Middle School Teacher Keeps Empty Chair In Classroom To Teach Students Empathy

[@baileyruff4595]

Mr. Gill is my social studies teacher. This lesson is so important and I'm so grateful that he shared it with me. He is such an empathetic person who does so much for his students and his community. He is hands down the best teacher I will ever have.

[@anamariealvarez713]

That’s great. So happy for you to have such an amazing teacher. 😊

[@YourRoyalMajesty.]

Please thank your teacher for us. He is a wonderful man and you are so very lucky to have learned from him. 💖🕯️ Go forth into greatness young one and always have an extra chair.

[@bethgoldman2560]

I can remember each teacher who taught me those lessons in high school. They have since passed away but they each gave me a gift I will never forget. Thank You Mr. Gill for being that kind of teacher.

[@jeraleewood5969]

What a great friend and teacher you are. What great wisdom and compassion you had at 9 years old. Where is Archie Shaw today?

[@marycook1644]

@@jeraleewood5969 that is a fabulous question !! 🦋

[@lee48lee68]

I’m stunned that at he age of 9 he had the integrity and heart to walk away from the party with his friend who was shunned. I’ve seen this situation so many times where the kids stayed and said goodbye to the friend who was left out.

[@bladeofSteele]

And the understanding. When I was nine I always assumed, no matter the subject, that the adults probably understood something I didn't. Now, I realize they're not necessarily as wise and all-knowing that I was lead to believe as a kid.

[@Mytherapistsaid001]

Friends don’t leave their friends behind.

[@maeganlozano7058]

@Ashley I know right. Me too. When I was younger I always thought that adults were this all knowing beings that can di no harm and would always want whats best for you. As I grew up, I learned that couldn’t be farther from the truth

[@pgpc6448]

That says a lot about other kids who stay, their parent allow racism. 😢

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

Why are you stunned? Heart? What?

[@ks9466]

The fact that he carried the lesson throughout his teaching is amazing and couldn’t make a more important impact

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

It's not amazing because it makes no sense

[@angelabest4468]

Nobody should ever be treated like this let alone a 9 year old. Amazing how he carried that moment and lesson with him throughout life.

[@vickiefinney6073]

This man is an amazing human being. He was just gifted $1,000 and he says my students will love it ❤️

[@sroevukasroevuka]

Probably used it for supplies to teach with sadly teachers have to do that a lot.

[@SPadventurOUS]

You can tell he has told the story many times but it still hurts him

[@leewhite-graham753]

My husband grew up in Queens and had a similar experience bringing his best friend home and his mother wouldn't let the kid come in to play. It still makes him tear up to this day and he is 80 now.

[@NavvyMom]

@@OriginalJohnDoeFakersBeware Yes! I wonder if the kid wondered where they were/why they didn't come to the party, or what kind of follow up there was after amongst the friends.

[@hankr1161]

Mr. Gill was my 5th grade social studies teacher in 1972-73 at Hillside school in Montclair and I remember it being a great experience ! I'm so glad to see he is still going strong and is vibrant and healthy.

[@gtdevika2395]

He’s the real life mr feeni

[@zzzroxyzzz]

Ahhhh you beat me to it lol

[@Soy_Preinaugural]

My thought exactly!!

[@Erica-wy8zx]

FEENY!

[@BT-ch9gf]

Lmao I was about to say it.

[@staceylichtensteiger7132]

Yes FEENY FA FA FA FEENY! FEENY

[@ravenblair6712]

Damn that mom who did not let his friend in. Racism at its finest. He was only just a kid who wanted to be in a bday party. Good on him for not abandoning his friend. Bless you more sir!

[@TheRealSweetcherryo]

Growing up in the 60's, my house had plenty of chairs.....some of our neighbors did not.... such a nice thing he is teaching his students.....

[@Dbellerive22605]

We need more Mr. Gill’s in this world ♥️♥️

[@unrepentantoffender188]

Yes, so they can teach you that your statement should NOT have an apostrophe

[@SheilaR.08]

@@unrepentantoffender188 Too bad he can't teach you about autocorrect and basic manners.

[@libertyann439]

He did not go to the party and leave Archie behind. That's a true friend.

[@jimmyhoffa2458]

What a sweet sweet human being. What a treasured friend. How blessed his students are to have the honor of being taught under this wonderful teacher. Know many a child will go out with memories to share from their experience being in the classroom with Mr. Gill, who is also teaching life lessons. Thank you! God Bless you!

