Beyond the School
Despite being essential members of our community, teachers frequently receive little recognition. Their lives are devoted to instructing, modeling, and guiding the next generation. One such hero is Jonathan Oliver, a physical education teacher at Valdosta, Georgia’s WG Nunn Elementary School, who recently won over many people’s hearts with his kind deed.
A Small Motion That Has a Huge Effect
Kristen Paulk, one of Oliver’s kindergarten students, came up to him during a basketball game asking for assistance. She requested that he restyle her hair into a ponytail. Oliver picked up a basketball, bent over, and immediately set about pulling Kristen’s braids out of her face. He had no idea that Kandice Anderson, a colleague educator, had recorded the touching incident on camera.
Touching Hearts All Around
The moment Anderson uploaded the video to YouTube, it became extremely popular. The video’s title, “When your job goes beyond teaching!” sums it all up.The public expressed their sincere gratitude and support for Oliver. Good Morning America noticed the clip and contacted Oliver to set up an interview.
A Modest Instructor
Oliver said in the interview, “We all do it, so I never expected it to receive so much attention.” “We want the students to have a great time and feel comfortable here. Oliver saw helping Kristen with her ponytail as just another day of providing his kids with the kind of attention they need. We strive to show them love as often as we can.
Beyond Style of Hair
Oliver assisted Kristen with her ponytail even though he isn’t a hair stylist. He made the amusing comment that anything more complicated than a ponytail would mean calling her mother for help. Miyah Cleckley, Kristen’s mother, conveyed her appreciation for Oliver’s gentle disposition. She said, “I always know Kristen is in very good hands with him.” Cleckley, who has one son and five daughters, is grateful for Oliver’s assistance.
We are reminded of the compassion and commitment found in our educational system by educators such as Jonathan Oliver. Even if their good deeds can go unappreciated, their influence is immense.
Quick wit and unexpected outcomes
Clever responses often lead to unexpected and humorous outcomes which remind us of the power of humor and quick thinking in our daily interactions.
Most times, well-timed jokes can help turn awkwardness into amusement, and dullness into delight.
Late into the night, a husband texted his wife, asking her to wash his dirty clothes and prepare his favorite dish before he returned home. But, there was no reply. Undeterred, he sent yet another text in which he bragged about salary increase, writing that he was planning to get her a new car. A few moments later, the wife quickly responded, “OMG, really?” The husband cleverly replied, “No, I just wanted to make sure you got my first message.” What a twist!
In another story, a man returned home and saw his wife of ten years packing her bags. Surprised, he asked her where she was going, to what she replied, “I’m off to Las Vegas! I’ve discovered there are men willing to pay me $500 cash for what I do for you for free!” Taken aback by her words, the man paused for a moment and started packing his own bags. When his wife questioned his sudden action, he calmly responded, “I’m coming to Las Vegas with you… I want to see how you’ll manage on $1,000 a year!” His words definitely left her speechless.
In yet another story, an elderly lady had patiently waited for a parking spot in a crowded lot. Out of the blue, a young man in his new red Mercedes zoomed past her and parked in the very spot she had her eyes on. Feeling angered, she confronted the man, saying, “I was going to park there!” The man, displaying a smart-aleck attitude, retorted, “That’s what you can do when you’re young and bright.” This witty comeback emphasized the generational difference and put a smile on the elderly lady’s face, showcasing how humor can bridge gaps and bring unexpected joy even in times of minor conflicts.
Leave a Reply