Mom panicked when her son didn’t exit during a school fire alarm — then cried after seeing who was holding his hand to safety
Knowing that their child is in a potentially dangerous situation can be really worrying for a parent. So, a mom was quite panicked when she realized that her 6-year-old son hadn't come out after the fire alarm rang at his school. The mom, Kennedy Stephenson, had just dropped her son, CJ, off at school when she heard a fire alarm go off. Kennedy patiently waited for a moment as she saw all the kids file out of the building. But when there was no sign of her son, she was really worried. In the very next moment, a sight eased all her worry, according to her TikTok video, where she goes by @kennedy.stephenson. The video received over 27,100 views.
"Today I dropped my autistic son off at school. As soon as he entered the doors, the fire alarm went off," the text overlay of the video read. The mom watched all the kids come out of the building except for her son. "I was looking for his aide, but instead, his previous kindergarten teacher walked out holding his hand and directing all the littles with confidence." The mom added, "This woman has been our family's guardian angel, advocating endlessly for him last year. And even though she isn't his teacher anymore, she shows up exactly when we need her." The mom also praised the teacher in the video's caption.
@kennedy.stephenson Though we’ve had many ups and downs with my autistic son in the public school system, his kindergarten teacher has been an actual God send. I remember praying before he started school that he would have a patient teacher who cares for him. She is our answered prayer and she never fails to go above and beyond. Thank you to every school teacher who continues this incredibly hard and underrecognized work. You are literally changing our kids lives. You are so appreciated❤️ #teachersoftiktok #elementaryschool #elementaryteacher #specialeducation #specialneedsmom ♬ Scott Street (Slowed Down) - Phoebe Bridgers
"Though we've had many ups and downs with my autistic son in the public school system, his kindergarten teacher has been an actual Godsend," Kennedy expressed. "I remember praying before he started school that he would have a patient teacher who cares for him. She is our answered prayer and she never fails to go above and beyond." She also thanked every teacher who was working hard for kids, even when their work goes "unrecognized." She went on, "You are literally changing our kids' lives. You are so appreciated." Before her son came out with the teacher, Kennedy was worried if he was lost or confused, per PEOPLE. She was on the verge of running in herself to get her son out.
"My son has an alternative plan in the mornings because of his behavior, so I wasn't surprised he didn't come out with the other kids. I did expect him to come out quicker than he did, though!" Kennedy pointed out. About the teacher, Mrs. Taylor, the mom said, "She spotted me on the road, waved to me to indicate that he was all good and held his hand as she directed people around, creating order in the chaos — as she always does." She also revealed, "She has absolutely been our son's biggest advocate, even when his behaviors could be disruptive to her classroom." People appreciated the teacher for helping the boy in the comments section of the video.
@lilly.gib wrote, "I'm a school counselor for a PreK-2nd school. Some of our 3rd-5th graders come over for daycare. One little boy has been my baby since he was in 1st grade — he gives me the biggest hug every day. He'll always be my kiddo." @bastttttlet2 commented, "They are our student forever. We let them go at the end of the year, but we still love them and watch out for them. Some of my former students are in their 40s and they are still mine. I work with them." @rob39301 remarked, "A beautiful story… thank you so much and all the best to your lovely son." The mom often shares snippets of her life with her son. In one video, her son was giving her affirmations by calling her a "good mom."
@kennedy.stephenson I started recording our conversation tonight when he flipped his nightly affirmations onto me! He had a rough day today, and we always debrief his day before bed. Today he said he wasn’t sure if he was a good kid. We went through all of his daily affirmations and I reminded him how great he is. He then started listing reasons I’m great too🥹 This kid has his struggles, but boy does he have the biggest heart. #affirmations #nightroutine #autismmomlife #momsoftiktok #autismawareness ♬ original sound - Kennedy🧩
You can follow Kennedy Stephenson (@kennedy.stephenson) on TikTok for more lifestyle content.
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