[@grouchyoleguy]

We need more educators like Mr Gill in this country

[@createful_heart]

Holy moly! That story immediately brought tears to my eyes. Thank God for the Mr. Gill's on this Earth that not only advocate for the people they love, but who also teach from their extremely compassionate hearts. ❤

[@nancymanly2904]

I was one of five children. Our family didn’t have much, but there was always an extra chair and it could be squeezed around the dining table. I grew up thinking that every home was like that. The lessons I learned from my parents was worth more than anything they could have bought me.

[@BMarie774]

My two very first friends I ever made.. was a black girl and a girl from,I believe, Morocco. I’m so glad my mom instilled into me the carefreeness to just love my fellow humans as my fellow humans.

[@TheKace227]

Stories like these are what help us take the stand we need for the ones being discriminated against. When we take such a stand it helps make this world a better place for everyone. Thank you Dan Gill for the example you are setting and demonstrating and thank you Kelly for spreading the word!

[@sandaramoore9660]

Just image the impact that situation had on him as a child!!! He had the wisdom to use it as a life lesson and a teachable moment to impact many others through out his teaching career!!! Way to go and thank you for making a difference with our future generations!!!

[@kyliejones8890]

such a shame that happened in the first place...how humiliating!! Goes to show what small gesture can mean in the broader picture...it really wouldn't take much to change the world if we all had that mentality...it's the small things that counts... thanks to all great role models in society! we them soo much

[@irmaiz133]

Empathy...true sheer empathy keeps you young...look at him......wrinkle free...handsome....intelligent....much love & respect!!! 💚💫☘️

[@aminor22688]

What a wonderful human being. I wish everyone had the opportunity to learn from a teacher like him. The students that have gone through his classroom for over 50 years are some lucky people. We could all learn a thing or two from that message

[@jessieeschleicher1733]

Mr. Gill you are amazing! My house growing had enough chairs and so does my adult house. 💜

[@user-mn447]

❤️❤️❤️ Mr. Gill, thank you so much for standing up for your friend!!!!

[@asaabrahamagulnik574]

Also, since he has been teaching for over 53 years, this took place in the 50s or 60s; sadly, this was not uncommon (what was uncommon was the friendship between two different races). This shows how amazing he was and ahead of his time on several fronts.

[@lee48lee68]

@@asaabrahamagulnik574 -He had good parents.

[@22SweetTeaRexes]

Mr. Gill is awesome! Kudos! 52 years teaching that’s incredible! My mom was a teacher for 45 years! This is probably something she would teach. Bless your heart, sir! You’re a real man, sir! If you don’t know what I mean by “a real man or just a real human” watch this video on Mr. Gill. There is the embodiment of what I mean as far as a real man and human being. I love that lesson! Best lesson ever! 🫡😭😭🤧 Thank you, sir! Best teacher ever! ❤😭😭😭🤧👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🙌🏼

[@dorothysheppard3540]

OMG 😢! I hope those two are still "very" good friends to this day! This could've turned his heart towards people of color but it made him a "caring" human being with much love in his heart!! Thank you ❣️;

[@erinmiller1433]

Why are “very” and “caring” in quotes? It makes you sound sarcastic.

[@lee48lee68]

His friend passed away a few years ago so he asked his sister if he could dedicate the book to him.

[@Crybaby-Media]

@@erinmiller1433 older people who didn’t grow up typing use it as emphasis. Your comment makes you sound unnecessarily judgemental

[@crislipmichelle]

At 9 he was intelligent enough to understand, what a heart

[@southernsass2937]

What an incredibly inspiring teacher 👏 He not only has the story all these years later, but has a visual for the empathy. Thank you for being you Mr. Gill! ❤

[@lindagardenlady]

Great Teacher, great values we should all emulate ♥️♥️♥️

[@giraffeNana2023]

"My STUDENTS will love it." You see where his heart is ❤️

[@tk3831]

That's a powerful story and an important one. That's a teacher you never forget.

[@nancygerritsen155]

God bless this man, even more than he's already been blessed by you with his immense, caring, understanding heart !! Very fortunate souls to pass thru his classroom to be taught the gift of grace. And what an awesome reminder for us to remember the important things we should, and to constantly hone our thinking skills daily. = Everyone has the ability to Step It Up !! ❤️💙💜💛🧡🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@kittycatmommy2364]

Such a beautiful story that brought tears to my eyes. An amazing teacher and the kind of person that this world needs. God bless him and thank you for sharing his story.

