Deaf Janitor Left In Tears When Kindergarten Class Signed Happy Birthday Song Just For Him
November 01, 2018
A janitor's work is never done. But when James Anthony got called down to a classroom, it was for a different reason. Since they couldn't sing it to him, the kindergarten class signed the 'Happy Birthday' song as a very special and moving surprise for the deaf custodian!
What a precious moment! Hickerson Elementary custodian, James Anthony, got the surprise of a lifetime when the Kindergarten students signed a special message to him.
RELATED: Entire Neighborhood Comes Together To Sing The Happy Birthday Song To Neighbor Turning 98
WATCH: Kindergarten Class Signed 'Happy Birthday' To Deaf Janitor
Our Kindergarten classes learned how to sign Happy Birthday for Mr. James' birthday today. He was so surprised! 💛🖤💛🖤
Posted by Hickerson Elementary on Tuesday, October 23, 2018
James Anthony, aka “Mr. James”, is a fixture in this Tennessee school. He's been working there for 15 years and in the district for 30 years!
Mr. James may be deaf. But that hasn't stopped him from setting an incredible example for the kids, teaching them about good manners and being kind to one other. He's made tons of friends and is known for stopping to teach the children sign language.
RELATED: Special Angel Takes Blind, Deaf Man By The Hand And Has Everyone In Tears
And so, the young kindergarten classes knew they wanted to surprise their favorite school helper for his 60th birthday.
Kindergarten Class Plans A Special Surprise
With the help of teachers Mrs. Allyssa Hartsfield and Mrs. Amy Hershman, these eager kindergarteners learned how to sign “Happy Birthday.” That way, they could sing to Mr. James and be a part of his celebration.
credit: facebook.comThe video taken by the school nurse, Angela Ridner, shows Mr. James walking into a room full of very excited students. The kindergarten class signed, and also sang “Happy Birthday”, leaving the janitor completely stunned. Putting his hands up to his head, he begins to laugh in celebration. Mr. James showed that he was completely wowed by their special gift!
"His reaction was ecstatic," kindergarten teacher Allyssa Hartsfield said. "He cried, and of course we got emotional with him. After it was over, he said, 'This is the best birthday present you could've given me.'"
We’re so glad that Hickerson Elementary shared this heartwarming video! What a bright spot in our day to see these wonderful children working so hard to be a blessing to someone else. Reading the comments on social media shows how much of an impact Mr. James has had on the children that have passed through his halls over the years.
“He was my basketball coach one year! Always a happy man! Such a joy to be around!” shares Paige York.
Lexie Davis wrote: “This just made my heart smile so big. Mr. James will always hold a special place in my childhood memories! He has such a big heart 💓”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Custodian Gets Surprise Of A Lifetime From Thankful Kids
There is no doubt that Mr. James has touched many lives and is truly a mentor to these children. Well done, and Happy Birthday!
h/t: Godupdates.com
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Stillness When Life Won’t Slow Down - Your Daily Prayer - April 30
If your soul is starved for stillness today, the Lord would love nothing more than your nestling up with him. Sitting still beside him in the safety and security of his refuge. Hearing his whispers of love, receiving his outstretched arms of comfort and care, and then lingering in his peaceful presence.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Stillness When Life Won’t Slow Down - Your Daily Prayer - April 30
If your soul is starved for stillness today, the Lord would love nothing more than your nestling up with him. Sitting still beside him in the safety and security of his refuge. Hearing his whispers of love, receiving his outstretched arms of comfort and care, and then lingering in his peaceful presence.
