Anthony Kennebrew, an elementary school teacher in Columbus, Georgia, gave his students "the best day ever." The third-grade teacher at Georgetown Elementary put smiles on the faces of his students and inspired his community when he handed out Christmas gifts to every child in the classroom.
Kennebrew posted several clips to social media and showed his overjoyed students while opening their gifts in the classroom. The gifts included dozens of sneakers, gift cards, clothes, nail kits, home-baked cookies, blankets and much more.
Some of the girls also received bows for their hair, designed with the colors they asked for and decorated with their initials. Kennebrew told the girls that it was his sister who made the bows.
"Words can’t express the gratitude I have for everybody that played a pivotal part in today’s events," Kennebrew wrote on Facebook. "Today was simply magical and to quote my student 'Mr.K today was the best day ever.' My goal is to always show love to those around me, because I’ve been blessed with so much."
The students' jaws dropped as they opened their boxes and found the gifts they had asked for. Kennebrew tried to keep his students as organized as possible as they all opened their gifts in the classroom. He reminded them to make sure they don't lose their presents.
"You can open that at home," the teacher told some of his students who couldn't wait to take their toys out of the box.
One little girl asked if she could share her gift with her brother.
Kennebrew went around the classroom and checked in with each student to make sure they got what they asked for.
"I got headphones," one student shouted while giving a high-five to the teacher.
Social media users responded with praise for the inspiring teacher.
"He talks like he’s their parent that’s love," one Instagram user wrote.
People also demanded a raise for the educator.
"I literally just teared up," one person said. "Man I love teachers like this. You are amazing Mr.K."
Kennebrew showed gratitude to his mother for raising him right.
"My mom Demetrica Kennebrew raised me to be independent and strong," he wrote.
The teacher also listed all the donors who made the gifts possible. Still, he plans to make his contributions even bigger in the coming years.
"My goal is to always show love to those around me, because I’ve been blessed with so much," he said. "Next year we back at it and I guarantee it’ll be bigger and better! Go be that vessel and give back to somebody. Doesn’t matter the value, it’s the thought that counts most."
In an interview with Fox 54, Kennebrew said his students earned the gifts because they met the standards that he set.
Kennebrew spoke more about his upbringing in an interview with VoyageLA last year. The educator said he was 2 years old when his father, who was an assistant principal, died at the age of 37. Kennebrew's mother worked as a speech pathologist for 30 years.
"My parents were active members in our church Faith Worship Center and I am active as well until this day serving as an Armorbearer," the educator said. "My tenth-grade year of high school after considering what I would major in as an adult, I turned to my mom and said, “Mom I know what I want to be and that’s a teacher.”
