Many teachers share on social media how difficult it can be to watch their students struggle, especially when they want to help but simply don’t have the financial means. Low pay often limits how much they can do beyond the classroom. But one Kentucky teacher refused to let that stop her from making a lasting impact this Christmas.
She surprised her entire class by buying every student a pair of Nike Panda Dunks. In a now-viral video, the kids can be seen lighting up as they open their shoe boxes, with some jumping up and down in pure excitement as they hold their new sneakers.
“Christmas hit different this year,” the teacher wrote in the caption, and judging by the reactions, she wasn’t wrong.
The Kentucky teacher kept posting more videos about what she did. One video showed her taking pictures with the students. What made this video even more special was how most of the kids were already wearing their new shoes. Since the video went viral, one person joked that any kid who was absent that day must now feel terrible. That comment made the teacher post another video that showed how she gave a Nike shoe to a student who wasn’t there during the surprise. “Absent that day. Still family,” she wrote. This is the kind of teacher kids deserve.
People Reacting to the Kentucky Teacher’s Nike Surprise
Over 30 thousand comments were left under the Kentucky teacher’s video, and almost every one of them was celebrating her. Many commented on how this event could mean a lot for the kids as they wrote, “This could literally change a kids life. This is to precious omg.” That was when the teacher replied and shared her own struggles growing up. “That’s what I was thinking! Growing up poor, all I wanted was the shoes everyone else had! I hope it changed at least one of their trajectories,” she wrote. Another person said, “for at least one of those kids it will be the nicest pair of shoes they’ve ever had…and right before Christmas.” The teacher then shared that some of the kids told her just that.
The video quickly reached one of the students’ family members, who took the time to highlight just how much the teacher means to the kids. “I could never thank you enough for all you do for our girl and the rest of your kiddos,” they wrote. “You truly treat them all like your own. She comes home every day with a story about something you did in class. You are by far her favorite teacher and one she will remember forever. You are the BEST, such an amazing human.”
It’s clear she’s made that kind of impact on many of her students.
Another viewer, deeply moved by the gesture, commented, “Honey, I have NEVER seen such a beautiful act of kindness in my life. I know for sure your life will be blessed abundantly if it hasn’t already. God bless you and your beautiful heart.”