[@motherbird1981]

He has been offered the chance to make his story a childrens book :)

[@ariellebotwinick1537]

I get really upset when an adult does something messed up to a child. One knows better and they choose to do it anyway.

[@kimberlymorrison1217]

There will always be enough chairs in Mr Gills classroom! I’m not crying your crying!!!

[@rachelheflin0584]

Tysm Mr. Gill you brought not only a tear to my eyes but restored my faith in the future in students that he will be shaping.

[@katelynwilliams7147]

If he hasn't already he should try to invite Archie to the classroom for a day to tell his side of the tale as well. It would be great for the kids to hear how he felt and for the African-American students it would especially be great, for those of them who feel like they are all alone in a world of hate.

[@branbroken]

If he does this archie needs to sit in that chair, hes kept that seet open for him all these years.

[@katelynwilliams7147]

@@branbroken It'd be amazing honestly. If the kids walked into the classroom in the morning and there sat Archie I do think that they'd think it was great. The only minor issue in this scenario is I'm sure he has different students every year or maybe even half of the year one set of kids and the other half another set of kids. He would have to invite him more frequently than just once to make it fair for all students. It is a nice thought that I came up with, but it would take a lot to make it a reality.

[@lee48lee68]

Archie passed away a few years ago. There’s a dedication to him in the front of the book.

[@GamerJBYT]

bruh archie is dead, he told us in class.

[@branbroken]

@@GamerJBYT well that wasnt mentioned at all in the video, so why seem surprised, people only know whats been told. If anything this seems a massive oversight in the media story presented why wouldnt they say hes no longer with us when the entire story and the chairs relevance was about that friendship and the racism he had to endure.

[@BeautifulOaks]

This is beautiful and eloquent gesture of inclusion and leading by example. A far cry from a certain public high school teacher who exercises the school district’s policy for “teacher’s discretion” for using profanity to teach history and another middle school history teacher who practices bullying their own students with firm bias and incorrect history terms.

[@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288]

Imagine how terrific our public school system could be, and should be and MUST be, nationwide. Especially now with teachers under attack like never before and huge teacher shortages! Obviously there are so many national issues that are huge right now, but Congress MUST address quality public schools for every state. Huzzah Mr Gill, and all teachers in our nation. 🗽

[@brandy6603]

Such a great teacher setting a great example!!❤️👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@delilahgillis5287]

WHAT A GREAT FRIEND & HUMAN BEING. GOD BLESS

[@sonjabernard8994]

Kelly you do such fantastic job with your sbow. A living compassionate person. Mr. gile is a blessing for his students

[@lorih379]

What a blessing a good teacher is. ❤

[@SuperMissblueeyes]

Although I'm a Brit, my sister met & married a lovely Texan guy & they had two beautiful girls who are now 5 & 2. This guy is the sort of guy who I would want to teach my nieces & who makes me proud that my nieces are gonna grow up in the US. You hear all sorts of concerning stories coming out of the US, but it's teachers like Mr Gill who make me glad my nieces are growing up there. I hope their teachers are like Mr Gill.

[@vickiheath6133]

Thank you for your sensitivity to humankind. Children will always remember this lesson you shared with them.

[@jennifercoleman6218]

Wow such a powerful lesson. May he and his students always remain safe

[@matthewluck9077]

This man talking about helping people and charity and community made me tear up because I know that this man has a good soul. This man wants for others what good he has been given. Why can’t we all be like this man?

[@armymom7857]

What a beautiful human and teacher!!

[@julavaughs1137]

Greetings from barbados 🇧🇧, thanks Mr. Gill.

[@chochi2215]

@kellyclarkson that is truly inspiring to me. Thank you for having him on your show! I have been teaching preschool for about 11 years now. In about my 3-4th year I had a little boy in my class (2 years old at the time) who was born with half of a heart. When I was teaching in LA and he had opened heart surgery and I spent over two and a half hours in an Uber after a full day of work to go see him. Even though I was exhausted from the trip, the “She’s Here! She’s Here!” Reaction made it worth it.

[@RainbowOwlet]

I was not prepared for how sweet this was going to be. What a good lesson to his students. But it’s so sad hearing that story from when he and Archie were kids. I don’t understand how someone can treat anyone, especially a CHILD, that way.

[@deborahcorreale352]

What an amazing man and teacher. At 9 years old all he saw was a dear friend and nothing else and his heart broke for his friend. I hope all of his students hear and feel what he is telling them.

