You could probably find a good number of teachers who would tell you that some of their best lessons have not come from a text book.

Some of these teachers go the extra mile to expand their students' horizons and their capacity to make a difference in their own little worlds.

They're teaching the future angels in our midst.

Gary Weems....His smile just brought happiness.

Morgan Fowler....was always energetic, enthusiastic learner, always happy to be at school.

Their young lives ended far too soon. Gary died in 2005 following complications from a heart transplant.

Morgan died from leukemia in 2006.

Fifth grade teacher Rachel Jones knew them both.

Rachel Jones, 5th Grade Teacher; I wanted to do something just to keep their enthusiam and their happiness and their memory alive.

So, three years ago, she added a lesson in compassion to her writing curriculum. Her students would hold a slipper drive for sick children at Sacred Heart Hospital.

Rachel; And learn how to type block letters and semi block letters in the correct format and to ask for donations in memory of Morgan and Gary.

Sarah Colburn, 5th Grader; We said that we're asking for monetary donations or slipper donations for our slipper drive in memory of Gary Weems and Morgan Fowler and also to provide cozy toes for the children at the hospital.

Matthew Ferguson, 5th Grader; I got some money donations and we got two pairs of slippers, well, actually ot three pairs of slippers, a 20 dollar check and a hundred dollar check.

Melissa Izonritei, 5th grader; We all tried to do our est to get as many slippers as we can. Try to get some left over slippers for the kids who come in after we deliver the slippers.

And this is the culmination of the lesson. There is a lot of pride and excitement...And a little apprehension as the children personally deliver more than 300 pairs of slippers to the patients.

There's no grade at the end of this lesson; but perhaps, much more.

Rachel; It's, you know, that's part of what makes a community strong and a school strong and a nation strong, is reaching out and showing love.

Girl; It's so great. It's just so much fun and to see their smiles. It's amazing.

Matthew; Just to see a smile on their faces. And just walk around feeling good that we're doing something, not for ourselves, but for other people...
Just feels really good..Angels In Our Midst (McCarthur Elementary)