One teacher's
and the student whose
Don't allow anyone steal your joy.
Don't give them that much power.
On today's Good Start.
Hi guys and welcome to Good Start.
I'm Sally Turner.
This week's show is all about
kindness in schools.
For our first story, one Texas
mother spotted a friendly faculty
member comforting her daughter
during a moment of need.
Little Kenlee is a fourth grader
named Ms. Esther.
They've been friends now for a
couple of years and Kenlee
always just runs up and hugs her.
So they have just a close
connection like that.
Is she your favorite person at
Passmore? Yes.
Yes.
Kenlee, who has autism, was in
the cafeteria at school one morning
wrapped in a blanket.
That's when Ms. Esther came to her
We just happened to catch this photo
this time and it's just gone
viral. But this is nothing
out of the norm for her.
And so I think she knew when Kenlee
was laying on the stage with her
head covered up like that, that
probably the best move was to give
her a bit of a squeeze and a pat
on the back and just whisper
in her calming sweet voice
that she has.
Hollie posted the photo online,
calling Ms. Esther an angel
and praising her for always being
there for Kenlee and her classmates.
It's very comforting knowing that my
child would have her needs
met and feel the love and compassion
and somebody understands and can
give her what she needs in a moment
like that.
Oh, Esther!
What an incredible
story. And it is so true, you truly
remember the impact of those
teachers. I still remember my
English teacher, Ms.
Marshall and the positive impact she
had on my life.
And for our next story, an important
aspect of kindness is really
loving yourself and one girl in
Tennessee is doing just that.
Good morning.
So, yesterday I went to school,
and I wore my hair in an afro like this.
Promise Sawyers
when students at her new school
I was a little confused because
at my old school, a lot
of people loved it and
the teachers said, 'Oh my God your
afro's so cool.'
And then I came to this school, it
was like the exact opposite.
So she took to social media,
posting a
So yesterday, when I came home
I told my mom and she said,
'Promise, don't forget who you are
and whose you are.'
And I said ok.
So today, I'm gonna go to
school and I'm gonna come back
bigger and better.
And don't allow anyone to steal your
joy. Don't give them that much
power.
Her message
The videos received over a million
views.
The direct messages that I've been
receiving and reading through
have really almost left me
emotional.
You know there's so many people
saying, 'Thank you, Promise.' And
you know, 'Thank you for inspiring
me.' I think, overall, it's
what I was around her with, and so,
I don't know if you can see that in the background
but she has tons of tons of
pictures and affirmations.
Also speaking to her, I tell her,
you know, that you're smart, you're
confident, you're loved, you're
cared for.
So I just kind of reiterate that.
And so I think all of those
together kind
of have helped her, you know, with
this. Promise hopes the video will
I hope that they see, like, it
really is, like, truly
ok to be different, like,
you do not have to go to school
dressed as other people.
Like, make yourself stand out like a
highlighter.
Such a simple, yet powerful
message. We could all learn a lot
from Promise.
And for our final story this
week, we all know that
back-to-school blues can lead to
many kids wishing they were
anywhere but school.
Luckily, one teacher is bringing a
touch of magic to her classroom
for the new year.
'Harry Potter' was the book for me.
I was that kid who was in line at
midnight waiting for the book
release.
But for the new school year, her
students
alongside
Like, that feeling, and that wonder,
and that magic, like, I want the
kids when they walk in to feel
that as well.
So I want them want to know more,
and want to read books, and
find books in here that they
are excited about, and they want to
know about.
Staci first started incorporating
'Harry Potter' decorations into
our classroom last year, but
decided to
When the kids walk in, it's always
funny to see because either they
walk in and they're like, 'What?'
Like, 'Where am I?' And
it's like utter confusion.
And then there's some kids who walk
in they're like, 'Oh my gosh!' And
they're total Harry Potter fans.
And they just love it
and they're just excited, and you can see
it. And that's so much of why
I put in the effort and I put in the
time and I invest in the classroom
because I want them to have that
feeling when they walk in and
they're just, they're excited to be
at school.
Staci hopes the
I'm hoping that they look around and
they see that you can create
decorations with book pages and
you can make very simple things
come alive. I hope it inspires them
to be creative and become lovers
of books and more than that.
She hopes that her classroom will
You have to, like, think about what you're
passionate about.
So, I love decorating.
I love doing sensory activities, and
that's what I pour into in my
classroom. So I would say, just tap
into whatever sparks
you and that's going to in turn
spark them.
I believe so much in
the magic of education.
I just think it's the best job in
the world.
I love coming here every single day,
and I just I truly love what I
do.
How seriously lucky are those kids!
One great teacher can have a
tremendous impact on so many
lives. So, keep up the good
work Ms. Lamb.
So, that's it for this week's show.
Be sure to like our page and of
course follow us for more positive
stories to make your day.
Thanks so much for joining us.
And we'll see you back here next
week for another Good Start.