You all know how much I love teachers,
and I'm feeling especially grateful for them right now,
so today, we're going to surprise
an incredible first grade teacher from Oakland,
California who's been staying connected
to students by reading to them every day during quarantine.
He's also been going out of his own pocket
to support his students' families.
Wow.
His name is Peter Limata, and right now, he
thinks he's about to Zoom with a producer.
He is, but the producer's me.
Let's go.
Hi, Peter!
No!
[CHUCKLES]
No!
Yes!
Oh!
Wait, you're the producer?
[INAUDIBLE]
That's right.
I'm a producer.
[CHUCKLES]
No!
I feel like someone needs to wake me up.
No.
I just want to meet you and say, I think you're so amazing.
You're a first grade teacher at Emerson Elementary,
and you're doing so many beautiful things.
Tell us about your school, please.
I'm sorry, I'm just starting to catch my breath.
This is such an honor, oh my God.
I'm sorry.
That's all right.
Oh my God.
It was a surprise.
Oh my God, I'm--
I'm sorry.
[CHUCKLING]
OK, [INAUDIBLE].
I'm sorry.
Oh my God.
Mom, you should see this.
Oh my God.
[CHUCKLING]
OK.
[DEEP BREATH]
OK.
I'm sorry, yes.
No, it's fine.
We surprised you, so of course.
You didn't expect to see me.
So your school is Emerson Elementary.
And what you're doing during the quarantine
to help these students is amazing.
First of all, they count on the school for lunch, right?
Yes.
It is-- I teach first grade at Emerson Elementary in North
Oakland, and yeah, it's a title I school,
so over 75% of our kids get free and reduced lunch,
and a lot of them come from very highly-impacted communities
and tough areas where even I'm scared to walk sometimes.
But then it's like, when I think of them,
and just the community there, I love them.
I've chosen this place.
They chose me, and I think it's definitely destiny for me here.
I love it.
Yeah.
Well, they're so lucky to have you.
And why did you want to read to them during this time?
Because this has really taken off.
It's very popular now, what you're doing.
I'm shocked.
To just even be here with such an amazing person right now,
it just shows how much impact it's had.
But I chose to read because I wanted to connect to my kids.
I wanted to connect with them, and just have that continuity.
Like, what do we do?
How do I connect with them?
And so reading books has been amazing.
And so that's how I started doing storytime
with Mr. Limata.
It's funny, because Mr. Limata has always been my dad, but--
no, yeah, so I started doing that,
and yeah, it's taken on a life of its own.
But you started-- you were helping students long
before the quarantine.
You're always paying out of pocket.
You do so much for them, right?
And you're the soccer coach.
And I know you buy all the equipment yourself
because the school can't afford it.
You pick them up.
You drive them to games.
What is it about-- why do these students mean so much to you?
You know, it's what they bring to me, what they represent.
Being with them in the classroom has just been amazing.
You see their small faces, everything that they bring.
They just make me smile, they make me feel good.
And then when I think about it in this time,
during this shelter in place, they just bring so much joy.
They remain resilient.
They're always caring for each other.
They're always joking with me, just making me feel good.
And so every time I think about them,
it's like, that is what I want, and they make me feel good.
And so it's just-- being around them is the best feeling ever.
Well, I know, as you said, it's title I school.
The school needs a lot.
It needs books.
It needs sports equipment, technology,
and we want to help.
I am partnering with Box Tops for Education
to celebrate incredible teachers like you,
and they want to give Emerson Elementary school $25,000.
Oh my God.
Oh my God, thank you so much.
Oh.
So now you don't have to go out of pocket yourself to do this.
This is for the school.
And I want to talk to you more about you when we come back.
We'll take a break.
We'll be right back.
All right.
Thank you.
Oh my God.
We're back with a wonderful teacher named Peter Limata.
Before the break, we learned what
an incredible teacher and what an incredible person you are.
There's something else that you want to share.
Here's what's amazing about you.
You're originally from Zambia, Africa.
And not only are you doing this for your students
and your school, but you're also supporting your family
back home.
You're sending money to them.
Yes.
I'm from Zambia.
I moved to the US in July of 2011.
And yes, the time has flown by.
But yeah, just being able--
it's been a blessing, really, because I've
been able to send money to my dad for rent,
and also just his upkeep, necessities.
And then also my nieces and nephews every now and then,
they'll need money for school, tuition.
I have a niece on my dad's side who's in college now,
and so she will ask for tuition fees, exam fees,
and I'm able to do that.
So that has been really--
it feels good.
I'm glad that I somehow ended up in this position
that I can be able to share the love with my family for sure.
Well, yeah.
Most people in your position would not really
be doing as much as you're doing for both
your family and those students.
You're an incredible person, so I want to tell you,
not only does Box Tops for Education
want to give your school $25,000,
they want to give you $25,000.
Oh, no!
Oh!
Yes.
[CHUCKLING]
Thank you so much.
Oh my God, oh.
Oh, I don't know what to--
oh!
Oh!
Thank you.
You're amazing.
Oh, no, thank you so much.
Oh my God.
Yeah.
When my producer showed me the--
when they introduced me to you and I learned about you,
I was like, what a special man he is.
So I'm so happy that I got to meet you
and to say thank you for all you're doing.
To help teachers at your school, download the Box Tops
for Education app on your phone, and we'll be right back.
Peter, you're awesome.
You're an amazing guy.
Thank you for everything.
Thank you so much.
You're such an inspiration.
Thank you.
And [INAUDIBLE] my class, I tell the kids in my class
every time to look up to such powerful and inspiring people,
and you are absolutely one of them.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Well, they have that in you.
They see you every single day.
You're a great example for them.
So this will help you.
Oh, thank you.
Absolutely, it will.
[CHUCKLES]
All right.
Peter, take care.
Thank you.
Love you.
Oh my God, thank you so much.
Bye.