One student noticed his favorite teacher was absent for too long and learned he was struggling to feed his children. The teenager organized something special with his family, and then, as a surprise, they met at the professor’s house.
Billy walked quickly to the principal’s office while he thought about what he had to say. He would ask the headmaster, Mr. Geller, if Mr. Davidson would be back anytime soon. Mr. Davidson was her original physics teacher and he was the best teacher in the world. He encouraged all students and although physics could be tricky, he was good at explaining it.
They got a substitute teacher because Mr. Davidson’s wife had died and the professor had some things to sort out. He asked for time off to take care of the rest. But Billy and almost everyone in the class wanted him back as soon as possible. The substitute professor was fine, but he didn’t have the ability to explain the teaching material well. Besides, he wasn’t as nice as Mr. Davidson.
So Billy wanted to check if her original teacher was coming back soon and if he could help. But just outside the office, Billy overheard Mr. Geller talking to Ms. Salinger, his assistant. And it wasn’t good news.
But Billy laughed. “I didn’t realize I had to ask permission to help our teacher,” he said sardonically.
“I don’t think Doyle is coming back, Linda. He’s in real trouble,” said the Headmaster. Billy’s ears perked up.
“Why? It’s been almost a month,” Ms. Salinger commented.
“Well, yes. But his wife was actually the one with the better paying job and now he’s struggling without her but with her medical bills. Apparently he can barely afford to support his children. He told me, that he calculated things and becoming a supplier for Amazon or Uber might pay him better. It’s awful,” Mr Perkins continued, and Billy could imagine him shaking his head.
“Well, being a teacher, even the most popular, isn’t the most lucrative job. We have to admit that,” Ms. Salinger added.
“Yes, I wish things were different. Anyway, get me Mr. Lucas’ information. We may have to offer him a permanent position,” added the Headmaster, and Billy heard him walk away from Mrs. Salinger’s desk. The conversation had obviously ended and the teenager was devastated.
“Mr. Davidson isn’t coming back? And he’s having trouble raising his children because he has to pay his debts?” wondered Billy, scratching his head as he walked back to his classroom.
He didn’t know what he or anyone could do for the man, but his friends noticed his worried face as he arrived at the class. So Billy had to tell them and everyone was saddened by the news. Her other classmates were curious, and before long they were all suggesting ideas.
“GoFundMe? That’s what people do all the time,” suggested a teenager named Mark. The others nodded in agreement.
“That’s a good idea,” Billy pointed out, but his lips pursed. “Also, how about a food drive or maybe gifts for his kids? Money isn’t the only problem they have. His kids lost their mother. They must be sad and depressed.”
“Yes!” Everyone agreed and started planning.
***
Billy created a GoFundMe page that night, shared the link across social media including her city’s Facebook groups, and encouraged everyone to get involved and share the appeal. People started donating right away.
The other children in his class organized a food and toy drive at school a few days later. They set up a table and had made posters and put them up around town so everyone could contribute.
However, no one said anything to the school staff and Mr Perkins was furious when he discovered the commotion they were making outside of school. “Billy! What does that mean?” he wanted to know.
Billy shrugged and explained like it was the most logical situation. “Mr. Davidson deserves it.”
“Who said you could do that? Who gave you permission?” Mr. Perkins asked angrily, and the noise of the students was completely silenced. Others had heard him and didn’t know what to do.
But Billy laughed. “I didn’t realize I had to ask permission to help our teacher,” he said sardonically. Everyone nodded and laughed, but Mr. Perkins was not amused.
He started scolding the students, telling them to stop immediately and the situation got out of hand because none of them wanted to stop the action. Mr Perkins even snatched one of the lunch boxes from a teenager’s hands while yelling at everyone around him.
But suddenly it all stopped because Mrs. Finnegan, the richest and most influential woman in the Parents-Teachers Association, arrived. All of her children were honors students, including Harry, who was in Billy’s class and helped with the campaign. Other mothers from the Parents’ Association accompanied the elegant woman, and Billy noticed the bags of canned goods in her hands.
“Hello everyone! Oh, Mr. Perkins, there you are. I was in your office, but of course you are here with the children,” she approached the headmaster, who had stopped shouting as soon as he noticed her . “I have to tell you when Harry told me about the campaign I was so proud. Not only is this great charity and community work but it is also what is best for the school. Mr Davidson is an excellent person. We need him on the staff. In addition, all children can enter this charity campaign in their application for their studies.”
The people around them were laughing and Mr. Perkins’ mouth was tight with anger. Ms. Finnegan added her bags to the stacks and took the lead. Billy didn’t mind, and neither did the rest of the class, for she had silenced their Headmaster’s anger and they could continue to do so for their beloved teacher.
A few hours later they arranged everything and Billy had a new idea which he shared with his classmates. Everyone agreed, even Ms. Finnegan and the other mothers. Suddenly everyone packed their things into their vehicles and sped off.
***
Mr. Davidson opened his door to the biggest surprise he had ever seen. He held a toddler in his arms and the child started laughing. All his students and some mothers parked on his street and came to his house. He was embarrassed because his house was small but decent. However, he was not aware of what was going on.
One of his top students, Billy, came over with a big grin and explained the situation. The physics teacher couldn’t find the words and his two older children came to the door. Billy tried to explain what was going on before Mrs. Finnegan took charge and sent everyone home and to work. People began to fill Teacher’s pantry with food while others played with the children. One of the other mothers started feeding the toddler.
Mr Davidson thanked them for their generosity but appeared confused by the situation. He waved his hands and moved from side to side while others worked in his home. But things settled down once people finally left the house. Billy was the last to leave.
“Mr. Davidson, we just wanted you to know that there is no teacher like you. We want you back and it’s terrible that teachers are no longer being paid for their hard work,” the student explained, his eyes filling himself with tears. Mr. Davidson was a proud man but became more sensitive after the death of his wife.
“We hope your family mourns without worry and that you can return to teach us. Because you are the best,” the student continued. “Oh, and we’ve created a GoFundMe page. When we reach the goal, I’ll send it to you.
Mr. Davidson was grateful and hugged his student. His children joined them.
He watched the boy get in his car and drive away, but he stayed on his porch. “Sometimes I didn’t know if my work was appreciated or if I could make a difference as a teacher. But now I know I made it,” thought Mr. Davidson before finally walking inside.
Two days later, he returned to school as donations from the GoFundMe page were more than enough to pay all of his late wife’s medical bills. Ms. Finnegan had donated the most, but Mr. Perkins also made a generous donation.
The children clapped as their teacher entered the classroom and Mr Davidson blushed. Before beginning the class, he took a moment to tell them how much their surprise meant to him and his children. His words caused an emotional chaos in the class.
But the physics teacher cleared his throat and said, “Okay, let’s go back to our regular curriculum,” he said, grabbing his chalk and beginning the lesson.
What can we learn from this story?
Teachers should be paid more appropriately because they shape the future . It’s awful how undervalued teachers can be, especially in terms of salary, but Mr Davidson learned he was appreciated after such a memorable gesture.
A good person can draw good things out of other people. Billy wanted to help Mr Davidson. His classmates volunteered to help him, following his example. Even the mothers of the Parents-Teachers Association were encouraged to contribute as well.
Share this story with your friends. It could brighten their day and inspire them.
If you liked this story, you might like this story about a boy who is supporting his widowed teacher’s child and received a visit from the principal.
This story was inspired by the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names and locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Tell us your story; maybe it will change someone’s life. If you would like to share your story with us, please send it to [email protected] .