Share
Lifestyle & Human Interest

Kindergarten Teacher Chops Off Hair To Support Little Girl Being Teased in Her Class

Share

Bullying has always been an issue in schools. It’s as prominent today as it was when we were children. Sadly, seeing our children bullied is even more heartbreaking than when it happened to us.

One kindergarten teacher from Willis, Texas, decided to put a stop to bullying by setting a positive example for her students.

Shannon Grimm calls the kids in her Meador Elementary School class her “friends.” And she treats them as if they were her own children.

So when 5-year-old Prisilla Perez found herself being teased for her short haircut, Grimm knew she had to do more than simply put a student in a time out.



Things got so bad that Perez started wearing a hat to school. “Friends started to call her a boy, and those words cut deep,” Grimm told KTRK. “Any time I would put my arm around to help her with her work she would get stiff and nervous.”

“I would cry because I would think school was not fun,” Perez said.

Grimm knew something needed to change for the precious girl. Over the winter break, the compassionate teacher did something unexpected and heartwarming.

Though her long hair was down to her waist, Grimm’s student was more important. The teacher returned to school in 2019 with a pixie cut and a big smile.



“I told them, ‘I think I look beautiful. Don’t you think I do?’” Grimm shared with TODAY Style. “I had to show them boys have long hair like girls and girls have short hair like boys.”

To top it off, Grimm wears a bow to match Perez’s every day, just another reminder that she is beautiful and she is not alone.

“I would definitely do it again,” Grimm told Good Morning America. “In Prisilla’s eyes this is everything to her. And to my students, who learned such a valuable lesson of looking on the inside of someone.”

Willis Independent School District honored Perez as the student of the month by awarding her a medal on Feb. 11, 2019. “In a surprise twist, Prisilla presented her teacher with a medal for being her hero,” the district shared on Facebook.

Do you know a teacher who has gone above and beyond like this one?
Related:
Plastic Surgery Addict Who Got Eyeball Tattoo Now Desperate to Quit After Nearly Dying

“Willis ISD is proud of Ms. Grimm for her willingness to go above and beyond to brighten a child’s world,” the district went on. “Congratulations to TWO very deserving individuals!”



Grimm also shared a video on Facebook in which she expressed in more detail exactly why she cut her hair and what she hopes her students will learn from it.

“When they come to school upset and sad because of the way they look, that destroys me as their teacher,” Grimm said in the vulnerable video. “What better way to show them that you can look any way and still be true to yourself?”



“They are beautiful no matter what they look like, no matter what haircut they have,” Grimm went on. “They are beautiful and I love them no matter what.”

What a fine educator and good friend this teacher is. We applaud her kindness and hope her good deeds turn as infectious as her beautiful smile.

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
, , , , , , , , ,
Share
Sarah Carri is an avid reader and social media guru with a passion for truth and life. Her writing has previously been published in print and online by Focus on the Family and other well known media outlets. Her experience in ministry and Disney entertainment gives her a unique perspective on such topics.
Sarah Carri is an avid reader and social media guru with a passion for truth and life. Her writing has previously been published in print and online by Focus on the Family and other well known media outlets. Her experience in ministry and Disney entertainment gives her a unique perspective on such topics.

Sarah's experience as a successful working stay-at-home mom and business owner has given her the chance to write and research often. She stays up to date on the latest in entertainment and offers her views on celebrity stories based on her wide knowledge of the industry. Her success as a former preschool teacher and licensed daycare provider lend to her know-how on topics relating to parenting and childhood education.

Her thoughts on faith and family issues stem from home life and ministry work. Sarah takes time to attend workshops and classes annually that help her to improve and hone her writing craft. She is a graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature program and her writing has been acclaimed by ACFW and ECPA.
Education
Institute of Children's Literature, Art Institute of Phoenix (Advertising), University of California Irvine (Theater), Snow College (Early Childhood Education)
Location
Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Entertainment, Faith




Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.

Conversation