David Begnaud visits his Louisiana high school to pay homage to mentor

[@tracychavez7914]

What a gift to have a teacher that is your mentor through the decades.

[@jessephillips2586]

Ms. Surrat was my speech and drama teacher @ STM. I'm just glad someone did a story about what a wonderful, caring human being she really is.🙂 She's the best and I'm glad she's getting her flowers🌻

[@sheliajohnson2074]

I wish all teachers had this type of insight. To see beyond the external and see the gifts 😊

[@bonnford9164]

Thank Goodness for teachers/mentors like this one, they make a difference in children's lives.

[@panchamama]

2 very special people sharing a story of compassion, thank you

[@Vicooptem]

Love love this!!! What an incredible teacher. What a pivotal moment by her asking him “what are you running from?” and giving this young man insight roadmaps change.

[@nansealove9000]

This was a truly inspiring, thank you David for sharing your story. 💙

[@bgrateful453]

Wow, she is...a gift. Just beautiful.

[@carlwatson4486]

David, you were/are lucky to have such a wonderful mentor. I did not. But, I did survive. Thank you for sharing. I'm 68. and still climbing !👨

[@SMetz-cw6qj]

Teachers have made a great difference in all our lives.

[@noraalbright777]

David, ur an amazing storyteller!! U inspire me with these stories!! And it’s amazing!! It took me along time to go from a negative person to a positive person!! But I did it!! And where I’m at today in life?? Is not something I thought I would do…work at a college here in Pennsylvania…never thought that would happen in my life…but here I am..at 47 and I’m doing just that! And it feels great honestly! These kids care about u!! These kids ask hey how r u? What have u been up to? How’s the foot? U work too much! Ur gonna need surgery on the foot and knee! And all I can say is yea I kno. They were concerned about my two cancer diagnosis…one deadly and one not. But but within 5 months I was told I’m cancer free!! From the deadly one!! I was still working at the college..still am! And I told the kids that I was cancer free…they clapped and said congrats..that what we were hoping for!! That humbled me to my core! And then one kid comes up to me and says “I admire ur courage to come to work in a walking boot and do ur job to the best of ur ability…and u go above and beyond what anyone else does and do it better…while being in and out of a walking boot cause my left foot isn’t fixed ye?! UR STILL IN THE WALKING BOOT!! And REALLY WANT OUT!! But I still go to work and do m job and being told from a few of the kids…I inspire them to b a version of me in there lives!! WHAT?? I did what? And they want to use what I taught them…which I don’t kno what that even is…they want to use what I have gone thru…and make it a part of theirs! All I can say to that is…that makes my heart melt!! I’ve only known them for 2 years…but I inspire u to b a better version of u? Ok how? If u come to the college and gather ALL the kids since 2022…and ask them who the hardest person that works at this college not for it…but at it…I’m sure most would say me. I only want to teach them how to b kind…how to not judge…how to just listen when someone needs to vent…nurture when needed…honored while asking! But it’s not just the kids…the staff truly care about u and ur family and ur health and ur injuries and cancer diagnosis…every single person at the school…have been so supportive and generous with prayers when I had cancer and won!! They clapped!! And I was taken aback…because it shows how well they were raised!! Yes to some extent…but mostly kind hearted people I have ever met!! To say I did inspire the kids…I was told I did and still do!! But they inspired me as well!! To b the even better person then I was yesterday!! And they do! I love going to work to see the kids and see how they doing and want to ask about their families and their backgrounds( not criminal history) but their culture. And they tell me…I’ve made friends with a lot of the students. And it was ALL because…they inspire me as well!

[@deannamadrigal7503]

Such a beautiful story 🙏

[@debbiecooper1677]

what a great story

[@geisalagordon9966]

Loved this!

[@miahill6864]

Ms. Surrat changed many lives in her career. Her compassion and empathy are not equal. Thank you teachers who are reading this now. You truly make a difference in the life of your students.

