Educators are vital pillars of our community, yet their contributions are often underestimated. It takes a special person to dedicate themselves to teaching, mentoring and motivating young minds.
Jonathan Oliver, a physical education teacher at WG Nunn Elementary in Valdosta, Georgia, is one example of this commitment. He recently earned recognition for a touching moment of kindness during a children’s basketball game.
When kindergarten teacher Kristen Paulk asked for help with her ponytail, Oliver didn’t hesitate. He knelt on a basketball to be at eye level with her and carefully tied her pigtails to make sure her hair didn’t fall into her face. This tender gesture, captured on video, was shared on YouTube by Kandice Anderson, a fellow teacher
The video, aptly titled “When Your Job Goes Beyond Teaching!” quickly went viral and captured the hearts of many. It eventually caught the attention of Good Morning America, which interviewed the 34-year-old father of three.
“I was surprised by the attention because that’s exactly what we do,” Oliver told Good Morning America, unaware of the recording. “We want students to feel at home and loved. For me, wearing a ponytail just helped.”
Oliver mentioned that while Kristen’s request was for a ponytail, his hairstyling expertise was otherwise quite limited. “If she had asked for something else, I would have said, ‘You better ask your mom,’” he joked.
Kristen’s mother, Miyah Cleckley, expressed her appreciation for Oliver’s gesture. “I always know that Kristen is in excellent hands with him. It was especially touching because my husband helps us a lot with our daughters’ hair, as we have five girls and a son.”
There are many stories of teachers going the extra mile, and Jonathan Oliver’s story is a beautiful example of everyday heroes in education.
We would love to hear your thoughts on this touching story, share them in the comments!
After 20 Years in Captivity, Watch This Circus Lion’s Emotional Reaction to Freedom
Life in captivity strips away the essence of existence. Every creature, whether human or animal, is born to live free. Sadly, countless stories of animals living in chains remind us of the ongoing cruelty they endure.
One such heartbreaking story is that of Mufasa, a mountain lion who spent 20 years chained at a circus in Peru. Forced to live in the back of a pickup truck, his days were marked by neglect, abuse, and confinement.
Circus animals often face unimaginable suffering, and Mufasa was no exception. Thankfully, his nightmare came to an end thanks to the relentless efforts of Animal Defenders International (ADI). The organization worked tirelessly to shut down the circus, and during their mission, they discovered Mufasa in dire conditions.
Rescuing him was no easy task, but ADI’s team succeeded. After years of torment, Mufasa finally got to experience the freedom he was always meant to have. In his final months, he roamed in nature, basking in the care and love he had been denied for so long.
Tragically, Mufasa’s newfound happiness was brief. He passed away due to kidney failure shortly after his rescue. While his time as a free animal was short, it was filled with the dignity and compassion he deserved.
No animal should ever endure the suffering Mufasa faced. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the need to protect and care for all creatures.
May Mufasa rest in peace, knowing he was finally loved.
Watch his incredible story in the video below, and share this article to raise awareness about the plight of animals in captivity.
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