Concerned
At four years old, Camden was in kindergarten. Usually, children at this age are quite active, but on this particular day, the young boy seemed to be a bit under the weather. Seeing this, his teacher decided to take him aside and talk to him. She wanted to know what was wrong. When she asked the little boy, Camden told her that he was afraid of seeing his father. When the teacher heard this, she was immediately concerned. This was an unusual yet pressing matter which needed to be remedied. She was determined to find out just what was happening here.
Concerned
A Heart For Children
More often than not, teachers go into the profession because of their compassion for children. They feel the urge to follow their calling of shaping and building young minds. Most, if not all, teachers love to teach. They also have a strong sense of responsibility towards the kids under their charge. This is probably one of the reasons students trust and look up to their teachers. The 54-year-old kindergarten teacher Nancy Bleur always made sure that her students were well looked after and content. However, how far would she go in helping her young student with his fears?
A Heart For Children
A Red Flag
Nancy had noticed that during the past few weeks, Camden was unusually withdrawn. The generally warm and playful boy seemed sad and quiet. Aside from that, he was not concentrating well during lessons – a clear red flag to Nancy. The little boy was isolating himself, and his teacher knew that there was a reason for his atypical behavior. When a kid wants to be alone, some kind of trouble is generally brewing.
A Red Flag
The Talk
Nancy and her students have developed a good relationship, and she was determined to help Camden resolve whatever was bothering him. The teacher knew her student better than the young child thought or knew. Taking Camden aside for some privacy, Nancy asked him how he was feeling. They little boy admitted that there was some trouble at home. The teacher knew that further investigation was needed to help her student resolve the situation…
The Talk
Making The Call
After talking to Camden, Nancy knew that she would have to call his father so that they could discuss her concerns. It is never easy to ask a child’s parent for information about their private lives, but if she really wanted to help Camden, she had to make the call. She looked up the little boy’s home phone number in the class record and proceeded to call his dad. The teacher asked the father one question which got him so perplexed he asked her to repeat what she had said.
Making The Call
The Secret Was Out
When Camden’s dad, Darreld, received the call, he thought that Camden had fallen ill or injured himself or was in trouble. So, when the teacher told Darreld why she was calling, the dad was shocked into silence. Camden seemed to have blurted out his father’s secret. Now, the little boy’s teacher knew about the situation. Then, she asked Darreld the question that he really didn’t want to hear. How would he respond, if at all?
The Secret Was Out
Helping Camden
The teacher did not call on impulse. She was well aware that her call could be considered unjustified interference. However, when she remembered Camden’s sad little face, it cemented her resolve. No matter what happened, she would help the boy, even if she had to cross the line. Nancy didn’t want to antagonize Darreld, so she made sure to phrase her question carefully. She just hoped that calling him was the right choice. When the dad finally answered, Nancy knew that action had to immediately be taken.
Helping Camden
Visits From Uniformed Strangers
Nancy had never heard something like Camden’s issue at home before. Apparently, uniformed strangers had been visiting the little boy’s home in the last month. This issue seemed like it was far beyond a regular person, one which could have had a legal element. Camden was worried and terrified that his dad might be taken away again. Even though Nancy was not sure about how she could help, she knew that she had to.
Visits From Uniformed Strangers
Boundaries
As a teacher, Nancy knew that she should not be involving herself in the private life of a student. However, in her years working as a teacher, she had seen far too many situations like this getting out of control and ending in psychological damage and trauma to the child. That day when she talked to Camden, she could see that he was extremely confused and stressed about the events at his home. It didn’t seem like the child could wrap his head around the issue.
Boundaries
A Difficult Choice
The teacher had a duty to help this family, particularly her young and vulnerable student Camden, but could she help them as much as she would like? The little boy adored his kindergarten teacher. He was sure that his beloved teacher was the only one who could help him. Nancy had promised her student she would do everything that she could to try and fix things, and she meant it. Even if she got into trouble herself, she would still help him. However, before she could commit to doing this, there was a difficult choice she had to make.
A Difficult Choice
Going Above And Beyond
All along, the teacher already had an idea of what might be going on. However, she needed to be sure since her way of extending help to this family would require her to make a very big life-changing decision. There was no way that Darreld could have guessed what she was actually considering doing for him and his family. Nancy had gone above and beyond what a teacher is expected to do, and now she was about to make a huge sacrifice. However, was she prepared to make it?
