There are a lot of incredible teachers in our country that dedicate their lives to educating and caring for our children. While many of them go underappreciated – heartwarming stories also emerge of them being shown the gratitude they deserve. A situation that took place in Bellevue, Nebraska is of the latter.
Trey Payne is a teacher at Logan Fontenelle Middle School, the same school he attended when he was young. One day while at work, he realized that his basketball sneakers had been stolen from his office.
Mr. Payne decided not to put a lot of thought into his stolen Nike KD12 sneakers.
However, little did he know though, his eighth-grade students were actually making a secret plan amongst themselves…
In a video that’s gone viral, Payne is completely surprised when he’s handed a gift bag and greeting card from his students. After reading the card’s message, he then amazingly pulls a shoebox out of the bag and asks, “Are you serious?” The look of shock on his face is priceless.
When Payne opens the box and sees a new pair of basketball sneakers, he can’t control his emotions. In fact, his eyes well up with tears he’s so touched by the gift.
Mr. Payne told KETV NewsWatch 7:
“I told the kids it made me feel like my heart grew three sizes like at the end of The Grinch.”
It’s a scene that’s so moving and heartfelt it might have you needing a tissue too.
The eighth-graders came up with the plan to buy their teacher the replacement shoes all on their own.
According to one of the kids, they began communicating through technology and pooling their money so they could make the purchase. Carlo Kemper explained:
“We made a whole group chat, invited our friends that we thought would donate. We put the money together and ordered the shoes to give to him.”
Another eighth-grader, Emma Mitchell, shared:
“He’s gave to us so much that he deserves it more than anyone.”
The emotional video of Mr. Payne opening his gift was uploaded to social media and it quickly went viral.
Students shared with KETV NewsWatch 7 that they were stunned the video became as wide-spread as it did. While Mitchell hoped that the superintendant would see the footage – the story was noticed by reporters as well.
There was a lot of meaning behind purchasing the sneakers, according to the students. Even more than the shoes, they wanted to make Mr. Payne “happy” and let him know how much they care.
People across the nation have been blown away by the students’ kind act that showed a great deal of thoughtfulness and maturity. But probably not as much as Mr. Payne himself.
During his interview, he told the news station:
“They’re eighth-graders and for them to think outside of themselves. That’s a higher level thinking skill that technically they are not supposed to have yet.”
It’s not every day that youngsters take the time to show their teachers how much they appreciate them. The kids at Logan Fontenelle Middle School did a beautiful thing for Mr. Payne, and surely he’ll never forget it.
Watch the video below to see Payne’s tear-jerking reaction opening up his gift. Just be prepared to have your heartstrings pulled!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
