Teachers deserve so much more than they get. Many people think their job ends when the school bell rings. But in reality, educators have mounds of papers to grade, they prepare for the next day’s lesson, they spend time consulting with parents, plus more … all on their personal time at home.
Then, there are the principals whose job it is to ensure that schools run seamlessly. Along with students and teachers, the pandemic has made things quite challenging for them. As the person at the top, they see and hear about everything … good and bad.
Extending a hand
If you were to scour the internet, you’d have no problem finding stories about teachers and principals who’ve gone above the call of duty to help their students. However, many of them are about educators who did a one-time good deed. That alone is fantastic but for a certain high school principal, it’s not enough.
He’s an inspiration
Henry Darby serves as the principal at North Charleston High School in North Charleston, South Carolina. To him, every student is valued. And he takes their struggles to heart, whether they’re simple or serious.
Leading by example
The thing about Mr. Darby is that he doesn’t just “talk the talk”. He literally “walks the walk.” Every day at school, he takes time to interact with the students, and he’s always there if someone him.
An unbelievable act of kindness
But Mr. Darby did something that a principal typically wouldn’t do. Being a good leader on campus is one thing but to support his struggling students, he took a second job at Walmart. As he stated, “I know that my students will not always be in poverty … I know that because that’s what we are.”
Staying mum
When Mr. Darby first started working for Walmart, he didn’t let on that he was the principal of a high school. But the store manager, Cynthia Solomon, as well as other employees, knew from the get-go that he was different. She stated, “Even before we knew, there was something special about him.”
His secret revealed
It didn’t take long for people to hear about Mr. Darby’s story. But as he explained, he felt it was his responsibility to do something considering that roughly 90 percent of the student body are at the poverty level. For him, sitting back and doing nothing wasn’t okay.
Amazing insight
When asked why he decided to work at Walmart, he had this to say. “I get a little emotional because when you’ve got children you’ve heard sleeping under a bridge or a former student and her child, they’re sleeping in a car, or when you go to a parent’s house because there are problems and you knock on the door … there are no curtains and you see a mattress on the floor.” As he speaks, there’s no question that he’s deeply touched.
Strong beliefs
Mr. Darby stands on two principles. First, he hopes his students will follow his example of being kind. Second, he strongly believes the issue of poverty will improve.
His students respond
Learning what Mr. Darby is doing had made the students even prouder of him. They see his optimistic spirit and have a tremendous amount of respect. But it was how Walmart responded that shocked everyone, including the principal.
A charitable donation
Knowing that Mr. Darby took the job at Walmart to ease the financial burden of his students and their families, the corporation also wanted to help. So, in front of a huge crowd, including his students, they presented him with a check for $50,000. As they handed it over, a Walmart representative said, “You’re awesome and we appreciate you here at Walmart for all you are doing to serve your community.”
In response, Mr. Darby had few words, “I’m speechless, sir.” This principal is a perfect example of how we can all do a little bit more to help people in need. To see the story unfold, click on the video below.
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