Going Above And Beyond
The First Step
However, if Nancy intended to go to such lengths for Camden’s family, she would have to ensure first that she was mentally prepared for the task ahead, a task that was something only a mentally healthy person could perform. After school, the teacher went to a nearby hospital so she could complete the required paperwork. After this, she was told to get counseling and was referred to a psychologist. She needed to be sure that she was strong psychologically as she was about to embark on quite a journey.
The First Step
All Clear
Nancy was subjected to a lot of physical tests and psychological examinations before she finally received her results. Not a lot of people would be willing to do what she was about to do. Even if they were willing, they still might not be physically able to do it.
All Clear
The Real Situation
Darreld Petersen had been unwell for some time. It was at this stage that he was so unwell, that Camden became frightened at the sight of his father. He needed help, and he needed it now. This is the reason Nancy made her selfless decision. Without their parents, a child cannot really live happily. Seeing kids living unhappy lives is soul destroying.
The Real Situation
A Teacher’s Generosity
You might think that she would help the family by offering to babysit Camden or running some errands for Darreld while he was ill, but her way went much further. Even though most people might feel that the help she was offering Camden’s family was too extreme, she was that kind of person – someone who always goes the extra mile. Nancy wanted to solve the issue once and for all.
A Teacher’s Generosity
Determined To Help
After Darreld answered her initial question when she called him the first time, Nancy knew that she had to help his family in any way she could, including making quite an extraordinary offer. When she received her hospital test results, Nancy got confirmation that she was a perfect candidate. Now, she could confidently help the family knowing that she could make them happy and at the same, not take away too much from herself. But for what?
Determined To Help
Disbelief
Camden’s family was in disbelief. They had never thought that Nancy would offer to do such a thing. After all, not many people would be willing to donate one of their kidneys to another person, much less to someone that they didn’t really know. As the operation date drew near, the family paid Nancy a visit at school, bringing with them flowers to show their gratitude for her selfless act. As it turns out, Darreld’s extended family and friends had already been tested to see whether they were a match. Sadly, none of them were. Darreld was losing hope, but Nancy made her offer.
Disbelief
The Day Has Come
The local news media got wind of this amazing story and all of them expressed their admiration for Nancy and what she had decided to do. On the day when her kidney was to be removed, Nancy said goodbye to family and friends before driving to the hospital. Darreld revealed that he had second thoughts about the whole thing. He knew that it was a serious operation that Nancy would be undergoing and he was worried that something might go wrong. However, he was also aware that she was determined to do it and there was nothing he could say that would change her mind.
The Day Has Come
Experts
The kidney removal would be performed by the best surgeons in Iowa, including Zoe Stewart Lewis, MD, Daniel Katz, MD, and Alan Reed, MD. This fact served to calm Nancy’s loved ones’ frazzled nerves since they knew she would be undergoing a risky procedure, which only the best in the field could handle. They had to make sure that they didn’t hurt Nancy when they took her kidney out of her body, and also properly insert the organ into Darreld’s body.
Experts
A Success
The operation was a success! The kidney was also transplanted into Darreld smoothly. A full recovery was expected for him and Nancy. The doctors had done a marvelous job. Darreld’s family anxiously waited for Nancy. She was greeted by lots of hugging and tears when she came to. They told her that she was now family and if she needed anything, they would always be there for her. Her gift to their family was truly cherished and valued immeasurably.
A Success
Camden’s Promise
Perhaps one of the most affected by his dad’s situation was Camden, but now that Darreld was healthy again and has regained his energy, the little boy was happy and content again. All of his misery and fears had vanished now that he knows his dad would be around for years to come. Camden also promised to be the best student that Nancy ever had. He was not letting his teacher down. His family also thought of doing something else.
Camden’s Promise
Raising Awareness
After both Darreld and Nancy recovered, they discussed what they could do to raise awareness about organ donation. They decided to bring it first to the attention of the team at the University of Iowa Transplant Center. The media joined them and expressed their support for Nancy and Darreld’s mission. Many other people also supported the family and the incredible super teacher who had helped them by literally giving a piece of herself to them.
