Despite being one of the most important, teachers are also among the most undervalued members of our community.
To dedicate their life to teaching, inspiring, advising, and mentoring the next generation requires a certain kind of person.
We regularly hear about educators going above and beyond for their students, as well as for others.
One such hero is Jonathan Oliver, a physical education teacher at Valdosta, Georgia’s WG Nunn Elementary.
Oliver was recognized for his considerate action toward a kindergarten student while serving as a basketball referee.
When one of his students asked for help, he was only too happy to oblige.
When Oliver’s kindergartener teammate Kristen Paulk begged him to help her put her hair back in a ponytail, the coach took action.
Oliver, who was kneeling on a basketball to get to Kristen’s level, seemed intent as he attempted to pull her hair back away from her face. But he was unaware that he was being filmed.
Actually, the coach’s nice deed was captured on camera by another elementary school teacher named Kandice Anderson, who posted it to YouTube and received overwhelming positive feedback from viewers.
The popular video’s caption said, “When your job goes beyond teaching!”
Following their viewing of the video, Good Morning America contacted the 34-year-old father of three and set up an interview.
“It was shocking to me that it got that much attention because we all do it,” Oliver Good Morning America, adding that he didn’t realize he was being filmed.
“We [teachers] want to make them feel like they’re at home and that they enjoy being here,” he added. “We try to love on them as much as possible. To me, it was just a ponytail.”
Although he frequently assists his daughter with hair style, the kind coach told the source that Kristen had asked him for assistance with putting a ponytail in her hair during a basketball game. However, his knowledge sadly does not extend beyond that.
“It was a good thing she asked for a ponytail. Anything else, I’d say, ‘You better ask your mom,’” he joked.
Kristen’s mom, Miyah Cleckley, told the outlet that the video really touched her, saying: “I always know that Kristen is in very good hands with him. I thought it was really cute because her father he does their hair a lot. We have five girls and one son so when I’m working he has to pick up the weight of doing their hair.”
This story is just one of many stories about teacher’s going above and beyond for their students. They truly are heroes!
What did you think of this sweet story? Let us know in the comments!