[@romstar]

David, I always remember what Jane Fonda when she first met her adopted daughter 😭 about see the light dying inside her 😢your story reminded me of that. This beautiful teacher saw the spark and made sure the fire 🔥 didnt die in you 🙏😘 She's aging in reverse amd her soul matches her warm exterior. And I hope others watching will try to be the spark in someone's life, and not the reason to extinguish it.😭 Thank you for sharing your story ,babe 😘

[@CuriousBean]

You're talking about her Black daughter (that already survived neglect and abuse) that she then failed to protect from a r*pist acting coach? I mean she (a powerful actress) didn't even name him or press charges against him.

[@romaynecarlin1249]

lucky man!

[@veronicanunez2365]

I am so proud of what David has become. He is awesome and was on the news in L.A Love him.

[@carolynlowe1354]

David this is great. 😊😊🦋🦋

[@louisianarainwater]

💚💚💚

[@judithdomangue9995]

❤

[@Vinny-xs4xm]

DB ~ Longterm CBS News + Your Fan. As a gay man, I THANK YOU for this story from your life as you experienced, challenges and BAMMMM SHABAMMM! Also, gay ~ Bravo!!

[@glowrocks12345]

Can David be on every week

[@wildoceanappaloosawomangay2535]

A teacher can make you or break you 💥

[@tertommy]

AA sent me.

[@Jesuslovesyou22783]

For anyone Believe in all your heart ✨ Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner. I believe that You died for my sins, and that You rose again from the dead. I ask You to forgive my sins and take charge of my life. Help me to live for You from this day forward. Amen.that easy real GOLDEN TICKET ✨

[@Jesuslovesyou22783]

✨✨Jesus is Lord God Almighty clothed in unsinful humanity and He is the author of eternal life to all who trust Him alone for salvation. Jesus paid for all the sins of all the world at the cross (past, present, and future). That payment is put to your account when you have believed on Christ alone for salvation. This means that saving repentance is realizing that you are a sinner deserving of God's just punishment in Hell and turn (repent) from whatever you trusted in before, if indeed you trusted in anything; to trusting in the person and finished work of Christ alone for salvation✨✨

[@Jesuslovesyou22783]

The Lord Jesus Christ love's you all🙏✨ Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ🙏✨

[@Jesuslovesyou22783]

Jesus is Lord God Almighty clothed in unsinful humanity and He is the author of eternal life to all who trust Him alone for salvation.✨ Jesus paid for all the sins of all the world at the cross (past, present, and future). That payment is put to your account when you have believed on Christ alone for salvation. This means that saving repentance is realizing that you are a sinner deserving of God's just punishment in Hell and turn (repent) from whatever you trusted in before, if indeed you trusted in anything; to trusting in the person and finished work of Christ alone for salvation✨

[@Jesuslovesyou22783]

✨For anyone Believe in all your heart Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner. I believe that You died for my sins, and that You rose again from the dead. I ask You to forgive my sins and take charge of my life. Help me to live for You from this day forward. Amen.that easy real GOLDEN TICKET ✨

[@Jesuslovesyou22783]

The Lord Jesus Christ love's you all✨ Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ✨

[@CuriousBean]

This is guy is so insufferable to me. Oh woe is me ash. Many children suffer far worse from people/society.

[@moutonla]

It is sad that you are not able to comprehend the value of this story.

[@melaniebonnet7091]

It was not safe growing up gay in a super Catholic ultra conservative community in David’s time. I know Lafayette. I grew up there too. I had a gay high school friend who left town because he was in constant danger of being beaten to death.

[@CuriousBean]

@@melaniebonnet7091 He had the choice to let people know that he was gay, Black people didn't/don't have that luxury. Being gay doesn't nullify the privileges of being yt and male.

[@melaniebonnet7091]

@@CuriousBean I’m Black & I know the suffering of racism. I don’t find it wise to compare trauma. Whether brought on by a white supremacist system or a homophobia, trauma is trauma.

[@TheTranceCartel]

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