Raising Awareness
Inspiring Others
Believe it or not, Nancy doesn’t really feel that she did anything extraordinary. One of her friends donated her kidney to another member of her church years ago. Nancy saw the selfless act becoming an integral part of the life odyssey of her friend, and this had motivated her to help Darreld. To Nancy, donating her own kidney was an expected service, and people should do it for one another if possible. It is amazing how heroic acts inspire other heroic acts.
Inspiring Others
Feeling Ecstatic
Nancy was ecstatic when the test results confirmed that she was a match for Darreld. She hadn’t wanted to think of how disappointed she would be if she wasn’t actually a viable donor. She really wanted her plan to help the family come to fruition. Since we already know a lot about Nancy’s side on the matter, let’s go to the actual recipient. What did Darreld think about the matter?
Feeling Ecstatic
Part Of The Family
Darreld has stated that Nancy is now part of his family whatever happens. Aside from that, the Petersens now consider the Iowa City team family as well. They all shared a unique time in their lives that is truly life-changing, and they couldn’t imagine a future without one another in their lives. Nancy is truly an incredible human being and a super teacher. Here is another story of a teacher who discovered something unexpected about one of her students.
Part Of The Family
Morning Routine
That morning, Mrs. Nabors and her class of kindergarteners had finished their morning’s work when the teacher remembered that she hadn’t checked the book bags of her students. For some reason, she felt something was amiss. She found the usual stuff, school-related items, and the occasional items of food meant to be inside a lunch bag during her search. However, she noticed one of her students looking a little shifty.
Morning Routine
Bookbag Checks
Nowadays, many schools conduct bookbag checks. They do this for various reasons but all are related to keeping students safe. Schools do not want anything dangerous or anything that can distract students from their studies to find its way inside the school. Most people would expect younger children not to have anything of concern inside their bags, but are they right to assume that these students are too young to get involved in anything weird or unhealthy?
Bookbag Checks
Sign Of The Times
Don’t you think searching elementary school children like the older kids are searched is a sign of the times? Sadly, criminality is affecting younger students as well. It seems like there isn’t a limit to the things that can go wrong in schools. Needless to say, the situation is concerning to both teachers and parents. However, many parents think searching younger students could cause the children to lose their innocence since young kids might not have a healthy respond to such treatment.
Sign Of The Times
Reasons For Searches
Unfortunately, searches in school are needed in today’s world. While the actual reason for it is unknown, increasing criminality in younger ages still does exist. Most kids don’t bring banned stuff to school because they are vindictive. However, it is not uncommon for students to bring items that may hurt them or others. While a child might not want to intentionally harm someone by bringing a dangerous object to school, they could still use it naively and lethally.
Reasons For Searches
Student Safety
Student safety is very important for schools. At Georgia’s Jefferson Elementary School, homeroom teachers check student bags after morning announcements. Some kids may find this demeaning or a hassle, but everyone has to cooperate as it is important in keeping their fellow students and school staff safe. Usually, the contraband that teachers find are things like portable game stations and banned energy drinks, stuff that would just distract or cause silly behavior in students. However, that morning, Mrs. Nabors came across something quite different.
Student Safety
Second Grade Students
It can be easy for kids to get their hands on stuff that is dangerous, or illicit and best left in the hands of adults. However, how could a young kid get their hands on something which has the potential to bring them harm? Jefferson Elementary second-grade teacher Mrs. Nabors truly believes that all her students know what items they cannot bring to school. This is why she wasn’t doing a thorough search that morning. She never really found anything concerning… until then.
Second Grade Students
Distracted
The children got reminded of the book fair being held soon thanks to the morning announcements. The kids were looking forward to it as the event was a lot of fun and there were interesting books that they truly wished to get their hands on. Mrs. Nabors hadn’t checked her students’ bags as early as usual because of the distraction and all of the excited commotion that was happening around her.
Distracted
Almost Slipped Her Mind
It was difficult to reign in the excited kids and they were understandably slow to begin their morning work. That day, the daily routine seemed to have fallen by the wayside and the bag check almost slipped Mrs. Nabors’ mind. Books were supposed to make kids to sit quietly! That was when Mrs. Nabors remembered that she was supposed to do the search. The good thing is she didn’t completely forget.
