Jennifer Gottleber Was Diagnosed With Cancer, But You Won’t Believe What Her Fourth Graders Are Doing To Help

Jennifer Gottleber was faced with a tough diagnosis in the middle of March: colon cancer. Gottleber is a math and science teacher at Keller Harvel Elementary in Keller, Texas. The cancer has kept her out of the classroom for the last few weeks and left many of her students wondering why. The school sent a letter home to all of the parents according to CBS 11 News Dallas and Fort Worth. The parents then informed the students.

At first as expected the students were in shock. Trinity Smith summed it up best when a student finds out that their favorite teacher may not be around for a while.

“It was tough trying to keep going. Everybody was like, ‘Do we really got to go to school tomorrow?'”

It was then that Trinity and her friend, Nadia Schepers, decided to help Gottleber in her fight. The two girls, along with their siblings, began a $1 bracelet campaign to help Gottleber with her medical expenses. The response by some of the students at school has been amazing. Tatiana Schepers, Nadia’s sister, described one encounter.

“A lot of people at school will say I’ll give you twenty dollars but I don’t want any change back.”

Many teachers can go a lifetime and never know the effect they can have on students. Gottleber was understandably shocked when she learned what her students are doing for her.

“It’s just so heart-touching. I can’t even think – I mean I didn’t even think they would do anything like that. It’s really a sweet gesture that they would do something like that.”

Gottleber goes on to give advice to others who might want to help someone who is going through a situation like she finds herself in.

“Even if you think it’s just a small gesture – a card or just a smile or a hug – just do it. Because it means a lot more to that person than they probably think it does.”

The $1 bracelet sale is reaching out beyond the border of the school this April 14. The students will be selling the bracelets at a local Chick-Fil-A between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. for those in the area. Chick-Fil-A is also helping in the cause. A portion of the proceeds from their food sales will be donated to help Gottleber with her medical expenses.

Jennifer Gottleber is certainly more than just a teacher to her students. Most of us had the one teacher who inspired us to be better. I’d love to hear who might have inspired you in the comments below.

[Photo by CBS 11 News]