Teachers are the backbone of every community. They are the ones helping educate future generations. They do not only teach our children educationally but also help form their students into good people. They are on the front lines, per say, with children every day. They really are the unsung heroes of every community and deserve more recognition for their hard work. Today, we want to recognize 5th grade teacher, Brent Walker.
Brent Walker is a 5th grade teacher in Tampa Bay, Florida. Brent wanted to bring a bit of Easter fun into his classroom. As most teachers know, extra items for the classroom would have to come out of his pocket. That did not stop him. Brent went to his local Wal-Mart to buy plastic eggs to create an Easter Egg Hunt but spotted $10 Easter baskets while there. That is when he got an idea.
Brent put faith in his community that they would help him create an even better Easter surprise. He posted on his Facebook for help.
“I’m at Wal-Mart grabbing some candy for an egg hunt/math game tomorrow (we’re off Friday), and I ran across these $10 pre-made Easter baskets. I would love to pick up 20 of them and have them on my students’ desks when they get to school tomorrow. Would anyone like to sponsor a student? I don’t know how many of them will get an Easter basket this year, but I know it would make their day! If you do, I’ll add your name to their basket so they know who in my Facebook world gave it to them.”
It was only one hour later that Brent’s Facebook community went above and beyond. In one hour, they had raised $700! Overall, he would raise $1,200. Since his community went above and beyond, Brent was not only able to get baskets for his class but for all 5th graders at his school!
Brent let everyone know that they were able to give a basket for every 5th grader, 63 students total. He also let them know that their giving had made “his heart full.” Once Brent realized every 5th grader would get a basket, he had to enlist the help of the other teachers to pull off the surprise!
Brent and the other 5th grade teachers came to school early and made sure that there was a basket on every desk! As they know their students so well, they made sure to put a designated basket for each student and then they waited for school to start. The children were definitely surprised! Some students even started to dance to show their happiness. The smiles on all their faces made all of it worth it!
“I think it will encourage them, hopefully, to really do their best and try harder,” Walker told FOX 13, “because they know people they’ve never met before are fighting for them and are encouraging them from all over the place. I mean this was coming from all over the country.”
Too many times children do not feel supported enough, especially in a classroom where teachers can feel unsupported as well. This demonstrates how community and teachers can make a difference in our children’s lives. Kudos to Brent Walker and every person that sponsored a student. Bravo!
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