Students Bring Teacher To Tears When They Contribute To Replace His Stolen Shoes

Feb 26, 2020

Teachers are among the most important people in children’s lives. Teachers are not only responsible for imparting knowledge in math, English, and other subjects, but also teaching kids how to grow into responsible adults. Unfortunately, teachers usually aren’t given the credit they deserve in our society, but a group of students from Bellvue, Nebraska wanted to show how much they care for one of their teachers when something very important to him was stolen. His response, as they say, speaks for itself.

Trey Payne is an eighth-grade teacher at Logan Fontenelle Middle School in Bellevue. Earlier this month, Trey had an expensive pair of Kevin Durant 12’s sneakers stolen from his office. While annoyed at having his favorite pair of kicks stolen, Trey didn’t think much of it and planned on buying a new pair when he saved up the money. The kids in his class had other ideas, however.

Trey’s students heard of the theft and got together to buy him a new pair. Speaking with reporters from KETV News, student Emma Mitchell says that Mr. Payne gives so much to her and her fellow students that he deserved the kind gesture. Another student, Carlo Kemper, says that he and a group of friends set up an online chat for people to donate and ordered the shoes online once they met their goal.

When the time came for the big reveal, Trey was a little suspicious of what his students had done for him. A card and gift bag were placed on his desk as students begged him to read the note first. Reading the letter to himself, Trey picked up the bag, later noting its heavy weight to reporters from KETV. Whispering, “I hope this isn’t shoes guys,” Trey was shocked to see that his students had replaced his prized sneakers. Moved to tears by the kindness shown to him, Trey embraced his students in a group hug.

Video of the students’ act of kindness was later posted to Twitter and TikTok, where it has already been watched over a million times. Reflecting on the event, Trey says that he feels like the Grinch, his heart having grown three times larger. Trey also says that the show of kindness affirms his teaching style. During his class sessions, Trey tries to teach his students that it is important to do things to build each other up, a lesson learned by each and every one of the kids in his class.

What do you think of how the kids in Trey’s class bought him a new pair of sneakers? As a student, did you ever do anything to let your teachers know how much you appreciate them?