Professor Bruce Johnson gave a lecture at of Arkansas State University while holding the baby of one of his students recently, and a photo of the encounter won fans on social media during Teacher Appreciation Week last week, according to KAIT-TV.
Kristen Black, 21, one of Johnson's students, told the television station she was struggling with one section of Johnson's physics class but could not attend any of the study halls because the single mother could not find a babysitter.
Running out of options and feeling the need to grasp the class material, Black asked Johnson if she could bring her 8-month-old daughter Izzy to one of the study halls so she could work extra on her school work, KAIT-TV said. Johnson agreed.
"I have to pick her up so her babysitter can go to work, and the times are always conflicting," Black told the television station. "So, I asked if it is OK if I bring my baby and thought, worst case scenario, I can leave if she cries."
Johnson not only allowed Black in the study hall with Izzy, but held her and continued teaching to allow his student to concentrate on her work, KAIT-TV wrote.
"To have him hold Izzy while he was teaching, while I was there being a student and a mom at the same time, it's just awesome, Black told the television station.
Johnson told KAIT-TV, though, he was impressed with Black and her effort to overcome such challenges to get an education.
"When I see students like Kristen as a mom trying to raise a family and go to school and follow her dreams to get an education she needs to support her family, I'm in awe," Johnson said, per KAIT-TV. "If I can do some small thing to help then I definitely want to do that."
Johnson told CNN, students bringing their children to class is not that uncommon anymore.
"These are some of the most amazing experiences," Johnson told the network. "Most recently a student brought her 2-year-old son and we played for some time."
Johnson won a lot of fans on Twitter for his act of kindness toward his student.
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