A photograph of an assistant principal lying on the ground with a student is spreading online, with the story behind it touching peopleโs hearts all over the country.
Eight-year-old LJ is from Marion, Ohio, where he attends Garfield Elementary. Although he tends to be a happy kid whoโs not shy โ the third-graderโs also autistic and has Down syndrome.
Steph Compton (LJโs mom) told WCMH:
โIf heโs not smiling or laughingโฆwhich is most of the time, but thereโs something really wrong.โ


One day, there was an incident at school that left LJ feeling upset.
It all started when the bus was late for picking kids up to take them home. Most children wouldnโt be happy about something like that โ especially after a long day in the classroom.


LJ, who was understandably frustrated, decided to lay on the ground to wait. However, the new A.P. of the school, Mr. Smith, wasnโt going to let him do it alone.
He too lowered himself to the concrete in order to try and help LJ feel better. According to WCMH, another Garfield employee named Amber Mckinniss snapped a photo of the scene.


Compton was blown away seeing the photograph, which displayed an act of kindness that meant a lot to her and her family. She decided to share it with the world by posting it on Facebook.
Along with the picture she wrote:
โI absolutely LOVE thisโฆ LJโs school has a new assistant principal this yearโฆ Mr. Smithโฆ apparently LJ was having a โmomentโ and he got down on his level to help him out โค๏ธ This is why even though we live across townโฆ LJ still goes to Garfield!!!โ
Sometimes itโs the little things that can make the greatest differences in the world. Mr. Smith taking the time to care for LJ and not being afraid to get on his level to help โ goes to show that not all angels have wings.
Comptonโs post has been well-received by others, who too have fallen in love with the beautiful moment caught on camera.
Many people who have left comments actually know Mr. Smith and agree that heโs a wonderful educator. One wrote:
โMr. Smith has always been one of my favorite teachers. always talked to me whenever things got tough !! best teacher/human!!โ
Another person pointed out how Mr. Smith is definitely in the right field of work, while someone else wrote how lucky Garfield is to have him there. Mckinniss (the photographer) left a comment too, saying:
โI just had to snap a picture. It was the most amazing thing ive seen! our hearts melted and lj enjoyed it lolโ


LJโs mom is most grateful for what occurred that day waiting for the school bus.
As parents, itโs not easy having your child upset when you canโt be there to help comfort them. You hope there are people in this world who will look out for them in situations where theyโre hurt, sad, or in need of a little kindness to make things better.
Compton told the news station:
โItโs really awesome to know from a parentโs standpoint, that there are people that care that much about your child. To get down on the ground, and lay on the ground with them to make sure that theyโre alright.โ
Watch the video below to hear LJโs mom talk about her son and the heartwarming moment!
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