[@lynnetrathen4587]

What a wonderful man he is ❤️❤️

[@EmeryB152]

He reminds me of a teacher that retired in my middle school I never had him but he has been there a long time and he is kinda a big deal in our school.

[@kristenkaz3080]

Mr. Gill, THANK YOU for being an outstanding teacher. God bless you & your students.

[@jeraleewood5969]

What a great teacher and friend you are Mr. Gill. You had such great wisdom and empathy at 9 years old. Where is Archie Shaw today?

[@GamerJBYT]

Archie is no longer in this world

[@countrycrossstitcher3573]

I told this story to my girls and the 10 year olds eyes went 😳 and then she said ‘she had enough chairs that racist mfer’ and she was so right I’m not even mad at the cuss word

[@moonhunter9993]

r@c!st M-f isn't a swear word in this situation, just an accurate description

[@GamerJBYT]

@@moonhunter9993 fr racist aint no curse word

[@porkchopps]

Oh yeah that happened

[@countrycrossstitcher3573]

@@porkchopps I raise my kids from tiny to know right from wrong and to make the world a better place so yes a 10 year old could see immediately what the problem was

[@Kaylee2012]

@@GamerJBYT They meant the “mfer” part was a curse word, not the “racist” part

[@sophiaharros5667]

This breaks my heart. You are a beautiful human. May God bless you ❤

[@allentrice1547]

He's quite a proud teacher! That's "What I'm liking!" 👨‍🏫🪑🖥️

[@anitainmo489]

Oh wow! What an amazing teacher. Hats off to Mr Gill.

[@kimberlyakin8908]

We Had No Blacks IN My school system for a Long time. The first family Moved in when I was a sophomore at High school. We were However a LARGE poor family and guess who they treated Like garbage. I was the Youngest and got sick of Hearing all the stuff teachers would say and others. first day of school. Oh Jesus another One. etc. REMEMBER when People find it easy to Marginalize someone By race it is only a small step till they do it to YOU!!!!! Bravo to this Teacher we Need more Like him!!

[@lillbrittz]

What an amazing man what an awesome teacher god bless him and his students .

[@2ndhandSue]

At only 9 years old Mr. Gill intuited what "we don't have any more chairs" REALLY meant. Young children have an in-born sense of empathy before the world beats it out of them. Getting them talking about its importance to every person on the planet will hopefully prevent that slow death of empathy happening to kids. He sounds like a teacher who long ago learned that learning the three R's is NOT enough of an education for anyone.

[@lindagrossi5213]

This man is an Angel!

[@jayneestrycker8691]

There's a special place in heaven for that gentlemen✌

[@introvertsrock9843]

Definitely need more ppl like this. I had a college teacher who made me move (they were not assigned) Or other teachers who don't try to help students find a seat & kids who block seats

[@sophialiu4236]

Such an important lesson that can apply to so many areas of life 💗🙏🏼 Can’t believe his friend’s mom did such a mean thing, but glad he left with his friend & is spreading this important lesson to his students and now the world

[@novenaesperanza53]

Great lesson for everyone....God made us all...we are unique in our own way. God gave us our own special talents.

[@MeMeDaVinci]

Wow! Great lesson. Simple idea, huge impact.

[@ThePhoenixUnderwater]

I love this guy!!! More teachers need to do stuff like this!!! If I had been him at that party with a friend of color, and that happened, I'd say to the friend (in front of the mom who wouldn't let him in) "Let's go, we'll have our own party at my place!" I'd be mad enough to storm off!!!

[@debihirsch7251]

Thank you Mr. Gill, Thank you Teachers!!! YAY!!!

[@nedjborsali4324]

A wonderful teacher and friend! Wonder if they are still friends 🥰

[@heydeanie]

Wow, after that I feel like 9 yr old Mr Gill became a teacher just to teach that lesson💕

[@tristancloyd2689]

I am not in school no more and I am still learning

[@CJLAWLESS8]

Thanks for existing Mr

[@sandrairvin3515]

This man is alright with me, this is so touching!!!!!!

[@susannetobben789]

Love this story! Thank you for sharing!

[@Mattnoble80]

Great story! Much like my moms story of when they inter-grated schools. She is Caucasian and had been life long friends with an African American girl. They were taunted and belittled even ostracized for being friends. They held true and strong to their friendship, worked so hard that they eventually graduated tied for first in their class. Both got partial scholarships to UNC and both are still friends and I’m friends with her children.

[@kathe.o.]

