Principal secretly pulling 'night shifts' at Walmart to help poor students: 'I love them dearly'

Henry Darby works two jobs — by day, he is the principal of North Charleston High School in South Carolina; by night, he stocks shelves on the graveyard shift at Walmart from 10 PM to 7 AM. Three nights a week, he balances these roles with a single purpose: to support his students. Darby, known and loved by his school community, has been using every paycheck from his night job to help students and their families. Many of his students come from households living below the poverty line — a situation made worse during the pandemic. His commitment was finally recognized when Walmart presented the school with a heartfelt surprise to support the students.

"I get emotional because when you hear stories of children sleeping under bridges or in cars, or you visit a student’s home and see no curtains, just a mattress on the floor, these people need help. I wasn’t going to say no," Darby told Today. He regularly checks on students outside of school hours and visits their homes to offer support. His work is both exhausting and demanding, but he remains committed, getting in a small share of naps during the day. Darby’s dedication extends beyond his official role. He often greets students personally, knowing many face challenges at home.

Despite working long shifts at Walmart, Darby kept this part-time job secret from many, including his manager. It was only after a local news story brought his efforts to light that Walmart became aware and decided to honor him. At an event, Walmart presented North Charleston High School with a $50,000 check to support the students and community Darby cares for so deeply. The gesture took him completely off guard. "I’m speechless. This is going to go a very long way with our students," he said as he received the check. Darby said he has no plans to quit his night job. "I’m going to stick with Walmart as long as Ms. Solomon [his store manager] allows me to work," he said, adding, "Every dime I earn goes to helping those kids." 

His commitment is rooted in his own experiences growing up. Darby lost both his parents at a young age and learned early the importance of hard work and community support. His mother instilled in him the value of helping others without expecting anything in return. "From washing windows to visiting old folks’ homes, I was never allowed to charge for helping," he recalled. Darby’s efforts have earned recognition beyond his school. According to NPR, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster awarded him the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor, praising Darby as "a selfless person who goes above and beyond for others." The story inspired many in the community and beyond. Crowdfunding efforts connected to Darby raised nearly $200,000 to support families in need.

"The support here is phenomenal. These students are the best of the best, and I love them dearly," Darby said of his staff and community, conveying a simple message to his students, saying, "Pay it forward. Learn to help others." While Darby's story is exceptional, it underscores the financial challenges faced by many teachers, which forces them to take second jobs. As per a 2025 Pew Research Center report, in the 2020-21 school year, 16% of full-time public elementary and secondary teachers worked a non-school job over the summer, and 17% held a second job during the school year.