fact that our community has come together to supply some of their old clothes so others may repurpose them. It truly shows the familial relationships that are formed in the education department that I love.”

The Teacher’s Closet accepts clothes donations. To donate or make an appointment, contact Dr. Jennifer Oswald, chair of the education division, by calling 580-327-8451 or emailing jdoswald@nwosu.edu.

Students can also contact Amy Melton, education division secretary, by calling 580-327-8436 or emailing admelton@nwosu.edu.