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.
“When your job goes beyond teaching!” was the subtitle of the popular video.
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 said on Good Morning America, adding that he was unaware he was being recorded.
“We [teachers] want to make them feel like they’re at home and that they enjoy being here,” he continued. “We do our best to shower them with love. It was simply a ponytail to me.
Even though he frequently assists with styling his own hair, the kind coach admitted to the source that Kristen had sought him for assistance with putting a ponytail in her hair during a basketball game.
It was fortunate that she requested a ponytail. If you need anything else, you should ask your mum, he joked.
Miyah Cleckley, Kristen’s mother, told the publication that the video had a profound impact on her and said, “I always know that Kristen is in very excellent hands with him. Since her father frequently does their hair, I thought it was extremely adorable. He carries the burden of doing their hair when I’m at work because we have one son and five daughters.
There are countless examples of teachers going above and beyond for their kids, and this is just one of them. They are heroes for sure!