Music teacher's moving gesture to students from troubled households show that kindness matters

Christmas is always associated with excitement and celebration, particularly for kids. Who does not adore witnessing a child's excitement when they open presents from Santa and their loved ones? However, a happy Christmas is not a part of every child's reality. Risha Allen, an elementary school teacher–who goes on TikTok by @rishdishfish–decided to compose a song and perform it for the students she taught at a North Dakota school. It has touched the hearts of many teachers and students alike and garnered nearly 4 million views.

Back in December 2021, Allen, who is a music instructor at the school, first uploaded the video of her singing on her TikTok page and gained over 462K likes. She reposted the video on her Instagram page on October 5, 2023, where she elaborated on the song through the caption of the post. "This is every teacher's heart. This song is making some waves again this year and I just wanted to post it alone on my page for easy access," the caption on her Instagram read.

"I feel like my heart wrote this song for me. I woke up one morning before the break last year, in my first year as an elementary teacher and was singing it from a deep place within me. My teacher's heart was and still is, broken for all the kids who don't want to go home for the holidays. The song has changed since this first draft and share, but the message is the same. Thanks for all the love," the post concluded.

Through her song, Allen shared a common wish for her students. "When we send you off for Christmas break, we hope that you'll get gifts," she begins the song, then adds that's the one thing a teacher really wishes. Upon reaching the chorus of the song, Allen expressed her hope that all her students get everything from love to safety. Allen continued singing about how she hopes every child has their bellies full during this holiday season.

"But if you don't, just hold on and soon you'll be back here," she continued singing "and we'll make sure you get all that after New Year." Her thoughtful notes touched the hearts of countless netizens and they left their reaction to the song in the comments. @itsmisslinda wrote in support, "This is the most real thing about teaching. It's such a horrible feeling knowing that our kids may be going into a dark forest over winter break." @jessicaruse748 quipped, "You've made a whole group of teachers cry and remember why we do this. My music teacher is now going to learn this for our recital."

@bekah_bird0 commented, "I have had a terrible week at school and this was a great reminder of why I do what I do. Thank you!" @the_carrot_system added, "I hope this song lasts for years and then one day, when one of the kids is grown up and in a bad spot, they find the song and remember singing it." According to the CDC, at least 1 in 7 children have experienced neglect in the past year in the United States. It is likely an underestimate because many cases are unreported.

These staggering statistics serve as a reminder that the reality Allen described in her song is real for many children. There have been countless kids who come from a hostile environment at home and for them, school is their haven.