SUFFOLK, Va. — It's not every day that you meet a hero in a classroom, but for students at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Suffolk, they've found that in their teacher Ms. Cummings.
We met her a few months ago and she was such an inspiration, we wanted to visit her again.
Cummings transformed a class that no one wanted to take, to a class that now has a waitlist. With pencils and paintbrushes, Ms. Cummings has made a safe and fun place for her students. That's why she's today's Everyday Hero.
"To see how passionate they are, it encourages me," Cummings said. "They think that I am inspiring them, they're inspiring me."
"She's like a second mom to me," said 8th grader, Khairolina Barnett-Baker. "My mom loves me and encourages me to do the same, but she's like an art mom."
After visiting in February, I reached back out to the school to see if we could come and surprise Ms. Cummings with an Everyday Hero award.
"We are here because we had so many people loving on you last time we were here," I told her. "We are presenting you with an Everyday Hero Award!
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"Thank you so much for this," said Cummings. "Boy, I'm speechless. You caught me off guard, that doesn't happen often. That story was just beautiful, and thank you for recognizing me in this way and my students as well. I really appreciate it."
Not only does Cummings get the award, but our partners at Southern Bank gave her a $300 gift certificate.
"We will put good use to it, I promise," she said. "We'll buy some cool supplies and put it to good use, so thank you for this."
Cummings's 7th grade students had some nice words for her.
"Ms. Cummings is the best art teacher. I appreciate her very much."
"She always helps us out with our drawings and always has creative ideas about her drawings, and she takes her time when she is drawing or helping us."
"She helps me when I'm struggling, and I'm very proud for her."
"She inspired me to paint and draw more than I already had, so thank you Ms. Cummings!"
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"Ms. Cummings inspires me to do better with what I already know, and I thank her for that."
"She actually teaches us techniques instead of just giving us paper. She actually gives us ideas that we can use in the future."
"She always helps us out and if we have a problem with something, she makes us do something that is easy so we can get it."
"Even though sometimes I get on her nerves, she still helps me with stuff."
"This is such a great award for Ms. Cummings," said Assistant Principal, Jerrilynn Dickey. "I just thank her for all that she does for our scholars here at JFK, and it's such an honor to have her as the best art teacher in the city of Suffolk. We're so proud of you Ms. Cummings."
"Thank you for recognizing me as a local hero," said Cummings. "It really truly is an honor, so I appreciate it."
If you know someone else doing the right thing when no one is looking, let us know! Nominate them for an Everyday Hero Award by emailing us or filling out a form here.
