Some teachers and school workers in the world truly form a huge inspiration to not only their students but others as well. Meet Ashlyn DeLoeach, a young woman who works as an occupational therapist.
At just 24 years old, she made a decision to devote her life to helping children with special needs. Ashley could’ve taken a job with a larger paycheck that was also more conveniently located but decided to follow her heart instead.
She took a job at a lower-income school in Brantley County, Georgia for special needs children. Unfortunately, this school doesn’t have the large budget that many other schools do and they also lack in infrastructure.
Luckily, they do have Ashley who brings a smile to these children’s faces. The young woman even travels 30 miles every single day to commute to work and spends an hour in traffic while she could’ve chosen a job that was much more closely.
To make Ashley’s story even more special, the occupational therapist also donates 10 percent of her already lower than average salary to the children and the school.
Because of the school’s lacking infrastructure, Ashley spends money to but class equipment for the kids, and her husband Brett assists her by baking cookies – something he enjoys doing for them very much. In short, Ashley just makes sure that these children feel special and to let them know that people care about them and are being loved.
“The best part of my job would have to be helping these kids and putting a smile on their face, knowing that I am helping. Making a difference. The hardest part would be taking the job home with me.”
“These kids make it so worthwhile. I never want them to think that they don’t have anybody that care about them.”
Ellen DeGeneres invited Ashley and her husband over to sit in the audience, but they had no idea that they were actually going to be in the show. However, this small surprise was nothing compared to the surprise that was waiting for them at the end of the interview.
After telling her heartwarming and inspiring story, Ellen wanted to help the young woman. Ashley had mentioned that the school lacked the funds to buy even a single iPad and that these kids could really benefit from educative technology.
A couple of moments later, one of the crew members of the Ellen Show came running up the stage with no less than five brand-new iPad tablets.
And it didn’t stop there. Ellen asked Ashley to swipe right on all iPads, each revealing a gift credit of $10,000 from Shutterfly.
Five iPads, so that meant Ashley would receive a whopping $50,000 credit for her school, after which she burst into tears and gave Ellen a heartfelt hug.
What an amazing and inspirational story!
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