Great teachers are hard to come by, but they certainly leave an everlasting impression. It makes such a difference when kids have compassionate and attentive teachers.
When students have support in a classroom they are much more likely to thrive.
I mean whatโs better than having a teacher that geniunely wants you to succeed? Unfortunately, teachers are no strangers to bullying in the classoom. But depending on the teacher everyone handles the situation differently.
Thankfully, this Sheboygan Falls teacher named David Winter knew exactly how to teach some bullies a lesson.
9-year-old William Gierke is just like any other 4th-grade student, trying to learn and make friends. It was the first week of 4th grade when William came into school wearing a bright pink shirt that he loved.
Williamโs peers rudely asked him,
โWhy are you wearing pink?โ
William responded honestly saying,
โBecause I like pinkโ
But the other students started picking on him calling him a โsissyโ.
His shirt read โTough Guys Wear Pinkโ and he wanted to wear it to show support for people affected by cancer. William even got the shirt from a breast cancer charity. He was so embarrassed by everyone ganging up on his pink shirt.
When he came home from school that day he told his mom he didnโt want to go back the next day.
Itโs every parents worst fear to have their kid come home crying because other students bullying them. Williams mom Tomi, was shocked that he didnโt want to go to school. She was heartbroken to see him so upset and tried to cheer him so he wouldnโt be scared to go to school.
William felt a little better about everything and decided to give school another try.
Thatโs when he came back to something unexpected. Williamโs teacher Mr. Winter was wearing a nce pink shirt to support him. Mr. Winter wore an assortment of pink shirts for the entire week, showing those bullies, tough guys really do wear pink. William was overjoyed to have his teachers support.
Mr. Winter and William snapped a photo of them sporting their pink shirts, which William sent over to his mom.
She told TMJ4 News,
โI sat at my desk and was actually in tears.โ
For a parent, itโs such a relief to know your kids are in good hands, especially after a bullying incident. His mother Tomi was so grateful for Mr. Winters gesture. It allowed William to feel so more comfortable in his new class and heโs not letting any bullies getting him down.
It just goes to show the impact teachers have on their students.
Even just a simple gesture like wearing a pink shirt can make a student feel less alone. Hopefully, the whole class started wearing pink after his trendsetting debut!
These bullies definitely learned a valuable lesson about style.
This sweet 4th-grade memory is one William will never forget. The pink shirts lives on! and Weโre so happy to know teachers like Mr. Winter exist.
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