Good going Mr. Gill. Everyone should have an empty chair. No one should be turned away based on bios. Race, religion, ethnicity, gender orientation should NOT be a division among children. It teaches unfair prejudice & fosters hate. Let there be a world of love & peace, not diversification. (My own family turned their backs on my Arabic Moslem husband. None came to his funeral or offered me or our children condolences.)

[@hollyshaw-elliemae]

when i was 4 my friend invited me to go to the beach with her family. i was so excited, i went home and got ready. my mom walked me over to their house and the mom answered the door to say she was sorry but i was not invited and that HER daughter should have asked her before inviting me. i cried all the way home but i carried that with me my entire life. the lesson i learned was, if you are being invited somewhere by someone other than the person hosting the event, ALWAYS make sure you are actually invited. call them, investigate, and noones feelings get hurt. i know even her mother felt horrible because she told my mom after the fact how bad she felt about it but it wasnt an event i should be going to... they were releasing the mothers dads ashes into the sea and it wasnt play time. it was noones fault, but many peoples feelings were hurt that day. i was sad, i was embarrassed and mad at the friend who invited me. the mother was embarrassed and sad that she made me sad, etc. it was a big lesson.

[@M_SC]

This isn’t the lesson of the story in the video. It’s a totally not related story.

[@capers72424]

@@M_SC it isn’t totally unrelated, and even if it were, are you going to police ALL unrelated comments on KZbin? Perhaps you need to have a chair for Holly.

[@moonhunter9993]

that's not what r@cism is about though, you know.

[@kerrijansson2919]

Oh, you got upset at not being invited to your friend's grandfather's burial at the beach? Let me explain it to you....your friend's mother did the right thing in rescinding her daughter's invitation, as a funeral and a burial is NOT the proper place to have a playdate!! The only feelings that got hurt is yours and your mother's. Your friend's mother should have explained to her in age-appropriate terms what a burial is. I sincerely hope you are not one of those people who makes funerals super awkward for the mourners.

[@capers72424]

@@kerrijansson2919 weird flex on a video about compassion and empathy, Kerri. Did you not note that Holly was 4 years old at the time the incident occurred? I think MOST 4-year-olds would be upset at being invited to the beach, then not being able to go.

[@civilizeddiva]

2:42: Yes! The opportunity to create space (or chairs in this case), for “Others”.

[@lilithdeath1388]

Had some testing years ago in high school, on one the breaks the boy that sat in front of me in cem class decided to leave and died in a car wreck with in the hour break😑 it was a rough rest of the year . Just staring at that empty sit. ..

[@asaabrahamagulnik574]

I had thought the empty seat was going to be about that kid that would always be with them (a kid got sick and passed away); however, this lesson was also inspiring.

[@DarqJestor]

Check out an old song called "Society's Child" by Janis Ian. Same subject but it really expands on how little power we have as kids to stand up against adults.

[@Axqu7227]

This is the first time I’ve ever heard of the Kelly Clarkson show and the genuine kindness and empathy of this gentleman (who teaches not far from where my fiancé grew up) throws into sharp relief how plastic-wrapped and painted-on Kelly’s TV persona is. He’s glucose, she’s aspartame.

[@lesiemama3434]

We love you❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ House Gill Class of 2008 🤟🏾

[@lesiemama3434]

House gill class of 2008 ❤️

[@GamerJBYT]

@@lesiemama3434 Nice, I'm House Gill class of 2022. He's an amazing teacher.

[@SaraHA2371]

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

[@YourRoyalMajesty.]

😭 what a wonderful man. I will always have enough chairs in my home. 💖🕯️

[@8catmom]

This is wonderful ❤

[@inkheart151]

I didn’t realize Kelly Clark’s had a show!

[@miranda13c]

Such a wonderful man and teacher ❤

[@russellyoung1262]

There is always an extra chair...

[@dreamcrone]

Wonderful man. Most teachers are really like this! Not all of course. But for most it is a vocation not a job. Treat teachers with respect please.

[@judywyatt4790]

Good, good man.

[@Dihechuwa]

Excellent!

[@cbaker8628]

Love this!

[@mmgwife]

Some of the biggest lessons in life need the fewest words.

[@nattamused9074]

I’m inspired to start bringing an empty chair along with me to start conversations about my brother who was murdered in my mother’s womb. Good idea Mr. Gill.

[@ruthdanielson919]

Always an extra chair in his classroom.

[@venitastrong4707]

Great teacher