Elementary schoolers stunned by teacher’s 'passionate' gesture: ‘It brought tears to my eyes’

An elementary school teacher is going viral for the inventive way she’s keeping in touch with her students while they’re stuck at home.

Brandy Hurtado, who teaches at W.O. Gray Elementary School in Balch Springs, Texas, planned the heartwarming gesture after her in-person classes were suspended, according to Good Morning America.

Hurtado, 39, started with virtual check-ins, but then one of her students asked if she could come visit them.

“I was on a call with one of my students, and I could see that something was bothering him and he said that he missed me and asked if I could come over and see him,” Hurtado told Good Morning America.

So the teacher came over — while still maintaining a social distanced degree of separation, that is. Hurtado visited the student’s house in her car with a giant “I Miss You” poster, painted with massive letters and hearts.

The move was apparently so successful that Hurtado started doing it for all of her students, driving across the city to visit as many kids as she could.

Hurtado’s students said the “drive-bys” certainly helped them, especially during a time when they’re stuck at home and missing their teacher.

““I was happy because I miss her and I like to go to school a lot,” Salmon Mitchell, 6, told Good Morning America. “I like the help she gives me and I like when she helps me do good.”

Jennifer LaPlante, the principal at Hurtado’s school, also praised the idea, calling it the sort of “passionate” move she’s come to expect from her staff.

“I say it daily. I am blessed with amazing staff and I am so proud of them. I was not surprised,” LaPlante told Good Morning America.

And the gesture seemed to make members of the community feel the same way. The school’s Facebook post sharing photos of Hurtado’s drive-bys has since gone viral, earning 31,000 shares and thousands of supportive comments.

“This is sooooo Amazing and brought tears to my eyes. All I can say is, ‘Awwwwwwwww,'” one commenter wrote.

“I love this so much! Thank you Mrs. Hurtado for the inspiration! The smiles on your students faces are so uplifting,” another wrote.

“You are the teachers that we need. To teach our children not only education but how to love outside their family. This is awesome and makes me wished my kids went to your school,” another added.

The post Teacher uses drive-by visits to stay in touch with kids stuck at home appeared first on In The Know.

More to read:

These chic adaptive utensils were made for people with dexterity issues

This device both fully sanitizes and wirelessly charges your phone

Dollar Shave Club is here to make your home grooming routine easier than ever