Almost Slipped Her Mind
Unusual Reaction
After the teacher announced that the bag search was about to begin, her students lined up dutifully. However, there was one girl who was watching everything with bated breath. This made Mrs. Nabors think that the second grader didn’t just have an illicit game inside her bag. When the teacher went to pick up the bag, she saw something moving inside it. She has encountered a lot of interesting items that kids had snuck in, but the wriggling form was definitely a new one.
Unusual Reaction
What Was Inside
When Mrs. Nabors opened the bag, she saw two little eyes looking at her, those of a puppy. The young girl watched the teacher lift the dog out of the bag. A puppy may affect other kids who are allergic to dogs, but Mrs. Nabors showed an incredible amount of consideration and restraint. She was presented with something so adorable. However, she was also taking the safety of her students into consideration. Even though this was a violation of the school rules, the teacher thought of another way to make the little girl understand.
What Was Inside
A Diplomatic Way
Mrs. Nabors didn’t shout at her young student for sneaking in a dog. Instead, she came up with a more diplomatic way to sort the situation out. The kind teacher let the non-allergic children hold and cuddle the adorable puppy. Needless to say, they all fell in love with him right away. The girl who brought the dog to school was young. She simply wanted her new furry pal to be with her the entire day and not left alone at home. It seemed like harsh punishment was too cruel, but the teacher did have something to say.
A Diplomatic Way
What Happened
Mrs. Nabors had to know if the puppy belonged to her student and how he ended up in the bag. The young girl innocently answered that her mom probably packed him in her bag with her lunch pail. Believe it or not, that is exactly what happened. The girl’s mother was distracted that morning while she was rushing to get ready. She somehow picked up the poor puppy, mistaking it for something which her daughter would need for school…
What Happened
Time To Go Home
The kids had made the puppy the class mascot and he was really well behaved. However, he could not stay. The puppy needed to return home, where there was food, water and a bed for him. The classroom is not exactly the most suitable environment for a pooch. Mrs. Nabors called the young girl’s mom and told her about the puppy. Needless to say, the mother was shocked and embarrassed after realizing what she had done. She came to the school to fetch both her daughter and the puppy, but before they left, Mrs. Nabors wanted to do one last thing.
Time To Go Home
The Perfect Mascot
Mrs. Nabors had been trying to find a mascot for the upcoming book fair, and Jake the puppy was the ideal candidate. The hilariously cute slogan, ‘Paws for a Good Book,’ also worked wonderfully and went down well with the children, who adored Jake. However, the puppy’s presence did much more than just make the kids’ day. We all know that dogs can have subtle effects on the mood and behavior of people. Jake also had a positive effect on other students at the school.
The Perfect Mascot
Top Dog
Jake’s presence had definitely brought hope to some of the kids. They might not have known it but they needed the experience of playing with the puppy. A dog can make anyone smile and can make really sad people laugh and momentarily forget their troubles. While Jake was the first dog to be the school’s representative, he was definitely not the last. There have been others like the service dog Dottie. We hope Jake will share the attention even if he considers himself Jefferson Elementary’s top dog.
Top Dog
There is no doubt that these stories of kind and loving teachers melted our hearts. After all, who wouldn’t be touched by what these teachers did? This leads us to our next story, where this time, the teacher wasn’t as kind as the previous ones we’ve talked about. As Kamdyn Piland came home teary-eyed and distraught from school, his parents were concerned. As they attempted to find out what was wrong with the small boy, the 2nd-grader made light of the situation and attempted to shrug it off. His parents kept asking him what was bothering him until he finally gave them a piece of paper with a scathing remark from his teacher written on it.
Unhelpful Piece Of Criticism
When Chris, Kamdyn’s father, read the note, he realized that it was not a good thing to read, especially coming from a teacher! Indeed, the note appeared to be a personal attack on his son! He was not going to let it go, just like any father would after receiving a demeaning remark directed at their child. Let’s see what the teacher had to say about Kamdyn after the father’s response went viral.
Unhelpful Piece Of Criticism
A Regular Kid
According to Chris, Kamdyn is just like any other kid. He wasn’t hyperactive, and he wasn’t addicted to video games, TV shows, or eating too much candy. This is why Kamdyn’s family was taken aback when they saw the nasty comments Kamdyn’s instructor had written on his homework.
