A Lesson That Starts with a Shopping Cart

Meet Mr. Clor: A Lesson That Starts with a Shopping Cart

Current Teaching & Leadership Roles: Grade 5, 6, and 7 Social Studies, Grade 8 US History, Grade 8 Advisor, Professional Development Committee Chair  

How one simple lesson about integrity is shaping character at GPA

When Mr. Trevor Clor talks about history, he isn’t just teaching about the past; he’s teaching how to live with purpose. Since joining The Grosse Pointe Academy in 2009, Mr. Clor has inspired students to think deeply, act kindly, and see how small, everyday choices reveal true character.

During a recent Chapel Talk, he shared a story about his mentor, longtime GPA teacher Mr. Lapadot, and a lesson that has stuck with him for life: always return the shopping cart. The simple act, he explained, is a test of integrity – doing what’s right even when no one’s watching.

To Mr. Clor, that choice represents the kind of moral compass he hopes every GPA student develops. “Our goal here at GPA is to academically educate you, true, but I believe it is far more important that we teach you to return the shopping cart,” he said. “More than anything, we want you all to be kind people.”

He challenged students to find their own “shopping cart moments” every day, to lend a hand to a classmate, clean up after lunch, or pick up something left behind. These small, unseen acts, he reminded them, shape the kind of community GPA strives to be.

In the spirit of his mentor, Mr. Clor continues to blend creativity, compassion, and a sense of humor into his teaching. Whether he’s guiding eighth graders through the complexities of U.S. history or leading professional development for his colleagues, his message remains constant: true education is about character as much as content.

The next time you’re in a parking lot, you might just think of Mr. Clor, and remember that doing what’s right, even when no one’s watching, is where leadership begins.