Business Spotlight: Education store a one-stop shop for teachers

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The aisles of IPA Educational Supply are packed with educators who are looking for that special something they can use in their classrooms. Some sort through seasonal decorations, while others look for something to motivate a particular student.|ret||ret||tab|

Almost everyone seems to find something they can use. That's not surprising, if you stop to consider that two former schoolteachers founded IPA.|ret||ret||tab|

When Donna and Earl Howell started IPA in 1976, the store spanned 1,400 square feet. Today, the operation spans 19,000 square feet and employs 18 full- and part-time workers, including the Howell's daughter Amy Greene and her husband Don Greene, who serves as the store's bookkeeper. |ret||ret||tab|

Initially, IPA stocked supplies primarily used by schoolteachers. These days, however, the store attracts a wide variety of educators including schoolteachers, day-care workers, Sunday school teachers, counselors and parents. |ret||ret||tab|

"A lot of parents come here," Amy Greene said. "Some of them home-school their children, but most are just looking for ways to help their children excel and succeed."|ret||ret||tab|

Parents who shop at IPA can find a wide variety of quality products. For example, if a parent wants to help their child learn their multiplication tables, they can find learning tools such as flashcards, workbooks, music CDs and cassettes and multiplication games. |ret||ret||tab|

In addition to educational products, IPA carries materials that help children learn life skills, such as how to tie their shoes. In fact, many special education teachers frequent the store. However, most educators come to IPA because they can find everything they need in one place. |ret||ret||tab|

"We pride ourselves on being a one-stop-shop for educators," Greene said. "If you need something for your classroom, chances are we have it here. We also do a lot of special orders."|ret||ret||tab|

A walk through the store reveals the breadth of materials stocked. IPA carries a wide variety of books, workbooks, educational puppets and toys, teaching aids, construction paper, glue, glitter, crayons, stickers, certificates of achievement, reading awards, early childhood furniture, seasonal classroom decorations and Sunday school materials, which are geared toward children whose ages range from newborns to early teens. |ret||ret||tab|

Although most educators buy their supplies at the store, IPA also has a mail-order business. Each year, the store publishes three catalogs, which are mailed out to patrons located throughout the United States. The store also delivers supplies to many area schools throughout the year. |ret||ret||tab|

According to Greene, IPA experiences seasonal fluctuations that coincide with the school year. In addition, keeping up with educational trends can be a challenge. |ret||ret||tab|

To keep in tune with educators' needs, the Howells and Greenes have tapped into the resources provided by several professional organizations. Currently, IPA is a business-member of the National School Supply Educational Association, the National Association for the Education of the Young Child, the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. |ret||ret||tab|

According to Greene, IPA has built up a steady clientele during the 25 years it has been in business, and the store doesn't advertise much. However, that may change soon if the store launches its own Web site. |ret||ret||tab|

"We're a well-established business with a regular base of customers," Greene said. "If we're going to continue to grow, we're going to have to tap into new markets. We may use the Internet to do that."|ret||ret||tab|

Establishing a Web site would allow IPA to reach educators located nationwide. It would also allow the store to market some of its specialty items in areas of the country where they might not be available. |ret||ret||tab|

"We hope that by listening carefully to our customers, IPA will be able to keep up with what people want and need in the 21st century," she said.[[In-content Ad]]