A Regular Kid
Something Serious
When Chris saw the letter scrawled on his son’s schoolwork, he wondered if something serious was going on with him, and as a loving parent, he resolved to investigate the situation straight away. However, what he discovered was unappealing in every sense.
Something Serious
A Regular School
Kamdyn was a 2nd-grade student at Valley View Elementary School at the time. When it comes to schools, you might think Valley View is just like any other public school, but not for Kamdyn. While he isn’t an “overachiever,” you can be sure he’s a brilliant little lad!
A Regular School
Many Complaints
His parents assumed Kamdyn was doing well in school, therefore they didn’t pay attention to Kamdyn’s academic achievement. In fact, whenever Kamdyn receives feedback on his work, he does not take it seriously. However, as the school year progressed, complaints about Kamdyn’s performance began to mount.
Many Complaints
Good At School
At many ways, he’s like any other kid, but Chris felt Kamdyn was doing fine in school. After all, practically every child despises his or her homework. Kamdyn had no trouble accomplishing his homework, at least until the beginning of second grade.
Good At School
He Couldn’t Just Watch
Chris couldn’t bear witnessing his son’s performance deteriorate. He was well aware that he needed to intercede and take action. He realized he needed to do something, but what precisely had happened to cause the poor youngster to fall behind in school?
He Couldn’t Just Watch
Struggling In School
Kamdyn wasn’t a particularly brilliant child, but Chris could see that his son was experiencing some difficulties with his schoolwork. In reality, Kamdyn’s grades began to slip a little more, but Chris thought it was unusual for his son to suddenly fall behind in school.
Struggling In School
Way Too Harsh
His father recognized it was because of his instructor, Alyssa Rupp Bohenek, when he brought home a piece of criticism from her. “Absolutely pathetic! He answered 13 in 3 minutes! Sad! ” said the note. This was far too harsh, Chris thought.
Way Too Harsh
Ms. Alyssa
It was written by Alyssa Bohenek, who had been teaching at the school for quite some time. She’d made a name for herself as a difficult-to-please teacher. Kamdyn was in her class, and their relationship had clearly been rocky thus far.
Ms. Alyssa
His Teacher
Kamdyn’s every move would draw her attention, and every misstep he committed would result in a severe written reprimand. The negative comments definitely harmed this impoverished child’s confidence and self-esteem, as seen by the poor kid’s declining grades.
His Teacher
Addressing Bad Grades
No parent wants to hear that their child is having academic difficulties. Regardless, it’s usually best to deal with the problem as quickly as feasible. How to deal with unsatisfactory marks has long been a source of contention.
Addressing Bad Grades
Tough Love
In other circumstances, spending additional time with the youngster and working through the lessons may be necessary. In some cases, more training is required. Tough love, on the other hand, is rarely effective in this age group.
Tough Love
Constructive Criticism Please
Even grownups might become exhausted by negative criticism. We understand that we will have to deal with it at some time, but constructive or professional criticism is always more beneficial.
Constructive Criticism Please
A Huge Blow
A person’s self-confidence and self-esteem are constantly shattered when they are mercilessly humiliated for no reason. Consider how much more a youngster would be harmed if it was delivered by someone in a position of authority.
A Huge Blow
As A Mentor
Being a teacher is not easy, but one thing we can all agree on is that this position necessitates a positive role model. After all, a teacher is more than a person who offers lectures and lessons.
As A Mentor
A Leader
It’s also crucial for these folks to grow into strong leaders who can make a positive difference in the lives of their students. Bohenek appeared to be failing to complete this section of the work.
A Leader
Not Helpful Whatsoever
We can understand Chris’ wrath in response to the teacher’s remark about his son’s schoolwork. She acted inappropriately and went too far. Couldn’t she have offered him constructive feedback instead of assaulting him personally?
Not Helpful Whatsoever
Only Made Things Worse
Chris wanted his son to achieve well in school, but he understood that his actions would not assist him. In fact, there was a good chance it was intensifying the situation!
Only Made Things Worse
A Recurring Problem
Is it possible that this was Mrs. Bohenek’s only negative remark that year? Chris might not have made such a big deal about it if that were the case. Since the beginning of the school year, she has been sending the same type of criticism.
A Recurring Problem