Teachers rank among the most significant members of our community, yet being one of the most underappreciated.
It takes a unique someone to devote their life to imparting knowledge, acting as an inspiration, offering counsel, and mentoring future generations.
We frequently hear about teachers going above and above for others, and especially for the kids under their care.
Jonathan Oliver, a physical education teacher at WG Nunn Elementary in Valdosta, Georgia, is one such hero.
Oliver received recognition for his thoughtful gesture towards a kindergartener while officiating a basketball game.
He was only too delighted to aid one of his students when she sought his assistance.
The coach went into action when Kristen Paulk, a kindergartener on Oliver’s basketball team, begged him to assist her in putting her hair back in a ponytail.
Oliver appeared focused as he struggled to tie young Kristen’s tresses back away from her face, kneeling on a basketball to get to her level. He had no idea that he was being recorded, though.
In truth, Kandice Anderson, a different elementary school teacher, recorded the coach’s kind act and then uploaded it on YouTube, where he earned fervent praise from the general public.
The title of the viral video read: “When your job goes beyond teaching!”
Once Good Morning America saw the video, they got in touch with the 34-year-old father of three and scheduled 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!