Eighteen-year-old Parker Bond, one of the students leading the initiative, explained, "We just need more kind acts, no matter how small they are or how large they are. A teacher like Mr. Guy, who gave so much to us, when he was down in a situation like this — received back because of his kindness and all he did for us." Since joining Arcadia High in 2004, the 62-year-old teacher has been a favorite among students, known for his infectious energy and unwavering support. Their efforts not only provided financial relief but also demonstrated the lasting impact a teacher’s compassion can have on their students’ lives.
Students move teacher to tears, raise $10,000 to support ailing wife: 'I was just honored'
Students gathered to raise funds to help their beloved teacher cover medical expenses of his wife.
The bond between teachers and students is often profound, going far beyond the classroom. At Arcadia High School in Arizona, this connection was on full display when students came together to raise nearly $10,000 to help their beloved teacher, Clayton Guy, cover the cost of his wife’s critical heart surgery. According to Fox News Digital, the students’ efforts were a testament to the deep respect and affection they felt for their government and economics teacher, whose kindness and dedication had touched their lives.
Everything was going well until one spring the students noticed a significant change in Guy's behavior. Bond mentioned that their teacher, once full of energy, had become much quieter and less lively than usual. "We could tell that something was off. We didn't know what it was, but he did end up telling us," he added. Guy shared that his wife, Angel, 59, had to undergo open-heart surgery due to a blockage. "So we'd take days off, meet surgeons — and then finally I had to tell students what was going on," he said.
While Guy was busy taking care of his ailing wife at the hospital, his students found out that Angel's surgery was pricey, "even with insurance." Bond shared, "We knew he was very stressed. With his wife needing open-heart surgery — that's not a very fun thing to have to go through." This was exactly when the teenagers decided to help their teacher; they came up with a plan after consulting him. Taken aback by his students' thoughtful gesture, Guy said, "My first reaction was, ‘No, don't worry about it.' And then I was talking to some other teachers, and they’re like, ‘Well, if people want to help, there's nothing wrong with that.' I was just honored."
Further appreciating his students, he revealed that despite being on their phones all day long, the students care about others. Guy's class started a GoFundMe account and collected a couple hundred bucks on the first day. Meanwhile, Angel is recovering well after the surgery; her husband shared, "She [is] able to drive, so that’s good because she's been in the back seat for six to eight weeks. I think she’s doing well, but I've heard it takes six months to heal. Everybody's different, but she's in good spirits and she's happy," Guy added.
On the other hand, when Angel was told about the students' contribution, she could not believe it and was overjoyed.
"The students were very kindhearted, and they did it on their own. They did it without prompting from a teacher or anybody else," Guy revealed. The heartwarming story highlighted that a teacher’s impact can extend into the lives of their students, inspiring them to act selflessly when their teacher faces hardship.
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