The Cost of Being Free

“Nothing worth having comes free.” “Not everything that glitters is gold.” These sayings suggest that there’s something inherently wrong with a product or service that comes with no cost.

We live in a society where people are naturally skeptical when anything of value is labeled as “free.”

This concept reminds me of the holiday season when I try to do random acts of kindness for strangers. On one particular night, while checking out groceries at the cashier stand, I turned around to a mother and her 8-year-old son and said “Hello. I would like to give you 20 dollars to help you pay for your groceries.” The mother stared at me blankly for about five seconds, then asked, “What for?” I replied “Just because it’s the holiday season…” pushing the 20 dollar bill in her direction. She just stood there with the cashier, son, and everyone in line looking at her. Luckily, the awkward moment was shattered as her son emphatically pleaded, “Just take the money.” Everyone is looking for the “catch,” but sometimes it’s not there.

The same hesitation comes from principals, district administration, or other educational leaders after I explain that the resources offered by the Sanford Inspire Program are free. There is a larger issue here, though.

Why are the tools for our teachers so expensive in the first place?

I am a Marketing and Consulting Specialist with this gift-funded project that creates free, online, research-based professional development for teachers. Many times when I provide a comprehensive overview of our resources the first question is “so, how much does this cost again?”

This is where the Sanford Inspire Program really shines by providing valuable resources to all types of educators. I realize that many of our schools are under-funded, and money is closely monitored to ensure that the budget stays in the black. In addition, principals and school leaders are inundated by education peddlers and consultants who offer “free” resources in the beginning to only return with a large price tag after a few months. So, I understand a school leader’s surprise to find that these well-crafted, vetted resources come in at the low, low price of zero.

There are stories from all around the country where teachers are paying for student materials, schools unable to afford basic resources, and teachers feeling ill-prepared for the challenging, and important job of teaching students. Fortunately, the Sanford Inspire Program is here to meet the needs of schools and teachers by providing high-quality resources for nothing in return. “Sometimes the best things in life are free.”