Past Stories
- These Women Are On a Mission to Help Seniors Feel Independent Again, One Boutique at a Time
- Couple Surprises Grandma and Other Guests at Engagement Party By Turning it Into Their Wedding
- Toddler Shows Act of Kindness to Stranger at McDonald's, 'He Loves Everyone'
- Entrepreneur With Down Syndrome Turns Passion for Grilling Into a Global Barbecue Sauce Brand
- Getting Ready for Her Before I've Met Her
- Blogger's Mother's Day Tribute To Those Struggling To Become A Mom
- Fellow Bus Drivers Jump Into Action to Save Co-Worker Having a Medical Emergency
- Hero Principal Named Prom King After Stopping a School Shooter
- Former Janitor Becomes a Doctor at the Same Hospital Where She Once Cleaned
- When a Church Leader Collapsed, This 9-Year-Old’s Brave Response Made All the Difference
- 84-Year-Old Hero Honored for Selfless Decision to Give a Kidney to His Son-in-Law
- Heartbroken Mom Honors Her Late Son’s Legacy by Dancing With the People He Helped Save
- Ball Brothers Music Video For 'Hey Mama' For Mother's Day
- Mother's Day Poem For Adopted Baby
- 18-Year-Old Wins the National Grocery Bagging Championship After Training For Months
- Courthouse Relies on a Four-Legged Staff Member for Support and It's the Biggest Blessing
- When I Loved Someone the Wrong Way
- Quick-Thinking Good Samaritans Rescue Three Teens From Flipped Car After They Were Run Off the Road
- After Tragic Bus Crash, Church Community Steps Up for Injured Student in a Big Way
- Senior is Able to Have An Early Graduation After Her Dad is Diagnosed With Pancreatic Cancer
- A Woman Ordered DoorDash, Then Stepped in to Help the 78-Year-Old Man Who Delivered It
- Woman Tells a Thief, 'God Loves You' and Stops Her From Stealing a Package
- Brave Teenager Saves Her 42-Year-Old Mother After Sudden Heart Attack
- This Hallmark Commercial for Mother's Day Sums Up Motherhood In 1 Tear-Jerking Video
- Our Fallen Heroes Are Honored With A Memorial Day Tribute Of 'Amazing Grace' On The Bagpipes
- Coffey Anderson's Patriotic Song 'Memorial Day' Pays Tribute to the Price Fallen Heroes Pay for Us
- Assistant Manager at a Grocery Store Stops a Scam and Saves a Couple From Losing a Lot of Money
- Family Honors Veteran’s Life of Hard Work by Donating His Liver at Age 100
- How I Saw God at the Masters 2026 Tournament
- Texas Family Overjoyed After Dog Who Was Missing For 2 Years Turns Up at New Jersey Mall
- Wife Uses a Phone App to Find Her Husband That Was Buried By An Avalanche
- Comedian Anita Renfro with 'The Mom Song' to the William Tell Overture Is a Mother's Day Classic
- 10 Christian Songs To Motivate Your Workout and Get You Moving This Spring
- Doctor Goes Beyond to Adopt Boy Who Arrived Alone for Surgery and Find Homes for His Siblings
- Simple Facebook Post Turns an Empty Birthday Party Into a Viral Celebration for a 9-Year-Old Girl
- Survivors of the New York Runway Accident Share Their Stories of Survival and Bravery
- Mom Is Overcome as Her Entire Family Signs Happy Birthday to Her Deaf Son
- Woman Dies a Hero After Shielding Grandson From Oncoming Car
- 9-Year-Old With a Big Heart Creates Autism Emergency Kits for First Responders
- Married Since 1951: Their 75-Year Secret to Lasting Love
- The Waiting Season Isn't Wasted
- After Losing His Girlfriend in a DUI Crash, Young Man Opens Coffee Shop to Honor Her Memory
- Boy Heartbroken Over Lost Pokémon Collection Gets 15,000 Cards From Airline Staff
- After Losing His 10-Year-Old Son to Cancer, Dad Runs 240 Miles to Give Back to Other Families
- Abandoned Airport Dog Finds Forever Home With the Officer Who Rescued Him
- After Calling 911 to Help Save Her Father’s Life, Young Girl is Being Honored By Her Community
Top Music Videos
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson Releases ‘Stars’ Music Video — An Uplifting and Encouraging Tune
Pat Barrett Pat Barrett Powerful 'Praise the Lord Forever’ Live Performance
Jeremy Rosado Jeremy Rosado Powerful ‘Keep Holding On’ Lyric Video
Alabama Live Performance of 'Because He Lives' by Alabama
Steven Curtis Chapman Cinderella - Steven Curtis Chapman (Official Music Video)
Blog
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.