TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Every Friday, two teachers at Montford Middle School in Tallahassee write a message of kindness in the girls locker room as part of a new tradition.
Sometimes the small things can make a big difference, that's the idea behind this message board.
The first time the teachers left a positive note on it, students filled every spot with their names, showing their support.
Monica Anderson, Athletics Director and PE teacher at Montford Middle School and Whitney Usina, PE teacher at Montford Middle School, are hoping this small gesture creates a spark of positivity throughout the school.
"Middle school is so difficult. It might be one of the most difficult age group because there are so many changes," said Usina. "If we can just give some type of positive because you never know what anyone is going through so we just wanted them to leave our gym happy."
Anderson and Usina started this in September and it immediately caught on. They're thrilled to see students signing their names every week.
"We're creating something positive and it may be small to someone else but it's huge to them," said Anderson. "And the message is that they're being loved. If it's one time that they can feel special, we want them to feel special."
Paige Loggins, a 6th grade math teacher at the same school, thought the idea was so awesome, she took it out of the locker room and into the hallways.
"When they need a moment, often times they go to the bathroom. And there isn't an adult there to guide them through their emotions," said Loggins. "So we thought what could we do to show them that we're there, we care, we love them."
Loggins contacted local artists who donated their talent and time, creating encouraging murals in the boys and girls bathrooms, painting a happy thought.
"We love these kids like they're our own. As a parent, you want to know that your kid is being loved on and that's what we're doing," said Anderson. "We're creating something positive."
