Educators play a crucial role in our society, yet they often do not receive the recognition they deserve. It requires a unique individual to commit to teaching, guiding, and inspiring the youth.
Teachers often go above and beyond to help others, especially the children they care for. Jonathan Oliver, a phys ed teacher at WG Nunn Elementary in Valdosta, Georgia, is one such hero. He was recognized for his kind act towards a kindergartener while coaching a basketball game.
When Kristen Paulk, one of Oliver’s kindergarteners on the basketball team, asked for help tying her hair back in a ponytail, he gladly assisted her. Oliver took a knee on a basketball to get down to Kristen’s level and focused on tying her braids away from her face. Little did he know, his actions were being recorded.
Kandice Anderson, another teacher at the elementary school, filmed this heartwarming moment and shared it on YouTube. The video received an outpouring of support from the public, showing appreciation for Oliver’s sweet gesture.
The viral video was titled “When your job goes beyond teaching!”
“It was shocking to me that it got that much attention because we all do it,” Oliver greeted Good Morning America, unaware that he was being recorded.
“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.”
The kind coach mentioned that Kristen approached him for assistance in tying a ponytail during a basketball match. However, he regretfully admitted that his skills are limited to that particular hairstyle, despite frequently helping his daughter with her hair.
“It was a good thing she asked for a ponytail. Anything else, I’d say, ‘You better ask your mom,’” he joked.
Miyah Cleckley, Kristen’s mother, told the media that the video really touched her.“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.”
Many stories exist about teachers going the extra mile for their students. They are real heroes!
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